Whipple's disease: a fatal mimic

Whipple's Disease, a rare diagnosis caused by the slow-growing bacterium Tropheryma whipplei, most often presents with the classically described signs of malabsorption due to gastrointestinal colonization. However, it can also have signs and symptoms that clinically overlap with rheumatic diseases, potentially resulting in misdiagnosis. Furthermore, treatment with modern potent biologic immunosuppressive agents and classic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can lead to serious exacerbation of undiagnosed infections. We present the case of a middle-aged woman with long term complaints of arthalgias, who was diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and subsequently treated for almost 7 years with such immunosuppressive therapies. The patient's disease course included chronic diarrhea that abruptly intensified and culminated in fatal hypovolemic shock/sepsis. A diagnosis of WD was made by autopsy examination, wherein several organ systems were found to be heavily involved by Tropheryma whipplei organisms, and their identification was confirmed with histochemical and molecular evaluation. Notably, most bacterial organisms were located deeply in the submucosa/muscularis of affected organs, a practical reminder to practicing pathologists that challenges the classic histopathologic description of Whipple disease as an infiltration of predominantly lamina propria, and the potential for sampling bias in typically superficial endoscopic biopsies during routine procedures.

Using metacognition to analyze a misdiagnosis case in high-fidelity simulation / Usando a metacognição para analisar um caso de erro diagnóstico em simulação de alta fidelidade

Abstract: Introduction: Medical teams constantly work with patients in critical conditions and complex environments. Within these environments, it is understood that cognitive, metacognitive and affective processes coexist, promoting or preventing an adequate performance1),(2. In this study, a case of medical misdiagnosis is analyzed from a metacognitive perspective. Objectives: 1- Describe the thinking processes that led to the misdiagnosis, 2- Investigate possible contributions of metacognitive processes to medical education. Methods: Group interview3 with the winning team of a simulation contest for attending critical patients held at a national medical education congress. Content analysis4, coded by Atlas-ti™, according to Efklides5, followed by the extraction of empirical categories in the SimpleMind™ Mind Map Editor. The study was registered (CAAE 96007018.5.0000.5286) and approved (Opinion No. 2,938,945) by the Research Ethics Committee of Institute of Collective Health Studies at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Results: Before the contest, the team predicted possible scenarios. During the contest, the simulated scenario presented to the participants was similar to one of the previously predicted scenarios. It was then observed that the team unconsciously biased all their reasoning aiming to confirm the previously predicted diagnosis. Different metacognitive mechanisms involved in this process are described. The team had sufficient knowledge to establish the correct diagnosis but did not do it due to the distortion of their thinking processes. This case illustrates the fact that, to practice medicine, knowledge is not enough; learning to think is also necessary. In addition, a proposal for a theoretical framework is established, where the simulation presents itself as a problematizing methodology, providing a context where metacognition and the Maguerez Arch6 are harmoniously integrated with Ausubel's Meaningful Learning Theory7),(8 for professional competence6 development. Conclusions: It is concluded that metacognition can elucidate events such as those described here, also suggesting that its teaching and practice could contribute to the reduction in medical misdiagnosis.

