Tratamiento endoscópico de lesiones quísticas supratentoriales en pediatría / Endoscopic treatment of supratentorial cystic lesions in pediatrics

Introducción: La endoscopía neuroquirúrgica es una técnica mínimamente invasiva, utilizada desde principios del siglo XX para dar solución a las patologías localizadas en el sistema ventricular. En la actualidad las indicaciones de esta técnica se han ampliado notablemente. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en presentar el tratamiento endoscópico de quistes cerebrales supratentoriales de diferentes etiologías en pediatría. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal retrospectivo, desde enero de 2016 hasta diciembre de 2019, de pacientes pediátricos con lesiones quísticas supratentoriales tratados endoscópicamente en el Hospital de Niños de La Plata. Para definir el éxito se utilizó la clasificación en 5 grados de Ross et al. Resultados: Se practicaron 14 procedimientos en 12 pacientes, con edades comprendidas entre los 2 meses y los 9 años. Del total, 6 fueron quistes intraventriculares, 3 quistes de línea media, 5 quistes paraventriculares. Todos presentaban algún signo o síntoma al momento de la consulta, predominando entre ellos la alteración del estado neurológico y los vómitos. Luego de practicarse la fenestración endoscópica, presentaron una evolución clínica favorable en 12 de los 14 procedimientos y una mejoría en al menos un criterio imagenológico en 10 del total de los procedimientos.Basados en la categorización de Ross et al. se obtuvo un grado I en el 57% de los casos, lo que implica una mejoría completa permanente. La tasa de complicación global fue del 7%, presentando en solo un caso infección post endoscopia. Conclusión: La neuroendoscopía debería ser considerada como una opción de primera línea para el tratamiento en las lesiones quísticas supratentoriales. Demostró ser un método poco invasivo, con el cual se obtuvieron buenos resultados y una baja tasa de complicaciones.

Introduction: Neurosurgical endoscopy is a minimally invasive technique, used since the beginning of the 20th century to solve pathologies localized in the ventricular system. Currently the indications for this technique have been greatly expanded. The objective of this work is to present the endoscopic treatment of supratentorial brain cysts of different etiologies in pediatrics. Material and methods: We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study, from January 2016 to December 2019, of pediatric patients with supratentorial cystic lesions treated endoscopically at the Hospital de Niños of La Plata City. To define success, we used the 5-degree classification of Ross et al. Results: 14 procedures were performed in 12 patients, aged between 2 months and 9 years. Of the total, 6 were intraventricular cysts, 3 midline cysts, 5 paraventricular cysts. All presented any signs or symptoms at the time of the consultation, prevailing among them the alteration of the neurological state and vomiting. After endoscopic fenestration was performed, they presented a favorable clinical evolution in 12 of the 14 procedures and an improvement in at least one imaging criterion in 10 of all procedures. Based on the categorization of Ross et al. we obtained a grade I in 57% of the cases, which implies a permanent complete improvement. The overall complication rate was 7%, presenting post-endoscopy infection in only one case. Conclusion: Neuroendoscopy should be considered as a first-line option for the treatment of supratentorial cystic lesions. It proved to be a non-invasive method, with which we obtained good results and a low complication rate

Lavado endoscópico con colocación de catéter trans acueducto de Silvio en paciente lactante con ventriculitis de difícil manejo / Endoscopic lavage with placement of a trans-aqueduct of Silvio catheter in a nursing patient with difficult-to-manage ventriculitis

Introducción: La ventriculitis representa una emergencia infectológica, generalmente asociada a un procedimiento neuroquirúrgico. La incidencia es desconocida debido a la variación de los criterios diagnóstico. Descripción del caso: Presentamos una paciente de sexo femenino de 6 meses de edad con antecedente de hidrocefalia post hemorrágica, con diagnóstico de ventriculitis por Enterobacter complex asociada a sistema de derivación ventrículo peritoneal (DVP) de difícil manejo. La misma realizó tratamiento combinado de antibiótico con Meropenem y Colistin endovenoso e intraventricular asociado a tratamiento endoscópico que consistió en lavados, aspiración del contenido purulento intraventricular, tercer ventriculostomía endoscópica (TVE), coagulación bilateral del plexo coroideo y acueductoplastia con colocación de catéter de derivación ventricular externa (DVE) entre el tercer y el cuarto ventrículo con el objetivo de mantener la permeabilidad de la misma y de esta manera asegurar la llegada de antibiótico intraventricular al cuarto ventrículo. Discusión: La ventriculitis se asocia a múltiples complicaciones y una elevada tasa de morbi-mortalidad. El tratamiento de las ventriculitis de difícil manejo, es aún controvertido, actualmente existe bibliografía que reporta buenos resultados del tratamiento con lavado endoscópicos asociado al tratamiento combinado endovenoso e intraventricular para lograr mayores concentraciones de antibiótico intraventricular. Conclusión: Consideramos que el tratamiento combinado es una herramienta frente a las ventriculitis por patógenos resistentes a los tratamientos convencionales. En los casos con obstrucción del acueducto de Silvio recomendamos realizar acueductoplastia y colocación de catéter multifenestrado; para mantener la permeabilidad y la llegada de antibiótico al cuarto ventrículo.

