Longitudinal evaluation of RTVue optical coherence tomography in patients with glaucoma and suspected glaucoma and stable visual fields / Avaliação longitudinal da tomografia de coerência óptica RTVue em pacientes glaucomatosos e suspeitos de glaucoma com campos visuais estáveis

ABSTRACT Purpose: To longitudinally compare isolated structural parameters obtained using RTVue optical coherence tomography in patients with glaucoma and suspected glaucoma with stable visual fields. Methods: All patients were required to have a reliable SITA Standard 24-2 Humphrey Visual Field test. Visual field stability was defined as having <5 points with p<5% and/or having no points with p<1% and/or p<0.05% in the glaucoma progression analysis comparison graph. Furthermore, the glaucoma assessment strategy was used in optical coherence tomography. Results: The study included 75 eyes from 75 patients, 43 of which had glaucoma and 32 had suspected glaucoma. The mean visual field intervals were 29.57 ± 9.65 months between the first and third tests. No visual field parameter variations (mean deviation, pattern standard deviation, and visual field index) and no retinal nerve fiber layer or optic disk parameter variations between the first and third tests were observed (p>0.05 for all), and no retinal nerve fiber layer parameter variations throughout the study were observed, except for optic disk parameters presenting with cup volume changes (p=0.004). However, ganglion complex cells presented a progressively decreased average ganglion cell complex parameter, with a variability of -0.98% ± 3.71% (p=0.04) between the first and third tests. By contrast, the global loss volume progressively increased throughout the study, with a variability of 14.71% ± 44.52% (p=0.04) between the first and third tests. The inferior ganglion cell complex parameter was significantly decreased between the first and third tests (p=0.02). Conclusion: The present findings suggest that patients with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma with stable visual fields may present structural ganglion complex cell progression as assessed using RTVue optical coherence tomography.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar longitudinalmente os parâmetros estruturais isolados obtidos através da tomografia de coerência óptica RTVue em pacientes glaucomatosos e suspeitos de glaucoma com campos visuais estáveis. Métodos: Todos os incluídos deveriam ter Campimetria Computadorizada Humphrey Sita Standard 24-2 confiáveis. A estabilidade campimétrica foi definida se apresentassem menos de cinco pontos com p<5% e/ou nenhum ponto com p<1% e/ou p<0,05% no gráfico de comparação do Glaucoma Progression Analysis. Para a tomografia de coerência óptica, foi utilizado a estratégia de avaliação para glaucoma. Resultados: Foram incluídos 75 olhos de 75 pacientes: 43 com glaucoma e 32 suspeitos. A média dos intervalos do campo visual entre o 1o e 3o exame, foi de 29,57 ± 9,65 meses. Não houve variação para os parâmetros do campo visual (desvio médio, desvio padrão e índice da função visual) entre o primeiro e o último exame (p>0,05 para todos). Não houve variação dos parâmetros da camada de fibras nervosas da retina ao longo do estudo, enquanto que para os parâmetros do disco óptico, apenas cup volume apresentou mudança (p=0,004). Em relação à camada de células ganglionares da retina, notou-se uma redução progressiva na espessura média da Ganglionar Complex Cells com uma variabilidade entre o primeiro e último exame de -0,98 ± 3,71% (p=0,04). Quanto ao Global loss volume, houve um aumento progressivo ao longo do estudo com uma variabilidade entre o primeiro e último exame de 14,71 ± 44,52% (p=0,04). O parâmetro inferior do Ganglionar Complex Cells também reduziu significativamente entre o 1o e 3o exames (p=0,02). Os demais parâmetros da tomografia de coerência óptica RTVue se mantiveram estáveis entre o 1o e 3o exames. Conclusão: Os presentes achados sugerem que pacientes glaucomatosos ou com suspeita de glaucoma e com campos visuais estáveis, podem apresentar progressão estrutural na camada de células ganglionares da retina avaliada por meio da tomografia de coerência óptica RTVue.

