A randomized clinical trial of the effects of saphenous and perforating veins radiofrequency ablation on venous ulcer healing (VUERT trial).

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether radiofrequency endovenous ablation (RFA) of saphenous and perforating veins increases venous leg ulcer (VLU) healing rates and prevents ulcer recurrence. METHOD: This prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled, single-center trial recruited 56 patients with VLU divided into: compression alone (CR, N = 29) and RFA plus compression (RF, N = 27). Primary endpoints were ulcer recurrence rate at 12 months; and ulcer healing rates at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Secondary endpoints were ulcer healing velocity; and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS). RESULTS: Recurrence was lower in the RF group (p < .001), as well as mean VCSS after treatment (p = .001). There were no significant between-group differences in healing rates. Healing velocity was faster in the RF group (p = 0.049). In the RF group, 2 participants had type 1 endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT). CONCLUSIONS: RFA plus compression is an excellent treatment for VLU because of its safety, effectiveness, and impact on ulcer recurrence reduction and clinical outcome.Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03293836, clinicaltrials.gov.

Patient safety in phlebology: The ACP Phlebology Safety Checklist.

Objectives To assess the current use of safety checklists among the American College of Phlebology (ACP) members and their interest in implementing a checklist supported by the ACP on their clinical practices; and to develop a phlebology safety checklist. Method Online surveys were sent to ACP members, and a phlebology safety checklist was developed by a multispecialty team through the ACP Leadership Academy. Results Forty-seven percent of respondents are using a safety checklist in their practices; 23% think that a phlebology safety checklist would interfere or disrupt workflow; 79% answered that a phlebology safety checklist could improve procedure outcomes or prevent complications; and 85% would be interested in implementing a phlebology safety checklist approved by the ACP. Conclusion A phlebology safety checklist was developed with the intent to increase awareness on patient safety and improve outcome in phlebology practice.

Aspectos radiológicos e epidemiológicos do granuloma central de células gigantes / Radiological and epidemiological aspects of central giant cell granuloma

OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os principais aspectos radiográficos e epidemiológicos das lesões de células gigantes (granulomas centrais de células gigantes e tumores marrons do hiperparatireoidismo). MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: A amostra consistiu de 26 lesões de células gigantes diagnosticadas em 22 pacientes divididos em dois grupos, um deles composto por 17 pacientes que não tinham hiperparatireoidismo (grupo A) e o outro formado por cinco pacientes portadores de tal distúrbio (grupo B). RESULTADOS: O sexo feminino (72,7 por cento) foi o mais acometido. As lesões ocorreram mais freqüentemente na segunda década de vida, com média de idade de 27 anos. A mandíbula (61,5 por cento) foi o arco mais envolvido. Radiograficamente, 57,7 por cento das lesões eram multiloculares e 42,3 por cento eram uniloculares com limites definidos. Todas as 26 lesões provocaram expansão óssea, 15,4 por cento produziram reabsorção radicular, 50 por cento causaram deslocamento dentário e 11,5 por cento produziram dor. Na mandíbula, 18,7 por cento das lesões cruzavam a linha média. O grupo A apresentou 66,7 por cento das lesões na mandíbula e o grupo B mostrou igualdade na distribuição das lesões entre os arcos. O grupo A apresentou 66,7 por cento das lesões multiloculares e 33,3 por cento, uniloculares. O grupo B apresentou 62,5 por cento das lesões uniloculares e 37,5 por cento, multiloculares. CONCLUSÃO: As lesões de células gigantes podem manifestar-se, radiograficamente, com um amplo espectro, desde pequenas lesões uniloculares de crescimento lento até extensas lesões multiloculares. Elas apresentam características de benignidade, embora algumas lesões possam demonstrar um comportamento localmente agressivo.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at evaluating main radiological and epidemiological aspects of giant cell lesions (central giant cell granuloma and brown tumors of hyperparathyroidism). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 26 giant cell lesions diagnosed in 22 patients divided into two groups, one of them including 17 patients who were not affected by hyperparathyroidism (group A) and another including five patients with such a disorder (group B). RESULTS: Prevalence was higher in female patients (72.7 percent). Most frequently, lesions occurred more in the second decade of life (mean age, 27 years). The mandible arc was most frequently involved (61.5 percent). Radiographically, 57.7 percent of lesions were multilocular and 42.3 percent were unilocular with defined limits. All of the 26 lesions caused expansion of bone, 15.4 percent radicular resorption, 50 percent dental displacement, and 11.5 percent produced pain. In the mandible 18.7 percent of the lesions crossed the midline. Group A showed 66.7 percent of lesions in the mandible and group B showed an even distribution of lesions between arches. In group A 66.7 percent of lesions were multilocular, and 33.3 percent unilocular; in group B 62.5 percent were unilocular, and 37.5 percent multilocular. CONCLUSION: Giant cells lesions may present themselves with a wide spectrum, from small, slow-growing unilocular lesions to extensive multilocular lesions. They present features of benignity, though some lesions may demonstrate a locally aggressive behavior.

