Protective mechanical ventilation in suspected influenza infection

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Patients with acute respiratory failure due to influenza require ventilatory support. However, mechanical ventilation itself can exacerbate lung damage and increase mortality. METHODS: The aim of this study was to describe a feasible and protective ventilation protocol, with limitation of the tidal volume to ≤6 mL/kg of the predicted weight and a driving pressure ≤15 cmH2O after application of the alveolar recruitment maneuver and PEEP titration. RESULTS: Initial improvement in oxygenation and respiratory mechanics were observed in the four cases submitted to the proposed protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the mechanical ventilation strategy applied could be optimized.

Sarcomatous transformation of a hemosiderotic fibrohistiocytic lipomatous tumor: a case report / Transformação sarcomatosa de tumor lipomatoso fibro-histiocítico hemossiderótico: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Hemosiderotic fibrohistiocytic lipomatous tumors are rare neoplasms that were first described in 2000. Initially considered a benign lipotamous lesion of the soft tissues, nowadays they are considered to be a locally aggressive tumor. They occur mainly in the foot and ankle of women in their fifth and sixth decades, although they may be found in any place in the lower limbs and, more rarely, in other parts of the body. Histologically, hemosiderotic fibrohistiocytic lipomatous tumors consist of a mixture of mature adipose tissue, fusiform cell fascicles, macrophages that often contain cytoplasmic hemosiderin, mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate, and stroma that may be focally myxoid. Local recurrence is observed in nearly one-third of all cases. There is no consensus in the literature whether this tumor is a part of a spectrum that comprises pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumors and myxoinflammatory fibroblastic malignant tumors, or if it is an independent entity. The authors report a case of a neoplasia after a diagnosis of a hemosiderotic fibrohistiocytic lipomatous tumor in a 38-year-old woman, with two recurrences and later sarcomatous transformation. An immunohistochemical study indicated myofibroblastic differentiation of a malignant neoplasm. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there are only few reported cases of malignant transformation in hemosiderotic fibrohistiocytic lipomatous tumors.

RESUMO Os tumores lipomatosos fibro-histiocíticos hemossideróticos são neoplasias raras que foram descritas pela primeira vez em 2000. Inicialmente considerada uma lesão lipomatosa benigna dos tecidos moles, atualmente é considerado um tumor localmente agressivo. Essas lesões ocorrem principalmente no pé e no tornozelo das mulheres na quinta e sexta décadas de vida, embora possam ser encontrados em qualquer lugar nos membros inferiores e, mais raramente, em outras partes do corpo. Histologicamente, tumores lipomatosos fibro-histiocíticos hemossideróticos são formados por uma combinação de tecido adiposo maduro, fascículos de células fusiformes, macrófagos que contêm frequentemente hemossiderina citoplasmática, infiltrado inflamatório mononuclear e estroma, que pode ser focalmente mixoide. Há recidiva local em quase um terço dos casos. Não existe consenso na literatura se esse tumor faz parte de um espectro que envolve os tumores angiectásicos hialinizantes pleomórficos e os tumores fibroblásticos mixoinflamatórios malignos ou se configura uma entidade independente. Relatamos um caso de uma neoplasia com diagnóstico inicial de tumor lipomatoso fibro-histiocítico hemossiderótico em uma mulher de 38 anos, com duas recorrências e posterior transformação sarcomatosa. O estudo imuno-histoquímico indicou diferenciação miofibroblástica da neoplasia maligna. Encontramos apenas poucos casos relatados de transformação maligna de tumor lipomatoso fibro-histiocítico hemossiderótico.

