Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted viral infection that represents the most frequent cause of genital ulcer. Clinically, it presents with recurrent, asymptomatic episodes or with characteristic lesions such as vesicles-ulcers. In our environment, the diagnosis is eminently clinical, although laboratory tests are available for its confirmation. The treatment of choice consists of systemic antiviral drugs, which shorten the virus elimination time, although they do not prevent recurrence. In addition, it is important to remember its frequent predisposition to other STIs, especially HIV/AIDS as in this case.

Objective: To analyze the incidence of limb sarcoma-sparing surgery in the Hospital Oncology Service of the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security (SOHIVSS) during the period 2003-2015. Methods: Descriptive, non-experimental, retrospective, cross-sectional clinical fieldwork design. A sample of 50 patients diagnosed with sarcoma and treated with preserving surgery was studied. The procedures and techniques of the statistical method were applied, organizing the data, analyzing them, presenting results in tabular and graphical form. Descriptive statistical techniques were used for this study. Results: Wide local resections were performed as an oncologic procedure in patients mostly female, aged between 49 and 59 years, whose most relevant frequency was undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. The most affected extremity was the upper extremity. Conclusions: Limb-sparing surgery of sarcomas performed with wide local resection as an oncologic surgical procedure during the period 2003-2015, managed to minimize postoperative complications. The application of radiotherapy and timely follow-up is fundamental.

Objective: To determine non-melanoma skin cancer mortality in Costa Rica, according to provinces and cantons, in the period 2000-2019. Materials and methods: Descriptive, ecological study. A database was created with the mortality rates for non-melanoma skin cancer in Costa Rica, taking information from the National Institute of Statistics and Census. The data obtained were organized in a Microsoft Excel file, where the rates were classified according to age group, sex and province or canton of residence of the patient. The cases were divided by the population and multiplied by 100 thousand inhabitants to calculate the mortality rate for non-melanoma skin cancer. Results: The mortality rate for non-melanoma skin cancer is predominantly male. The most affected age group is patients older than 70 years, with a rate of 15.77 deaths per 100 thousand inhabitants. According to geographical distribution, the highest mortality rate corresponded to the province of Alajuela, and the lowest rates were in Limón and Guanacaste. According to the canton of residence of the patient, Atenas and Palmares were those that registered the highest values during the entire period, belonging to the province of Alajuela. Conclusions: The mortality rate for non-melanoma skin cancer in Costa Rica during 2000-2019 presents an increasing trend. Being male and belonging to the population over 70 years of age are two associated risk factors. Alajuela is the province with the highest mortality.

Carotid body tumor is a paraganglioma located at the carotid bifurcation and originates from chemoreceptor cells at the neck level. Although its incidence is low, it is the main paraganglioma at the head and neck level. They are usually benign; however, a malignancy rate of 5-10 % has been reported. They frequently present as asymptomatic masses at the anterior level of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Occasionally they can cause nerve compression of various cranial nerves and symptoms of adrenergic discharge due to the release of catecholamines. Diagnosis is made through Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography or magnetic resonance imaging. The treatment of choice is surgical resection by endarterectomy. Among the most frequent surgical complications are cerebrovascular events and cranial nerve damage. This literature review addresses the clinical presentation and therapeutic management of carotid body tumor in a comprehensive and up-to-date manner.

Parkes Weber syndrome is a rare congenital pathology, whose incidence is 1:100,000 persons; it is manifested by the tetrad that includes vascular malformations, varicose veins, soft tissue-bone tissue overgrowth and port wine stains. The diagnosis is clinical and is confirmed by imaging studies. We present the case of a neonate with port-wine stains in the lower extremities and genitalia, in addition to soft tissue hypertrophy. Doppler examination of the lower extremities showed arteriovenous malformation in both extremities and stasis flow. Angiotomography of lower limbs reported soft tissue hypertrophy and arteriovenous malformation in popliteal vessels and lymphatic vessels. Patient died at 14 days of life due to coagulopathy and septic shock. Management is conservative; life prognosis is usually discouraging due to frequent complications.