Acute mastitis and breast abscesses among lactating women: occurrence and risk factors

This is a prospective study designed to assess the contributing factors for puerperal breast abscesses and mastitis as well as to evaluate treatment options. The study was conducted over a 2-year period, during which 176 nursing women with breast infection were followed. Of these, 140 had mast itis [79.6%] and 36 had breast abscesses [20.4%]. Ultrasono graphic examination was performed in selected cases. Patient age, parity, localization of infection, cracked nipples, duration of lactation, duration of symptoms, treatment options and healing time were all recorded. All patients with mastitis were treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Abscesses were treated by incision and drainage. No significant difference was observed between the mastitis and the abscesses groups in relation to age, parity, localization of breast infection, cracked nipples or lactation time. Duration of symptoms and healing were longer in cases of abscesses. However, multivari ate analysis showed that the duration of symptoms was the only independent variable for abscess development. Delayed treatment of mastitis can lead to abscess formation and it can be prevented by early antibiotic therapy. Ultrasonography was observed to be helpful in detecting abscess formation in selected cases

Gravidez, puerpério e doença vascular cerebral / Pregnancy, puerperium and cerebrovascular disease

Foram estudadas seis pacientes com doenças cerebrovasculares no período gravídico-puerperal. Uma apresentou hemorragia cerebral, três apresentaram infarto cerebral e duas trombose de seio venoso cerebral. A associaçao de fatores clínicos ao estado peculiar produzido pela gravidez parece ter resultado nas doenças apresentadas, com especial ênfase à doença de Chagas presente em todos os infartos cerebrais.

Infarto agudo del miocardio en el puerperio: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Acute myocardial infaction post-partum

El infarto del micardio durante el embarazo es raro y lo es aún más en el puerperio. En la literatura mundial se han reportado sólo 23 casos de infarto del miocardio en el puerperio. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 26 años sin factores de riesgo de aterosclerosis coronaria, la cual al séptimo día postparto presentó infarto agudo del miocardio anterior extenso y lateral alto. El cateterismo realizado a los 9 días postinfarto demostró coronarias angiográficamente normales y una fracción de expulsión del ventrículo izquierdo del 50 por ciento. Los estudios de laboratorio y gabinete no demostraron factores etiológicos conocidos de infarto del miocardio.

Necrose hipofisária pós-parto / Postpartum pituitary necrosis

Apresenta-se uma revisäo sobre a necrose hipofisária pós-parto (Síndrome de Sheehan) e sumariza-se os achados clínicos e laboratoriais em treze pacientes portadores desta entidade