Morphological changes in the digestive system of 322 necropsies of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome: comparison of findings pre- and post-HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy)

ABSTRACT Involvement of the digestive system in AIDS pathologies or injuries is frequent. Aiming at comparing the frequency, the importance that these lesions have for death and the survival time in patients using or not using HAART, we studied 322 necropsies classified as follows: Group A - without antiretroviral drugs (185 cases); B - one or two antiretroviral drugs or HAART for less than six months (83 cases); C - HAART for six months or longer (54 cases). In the overall analysis of the digestive system, changes were present in 73.6% of cases. The most frequent was Candida infection (22.7%), followed by cytomegalovirus (19.2%), Histoplasma capsulatum (6.5%), mycobacteria (5.6%), and Toxoplasma gondii (4.3%). T. gondii infection was more frequent in group A compared with group C, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) was more frequent in group A compared with groups B and C (p < 0.05); 2.2% of the deaths were due to gastrointestinal bleeding. Regarding the segments, only in the large intestine, and only cytomegalovirus, were more frequent in group A compared with group C. We conclude that digestive system infections are still frequent, even with the use of HAART. However, the average survival time in group C was more than three times greater than the one in group A and nearly double that of group B, demonstrating the clear benefit of this therapy.

Morphological changes in the digestive system of 93 human immunodeficiency virus positive patients: an autopsy study / Alterações morfológicas no sistema digestivo de 93 pacientes infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana: um estudo de autopsias

Involvement of the digestive system in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is frequent and many changes in these patients are diagnosed only at autopsy. There are few studies of autopsy with detailed analysis of this system and only one was conducted in Brazil. We evaluated each segment of the digestive system in 93 consecutive autopsies of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the importance of these lesions to death. Of these, 90 (96.8%) patients had AIDS. We reviewed medical records, autopsy reports and histological sections from tongue to rectum stained with hematoxylin-eosin. When necessary, we analyzed special stains and immunohistochemistry to investigate infections. There was damage to the digestive system in 73 (78.5%) cases. The most common infections were candidiasis (42%), cytomegalovirus (29%), histoplasmosis (11.8%), toxoplasmosis (9.7%) and mycobacterial infection (9.7%). Malignancies were rare, present in four (4.3%) cases (two Kaposi's sarcoma, one adenocarcinoma and one metastatic embryonal carcinoma). All segments showed lesions: tongue (48.6%), esophagus (44.8%), stomach (44.7%), colon (43.2%) and small intestine (28.9%). The lesions found were immediate cause of death in five (5.4%) cases. In another 36 (38.7%) cases the basic disease was systemic and also compromised the digestive system.

Envolvimento do sistema digestório em pacientes com síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (AIDS) é frequente e muitas alterações nesses pacientes são diagnosticadas apenas à autopsia. Há escassos estudos de autopsia com análise detalhada desse sistema e apenas um deles foi realizado no Brasil. Neste estudo avaliamos cada segmento do sistema digestório em 93 autopsias consecutivas de indivíduos infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e a importância dessas lesões para o óbito. Desses, 90 (96,8%) pacientes apresentavam AIDS. Revisamos prontuários médicos, relatórios de autopsias e cortes histológicos da língua ao reto corados pela técnica de hematoxilina-eosina. Quando necessário, analisamos colorações especiais e imuno-histoquímica para pesquisar infecções. Havia lesões no sistema digestório em 73 (78,5%) casos. As alterações mais comuns foram infecciosas: candidíase (42%), citomegalovirose (29%), histoplasmose (11,8%), toxoplasmose (9,7%) e infecção por micobactérias (9,7%). Neoplasias malignas foram raras, presentes em quatro (4,3%) casos (dois sarcomas de Kaposi, um adenocarcinoma gástrico e um carcinoma embrionário metastático). Todos os segmentos apresentaram lesões: língua (48,6%), esôfago (44,8%), estômago (44,7%), intestino grosso (43,2%) e intestino delgado (28,9%). As lesões encontradas foram causa imediata do óbito em cinco (5,4%) casos. Em outros 36 (38,7%) casos a doença básica era sistêmica comprometendo, também, o sistema digestório.

