[677T mutation of the MTHFR gene in adenomas and colorectal cancer in a population sample from the Northeastern Mexico. Preliminary results]

INTRODUCTION

Adequate intake of folates has been associated to low prevalence of colon cancer. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR) plays an important role in folate metabolism. The role of the 677 mutation at the MTHFR gene in the risk for colorectal cancer remains controversial. A recent report established that this mutation has a high prevalence in the healthy Mexican population.

AIMS

To analyze the prevalence of 677T MTHFR mutation in patients with colorectal cancer and controls without chronic gastrointestinal disorders.

METHODS

Seventy-four colorectal cancer, 32 adenomas and 110 normal samples were analyzed. Patients and controls were matched for sex and age. For each sample, DNA isolation, PCR, and mutation detection by restriction enzyme digestion were performed to determine the allele at the 677 position in the MTHFR gene.

RESULTS

Genotype 677C/677C was found in 18.7, 20.3, and 30.9% in adenomas, cancer lesions and controls, respectively. Frequencies of the 677C/677T genotype were 59.4, 56.7, and 47.3%, in adenomas, cancer lesions, and controls, respectively. Genotype 677T/677T was found in 21.9, 23.0, and 21.8% in adenomas, cancer lesions, and controls, respectively. The odds ratio between genotypes carrying the mutation (T/T and C/T) and normal genotype (CC) was 1.81 (IC 95% 0.97-3.3), chi 2 = 3.5, p = 0.06.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that persons who carry the 677T mutation at MTHFR locus have a tendency for an increased risk for colorectal cancer. This study supports the basic concept that low levels of folic acid contribute with the colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Our lack of statistic significance may be due to reduced sample size.

[Diaphragmatic hernia, secondary to a phrenic nerve lesion, in a newborn infant]

The diaphragmatic eventration will be congenital or acquired; the damage to the phrenic nerve its for elongenest, cruch, gun ball or iatrogenic; this last one could be during cardiac surgery, birth trauma, venodissection and colocation of one thorax drill. We presented the case of one premature newborn of 32 weeks with 1374g of weight, with respiratory distress syndrome which evolutioned to bilateral pneumothorax and posteriorly left diaphragmatic eventration secondary to a phrenic nerve damage by the thorax drill which one reach to mediastinum. The diagnosis of these entity will suspect by abnormal elevation of the affected hemidiaphragm and confirmed by fluoroscopy. The treatment its a early diaphragmatic pleat.

[A giant follicular cyst of the ovary in a newborn infant]

The tumoral lesions proceeding of ovary in the newborns are the 3-6% of all abdominal tumors. The most frequent tumor is ovarian follicular cyst which will be diagnosed prenatally. As a result of ovarian stimulation by fetal gonadotrophins, maternal estrogen and placenta + gonadotrophins. Maternal antecedents reported diabetes, toxemia and isoimmunization. The most frequent complication is torsion. We present the case of one female newborn, with abdominal mass present by abdominal palpation referred of the first gestation of mother with 27 years of age, with primary sterility of 11 years without treatment, with toxemia during the pregnancy. The abdominal x-film show a intraperitoneal mass the ultrasound show cystic and solid mass, without determined origin, and the scan magnetic resonance (MR) a tumoral mass with origin in the pelvic hole with extension to the infrahepatic zone. The surgical finding was left ovarian cyst with left oophorectomy and salpingectomy.

[Mediastinal lipoblastoma in a 14-year-old patient]

This is a case report on a 14 year child with a benign mediastinum lipoblastoma examined at the University Hospital "Dr. José E. González", in Monterrey, Nuevo León. This is an infrequent pathology and little has been published especially dealing with patients at this age and the site where it was found. This is a benign tumor which requires complete resection. The patient was submitted to an anterolateral bilateral thoracotomy which allowed for the complete resection of the tumor. It weighed 3.1 kilograms and measured 26 x 21 cm. The patient evolved satisfactorily.