Boletín de la Asociación Médica de Puerto Rico
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Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis is an uncommon disease of unknown etiology characterized by the proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle cells in the lungs, leading to parenchymal destruction and progressive respiratory failure. The natural history of this disease remains poorly understood, primarily seen in women of childbearing age. The diagnosis can be difficult because symptoms are nonspecific and very similar to other respiratory diseases like asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. ⋯ The recent advances in genetic and molecular research provide new hope to discover the intricate mechanism of disease and evaluate new therapies. Internists, primary care physicians and pulmonologists should be aware of this condition in order to avoid delay in the diagnosis and institute appropriate therapy. The clinical features, pathophysiology, molecular genetics and medical treatment will be reviewed.
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Tortuosity of the cervical segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) can hinder navigation intravascular devices for treating intracranial aneurysms and even complex ICA access techniques can fail. Variations in the course of the internal carotid artery are known as coiling, kinking or tortuosity of the vessel. ⋯ A potential alternative is the reconstruction of these anatomic anomalies of the carotid artery using neuro-interventional methods. We present a practical review of the literature.