Resumo: Introdução: As equipes médicas atuam constantemente diante de pacientes em estado crítico e ambientes complexos. Nesses ambientes, entende-se que processos cognitivos, metacognitivos e afetivos coexistem, de modo a propiciar ou impedir um desempenho adequado1),(2. Nesta pesquisa, analisa-se um caso de erro diagnóstico sob a perspectiva metacognitiva. Objetivos: Este estudo teve como objetivos descrever os processos de pensamento que levaram ao erro e investigar possíveis contribuições dos processos metacognitivos para o ensino médico. Métodos: Fez-se uma entrevista em grupo3 com a equipe vencedora de uma olimpíada de simulação de atendimento a pacientes críticos realizada em um congresso nacional de educação médica. Adotou-se a análise de conteúdo4, codificada por Atlas-ti©, segundo Efklides5, seguida da extração das categorias empíricas no editor de mapas mentais SimpleMind©. O estudo foi registrado com CAAE nº 96007018.5.0000.5286 e aprovado (Parecer nº 2.938.945) pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Instituto de Estudos e Saúde Coletiva da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Resultados: A equipe, antes da olimpíada, previu cenários possíveis. Durante a competição, o cenário simulado apresentado era semelhante a um dos esperados. Observou-se então que a equipe, sem se dar conta, enviesou todo o seu raciocínio visando confirmar o diagnóstico previsto a priori. São descritos os vários mecanismos metacognitivos envolvidos nesse processo. A equipe possuía conhecimento suficiente para estabelecer o diagnóstico correto, mas não o fez por distorção dos processos de pensamento. Esse caso ilustra o fato de que, para praticar medicina, conhecimento não é suficiente; aprender a pensar também é necessário. Ademais, estabelece-se uma proposta de quadro teórico, em que a simulação se apresenta como metodologia problematizadora, fornecendo um contexto no qual a metacognição e o Arco de Maguerez6 integram-se harmonicamente com a Teoria da Aprendizagem Significativa de Ausubel7),(8 para o desenvolvimento da competência profissional6. Conclusão: A metacognição permite elucidar eventos como os aqui descritos, sugerindo também que seu ensino e sua prática poderiam contribuir para a redução do erro médico.

Myeloid sarcoma: an uncommon presentation of myeloid neoplasms; a case series of 4 rare cases reported in a tertiary care institute

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare extramedullary neoplasm of myeloid cells, which can arise before, concurrently with, or following hematolymphoid malignancies. We report 04 such cases of MS, diagnosed in this institute over a period of 6 years, during various phases of their respective myeloid neoplasms/leukemias. These cases include MS occurring as a relapse of AML (Case 1), MS occurring as an initial presentation of CML (Case 2), MS occurring during ongoing chemotherapy in APML (Case 3), and MS presenting as a progression of MDS to AML (Case 4). In the absence of relevant clinical history and unemployment of appropriate immunohistochemical (IHC) studies, these cases have a high risk of being frequently misdiagnosed either as Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) or small round cell tumors or undifferentiated carcinomas, which may further delay their management, making an already bad prognosis worse. This case series has been designed to throw light on the varied presentation of MS and the lineage differentiation of its neoplastic cells through the application of relevant IHC markers along with their clinical correlation.

Ciencia, responsabilidad y derecho a la salud en el diagnóstico de la COVID-19 / Science, responsibility and the right to health in the diagnosis of COVID-19

Introducción: El Coronavirus ha golpeado a la humanidad en la segunda década del siglo XXI, y propagado el terror, la crisis económica y la muerte. Su expansión en todo el planeta ha juzgado las políticas y las prácticas en ciencia y salud de todos los Estados. En Ecuador, el panorama aún es incierto, y muestra un sistema científico y de salud insuficiente para enfrentar el desafío planteado por la naturaleza. Objetivo: Exponer, desde el principio de responsabilidad, el papel de la ciencia en el derecho a la salud en el contexto del diagnóstico de SARS-CoV-2 en Ecuador. Desarrollo: El deber, como parte del principio de responsabilidad, alienta a la ciencia a alcanzar el estado de bienestar humano. Actuar para que haya un verdadero futuro en el campo de la medicina debe orientarse hacia una mayor cobertura de salud, minimizar los riesgos potenciales contra el bienestar integral del hombre, prevenir la aparición de nuevas enfermedades, aumentar la tecnología para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de enfermedades presentes y futuras, aumentar el arsenal terapéutico disponible y hacer que los servicios de salud sean accesibles y equitativos. Conclusiones: Garantizar el derecho a la salud requiere que los Gobiernos promuevan la investigación en salud, adopten políticas públicas y asignen recursos en toda su extensión para que el acceso y la equidad en este campo constituyan los medios para implementar el derecho a la auténtica vida humana en el presente y el futuro(AU)