Fetal posterior fossa malformations: review of the current knowledge / Malformações da fossa posterior fetal: revisão do conhecimento atual

Abstract Ultrasound diagnosis of posterior fossa malformations in the prenatal period is a challenge, having major implications for the counseling and follow-up of pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to review aspects of the ultrasound evaluation of the fetal posterior fossa, as well as to describe the most relevant ultrasound findings of the main posterior fossa malformations that can affect the fetus in the prenatal period.

Resumo O diagnóstico ultrassonográfico das malformações da fossa posterior no período pré-natal é um desafio, com importantes implicações no aconselhamento e acompanhamento dessas gestações. O objetivo deste estudo é revisar aspectos da avaliação ultrassonográfica da fossa posterior do feto e descrever os principais achados ultrassonográficos das principais malformações da fossa posterior que podem acometer o feto no período pré-natal.

An Overview of Helicobacter Pylori and Diagnostic Methods

Helicobacter pylori are a gram negative, spiral, micro-aerophilic and slow-growing organism with a length of 3 and a diameter of about half a micrometer. The bacterium also produces some enzymes, the most important of which are oxidase, catalase and urease. More than half of the world's people are infected with this bacterium. The bacteria are the main cause of diseases such as gastric ulcer and gastric and intestinal complaints. The incidence of infections with this bacterium in the countries of Europe and North America are 10 times higher than in other countries. Helicobacter pylori are basically a spiral bacterium, but it can also be transformed into a spherical shape that can also be survived and pathogenic and connects to the gastric mucosa. Several laboratory methods are available including invasive and non-invasive methods. Each test has its own characteristics, but is not complete on its own. Usually, several tests are used together, but this depends on our goal of testing. Invasive method is endoscopic biopsy of gastric mucosa and rapid urease test on biopsy sample. Noninvasive methods are included, serologic tests (IgM, IgG & IgA), breath urease test and examination of H. pylori antigens in the stool. In specialized laboratories PCR is also used to identify bacteria. Regarding the prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases and the lack of adequate knowledge in today's societies about this bacterium, this study was conducted with the aim of reviewing Helicobacter pylori and different diagnostic methods.

Analysis of clinicopathological features of the primary epididymis leiomyosarcoma / 中国基层医药

Objective To study the diagnosis, treatment and prognostic features of primary epididymis leiomyosarcoma.Methods The clinical data of five cases of leiomyosarcoma of the epididymis in Ji 'nan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University were retrospectively reviewed and reviewed literatures to study the diagnosis , treatment and prognostic features .Results Five cases were underwent operation .Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of epididymis leiomyosarcoma .The patients were followed up for 3－32 months,2 patients died due to multiple organs metastasis at 14 months and 25 months after operation.One patient died for acute myocardial infarction at 18 months after operation,1 case was lost to follow up,1 case was survival up to today .Conclusion Pathological examination is helpful in diagnosis .The radical inguinal orchiectomy with high ligation of the spermatic cord should be performed early.Primary epididymis leiomyosarcoma has highly aggressive course and prognosis is poor .

Algunas especificidades sobre la mortalidad asociada a la hemorragia por enfermedad ulcerosa péptica gastroduodenal / Some specificities on mortality associated with hemorrhage due to gastroduodenal peptic ulcerous disease

En la actualidad constituye un verdadero problema científico la diversidad de criterios sobre las características epidemiológicas, clínicas y quirúrgicas de la hemorragia digestiva alta no varicosa, debido a sus altas tasas de letalidad y mortalidad, por cuanto resulta de gran importancia identificar los factores pronósticos de complicaciones y decesos, inherentes a esta entidad clínica, a fin de elaborar un protocolo de actuación y buenas prácticas, una vez reconocidas las condiciones modificables que disminuyan el número de fallecimientos por esta causa, sobre todo en la población envejecida como grupo vulnerable, de donde se derivaría la trascendencia de su impacto médico social. Todo ello justifica la necesidad de profundizar en los principales aspectos cognoscitivos relacionados con este tema, puesto que solo contando con equipos de trabajo altamente especializados, podrá elevarse la calidad asistencial y, con esa premisa, el índice de supervivencia de quienes presenten ese tipo de sangrado por enfermedad ácido péptica.

