Early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma: an observation in southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of melanoma cutaneous and the mortalities rates are rising in most countries worldwide. OBJECTIVE: to describe the histopathological characteristics of cutaneous melanoma, according to the criteria established by the Brazilian Group of Melanoma, and to evaluate early diagnosis in a cancer treatment referral center. METHODS: we performed a cross-sectional descriptive study of cases of primary cutaneous melanoma identified after excisional biopsy and processed at the pathology laboratory of Complexo Hospitalar Santa Casa between Jan 1st 2000 and Jan 15th 2005. The following variables were analyzed: age, gender, topography, histopathologic subtype, Breslow thickness, growth phase, Clark level, mitotic index, peritumoral and intratumoral lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate, angiolymphatic invasion, ulceration, regression, type of regression, microscopic satellitosis, and surgical margins. RESULTS: 328 cases, 57% female and 43% male, were analyzed. Mean age was 55.6 years. For women, the most common tumor location was in inferior(29.26%) and superior limbs(23.94%), while for men melanoma was mainly found in the back(35%), followed by anterior chest/abdomen(14.29%) (p<0.05). Prevalence of histologic subtypes was the following: superficial spreading melanoma(62.8%), lentigo maligna(14.9%), nodular(14.6%), acral(7.3%), and desmoplastic(0.3%) types. Regarding Breslow, 26.2% were in situ, 36.9% had <1 mm, and only 15.9% were ? 4mm in depth. CONCLUSION: the distribution of histopathologic subtypes, as well as Breslow thickness, was in accordance with previous studies in outpatient populations. The profile of cases of cutaneous melanoma diagnosed in a tertiary hospital seems to be experiencing some changes over the last two decades, with a current trend for earlier diagnosis.

A precocidade diagnóstica do melanoma cutâneo: uma observação no sul do Brasil / Early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma: an observation in southern Brazil

FUNDAMENTOS: A incidência do melanoma cutâneo e as taxas de mortalidade a ele associadas estão crescendo na maioria dos países do mundo. OBJETIVO: Descrever as características histopatológicas do melanoma cutâneo, segundo critérios do Grupo Brasileiro de Melanoma, e avaliar a precocidade diagnóstica em hospital de referência do sul do Brasil para o atendimento de melanoma. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com casos de melanoma cutâneo primário reconhecidos após biópsia excisional, processados no laboratório de Patologia do Complexo Hospitalar Santa Casa de Porto Alegre entre 1º/1/2000 e 15/1/2005. Outras variáveis analisadas: idade, sexo, topogra fia da lesão, subtipos histopatológicos, índice Breslow, fase de crescimento, índice de Clark, índice mitótico, infiltrado inflamatório linfocitário peritumoral e intratumoral, invasão angiolinfática e perineural, presença de úlcera e regressão, tipo de regressão, satelitose microscópica e margens cirúrgicas. RESULTADOS: Incluídos 328 casos, sendo 57 por cento mulheres e 43 por cento homens, com média de idade de 55,63 anos. A localização foi preferencialmente nos membros inferiores (29,26 por cento) e superiores (23,94 por cento) nas mulheres. Nos homens, predominou no dorso (35 por cento) e no tórax anterior/abdome (14,29 por cento) (p<0,05). Os subtipos histológicos se apresentaram com as seguintes frequências: espalhamento superficial (62,8 por cento), lentigo maligno (14,9 por cento), nodular (14,6 por cento), acral (7,3 por cento) e desmoplásico (0,3 por cento). Quanto ao Breslow: 26,2 por cento dos casos eram in situ, 36,9 por cento eram <1mm, enquanto apenas 15,9 por cento apresentavam mais de 4mm de profundidade. CONCLUSÃO: A distribuição dos subtipos histológicos e o nível de profundidade (Breslow) foram semelhantes aos encontrados em estudos anteriores em população de base não hospitalar. O perfil dos casos de melanoma cutâneo avaliados em hospital terciário parece estar se modificando nas últimas duas décadas, com tendência a diagnósticos mais precoces, atualmente.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of melanoma cutaneous and the mortalities rates are rising in most countries worldwide. OBJECTIVE: to describe the histopathological characteristics of cutaneous melanoma, according to the criteria established by the Brazilian Group of Melanoma, and to evaluate early diagnosis in a cancer treatment referral center. METHODS: we performed a cross-sectional descriptive study of cases of primary cutaneous melanoma identified after excisional biopsy and processed at the pathology laboratory of Complexo Hospitalar Santa Casa between Jan 1st 2000 and Jan 15th 2005. The following variables were analyzed: age, gender, topography, histopathologic subtype, Breslow thickness, growth phase, Clark level, mitotic index, peritumoral and intratumoral lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate, angiolymphatic invasion, ulceration, regression, type of regression, microscopic satellitosis, and surgical margins. RESULTS: 328 cases, 57 percent female and 43 percent male, were analyzed. Mean age was 55.6 years. For women, the most common tumor location was in inferior(29.26 percent) and superior limbs(23.94 percent), while for men melanoma was mainly found in the back(35 percent), followed by anterior chest/abdomen(14.29 percent) (p<0.05). Prevalence of histologic subtypes was the following: superficial spreading melanoma(62.8 percent), lentigo maligna(14.9 percent), nodular(14.6 percent), acral(7.3 percent), and desmoplastic(0.3 percent) types. Regarding Breslow, 26.2 percent were in situ, 36.9 percent had <1 mm, and only 15.9 percent were ? 4mm in depth. CONCLUSION: the distribution of histopathologic subtypes, as well as Breslow thickness, was in accordance with previous studies in outpatient populations. The profile of cases of cutaneous melanoma diagnosed in a tertiary hospital seems to be experiencing some changes over the last two decades, with a current trend for earlier diagnosis.