Introduction: Ventriculitis represents an infectious emergency which is normally associated with neurosurgical procedures. The incidence is unknown due to the variation of the diagnostic criteria. Case description: We present a 6-month-old female patient with a history of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. The patient was diagnosed with Enterobacter complex ventriculitis difficult to manage associated with peritoneal ventricular shunt (VP). The patient received combined antibiotic treatment with Meropenem intravenous and intravenous-intraventricular Colistin associated with endoscopic treatment. This endoscopic treatment consisted of washes, aspiration of the intraventricular purulent content, third endoscopic ventriculostomy (ETV), bilateral coagulation of the choroid plexus and aqueductoplasty with external ventricular drain catheter (EDV). This EDV was placed between the third and fourth ventricle in order to maintain its permeability so as to ensure the arrival of intraventricular antibiotics to the fourth ventricle. Discussion: Ventriculitis is associated with multiple complications and a high morbidity and mortality rate. The treatment of ventriculitis that is difficult to manage is still controversial. Currently several authors show good results of endoscopic lavage treatment associated with combined intravenous/intraventricular antibiotic treatment. This leads to greater intraventricular antibiotic concentrations. Conclusion: We consider that combined treatment has been successful for ventriculitis difficult to manage. In those cases, with obstruction of the Silvio aqueduct, it is recommended to perform aqueductoplasty and placement of a multi-fenestrated catheter; to maintain patency and the arrival of antibiotics in the fourth ventricle.

Efectividad y técnica quirúrgica de la neuroendoscopía para el tratamiento de la hidrocefalia en menores de un año / Effectiveness and technique Surgical neuroendoscopy for the treatment of hydrocephalus in children under one year

Objetivos: Demostrar la efectividad y describir la técnica quirúrgica de la tercer ventriculostomía endoscópica (TVE) asociada a la coagulación de plexos coroideos (CPC) como alternativa terapéutica en pacientes menores de un año con hidrocefalia. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo observacional, desde junio del 2013 a septiembre del 2016, que incluyó a 34 pacientes con hidrocefalia. Fueron criterios de inclusión pacientes menores de 12 meses de edad, cuyo tratamiento de la hidrocefalia fue una TVE con CPC. Los pacientes fueron clasificados de acuerdo al origen de su hidrocefalia. Hidrocefalia posinfección (HPI), hidrocefalia no posterior a infección (HNPI), hidrocefalia posterior a hemorragia intraventricular (HPHIV), hidrocefalia en pacientes portadores de mielomeningocele. Se confeccionó una tabla de puntuación inicial de éxito de TVE dependiendo de la edad del paciente, la etiología de la hidrocefalia y si poseía o no sistema de derivación de LCR previo. Resultados: Según el origen de la hidrocefalia, se encontraron MMC 13 (38,5%), HNPI 12 (35%), HPHIV 8 (23,5%) y HPI 1 (3%). El porcentaje de éxito, independientemente de la etiología, fue del 63,8% para todos los procedimientos realizados. El mejor resultado se observó en los recién nacidos con mielomeningocele (69%), HNPI (63,6%), HPHIV (60%) y HPI (0%). Conclusiones: La TVE-CPC puede ser considerada como una opción primaria en el tratamiento de la hidrocefalia, en pacientes menores de un año en centros con experiencia

Objectives: To demonstrate the effectiveness and describe the surgical technique of the Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) associated with coagulation choroid plexus (CPC) as a therapeutic alternative in patients younger than one year with hydrocephalus.Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from June 2013 to September 2016 that included 34 patients with hydrocephalus. The inclusion criteria were patients younger than 12 months old, whose treatment of hydrocephalus was ETV with CPC. Patients were classified according to the origin of their hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus post infection (HPI), not after infection Hydrocephalus (HNPI), Hydrocephalus following intraventricular hemorrhage (HPHIV), hydrocephalus in patients with myelomeningocele. An initial score table showing success of TVE depending on the patient's age, etiology of hydrocephalus and whether or not they had a prior CSF shunt system was made. Results: According to the origin of hydrocephalus MMC 13 (38.5%), HNPI 12 (35%), HPHIV 8 (23.5%) and HPI 1 (3%) were found. The success rate regardless of etiology was 63.8% for all procedures performed, the best result was observed in newborns with myelomeningocele (69%), HNPI (63.6%), HPHIV (60 %) and HPI 0%. Conclusions: ETV-CPC can be considered as a primary option in the treatment of hydrocephalus in patients younger than one year in experienced centers. Keywords: hydrocephalus, third ETV, coagulation choroid plexus