Concordância entre diagnósticos neuropatológicos premortem e postmortem em 90 pacientes com síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida, submetidos à necrópsia em um hospital de ensino no Brasil / Agreement between premortem e postmortem neuropathological diagnoses in 90 patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, submitted to autopsy at a teaching hospital in Brazil

Objetivo: Estudar as lesões anatomopatológicas no SNC, analisando se contribuíram para o óbito des s es pacientes e avaliar a concordância entr e os diagnósticos neuropatológ icos premortem e postmortem. Método: Estudo retrospectivo com análise de 90 necrópsias sequenciais de SIDA, realizadas entre 1989 e 1996, além de busca de dados epidemiológicos/clínicos e comparação com a suspeita clínica para avaliar concordância entre diagnóstico pre e postmortem. Resultados: Idade média 34 ± 11 anos; 81,1% do sexo masculino; todos apresentavam alguma alteração no SNC, sendo relevantes para o óbito em 54 (60%) casos. Apenas em 15 (27,8%) desses 54 casos houve s uspeita clínica da le s ão. As lesões encontr adas no SNC for am: toxoplasmos e (34,4%), c r i ptococo s e (12,2%), c itomega lovi r o s e (4,4%), encefa lite nodul a r m ic r og li a l (3,3%), mening ite bacter iana (2,2%), infecção pelo vír us JC (2,2%), tuberculos e/micobacter ios e (2,2%), histoplasmose (1,1%) e paracoccidioidomicose (1,1%). As alterações não relacionadas ao óbito (40%) for am: g lios e, fibros e meníngea focal, infar to antigo, calcificações e edema . Este estudo confirma que existem diversas alterações no SNC de pacientes com SIDA, sobretudo infecções oportunistas, frequentemente não suspeitadas clinicamente, evidenciando a importância da necrópsia. Esses achados sugerem que investigação minuciosa deveria ser feita no SNC de pacientes com SIDA, particularmente naqueles com diagnóstico tardio ou que não estão respondendo ao tratamento.

Agreement between premortem e postmortem neuropathological diagnoses in 90 patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, submitted to autopsy at a teaching hospital in Brazil. Objective: The aim was to study the anatomopathological lesions in CNS, analyzing if they have contributed to the death of those patients, and to evaluate the agreement between premortem and postmortem neuropathological diagnoses. Method: Retrospective study on 90 necropsies on patients with AIDS, performed between 1989 and 1996, besides having been performed the search for clinical and epidemiologycals datas, was done a comparison with the clinical suspicion, to analyze the concordance between premortem and postmortem diagnoses. Results: The patients? mean age was 34 ± 11 years, 81.1% were male. CNS lesions were found in all of the cases. In 54 (60%) cases, CNS lesions of relevance to the death were found, but there had only been clinical suspicion of such lesions in 15 (27.8%) of them. The lesions consisted of toxoplasmosis (34.4%), cryptococcosis (12.2%), cytomegalovirosis (4.4%), microglial nodular encephalitis (3.3%), bacterial meningitis (2.2%), JC virus infection (2.2%), tuberculosis/mycobacteriosis (2.2%), histoplasmosis (1.1%) and paracoccidioidomycosis (1.1%). The unrelated lesions with the death (40%) were: gliosis, meningeal fibrosis, old infarct, calcifications and edema. Conclusion: This study confirms that several changes occurred in the CNS of patients with AIDS, especially opportunistic infections, that frequently are not suspected clinically. These findings suggest that detailed investigation should be conducted on CNS of patients with AIDS, particularly those who are not responding to treatment or with late diagnoses.

Adenocarcinoma primário multicêntrico com 12 focos: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Multicenter primary adenocarcinoma with 12 foci: case report and literature review

Relata-se caso raro de adenocarcinoma primário multicêntrico sincrônico em intestino delgado, apêndice cecal e intestino grosso, em homem de 82 anos, com quadro de abdome agudo inflamatório. Foi submetido à laparotomia exploradora, observando-se lesão intestinal estenosante e infiltrativa no ângulo hepático e múltiplas aderências entre as alças do intestino delgado. Foi realizada hemicolectomia direita. O estudo anatomopatológico mostrou 12 focos de adenocarcinomas primários comprometendo intestino delgado (oito focos), válvula ileocecal, apêndice cecal e intestino grosso (cólon ascendente e transverso).

A rare case of synchronous multicenter primary adenocarcinoma in the small intestine, cecal appendix and large intestine, in an 82-year-old man with a condition of acute abdominal inflammation, is reported. He underwent exploratory laparotomy, and a stenosing and infiltrative intestinal lesion was seen in the hepatic angle, along with multiple adherences between the loops of the small intestine. Right hemicolectomy was performed. The anatomopathological evaluation showed 12 foci of primary adenocarcinomas affecting the small intestine (eight foci), ileocecal valve, cecal appendix and large intestine (ascending and transverse colon).

