Simple and low cost tridimensional model of the cerebral hemisphere / Modelo tridimensional básico y de bajo costo del hemisferio cerebral

Handmade anatomy models may be a complementary useful tool to dissection and prosection, since the student interacts with the body structure in a three-dimensional way. In this study homemade dough (biscuit) was used to create a brain model. Two anatomy trainees from the medical school of the Universidade Federal Fluminense (Niteroi Brazil) were challenged to model the gross anatomy of the lateral aspect of the brain. They prepared and handled homemade dough to produce a simple and low cost model of the cerebral hemisphere. Styrofoam balls fixed by pins were used to create a framework, and dough rolls were modeled in order to create the brain sulci and gyri. At the end, the model closely resembled three-dimensional features of the human brain. Also, brain lobes were easily identified, as well as some major gyri and sulci, such as the central and lateral sulci and the precentral and postcentral gyri. In conclusion, the three-dimensional spatial characteristics, the clear identification of sulci and gyri and the brain lobes, make this model a good tool for students who only require basic anatomy in their curriculum.

Los modelos de anatomía elaborados a mano pueden ser una herramienta útil y complementaria a la disección y la prosección, debido a que el alumno interactúa con la estructura del cuerpo de manera tridimensional. En este estudio se utilizó una masa casera (bizcocho) para crear un modelo cerebral. Dos estudiantes de anatomía de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidade Federal Fluminense (Niteroi, Brasil) fueron desafiados a modelar la anatomía macroscópica de la cara lateral del cerebro. Prepararon y manejaron masa casera para producir un modelo simple y de bajo costo del hemisferio cerebral. Bolas de espuma de poliestireno fijado por alfileres se utilizaron para crear un marco, y los rollos de masa fueron modelados con el fin de crear los surcos cerebrales y giros. Al final, el modelo resultó ser muy semejante a las características tridimensionales del cerebro humano. Además, los lóbulos cerebrales fueron fácilmente identificados, así como algunos giros y surcos mayores, tales como el surco central y lateral y el giro precentral y postcentral. En conclusión, las características espaciales tridimensionales, la identificación clara de los surcos y giros y los lóbulos cerebrales, hacen de este modelo una buena herramienta para los estudiantes que sólo requieren anatomía básica en su plan de estudios.

A Terapia hormonal em pacientes com neurofibromatose tipo 1 é segura? / Hormonal therapy in patientes with neurofibromatosis type 1 is safe?

Nos pacientes com neurofibromatose tipo 1 (NF1), o número de neurofibromas varia grandemente de pessoa para pessoa, mesmo em casos intrafamiliares, com a mesma mutação na linhagem germinativa no gene NF1. Além das mutações nesse gene, provavelmente fatores adicionais são importantes no desenvolvimento ou no crescimento dos neurofibromas. O objetivo deste artigo é revisar a literatura sobre o papel dos hormônios no desenvolvimento e crescimento dos neurofibromas e a segurança da terapia hormonal nos pacientes com NF1

In patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), the number of neurofibromas varies greatly from person to person, even in intrafamilial cases, with the same germline mutation in the NF1 gene. In addition to the mutations in this gene, it is likely that additional factors are important in neurofibroma development or growth. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the role of hormones in the development and growth of neurofibromas and the safety of hormonal therapy in patients with NF1