The role of computerized tomography in penetrating abdominal trauma / O papel da tomografia no trauma abdominal penetrante

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the role of abdominal computed tomography in the management of penetrating abdominal trauma. Methods: we conducted a historical cohort study of patients treated for penetrating trauma in the anterior abdomen, dorsum or thoracoabdominal transition, that were submitted to a computed tomography carried out on admission. We evaluated the location of the wound and the presence of tomographic findings, and the management of these patients as for nonoperative treatment or laparotomy. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography according to the evolution of the nonoperative treatment or the surgical findings. Results: we selected 61 patients, 31 with trauma to the anterior abdomen and 30 to the dorsum or thoracoabdominal transition. The mortality rate was 6.5% (n=4), all in the late postoperative period. Eleven patients with trauma to the anterior abdomen were submitted to nonoperative treatment, and 20, to laparotomy. Of the 30 patients with trauma to the dorsum or thoracoabdominal transition, 23 underwent nonoperative treatment and seven, laparotomy. There were three nonoperative treatment failures. In penetrating trauma of the anterior abdomen, the sensitivity of computed tomography was 94.1% and the negative predictive value was 93.3%. In dorsal or thoracoabdominal transition lesions, the sensitivity was 90% and the negative predictive value was 95.5%. In both groups, the specificity and the positive predictive value were 100%. Conclusion: the accuracy of computed tomography was adequate to guide the management of stable patients who could be treated conservatively, avoiding mandatory surgery in 34 patients and reducing the morbidity and mortality of non-therapeutic laparotomies.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o papel da tomografia computadorizada de abdome no manejo do trauma abdominal penetrante. Métodos: estudo de coorte histórico de pacientes tratados por trauma penetrante em abdome anterior, dorso ou transição tóraco-abdominal que realizaram tomografia computadorizada à admissão. Avaliou-se a localização do ferimento e a presença de achados tomográficos, e o manejo desses pacientes quanto ao tratamento não operatório ou laparotomia. A sensibilidade e especificidade da tomografia computadorizada foram calculadas de acordo com a evolução do tratamento não operatório ou com os achados cirúrgicos. Resultados: foram selecionados 61 pacientes, 31 com trauma em abdome anterior e 30 em dorso ou transição tóraco-abdominal. A taxa de mortalidade foi de 6,5% (n=4), todos no pós-operatório tardio. Onze pacientes com trauma em abdome anterior foram submetidos a tratamento não operatório e 20 à laparotomia. Dos 30 pacientes com trauma em dorso ou transição tóraco-abdominal, 23 realizaram tratamento não operatório e sete foram submetidos à laparotomia. Houve três falhas do tratamento não operatório. Em traumas penetrantes do abdome anterior, a sensibilidade da TC foi de 94,1% e o valor preditivo negativo, 93,3%. Em lesões de dorso ou transição tóraco-abdominal, a sensibilidade foi de 90%, e o valor preditivo negativo foi de 95,5%. Em ambos os grupos, a especificidade e o valor preditivo positivo foram de 100%. Conclusão: a acurácia da tomografia computadorizada foi adequada para direcionar o manejo de pacientes estáveis que puderam ser tratados de forma conservadora, evitando cirurgia mandatória em 34 pacientes e reduzindo a morbimortalidade de laparotomias não terapêuticas.

Quantitative analysis of the renal aging in rats. Stereological study

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the renal function and the renal histological alterations through the stereology and morphometrics in rats submitted to the natural process of aging. METHODS: Seventy two Wistar rats, divided in six groups. Each group was sacrificed in a different age: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. It was performed right nephrectomy, stereological and morphometric analysis of the renal tissue (renal volume and weight, density of volume (Vv[glom]) and numerical density (Nv[glom]) of the renal glomeruli and average glomerular volume (Vol[glom])) and also it was evaluated the renal function for the dosage of serum creatinine and urea. RESULTS: There was significant decrease of the renal function in the oldest rats. The renal volume presented gradual increase during the development of the rats with the biggest values registered in the group of animals at 12 months of age and significant progressive decrease in older animals. Vv[glom] presented statistically significant gradual reduction between the groups and the Nv[glom] also decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The renal function proved to be inferior in senile rats when compared to the young rats. The morphometric and stereological analysis evidenced renal atrophy, gradual reduction of the volume density and numerical density of the renal glomeruli associated to the aging process.