Hemosiderotic fibrohistiocytic lipomatous lesion: case report and review of the literature / Lesão lipomatosa fibrohistiocítica hemossiderótica: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

CONTEXT: Lesions of the adipose tissue are the most common type of soft-tissue lesion among adults. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 33-year-old female patient with a soft-tissue lesion in her left knee that was diagnosed as a hemosiderotic fibrohistiocytic lipomatous lesion. This type of lesion, which was described for the first time in 2000, preferentially affects the ankle region of middle-aged women with a history of previous local trauma. Lesion recurrence is common, caused by incomplete resection, although there have not yet been any reports of metastases. After a review of the literature, we describe the clinical, radiological, morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics, along with their main differential diagnoses.

CONTEXTO: Lesões de tecido adiposo são as mais comuns de partes moles em adultos. RELATO DE CASO: Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 33 anos, com lesão em partes moles do joelho esquerdo diagnosticada como lesão lipomatosa fibrohistiocítica hemossiderótica. Essa lesão foi descrita pela primeira vez em 2000, acometendo preferencialmente a região do tornozelo de mulheres de meia-idade com história de trauma prévio local. Recidiva da lesão é comum devido à ressecção incompleta e não há até o momento relato de metástase. Após revisão da literatura, descrevemos as características clínicas, radiológicas, morfológicas, imunoistoquímicas assim como seus principais diagnósticos diferenciais.

Leiomiossarcoma de veia cava inferior / Leiomiossarcoma of the inferior vena cava

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is an extremely rare tumor, and it is reported to have a poor prognosis. The clinical findings are nonspecific and may precede the diagnosis by several years. Symptoms depend on the location and extension of the tumor. A complete surgical resection is the only proven therapeutic modality that prolongs the survival in patients with this lesion. We report a case of a 50 year-old patient with inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma, who was submitted to a surgical treatment.

Acquired non-Chagas megacolon associated with the use of psychiatric medication: case report and differential diagnosis with Chagas megacolon / Megacólon adquirido não chagásico associado ao uso de medicação psiquiátrica: relato de caso e diagnóstico diferencial com megacólon chagásico

A case of acquired megacolon in a 62-year-old man with acute abdomen due to sigmoid volvulus is reported. The case was associated with the use of psychiatric medications. The aim in this report was to emphasize the differential diagnosis with Chagas megacolon. Anatomopathological examination did not show any evidence of denervation, ganglionitis and/or myositis, and the serological test for Chagas disease was negative.

Relata-se caso de megacólon adquirido, associado ao uso de medicamentos psiquiátricos, em homem de 62 anos, com abdome agudo por volvo de sigmóide, com o objetivo de destacar o diagnóstico diferencial de megacólon chagásico. O exame anátomo-patológico não evidenciou denervação, ganglionite e/ou miosite e a sorologia para doença de Chagas foi negativa.

Cellular angiofibroma of the vulva: case report with clinicopathological and immunohistochemistry study

CONTEXTO: O angiofibroma celular da vulva é um tumor raro que foi inicialmente descrito em 1997. Ocorre em mulheres de meia-idade (média de idade: 47 anos), apresentar pequeno tamanho (< 3 cm) e margem bem circunscrita. RELATO DE CASO: Descrevemos um caso em mulher de 51 anos de idade cujo diagnóstico pré-operatório foi confundido com cisto de glândula de Bartholin. A neoplasia era bem delimitada e constituída por três componentes característicos: células fusiformes formando pequenos fascículos, numerosos vasos sangüíneos e tecido adiposo entremeado às células fusiformes. As células do estroma eram positivas para vimentina e negativas para CD34, proteína S-100, actina e desmina. O diagnóstico diferencial deste distinto tumor inclui angiomixoma agressivo, angiomiofibroblastoma, lipoma, tumor fibroso solitário, perineurioma, e leiomioma.