At present the diversity of criteria on the epidemiological, clinical and surgical characteristics of the high digestive hemorrhage non varicose constitutes a true scientific problem, due to their high lethality and mortality rates, so that it is of great importance to identify the complications prognosis factors and death, inherent to this clinical entity, in order to elaborate a performance protocol and good practices, once the modifiable conditions which decrease the number of deaths due to this cause are recognized, mainly in the aged population as vulnerable group, from where the transcendency of its social medical impact would be derived . All this justifies the necessity to deepen in the main cognitive aspects related to this topic, since just having highly specialized working teams, it will be able to rise the assistance quality and, with that premise, the survival index of those who suffer from that type of bleedding caused by acid peptic disease.

Comparison of the Diagnostic Usefulness of Conventional Magnification and Near-focus Methods with Narrow-band Imaging for Gastric Epithelial Tumors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Dual-focus two-stage optical lens technology has been introduced recently. In near-focus mode (NFM), endoscopists can easily examine the mucosal tissue and capillary networks. This study compared the magnified images obtained using NFM and the conventional magnification method (CMM) under narrow-band imaging in patients with gastric epithelial tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experienced endoscopist performed endoscopy using NFM and CMM in patients with gastric epithelial tumors. We studied 40 images from 40 endoscopy sessions in 20 selected patients. Ten endoscopists rated the image quality independently on a 5-point Likert scale (from poor=1 to excellent=5) in terms of microsurface structure, microvascular structure, and the demarcation line. RESULTS: The gastric epithelial tumors comprised 10 cases of early gastric cancer, 2 of high-grade dysplasia, and 8 of low-grade dysplasia. The median number of magnified images for each method was 11. The mean observation time (+/-SD) for magnification was 99.9+/-64.1 s in NFM and 91.5+/-64.6 s in CMM (P=0.54). The image quality score for the microsurface structure was higher with NFM than CMM (4.09+/-0.39 vs. 3.73+/-0.40, P=0.015), while that for microvascular structure was lower with NFM than in CMM (3.53+/-0.45 vs. 4.29+/-0.45, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Magnification using NFM provides higher-quality images of the microsurface structure, although its optical zoom is limited compared with CMM. Since NFM can obtain magnified images easily by pushing a button on the scope, it is useful for evaluating gastric epithelial tumors.

Aplicação do método clínico centrado na pessoa (MCCP) com dor crônica / Application of patient-centered clinical method (PCCM) to a chronic pain patient

Propõe-se uma radical transformação do método clínico.O MCCP é dividido em seis componentes: exploraçãoda doença e da experiência de doença; entendimentodo ser na totalidade; elaboração de plano conjunto demanejo dos problemas; incorporação das dimensões depromoção e prevenção; intensificação da relação médico-paciente e ?sendo realista?. Este artigo busca desvelaro itinerário terapêutico de uma pessoa encaminhada aoAmbulatório de Diagnóstico Diferencial da UniversidadeRegional de Blumenau (FURB) para acompanhamento eavaliação, sob visão do MCCP. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativadocumental realizada a partir do atendimento deuma pessoa do sexo feminino (M.), com dor osteomuscularcrônica e incapacitante. Foram analisados registrosmédicos e realizadas entrevistas gravadas e transcritascom a devida autorização. O foco esteve na vida conjugale laboral e a pauta nas intercorrências médicas. Foramdiscutidas expectativas, pactuados os problemas a seremenfrentados e revisada a sua experiência com medicações.Antes da aplicação do MCCP, M. não sabia dizerpor que havia feito tantos exames, cirurgias e tomadotantos remédios. Agora entende informações a respeitode sua doença, expressa suas opiniões e compartilha decisões.Ao usar o MCCP entende-se melhor o processo deadoecimento, proporcionando consulta mais satisfatóriapara as partes envolvidas na aliança terapêutica. Há umaevidente relação entre a inclusão das várias dimensõesreferentes à perspectiva da pessoa e o resultado da consultamédica. Essa vantagem justifica as propostas deatendimento médico apoiado no modelo centrado napessoa.

