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Background: hybrid studies produce a total radiation dose that is the result of the dose imparted by the radiopharmaceutical and that emitted by the computed tomography, therefore optimization is essential.Objective: to evaluate the relationship of the computed tomography dose with some image quality parameters in hybrid study protocols.Methods: to evaluate the image quality, the Catphan and Livermore phantom were used in 12 pre-established protocols of a Mediso single photon emission tomography equipment. The data for the dose descriptors for each study were obtained from the DICOM head. The classic image quality parameters such as noise and the MTF 50% for the Catphan phantom, and others such as the contrast-noise ratio, the average of Hounsfield numbers and their standard deviation in the regions of interest of the corresponding organs were compared, in Livermore's phantom. The relationship of these quality parameters with the dose descriptors of the different protocols was analyzed.Results: the quality-related parameters in the Catphan phantom did not show significant differences (p Conclusions: the study of the contrast noise ratio and the deviation of the computed tomography numbers in the regions of interest can serve as a quantitative parameter for the optimization of doses in the clinical setting.

El Mycoplasma pneumoniae es causa frecuente de infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior e inferior en niños y adultos jóvenes, atribuyéndosele hasta un 40 % de los casos de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. La neumonía por bacterias atípicas ha sido tema de discusión desde su descripción. El diagnóstico de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad es fundamentalmente clínico. La radiografía de tórax es el patrón oro para confirmarlo, pero no se recomienda de forma rutinaria. En casos graves es necesaria la obtención de imágenes tomográficas. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el caso de un paciente con neumonía causada por Mycoplasma pneumoniae adquirida en la comunidad que fue atendido en el Hospital de Cienfuegos. Se trata de un hombre de color de piel blanca, de 51 años de edad, de procedencia urbana, sin hábitos tóxicos, con antecedentes patológicos personales de hipertensión arterial desde hacía tres años, con tratamiento regular; diabetes mellitus tipo 2, con control glucémico mediante dieta, además antecedentes referidos de insuficiencia venosa, el cual se ingresa en el hospital por el diagnóstico de neumonía atípica. Evolucionó hacia la gravedad, pero el adecuado empleo e interpretación de los elementos clínicos e imagenológicos permitió llegar al diagnóstico de neumonía por Mycoplasma pneumoniae, adquirida en la comunidad. Se logró una atención médica adecuada y la recuperación del paciente.