Introduction: Coronavirus has hit humanity in the second decade of the 21st century, and spread terror, economic crisis and death. Its expansion throughout the planet has judged the policies and practices in science and health of all states. In Ecuador, the panorama is still uncertain, and it shows that the scientific and health system is insufficient to face the challenge posed by nature. Objective: To present the role of science, from the principle of responsibility, in the right to health in the context of the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in Ecuador. Main body: Duty, as part of the principle of responsibility, encourages science to achieve the state of human well-being. Acting so that there is a true future in the field of medicine should be oriented towards greater health coverage, minimizing potential risks against the comprehensive well-being of man, preventing the appearance of new diseases, increasing technology for the diagnosis and treatment of current and future diseases, increasing the therapeutic resources available and making health services accessible and equitable. Conclusions: Guaranteeing the right to health requires that governments promote health research, adopt public policies, and allocate resources in their entirety so that access and equity in this field constitute the means to implement the right to authentic human life in the present and the future(AU)

Importância do raciocínio etiológico e topográfico de lesões: relato de neuropatia óptica traumática conduzida como acidente vascular cerebral / Importance of etiological and topographic injury reactions: report of a traumatic optic neuropathy conducted as a cerebrovascular accident

Introdução: O trauma ocular ou periocular pode afetar o nervo óptico e causar baixa acuidade visual ou alteração de campo visual. Essa lesão, denominada neuropatia óptica, quando de etiologia traumática, pode ser classificada como direta, através da compressão, perfuração ou laceração do nervo óptico por ação de corpos estranhos, fraturas do assoalho da órbita ou hemorragias, e indireta, quando a partir de um trauma externo ao globo ocular há lesão por transmissão da onda de choque ou desaceleração, levando à lesão do nervo óptico pelo estiramento de suas fibras ou edema comprometendo sua vascularização, comum nos acidentes automobilísticos e nas quedas. Descrição do Caso: O presente estudo objetiva relatar um caso de neuropatia óptica traumática conduzida erroneamente como acidente vascular cerebral em uma paciente do sexo feminino de 29 anos, com história de queda da própria altura. Discussão: A investigação feita pela história clínica, evolução do quadro e novos achados fundoscópicos permitiu o diagnóstico correto e melhor orientação da paciente. Conclusão: O conhecimento da neuropatia óptica traumática e da anatomia da via óptica têm extrema importância no raciocínio topográfico e etiológico das lesões traumáticas que cursam com comprometimento visual, poupando o paciente de possíveis intervenções invasivas e desnecessárias (AU)

Introduction: Eye or periocular trauma can affect the optic nerve and cause low visual acuity or visual field alteration. This lesion, called optic neuropathy, when of traumatic etiology, can be classified as direct, through compression, perforation or laceration of the optic nerve by action of foreign bodies, fractures of the orbit floor or hemorrhages, and indirect, when from an external trauma to the eyeball there is injury by transmission of the shock wave or deceleration, leading to optic nerve injury by stretching its fibers or edema compromising its vascularization, common in automobile accidents and falls. Case Report: The present study aims to describe a case of traumatic optic neuropathy mistakenly conducted as a stroke in a 29-yearold female patient with a history of falling from his own height. Discussion: The investigation was possible because of the clinical history, evolution of the condition and new fundoscopic findings that allowed the correct diagnosis and better orientation of the patient. Conclusion: Knowledge of traumatic optic neuropathy and anatomy of the optical pathway have extreme importance in the topographic and etiological reasoning of traumatic lesions that present with visual impairment, saving the patient from possible interventions invasive and unnecessary. (AU)

Perioperative myocardial infarction: diagnostic clues and prevention

The diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction can be missed if the pain is masked by postoperative analgesia and the possibility is not considered. This report is the case of a patient with a missed diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction. Myocardial injury and infarction from noncardiac surgery is currently the subject of intense interest and research. This report illustrates the importance of the diagnosis and suggests clues that can be used to make the diagnosis.