A radical transformation of the clinical method isproposed. The PCCM is divided into six components: assessmentof the illness and its experience; comprehensionof the individual as a whole; design of a commonproblem management; incorporating promotion andprevention dimensions; intensification of the doctor--patient relationship and ?being realistic?. This articleaims at unveiling the therapeutic itinerary of a personreferred to the Differential Diagnostics Ambulatoryof the Regional University of Blumenau (FURB) for assessmentand follow-up, under the PCCM perspective.This is a qualitative documental research conductedfrom the care of a female person (M.), with chronic anddisabling osteomuscular pain. Medical records wereanalyzed and with due consent interviews were recordedand transcribed. The focus was on the marital andthe working affairs, and the schedule on the medical intercurrences.The expectancies were discussed, the problemsto be dealt with were agreed, and her experiencewith the medication was revised. Before the applicationof the PCCM, M. wasn?t aware of the reason she had undergoneso many exams and taken so many medicines.Currently she comprehends information about her disease,expresses her opinion and shares decisions. Byusing the PCCM the process of sickening is better understood,providing a more satisfying consultation forthe involved parts in the therapeutic alliance. Thereis an evident relation between the inclusion of manydimensions concerning the person?s perspective andthe results of the medical consultation. This advantagejustifies the proposals of medical care/service based onthe person-centered model.

Progress in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal polyposis / 国际外科学杂志

Although patients with intestinal polyposis are not usual in clinical at present,it is still difficult to make early diagnosis because of the lack of specific clinical manifestations So clinicians should know the etiology of intestinal polyposis progress,master the methods of early diagnosis,select the appropriate treatment and do the follow-up regularly,which may help improving the prognosis of patients and improving the quality of survival.Early detection,early diagnosis and early treatment can largely avoid possible malignant polyps cancerous changing,which may not only have a significant effect on the quality of patients'life,but also have great significance to alleviate the burden of the patient's family.

How to raise the awareness of adrenal hypertension in China / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Adrenal hypertension is increasingly found to be one of the most important causes of hypertension. We have to overcome the difficulties caused by the complexity of adrenal medullary or adrenocortical diseases, and many objective factors. How to raise the awareness of adrenal hypertension? The effective measures are to make appropriate diagnosis in adrenal hypertension, to establish the correct clinical approach to adrenal hypertension, to open up continuously new diagnosis methods and use them in clinic, to develop multidiciplinary cooperation, and to ensure advanced diagnosis. Finally, we may improve the diagnosis of adrenal hypertension.

Diagnosis and follow-up of genital chlamydial infection by direct methods and by detection of serum IgG, IgA and secretory IgA.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a high-risk population by direct and indirect methods and to evaluate the diagnosis of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). Patients and Methods: Urethral or endocervical specimens from 78 patients (48 females and 30 males) were examined by cell culture, direct fluorescence assay, PCR Cobas Amplicor (Roche Molecular Diagnostics), and sIgA was detected by the recombinant lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-enzyme-linked immunoassay (rELISA). Serum from each patient was also obtained and analysed for the presence of IgG and IgA antibody by in-house microimmunofluorescence (MIF) and by the rELISA method (Medac, Hamburg, Germany). Results: The overall C. trachomatis prevalence determined by direct methods was 28%. The detection of sIgA antibodies was significantly higher in the group of patients with a positive direct detection (50%) than in the group of negative direct detection (10.7%). The Chlamydia-specific IgA antibodies were detected by the rELISA in 40.9 and 53.6% of group I (positive direct detection) and group II patients (negative direct detection), respectively. The species-specific IgA antibodies were detected by the MIF method in 18.2 and 16.1% of group I and II patients, respectively. Chlamydia genus-specific IgG antibodies were detected by the rELISA in 86.4 and 83.9% of group I and group II patients and, C. trachomatis specific IgG were present in 81.8 and 73.2% of group I and group II patients, respectively, as assessed by the MIF test. Conclusion: Combining the positive direct methods and/or positive sIgA antibody results from cervical or urethral specimens had an indication of current C. trachomatis infection.

