Gangliocytic Paraganglioma of the Filum Terminale. A Rare Entity

Paragangliomas are rare, benign and slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors that can arise from the adrenal medulla (85­90%) or from the extra-adrenal paraganglia. In the central nervous system (CNS), they can be found at several sites, but more often at the cauda equina and filum terminale region, where they account for between 2.5 and 3.8% of total tumor cases of that region. There are only 8 cases described in the literature that mention the presence of the gangliocytic variant of this entity at the filum terminale. We present the case of a 41-year-old man with chronic lumbar pain refractory to medical treatment, without any associated neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an intradural, extramedullar oval lesion with regular contours and homogeneous caption of contrast at L1 level. He was submitted to surgical treatment, with complete resection of the lesion. The histological analysis revealed a gangliocytic paraganglioma of the filum terminale. At 5 years of follow-up, he remains asymptomatic and without any signs of relapse. These are lesions with an overall good prognosis with gross total resection. Although the recurrence rate is extremely low, prolonged observation is recommended due to the slow-growing nature of the tumor, being estimated that between 1 and 4% can recur even after gross total removal.

Fixed drug eruption by etoricoxib confirmed by patch test

Abstract: Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, followed by antibiotics, are the main causes of fixed drug eruption. They provoke one or several round erythematous or bullous lesions that recur in the same place after taking the causative medication. A positive patch test on residual, lesional skin can replace satisfactorily oral reintroduction. We describe the case of a 74-year-old woman with numerous, rounded, erythematous lesions on the trunk and recurrent blistering on the fifth right-hand finger, which developed a few hours after taking etoricoxib. Lesional patch testing with etoricoxib was positive and reproduced the typical pattern of a fixed drug eruption upon histopathology. We emphasize the specific reactivity of the etoricoxib patch test, and the capacity to reproduce the histologic pattern of the reaction.

Efeitos do tratamento cronico de ratos com o extrato de Chamaecrista nictans Irwin and Barneby na eliminacao de calculos renais / Effects of chronic treatment of rats with Chamaecrista nictans Irwin and barneby on eliminition of renal calculli

Chamaecrista nictans subs. patellaria var. ramosa Irwin and Barneby (Cassia patellaria DC), tambem conhecida pelo nome popular de peninha, e uma erva daninha originaria do Brasil cujo cha e utilizado na medicina popular para eliminacao de calculos renais. O ensaio farmacologico foi feito a fim de testar o efeito do tratamento cronico com extrato fluido da planta, na urolitiase experimental em ratos atraves da inducao de calculo vesical. Os resultados indicam que o extrato fluido da peninha nao apresentou atividade antilitiasica no modelo experimental testado