Apendicitis aguda. Criterios de atención médica / Acute appendicitis. Health care criteria

INTRODUCCIÓN. La apendicitis aguda es la causa más frecuente de dolor abdominal agudo o dolor abdominal quirúrgico. El examen clínico usando la escala de Alvarado para su diagnóstico permite realizar una práctica evaluación de su condición. OBJETIVO. Unificar criterios en la atención médica ambulatoria, en emergencias y servicios de cirugía para lograr una adecuada y eficaz atención. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS. Se realizó un estudio observacional y el análisis de varios estudios, siendo las variables más consideradas la edad, presentación clínica, anatomopatología, antibioticoterapia y complicaciones del posoperatorio. RESULTADOS. Predomina el grupo de edad comprendido entre los 10 a 30 años, sexo masculino, el análisis anatomopatológico indica mayor número de la forma supurativa, la profilaxis antibiótica preoperatoria y la antibioticoterapia posoperatoria disminuyen las complicaciones posoperatorias. CONCLUSIONES. Una adecuada utilización de medios diagnósticos y terapéuticos redunda en beneficios para el paciente y la institución.

INTRODUCTION. Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain or surgical abdominal pain. The clinical examination using the Alvarado scale for its diagnosis allows a practical evaluation of its emergencies and surgical services to achieve adequate and effective care. MATERIAL AND METHODS. An observational study and analysis of several studies were carried out, being the variables most considered the age, clinical presentation, anatomopathology, antibiotic therapy and postoperative complications. RESULTS. Prevalence of the age group between 10 and 30 years old, male, anatomopathological analysis indicates the highest number of suppurative form, preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis and postoperative antibiotic therapy reduce postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS. An adequate use of diagnostic and therapeutic means benefits the patient and the institution.

Seguridad del paciente en el ámbito ambulatorio. La nueva frontera / Patient safety in the outpatient setting. The new border

La mejora de la seguridad del paciente estuvo centrada durante el proceso de hospitalización; se prestó poca importancia al paciente ambulatorio, mientras que estudios recientes de meta análisis evidenciaron su importancia. Se proponen nuevas normas y procedimientos para prevenir eventos adversos en el paciente ambulatorio, tales como mejorar la relación medico paciente, y desarrollar indicadores de calidad y seguridad específicos del paciente ambulatorio.

The improvement of the safety of the patient was focused during the hospitalization; was given little importance to the outpatient, while recent studies by meta-analysis showed its importance. New rules were proposed and procedures to prevent adverse events in the outpatient, such as improve the relationship doctor patient, and develop specific indicators of quality and specific security of the outpatient.

Dehiscences and fenestrations: methodological care necessary to avoid errors in diagnosis and measurement

ABSTRACT The low prevalence of gingival recessions observed in orthodontic clinical practice may be assigned to the fact that in studies in which dehiscences and bone fenestrations are described as frequent, they were diagnosed based on: 1) dry skull studies; 2) areas with periosteal reflection together with flap; and 3) imaging techniques with low sensitivity to detect these defects, which have a delicate structure and function. In areas of pseudo-dehiscences and fenestrations, the periosteum and the alveolar cortical bone are very thin; also, they either have been removed during preparation of the dry specimens in the areas for analysis, or, alternatively, have not been investigated using an ideal imaging method.