Background: hybrid studies produce a total radiation dose that is the result of the dose imparted by the radiopharmaceutical and that emitted by the computed tomography, therefore optimization is essential. Objective: to evaluate the relationship of the computed tomography dose with some image quality parameters in hybrid study protocols. Methods: to evaluate the image quality, the Catphan and Livermore phantom were used in 12 pre-established protocols of a Mediso single photon emission tomography equipment. The data for the dose descriptors for each study were obtained from the DICOM head. The classic image quality parameters such as noise and the MTF 50% for the Catphan phantom, and others such as the contrast-noise ratio, the average of Hounsfield numbers and their standard deviation in the regions of interest of the corresponding organs were compared, in Livermore's phantom. The relationship of these quality parameters with the dose descriptors of the different protocols was analyzed. Results: the quality-related parameters in the Catphan phantom did not show significant differences (p <0.05) between the different protocols for hybrid studies. Significant differences were found between the clinical protocols with different qualities and the standard clinical protocol, for the anthropomorphic phantom, in the standard deviation of the Hounsfield numbers and in the contrast-to-noise ratio (p <0.05). Conclusions: the study of the contrast noise ratio and the deviation of the computed tomography numbers in the regions of interest can serve as a quantitative parameter for the optimization of doses in the clinical setting.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Las neumonías por virus son la causa principal de infecciones de las vías respiratorias en la comunidad y suelen remitir espontáneamente. Los coronavirus son una familia de virus que causan infección tanto a humanos como a muchos animales. El actual brote se debe a una nueva cepa del coronavirus denominada SARS-CoV-2, hasta ahora nunca antes descrita en humanos. La prueba diagnóstica de elección es la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real. Los estudios imagenológicos están jugando un papel clave en el manejo de los pacientes con infección por COVID-19. Este artículo tiene como objetivo señalar aspectos imagenológicos de interés para el diagnóstico por radiografía y tomografía computarizada en estos pacientes, apuntar sobre la semántica que imagenológicamente se está utilizando y mencionar algunas consideraciones importantes de sociedades científicas.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in children and young adults, accounting for up to 40% of community-acquired pneumonia cases. The diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia is primarily clinical. Chest radiography is the gold standard for confirmation, but it is not routinely recommended. In severe cases, tomographic imaging is necessary. The objective of this work is to present the case of a patient with pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae acquired in the community who was treated at the Hospital de Cienfuegos. This is a 51-year-old man of white skin color, of urban origin, without toxic habits, with a personal pathological history of arterial hypertension for three years, with regular treatment; Type 2 diabetes mellitus, with glycemic control through diet, in addition to a referred history of venous insufficiency, which was admitted to the hospital for the diagnosis of atypical pneumonia. It progressed towards severity, but the proper use and interpretation of the clinical and imaging elements allowed the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae to be reached. Adequate medical care and recovery of the patient was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral pneumonia is the main cause of respiratory system infections in the community and they usually regress spontaneously. Coronavirus is part of a family of viruses that cause infections in humans and certain animals. The current outbreak that originated in Wuhan city in Hubei Province, China, is due to a new strain called SARS Covid 2, never described in humans before. The diagnostic test is real-time PCR. Imaging studies are being a key role in the management of patients with covid infection 19. This article aims to point out the aspects of interest for x rays and tomography diagnosis in these patients, point out the semantics used and to mention some important considerations from scientific societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, also known as Adult Chronic Hydrocephalus is usually produced in elder people due to an increase of cerebrospinal fluid in brain cavities, in general without an increase of intracranial pressure, but which can damage the brain. For such reasons, the case of a 67 year old mestizo, married patient is presented. She is an inveterate smoker who started suffering frequent falls without apparent cause, motor apraxia, sphincter disorders and perseverance. After consulting various specialties during a period of four years without diagnosis, she came to the Neurology consultation office reporting a deterioration of walking disturbances, sphincter disorders and very frequent falls. A research protocol was started due to the clinical suspect of normal pressure hydrocephalus which was confirmed by simple CT scan. It showed a dilation of the third ventricle without visualizing the fourth with effacement of convolutions and furrows. Through a Magnetic Resonance hydrocephalus was corroborated. She was admitted was medical and surgical treatment. An adequate valve was selected considering the hydrodynamic characteristics of the derivative system. Normal pressure hydrocephalus was corrected. This presentation is aimed at updating clinical diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this gnoseological entity.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, also known as Adult Chronic Hydrocephalus is usually produced in elder people due to an increase of cerebrospinal fluid in brain cavities, in general without an increase of intracranial pressure, but which can damage the brain. For such reasons, the case of a 67 year old mestizo, married patient is presented. She is an inveterate smoker who started suffering frequent falls without apparent cause, motor apraxia, sphincter disorders and perseverance. After consulting various specialties during a period of four years without diagnosis, she came to the Neurology consultation office reporting a deterioration of walking disturbances, sphincter disorders and very frequent falls. A research protocol was started due to the clinical suspect of normal pressure hydrocephalus which was confirmed by simple CT scan. It showed a dilation of the third ventricle without visualizing the fourth with effacement of convolutions and furrows. Through a Magnetic Resonance hydrocephalus was corroborated. She was admitted was medical and surgical treatment. An adequate valve was selected considering the hydrodynamic characteristics of the derivative system. Normal pressure hydrocephalus was corrected. This presentation is aimed at updating clinical diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this gnoseological entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Cuba, as in all developed countries, cancer is the second cause of death and among it the different types of intracranial neoplasms present a morbidity of 2-3 %. Among the diagnostic methods that can be used computarized tomography (CT-Scan) and magnetic resonance image (MRI) are the techniques that define the patient’s diagnosis and treatment in this type of neoplasm. Objective: to characterize intracranial neoplasm. Methods: a retrospective descriptive study that included the discharged patients operated from central nervous system neoplasms was carried out at the University General Hospital “Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima” from Cienfuegos province, from January 1st, 2003 to December 31st , 2007. All the patients had undergone a computarized tomography and had the histological post operatory diagnosis of primary or secondary neoplasms of the intracranial central nervous system. The variables under study were: sex, age, symptoms, location of the tumor, histological diagnosis, and tomography variables. Results: Neoplasms were predominant in males and in patients between 40 - 59 years of age. The most frequent symptom was headache, and its location in the frontal - parietal area. In 85, 7 % of the metastases a hypodense image was observed meanwhile in meningiomas a hyperdense image was seen. All tumors increased their density after contrast administration. The tomographic diagnosis coincided with the histological one in 85,7 % of gliomas, in 80 % of meningiomas and in 40 % of metastases. Conclusion: The computarized images of the cranium allow the inference of the histological type of intracranial neoplasms.

