La paniculitis mesentérica es un proceso inflamatorio crónico inespecífico del tejido adiposo mesentérico (1) con una forma de presentación muy variable. Para su diagnóstico definitivo suele ser necesario recurrir a la toma de biopsia de la lesión debido a la falta de especificidad de las pruebas radiológicas y la incapacidad de reconocer mucho de los factores precipitantes. Actualmente se reconoce que esta entidad presenta varios estadios evolutivos. Los criterios diagnósticos anato

The technique described is useful and easily applicable in children with abdominal wall defects when primary anatomic closure is not feasible. It also prevents future herniation through the anatomical defect of the abdominal wall.

No abstract

Although rhabdomyosarcoma is the most frequent soft tissue tumor in children, there are extremely few reports of this tumor arising from the urachus. The authors describe another case in a 6-year-old female associated with constipation and a painless suprapubic mass. The specimen had the pathological criteria used to define urachal sarcoma (cytological, histological, and immunohistochemical findings) and urachal remnants were not observed. After complete resection of the primary tumor the patient was treated with chemotherapy (ifosfamide, vincristine, and dactinomycin) and remains alive at 4 years' follow-up with no signs of recurrence. Nowadays the management of children with urachal rhabdomyosarcoma usually includes surgery and chemotherapy. Multimodal therapy and surgery are constantly evolving and have significantly improved overall survival of these patients especially in R0 resected patients.

Objectives: To test the introduction of ECTS in the 2nd term of the 5th year medicine course and the appropriately modified teaching methodology. Study design: Theoretical and practical programs were adapted; academic objectives and student evaluation system were established for the following subjects: medical pathology of blood and haematopoiesis, infectious diseases and endocrine system and nutrition, paediatrics and surgical pathology of the face, neck, breast and endocrine glands. Students were surveyed during the term, using a 5-point Likert-type scale. We recorded student priorities for general and specific parameters, and the results were analyzed using non-parametric tests. Results: Thirty-seven credits were converted into 29.5 ECTS credits, representing 736.5 student working hours. The theory program was reduced from 186 to 134 lectures (a reduction of 28%). Students presented 58 tutor-supervised clinical cases. The teaching staff considered that learning of theory was similar to previous years (66.6%) but that practical learning improved (73.3%). Most students (73.2%) thought the program should be improved, especially the examination system, and the workload reduced. Students reported a statistically significant improvement in practical teaching and in their capacity to present clinical cases. Academic performance was significantly higher than that of the 5th year students the previous year. Students agreed with the National Deans Conference priorities for the 9/9 general and 4/17 specific competences. Conclusions: Introducing ECTS improved academic performance, practical training and self-learning. The project proved satisfactory for staff and students. Student workload was underestimated in the new plan.