RESUMO A ausência de prevalência elevada das recessões gengivais relacionadas à prática clínica ortodôntica se explica, provavelmente, porque, nos trabalhos em que as deiscências e fenestrações ósseas são descritas como frequentes, essas foram diagnosticadas a partir de: 1) estudos em crânios secos; 2) áreas com rebatimento periosteal junto com o retalho; e 3) uso de métodos imagiológicos que falham em sensibilidade para captá-las, pela sua delicadeza estrutural e funcional. Nessas áreas de pseudodeiscências e fenestrações, existe periósteo e cortical óssea alveolar muito fina, que foram eliminados nos procedimentos de preparação dos espécimes secos, nas áreas para a análise ou, então, não se aplicou um método imagiológico ideal.

Analyisis of the adverse events reported to the office of the clinical director at a dental school in Bogota, Colombia / Análisis de los events adversos reportados a direcciónde clínicas en una facultad de odontología de Bogotá-Colombia

Dentistry is interested in identifying and controlling adverseevents, understood as involuntary injuries to the patient duringdental care. The aim of this study was to analyze the adverse eventsreported to the Office of the Clinical Director at the School ofDentistry at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia) during2011­2012. It was an observational, descriptive study thatevaluated 227 dental clinical records of patients who filed acomplaint with the Office of the Clinical Director. Of these, 43were adverse events and were used as the basis for this study. Ofthe 16,060 patients who received care during 2011 ­ 2012, 0.26%(43) filed a complaint involving an adverse event, of which 97.7 %were considered preventable. Most of these (76.18%, n= 32)occurred during clinical management of treatments in differentspecialties, 9.5% (4) were the result of deficient external dentallaboratory quality, and 14.32% (6) were due to failure in documentmanagement, soft tissue injury, misdiagnosis and swallowingforeign objects. Of the patients involved, 65.2% (28) received carefrom postgraduate students, with the highest number of cases inthe Oral Rehabilitation speciality. The occurrence of adverseevents during dental care, indicates the need for information abouttheir origin in order to establish protection barriers and preventtheir incidence, particularly in the educational area under thestudent dental clinic service model.

En odontología existe interés por identificar y controlar loseventos adversos, entendidos como las lesiones no voluntarias que ocurren durante la atención odontológica. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los eventos adversos reportados a Dirección de Clínicas de la Facultad de Odontología de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana durante el periodo 2011­2012.Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo para el que se evaluaron 227 historias clínicas de pacientes que reportar onuna queja a la Dirección de Clínicas, de las cuales en 43 se evidenció la presencia de eventos adversos, a partir de las cualesse registró la información analizada en este estudio. De los16.060 pacientes atendidos durante el periodo 2011 y 2012, el0,26% (43) formularon alguna queja que resultó en un evento adverso, de los cuales el 97,7 % se consideraron prevenibles. Elmayor porcentaje 76,18 % (32) se presentó durante la gestión clínica de tratamientos en diferentes áreas. El 9,5 % (4), sedebieron a fallas en la calidad del trabajo del laboratorio externo; el 14,32% (6) correspondió a eventos generados porfallas en la gestión documental, lesiones de tejidos blandos, fallas de diagnóstico y deglución de objetos extraños. El 65,2 %(28) de los pacientes fueron atendidos por estudiantes de posgrado, con el mayor número de casos en la especialidad de Rehabilitación Oral. La presentación de eventos adversos durante el proceso de atención en odontología, es indicador dela necesidad de conocer su origen para establecer barreras deprotección y prevenir su incidencia, especialmente en el área formativa bajo el modelo de atención docencia servicio.

Fases pré-analítica, analítica e pós-analítica no monitoramento laboratorial da anticoagulação com antagonistas da vitamina K / Pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases in laboratory monitoring of anticoagulant therapy with vitamin K antagonists

