Revista médica de Chile
-
Revista médica de Chile · Apr 2024
Review[Endocrinological Effects of Lithium: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Clinical Implications].
Lithium carbonate has a narrow therapeutic range capable of producing various adverse effects; despite this fact, it is used as first-line therapy in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) thanks to its high effectiveness. Among its adverse events are several conditions at the endocrine level, such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. The adherence to current guidelines for monitoring those events is low. The objective of this review is to provide insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms of the endocrine effects of lithium and give recommendations based on the current literature for the monitoring and treatment of these conditions.
-
Revista médica de Chile · Apr 2024
Review[Decision-Making by Hospital Teams Regarding Access and Use of Life-Support Technology and End-of-Life Processes in Critically Ill Adult Patients: A Narrative Review].
Death processes have been progressively transferred to hospital spaces due to biomedicalization and the use of technologies, generating important challenges for healthcare systems. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the lack of unified criteria and principles for a dignified death in the hospital. This study corresponds to a narrative review using Higgins & Green's methodological framework as a reference. ⋯ The evidence shows variability in decision-making associated with the clinical status of the patient, the criteria of the medical professional, added to structural elements of the health system and political-legal aspects. The literature recommends reflexive, dynamic, flexible, and individualized decision-making processes that consider the patient's preferences, clinical judgment, prognosis, and available resources. Communication, advance care planning, interdisciplinary discussions, external consultations, and the involvement of ethical committees are crucial throughout the process.
-
Revista médica de Chile · Apr 2024
Review Case Reports[Acquired Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis in a Renal Transplant Patient: Case Report and Literature Review].
Acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis is a rare condition, secondary to a state of acquired immunosuppression and is characterized by a susceptibility to infection by human papillomavirus of the beta genus, which carries an increased risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer. We report the case of a 39-year-old woman receiving a kidney transplant, treated with prednisone and tacrolimus, who after starting immunosuppressive therapy developed papules and warty plaques in the inguinal region. A skin biopsy was performed that was consistent with epidermodysplasia verruciformis, so it was decided to adjust immunosuppressive therapy to everolimus, which achieved a reduction in lesions. There are only 13 other cases of acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis in kidney transplant recipients; to our knowledge this is the first case reported in Chile.
-
Revista médica de Chile · Feb 2024
Review[What do we know about craniopharyngioma? Updated review of the main advances and local experience.].
Craniopharyngioma is a tumor of benign histology, although it can cause serious sequelae due to its location and growth in the sellar and suprasellar region. It is characterized by being aggressive due to its ability to invade locally, and by its high recurrence rate. Histologically, two distinct tumors have been acknowledged, which were previously considered subtypes. ⋯ The symptoms of both of these tumor types are secondary to hormonal deficits, hydrocephalus or visual disturbances. Treatment should be performed in centers with experience in them, achieving a balance between a wide resection and protection of hypothalamic function. Radiotherapy has proven to reduce tumor recurrence, with a current focus on the development of medical treatments based on molecular targets.
-
Revista médica de Chile · Feb 2024
Review[What we know today about solitary rectal ulcer syndrome].
Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome (SRUS) is a rare defecation disorder with varied clinical manifestations and often presents challenges in diagnosis. To date, there is no definitive treatment for SRUS. ⋯ Surgery is reserved for correcting anatomical problems. This review provides an update on available data regarding the pathophysiology, presentation, clinical evaluation, and various treatment alternatives.