Background: Cerebrovascular disease is among the leading causes of death in developed countries. Intracerebral hemorrhage contributes a significant number of these deaths. Objective: To establish the prognostic value of a set of demographic and tomography variables in patients with nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods: A descriptive case series study was conducted. The sample consisted of patients diagnosed with intraparenchymatous and intracerebral hemorrhage admitted in the General University Hospital of Cienfuegos between May 2006 and April 2007. Clinical records were analyzed. In the case of dead patients the autopsy reports were included. Patients were characterized according to demographic and tomographic variables, considered as risk factors for the type of analyzed hemorrhage. Mortality was determined as well as the behaviour of these variables in such cases. Results: 135 patients were included, being 76.3% of them over 60 years old. There were no differences according to gender. Patients with non-white skin color were predominant. Intracerebral hemorrhage was more common in patients under 60 years old while intraparenchymatous hemorrage predominated in patients from 75 on. Most voluminous hematomas were detected in intracerebral hemorrhage patients (83.3%), as well as hydrocephalus (52.2%). The risk of dying from this type of hemorrhage (94.0%) was higher than from intraparenchymatous hemmorrage (about 81%). Conclusions: The highly contributing factors to mortality were: old age, non-white skin color, hydrocephalus and displacement of midline structures for more than 5 mm.

Los reportes de casos siempre son muy interesantes dado que los autores presentan en general casos muy pocos vistos en la literatura médica o muy poco conocidos. Por otro lado, constituyen escuelas tanto para los profesionales de la salud como para los estudiantes, dado que en la práctica médica los estudios que muestran el uso del método clínico tienen un gran valor. En esta sección los lectores pueden encontrar un total de 25 resúmenes sobre presentación de casos de gran interés científico y médico.

Backgrounds: CT scan constitutes a very important technique in the diagnosis of the cerebrovascular disease. The impact this transcendental event had and will continue having in the medicine area is impossible to state in terms of dimensions during the next years. Objective: To determine the neurological CT scan value for ictus in our milieu. Methods: A retrospective, prospective, longitudinal study of a series of cases performed during a review of statistical reports as well as that of Stroke data base which stores information of patients with neurocitus in our province, and which is based on others aspects founds by means of neurological CT scan. Results: CT scan allowed us to diagnose the type of cerebrovascular event (75.55 % ischemic events, 24.45% hemorrhagic events). It also contributed to the necessary data such as the localization (with predominium of 35.55% in more than one area, and 7.40 % in the parietal area. The presence of cerebral edema was verified in 16.29% of the cases as well as displacement of the midline in 7.40 % both associated to a torpid evolution. It incorporated the Fisher and Le Roux scales showing their prognosis value with elevated measures for deceased patients and decreased values for survivors without disability. Conclusions: The diagnosis and prognosis value were proved as well as CT scan behavior in our milieu. These aspects permit the reliable introduction of new therapeutic modalities in our province.