Management of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis with pneumoperitoneum: 5-years systematic review

Introduction: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare condition characterized by gas-filled cysts in the intestinal wall. Although rare, it may also involve other regions, such as the mesentery. PCI is classified as primary or secondary and is associated with multiple predisposing factors. It may be associated with either a benign condition or a potentially fatal condition, such as mesenteric ischemia. The objective of this study was to review the medical literature on the rare benign presentations of PCI, excluding cases associated with intestinal ischemia.Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review according to the PRISMA statement. We searched PubMed and LILACS databases for articles published between January 2015 and December 2020 using the following Medical Subject Headings: "pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis" and "pneumoperitoneum," "pneumatosis intestinalis," and "pneumoperitoneum" or "mesenteric pneumatosis."Results: We included 51 articles comprising 58 patients with PCI and pneumoperitoneum. Most patients were men, and mean patient age was 64.9 years. We identified an idiopathic etiology in 29.31% of cases, and the most common predisposing factor was immune dysfunction (29.31%). A total of 24.13% of patients were asymptomatic. The most commons symptoms were abdominal pain (43.10%), nausea and vomiting (41.37%), and abdominal distention (37.93%). Diagnostic surgery was conducted in 26 patients (44.82%). Only 1 patient underwent surgical treatment.Conclusions: PCI is a clinical condition that may have a benign etiology and not require surgery. Treatment of the benign etiology is conservative. Thus, life-threatening conditions should be excluded in all cases.

Tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução nas complicações pulmonares pós-transplante de medula óssea: ensaio iconográfico / High-resolution computed tomography findings in pulmonary complications after bone marrow transplantation: iconographic essay

O transplante de medula óssea (TMO) tem sido utilizado como tratamento de escolha para diversas doenças hematológicas. Entretanto, as complicações pulmonares, que podem ocorrer em até 60 por cento dos pacientes, são o principal motivo de falha no tratamento. As complicações pulmonares pós-TMO podem ser divididas em três fases, de acordo com a imunidade do paciente. Na primeira fase, até 30 dias após o procedimento, predominam as complicações não infecciosas e as pneumonias fúngicas. Na fase precoce, que vai até o 100º dia pós-TMO, as infecções virais, principalmente por citomegalovírus, são mais comuns. Finalmente, na fase tardia pós-TMO, complicações não infecciosas como bronquiolite obliterante com pneumonia em organização e doença do enxerto contra o hospedeiro são mais comumente observadas. Os autores apresentam um ensaio iconográfico, enfatizando os aspectos de tomografia de alta resolução em pacientes com complicações pulmonares pós-TMO.

Bone marrow transplantation has been the treatment of choice for many hematologic diseases. However, pulmonary complications, which may occur in up to 60% of the patients, are the main cause of treatment failure and may be divided in three phases according to the patient's immunity. In the first phase, up to 30 days after the procedure, there is a predominance of non-infectious complications and fungal pneumonia. Viral infections, mainly by cytomegalovirus, are common in the second phase (up to 100 days after bone marrow transplantation). Finally, in the late phase after bone marrow transplantation, non-infectious complications as bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia and graft-versus-host disease are most commonly seen. The authors present a pictorial essay of the high-resolution computed tomography findings in patients with pulmonary complications after bone marrow transplantation.

Sarcoma fibromixóide de baixo grau da parede torácica: relato de caso / Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma of the chest wall: a case report

Este relato descreve um caso de sarcoma fibromixóide de baixo grau na parede torácica em uma paciente feminina de 23 anos de idade. A radiografia de tórax e a tomografia computadorizada demonstraram massa heterogênea na região inferior do hemitórax direito, com necrose e focos de calcificação. O exame histológico foi sugestivo de leiomioma, mas a imuno-histoquímica definiu o diagnóstico de sarcoma fibromixóide de baixo grau. A evolução clínica do caso foi boa, apesar dos aspectos de malignidade demonstrados na tomografia computadorizada.

We report the case of a 23-year-old female patient with a low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma involving the chest wall. The chest radiography and computed tomography scan showed a heterogeneous mass in the lower right hemithorax, with necrosis and calcification foci. Histological examination was suggestive of a leiomyoma but the immunohistochemical study proved to be a low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. The clinical outcome of this patient was good, although the computed tomography scan showed signs of malignancy.