A trombose é uma doença caracterizada por eventos de hipercoagulabilidade. A terapêutica anticoagulante oral com antagonistas da vitamina K (AVKs) é amplamente indicada para prevenção e/ou controle de distúrbios da coagulação. O manuseio de administração dos AVKs é difícil devido à complexidade da definição da dose. Em geral, o monitoramento de indivíduos submetidos à terapêutica com AVK é realizado pela determinação do tempo de protrombina, em que se avalia o grau de anticoagulação através do coeficiente internacional normatizado. Invariavelmente, o fluxo do processamento laboratorial, que compreende as fases pré-analítica, analítica e pós-analítica, é importante para a fidedignidade dos resultados, repercutindo na conduta médica de forma determinante. O objetivo deste estudo foi a realização de uma revisão da literatura científica descritiva utilizando bases de dados eletrônicos para busca de materiais científicos, como Google Scholar, MEDLINE, LILACS, PubMed, SciELO e Science Direct. Abordamos alguns aspectos relacionados ao fluxo analítico da monitoração laboratorial em um laboratório de análises clínicas. Em conclusão, é necessária uma apropriada condução das fases analíticas para que seja possível o sucesso terapêutico com uso dos AVKs (AU)

Thrombosis is a disease characterized by hypercoagulable events. Oral anticoagulant therapy with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) is widely indicated for prevention and/or control of coagulation disorders. The administration of VKAs is difficult because of the complexity of dose setting. In general, individuals submitted to VKA therapy are monitored by prothrombin time, in which the degree of anticoagulation is assessed by the international normalized ratio. Invariably, the flow of laboratory processing, which comprises pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases, is of importance to the trustworthiness of results, with significant consequences to the medical practice. The purpose of this study was to carry out a review of the scientific literature using electronic databases to search for scientific materials, such as Google Scholar, MEDLINE, LILACS, PubMed, SciELO, and Science Direct. We discuss some aspects related to the analytical flow of laboratory monitoring in a clinical laboratory. In conclusion, appropriate management of the analytical phases is necessary so that therapeutic success using VKAs is possible (AU)

Importance of multidisciplinary approach in diagnosis of histoplasmosis

Abstract: A patient with systemic involvement, initially treated as tuberculosis, is presented in this report. There were only two painful subcutaneous nodules, from which we arrived at the correct diagnosis of histoplasmosis. The patient was attended by several experts in the fields of infectious diseases, nephrology and internal medicine, but the diagnosis was only possible after dermatological examination and skin biopsy. This case values multidisciplinary interaction between dermatologists and other medical areas for diagnosis of cases with atypical manifestations.

An Appropriate Lower Respiratory Tract Specimen Is Essential for Diagnosis of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)

No abstract available.

Mieloma IgE: Dificultades de laboratorio para su tipificación

El mieloma múltiple de tipo IgE es una neoplasia de células plasmáticas muy poco frecuente pues representa el 0.01% de todas las discracias de células plasmáticas. Son generalmente de curso más agresivo y hasta el presente existen publicados no más de 50 casos en la literatura. Los estudios de laboratorio son, en estos casos, esenciales para la tipificación del componente monoclonal tanto en suero como en orina. El objetivo de esta presentación es informar sobre un paciente con diagnóstico de mieloma IgE señalando las dificultades de laboratorio que, en estos casos tan poco frecuentes, pueden conducir a un informe erróneo.

The IgE multiple myeloma is a rare neoplasm of plasma cell accounting for 0.01% of all plasma cell dyscrasias. They are generally of more aggressive development and to date there are no more than 50 cases published in current literature. Laboratory studies are, in these cases, essential for the classification of the monoclonal component in serum and urine. The aim of this presentation is to report a patient diagnosed with IgE myeloma and to point out that the laboratory difficulties noted in these rare cases can lead to an erroneous report.

Diagnostic accuracy of respiratory diseases in primary health units / Precisão diagnóstica de doenças respiratórias em unidades primárias de saúde.