Validação da polissonografia diurna com sono induzido para o diagnóstico de apnéia obstrutiva do sono / Validation of short induced sleep polysomnography for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea

INTRODUÇÃO: A apnéia obstrutiva do sono é uma doença altamente prevalente na população adulta e associada à morbidade significante. A polissonografia noturna é o método padrão ouro para o diagnóstico de apnéia obstrutiva do sono. Entretanto seu custo é elevado e a disponibilidade de leitos para polissonografia é muito inferior a demanda. Por esta razão, estratégias para otimizar o diagnóstico de apnéia obstrutiva do sono são urgentes e necessárias. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de comparar um exame diurno de polissonografia, de curta duração e através de sono induzido por benzodiazepínico com a polissonografia noturna para o diagnóstico de apnéia obstrutiva do sono. MÉTODOS: Foram estudamos 40 pacientes divididos em dois grupos baseados no resultado da polissonografia noturna (Índice de Apnéia e Hipopnéia < ou >= 15 eventos/hora). Os dezoito Indivíduos portadores de apnéia obstrutiva do sono (id= 46 + 9 anos) e os vinte e dois controles (id= 38 + 10 anos) foram submetidos a uma polissonografia diurna, de curta duração, com indução de sono através de infusão intravenosa lenta de midazolam. RESULTADOS: O sono induzido foi obtido em todos indivíduos. O tempo total de sono foi de 41,5 + 18,9 minutos. A maioria dos eventos respiratórios durante o sono induzido forma obstrutivos e similares aos observados durante a polissonografia noturna. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o índice de apnéia e hipopnéia bem como com a saturação mínima de oxigênio obtido pela polissonografia noturna e com sono induzido nos grupos estudados (p>0,05). Reunindo os dois grupos, o índice de apnéia e hipopnéia e a menor saturação de oxigênio obtidos pelos dois métodos tiveram correlação significativa (r=0,67 e r=0,77, respectivamente). A sensibilidade e especificidade para o diagnóstico de apnéia obstrutiva do sono através do sono induzido foi 0,83 e 0,72 respectivamente. Nenhuma complicação foi observada durante o sono induzido...

Polysomnography is the gold standard method for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea. However, the gap between demand and capacity in performig polysomnography is a major healthcare problem. We sought to compare a short day-time induced sleep with full overnight standard PSG (full PSG) monitoring for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. We studied 40 patients classified into subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (n=18, age= 46.8 + 9.1yr) and controls (n=22, age= 38.5 + 10,7yr) groups, based on the results of a full polysomnography (apnea-hypopnea index >= 15 events/hour). All subjects underwent a short day-time polysomnography. Sleep was induced by slow intravenous drip infusion of midazolam and achived in all subjects. Total time of induced sleep was 41.5 ± 18.9 min. The majority of the respiratory events during induced sleep were obstructive and similar to that observed during full polysomnography. There was no difference between apnea-hypopnea index obtained by full and short polysomnography in obstructive sleep apnea and control groups (p>0,05). The same occured to lowest O2 saturation. Taken all together, apnea-hypopnea index and lowest O2 saturation during short polysomnography correlated well with full polysomnography (r=0,67 and r=0,77, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea by induced sleep was 0,83 and 0,72, respectively. No complications were observed. Induced sleep PSG by midazolan is a short and safe study that may represent an alternative for full polysomnography in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.