Osteossarcoma parosteal: aspectos na radiologia convencional / Parosteal osteosarcoma: conventional radiology findings

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os achados clínicos mais importantes do osteossarcoma parosteal e descrever os seus aspectos mais comuns na radiologia convencional. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com 26 pacientes com osteossarcoma parosteal, provenientes do arquivo do Clube do Osso, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, e análise dos principais achados clínicos e aspectos radiológicos. RESULTADOS: A doença predominou em pacientes do sexo feminino e teve idade média de acometimento na terceira década de vida. Os achados clínicos mais freqüentes foram o aumento do volume no local do tumor (77 por cento dos casos) e a dor local (68 por cento dos casos). O local mais comum de tumor foi o oco poplíteo, com 40 por cento dos casos, e houve envolvimento metafisário em 92 por cento dos tumores. O aspecto radiológico mais comumente encontrado foi de lesão bem mineralizada e intimamente justaposta à superfície óssea, com o córtex adjacente irregularmente espessado (92,3 por cento dos casos), observando-se área de adesão a este (88,5 por cento dos casos), além de margens tumorais lobuladas (50 por cento dos casos) ou irregulares (38,5 por cento dos casos). Evidenciaram-se, também, linha radiolucente entre o tumor e o osso adjacente (48 por cento dos casos), padrão de mineralização mais denso na base do que na periferia (42,3 por cento dos casos) e pequena ocorrência de reação periosteal (15,4 por cento dos casos). CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de a tomografia computadorizada e a ressonância magnética serem importantes na identificação de alguns aspectos do osteossarcoma parosteal, a radiologia convencional é altamente sugestiva deste tumor e permite, na maior parte dos casos, o diagnóstico diferencial com outras lesões da superfície óssea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the most significant features of parosteal osteosarcoma and to describe the most frequent findings on conventional radiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed including 26 cases of patients with parosteal osteosarcoma from the archives of "Clube do Osso", Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, with analysis of main clinical and radiological findings. RESULTS: The disease was prevalent in female patients in the third decade of life. Main clinical findings were the increase in volume on the site of the tumor (77 percent of cases) and local pain (68 percent of cases). The most frequent site of tumor was the popliteal fossa (40 percent), and metaphyseal involvement has occurred in 92 percent of cases. The most frequent radiological findings were densely mineralized lesions on juxtacortical locations, and irregularly thickened adjacent host cortex (92.3 percent), with adherence areas being observed in 88.5 percent of cases, besides lobular (50 percent) or irregular (38.5 percent) tumor margins. Also, a radiolucent line between the tumor and the adjacent bone (48 percent), a denser mineralization on the basis than in the periphery of the tumor (42.3 percent), and a small rate of periosteal reaction (15.4 percent) were found. CONCLUSION: Although computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are important modalities for identifying some aspects of parosteal osteosarcoma, conventional x-ray is essential in the initial evaluation of this type of lesion, most frequently allowing differential diagnosis with other surface bone lesions.

Tomografia helicoidal do abdome: avaliaçäo do leite integral como contraste oral de baixa densidade / Helical CT of the abdomen: whole milk as low-density oral contrast agent

Avaliamos 90 exames do abdome, por tomografia computadorizada helicoidal, de pacientes que ingeriram soluçäo de iodo diluído a 1 por cento, leite integral ou nenhum meio de contraste oral antes do procedimento. Os resultados dos pacientes que ingeriram o leite integral foram superiores aos demais nos quatro parâmetros avaliados: distensäo gastroduodenal, visibilidade parietal, discriminaçäo pâncreas-duodeno e discriminaçäo entre alças intestinais. O leite integral é um eficiente meio de contraste oral de baixa densidade.