Respiratory diseases are responsible for about a fifth of all deaths worldwide and its prevalence reaches 15% of the world population. Primary health care (PHC) is the gateway to the health system, and is expected to resolve up to 85% of health problems in general. Moreover, little is known about the diagnostic ability of general practitioners (GPs) in relation to respiratory diseases in PHC. This review aims to evaluate the diagnostic ability of GPs working in PHC in relation to more prevalent respiratory diseases, such as acute respiratory infections (ARI), tuberculosis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 3,913 articles were selected, totaling 30 after application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They demonstrated the lack of consistent evidence on the accuracy of diagnoses of respiratory diseases by general practitioners. In relation to asthma and COPD, studies have shown diagnostic errors leading to overdiagnosis or underdiagnosis depending on the methodology used. The lack of precision for the diagnosis of asthma varied from 54% underdiagnosis to 34% overdiagnosis, whereas for COPD this ranged from 81% for underdiagnosis to 86.1% for overdiagnosis. For ARI, it was found that the inclusion of a complementary test for diagnosis led to an improvement in diagnostic accuracy. Studies show a low level of knowledge about tuberculosis on the part of general practitioners. According to this review, PHC represented by the GP needs to improve its ability for the diagnosis and management of this group of patients constituting one of its main demands.

As doenças respiratórias acometem 15% da população do planeta e respondem por 1/5 dos óbitos no mundo. Espera-se que a atenção primária à saúde (APS), primeira instância da assistência médica, solucione até 85% dos problemas de saúde em geral. Pouco se sabe a respeito da habilidade de médicos generalistas da APS em relação ao diagnóstico das doenças respiratórias. Esta revisão refere-se à habilidade diagnóstica de médicos generalistas que atuam na APS em relação às doenças respiratórias mais prevalentes, como doenças respiratórias agudas (IRA), tuberculose, asma e doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). Dentre 3.913 artigos, 30 foram selecionados após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Ficou demonstrada a carência de dados consistentes sobre a acurácia dos diagnósticos de doenças respiratórias elaborados por generalistas. Em relação à asma e à DPOC, os estudos demonstram erros diagnósticos que levam ao sobrediagnóstico ou ao subdiagnóstico, dependendo da metodologia usada. A imprecisão do diagnóstico de asma variou de 54% de subdiagnóstico a 34% de sobrediagnóstico; para DPOC, houve variação de 81% de subdiagnóstico a 86,1% de sobrediagnóstico; para IRA, verificou-se que a inclusão de exame complementar de auxílio diagnóstico melhora sua acurácia. Os estudos demonstram um baixo nível de conhecimento sobre tuberculose por parte dos generalistas. De acordo com esta revisão, a APS, na figura do médico generalista, necessita aprimorar sua capacidade de diagnóstico e o manejo desse grupo de pacientes, que constitui uma de suas principais demandas.

Medical Thoracoscopy: A Useful Diagnostic Tool for Undiagnosed Pleural effusion.

Objective. We aimed to assess the role of medical thoracoscopy in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion. Methods. Patiens presenting with pleural effusion underwent three pleural aspirations. Patients in whom pleural fluid analysis was inconclusive underwent closed pleural biopsy for diagnostic confirmation. Patients in whom closed pleural biopsy was incolcusive underwent medical thoracoscopy using a rigid thoracoscope with a viewing angle of zero degrees was done under local anaesthesia and sedation with the patient lying in lateral decubitus position with the affected side up. Biopsy specimens from parietal pleura were obtained under direct vision and were sent for histopathological examination. Results. Of the 128 patients with pleural effusion who were studied, pleural fluid examination established the diagnosis in 81 (malignancy 33, tuberculosis 33, pyogenic 14 and fungal 1); 47 patients underwent closed pleural biopsy and a diagnosis was made in 28 patients (malignancy 24, tuberculosis 4). The remaining 19 patients underwent medical thoracoscopy and pleural biopsy and the aetiological diagnosis could be confirmed in 13 of the 19 patients (69%) (adenocarcinoma 10, poorly differentiated carcinoma 2 and mesothelioma 1). Conclusion. Medical thoracoscopy is a useful tool for the diagnosis of pleural diseases. The procedure is safe with minimal complications.