Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Figueroa

Publications and source records attributed to M Figueroa.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1969

Anesthesia and you.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vertebral osteomyelitis in northern Spain. Report of 62 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The records of 62 patients with clinical and radiographic evidence of vertebral osteomyelitis and positive bacteriological diagnosis, seen between 1979 and 1996, were reviewed in order to gather data on the epidemiology and the clinical pattern displayed by patients with this condition in northern Spain. RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus (15 cases), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (15 cases) and Brucella melitensis (13 cases) were the microorganisms most frequently found in our patient series. After improvement of the sanitary and hygienic control of food products, the role of Brucella melitensis is decreasing as a causative agent (only 3 cases in the last 6 years). Staphylococcus epidermidis, present in 4 cases (6.6%), should be suspected in elderly patients with previous intravenous cannulations (3 of 4 cases). The most frequent risk factors were alcoholism (7 cases), chronic hepatic disease (7 cases), diabetes (6 cases) and previous surgery (6 cases). Delay in diagnosis was high (the mean number of days between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 125). The lumbar region was the most commonly affected site. Neurologic involvement was present in 10 patients on admission (16%). ESR was > 50 mm/hr in a high number of cases. Blood cultures were found to be the most valuable routine test. Plain x-rays were normal in 10 patients (16%); in 6 of them Staphylococcus aureus was the responsible organism. Other imaging modalities showed a high sensitivity. Surgical drainage was necessary in 12 individuals (in 7 due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Outcome was good in the majority of cases: only 2 patients with associated endocarditis died. Neurologic sequelae were present in another 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Vertebral osteomyelitis can be caused by a variety of pathogens. Therefore, bacteriological studies are necessary to establish the etiologic diagnosis and determine the specific antimicrobial treatment required.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Musculoskeletal infections in intravenous drug addicts: report of 34 cases with analysis of microbiological aspects and pathogenic mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse characteristics of musculoskeletal infections in Spanish intravenous (i.v.) drug addicts. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 34 medical records was carried out and the aetiologic agent was confirmed in all cases. RESULTS: The mean age was 26 years and the sex ratio was 25M/9F. Twenty-four patients were HIV-positive and 10 HIV-negative. There were no differences between the 2 subgroups. Septic arthritis, seen in 27 cases (79%), was the most common type of infection. Axial involvement was present in 23 cases (67%). The organisms isolated included Staphylococcus aureus (25 cases), Candida albicans (3 cases), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2 cases), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus pyogenes in one case each. Candida albicans affected the sternocostal joints. Laboratory data showed non-specific findings. The outcome was mostly good and only one patient died. CONCLUSION: Human immunodeficiency virus does not affect characteristics of musculoskeletal infections in i.v. drug addicts. Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequently isolated pathogen in this population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Absence of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with weekly low-dose methotrexate.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse pulmonary toxicity in psoriatic arthritis patients treated with weekly low-dose methotrexate. METHODS: A transversal study was carried out to analyse the findings on chest x-rays and high resolution computed tomography, and the results of pulmonary function tests in 27 Caucasian psoriatic arthritis patients treated with weekly low-dose methotrexate. None of them had previous recognized interstitial lung disease. RESULTS: The median age of the patient cohort was 50 years (range 24-70 years) and the sex ratio was 20M/7F. 17 patients had previously used other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. The mean weekly dose of methotrexate was 8.46 mg (range 5-15 mg), the average treatment period was 52 months (range 3-240 months), and the median cumulative dose was 2241 mg (range 300-6520 mg). High resolution computed tomography failed to show alveolar or interstitial involvement in any patient. Diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide was mildly altered only in 2 cases. Pulmonary function tests did not show differences between patients with and without recognized risk factors for developing methotrexate-associated lung toxicity identified in rheumatoid arthritis patients (old age, diabetes, hypoalbuminemia, previous use of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs). CONCLUSION: In this cohort of 27 psoriatic arthritis patients methotrexate was not associated with pulmonary fibrosis evaluated by means of sensitive imaging findings and pulmonary function tests.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Osteoarticular mycobacterial infections in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus.

OBJECTIVE: Data about the characteristics of patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and concomitant mycobacterial skeletal infection are scarce. Thus, our aim was to describe this condition in a cohort of 11 patients. METHODS: A review of the records of 11 HIV-positive individuals with microbiological confirmation of mycobacterial osteoarticular infection was conducted. The studied data included: age, sex, risk factor for the HIV days between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, evidence of previous tuberculosis, location of the infection, isolated organism, diagnostic method, laboratory data (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haemoglobin, leukocyte count), number of CD4+ lymphocytes, anti-retroviral therapy, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: Eight patients were men and 3 were women. The median age was 34.2 years (range 20-46 years). Previous tuberculosis was present in 5 cases. Mean days between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 124 (range 20-365 days). Infections involved the knee (4 cases), spine (3 cases), hip (2 cases), elbow (1 case) and tibia (1 case). ESR was frequently elevated. The CD4 count ranged from 0.03 to 0.779 x 10(9)/l (mean 0.245 x 10(9)/l). M. tuberculosis was the responsible organism in 9 cases, Mycobacerium tuberculosis plus Staphylococcus aureus in one case and M. Kansasii in one case. Patients received specific treatments with good results. Surgery was necessary in 4 cases. No deaths occurred. Four patients were anti-retroviral naive at the moment the diagnosis was made. The remainder 8 were on zidovudine therapy. CONCLUSION: The immunologic status of patients with HIV and concomitant mycobacterial skeletal infections is quite variable. The outcome of this condition seems to be good.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Aging in Peru].

After some remarks about the particular position of the elderly in the Inca period, some demographic data concerning the present-day situation of the elderly are presented. Their extremely deficient living conditions and the insufficient institutions taking care of the aged are described. In the second part, findings of an experimental study based on the Rorschachtest are given.

Adaptation, Psychological↗