Caracterização bioquímica e molecular de Cryptococcus spp. isolados de excretas ambientais de pombos (Columba livia domestica) / Biochemical and molecular characterization of Cryptococcus spp. isolates from environmental feces of pigeons (Columba livia domestic)

Os pombos possuem uma rica diversidade de microrganismo, entre eles fungos sapróbios, como do gênero Cryptococcus, que podem atuar como agentes patogênicos para o homem e animais. Objetivou-se o isolamento, a caracterização bioquímica e a molecular de amostras de Cryptococcus spp. de excretas ambientas de pombos. Foram colhidas 100 amostras ambientais de pontos equidistantes e representativos da área da cidade de Araçatuba, São Paulo. As amostras foram rasteladas do solo de vias públicas, armazenadas em frasco coletor e encaminhadas para o Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia da FMVA, onde foram processadas e cultivadas em duplicata, em placas de Petri contendo ágar Sabouraud dextrose a 4% e Niger. Em seguida, foram incubadas à temperatura ambiente e a 30ºC, respectivamente, por um período não inferior a 15 dias. Após a observação diária, as colônias sugestivas para levedura foram reisoladas em ágar Niger e submetidas a testes bioquímicos para posterior caracterização molecular pela técnica da PCR. Como resultado, a caracterização bioquímica e a molecular isolaram 32 colônias leveduriformes, sendo 8% dos cultivos positivos para Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, 17% para Rhodotorula rubidae e 7% Candida albicans. Pelo exposto, concluiu-se que excretas ambientais de pombos constituem um microfoco para Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans e outras leveduras com potencial patogênico, representando um risco à saúde pública, sendo necessárias medidas preventivas, como a higienização com a correta remoção das excretas, a fim de minimizar os riscos de exposição ambiental.

Pigeons have a rich diversity of microrganisms, including fungi saprobes such as the genus Cryptococcus that can act as a pathogen for humans and animals. The aim of this was their isolation, biochemical and molecular characterization of samples of Cryptococcus from ambientas avian excreta. One hundred environmental samples,representative of the area equidistant from Araçatuba, São Paulo points were collected. The samples were removed and stored in collection bottles, sent to the Laboratory of Bacteriology and Mycology of FMVA, where they were processed and cultivated in duplicate on Petri dishes containing Sabouraud dextrose 4% and Niger and incubated at room temperature 30° C, respectively, for a period of no less than 15 days. Colonies after daily observation which were suggestive for yeast growth were re-isolated in Niger agar and subjected to biochemical analisis for further molecular characterization by PCR tests. As results, the biochemical and molecular characterization of 32 yeast colonies revealed 8% of cultures positive for Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, 17% Rhodotorula rubidae and 7% Candida albicans. It was concluded that environmental avian excreta are active sites for replication of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans and other yeasts with pathogenic potential. These constitute a public health risk, and preventive measures are necessary, such as cleaning and complete removal of excreta in order to minimize the risk of environmental exposure.

A study on the short-term effect of cafeteria diet and pioglitazone on insulin resistance and serum levels of adiponectin and ghrelin

The interaction between ghrelin and adiponectin is still controversial. We investigated the effect of cafeteria diet and pioglitazone on body weight, insulin resistance, and adiponectin/ghrelin levels in an experimental study on male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four groups of 6 rats each, and received balanced chow with saline (CHOW-O) or pioglitazone (CHOW-P), or a cafeteria diet with saline (CAFE-O) or pioglitazone (CAFE-P). The chow/cafeteria diets were administered for 35 days, and saline/pioglitazone (10 mg·kg body weight-1·day-1) was added in the last 14 days prior to euthanasia. CAFE-O animals had a higher mean final weight (372.5 ± 21.01 g) than CHOW-O (317.66 ± 25.11 g, P = 0.017) and CHOW-P (322.66 ± 28.42 g, P = 0.035) animals. Serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher in CHOW-P (55.91 ± 20.62 ng/mL) than in CHOW-O (30.52 ± 6.97 ng/mL, P = 0.014) and CAFE-O (32.54 ± 9.03 ng/mL, P = 0.027) but not in CAFE-P. Higher total serum ghrelin levels were observed in CAFE-P compared to CHOW-P animals (1.65 ± 0.69 vs 0.65 ± 0.36 ng/mL, P = 0.006). Likewise, acylated ghrelin levels were higher in CAFE-P (471.52 ± 195.09 pg/mL) than in CHOW-P (193.01 ± 87.61 pg/mL, P = 0.009) and CAFE-O (259.44 ± 86.36 pg/mL, P = 0.047) animals. In conclusion, a cafeteria diet can lead to a significant weight gain. Although CAFE-P animals exhibited higher ghrelin levels, this was probably related to food deprivation rather than to a direct pharmacological effect, possibly attenuating the increase in adiponectin levels.