Steatocystoma simplex of the eyelid.

A 68-year-old woman presented with a nodular pretarsal tumor on her right upper eyelid that had slowly grown over 6 months. Excisional biopsy was performed through an eyelid crease approach, and histopathology evidenced the lesion to be steatocystoma simplex. Steatocystoma simplex is an uncommon benign cutaneous lesion thought to be a circumscribed malformation arising from the pilosebaceous duct junction, rarely reported to occur in the periorbital region.

Infecção por Scedosporium apiospermum e tratamento com Voriconazol / Scedosporium apiospermum infection and treatment with Voriconazole

A infecção pelo Scedosporium apiospermum pode tornar-se grave quando afeta pacientes imunodeprimidos, contexto em que diagnóstico e tratamento são geralmente difíceis. Os autores apresentam caso de paciente diabética usuária de ciclosporina, metotrexato e corticoesteróide sistêmico para o tramento de artrite reumatóide e que apresentou úlceras cutâneas pelo S. apiospermum. Após uso de itraconazol, sem sucesso, ocorreu resolução do quadro com o uso de voriconazol, nova alternativa para determinadas infecções fúngicas.

Infection by Scedosporium apiospermum may be severe when it affects immunosuppressed patients, circumstances under which diagnosis and treatment are difficult. The authors present the case of a diabetic patient using cyclosporine, methotrexate and systemic steroids to treat rheumatoid arthritis, who presented ulcers caused by S. apiospermum. After unsuccessful treatment with itraconazole, there was good response to voriconazole therapy. This drug represents a new alternative for the treatment of fungal infections.

Angiographic coronary artery disease is associated with progressively higher levels of fasting plasma glucose.

This study evaluated the association between progressively higher levels of fasting glycemia (G) and insulin resistance parameters with coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients referred for coronary angiography. All 145 patients (age 58.4+/-0.9 years, 51.7% men) underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation before coronary angiography and subjects were divided into four groups: normal (N, <88 mg/dl), high-normal (H-N, 89-99 mg/dl), impaired fasting glucose (IFG, 100-125 mg/dl) and diabetes (DM, >126 mg/dl or known diabetics). Arteriographic evidence of CAD was determined by two criteria: (1) a 30% or greater diameter stenosis in at least one major coronary artery; (2) a 70% or greater diameter stenosis in at least one major coronary artery. HOMA-IR increased progressively according to each group: N=1.74+/-0.2, H-N=3.14+/-0.3, IFG=4.67+/-0.6 and DM=8.00+/-2.9; p=0.001. The proportion of patients with CAD according to both criteria increased with each G level: CAD criteria 1: N=39.4%, H-N=50%, IFG=60% and DM=69.6%, p=0.006; CAD criteria 2: N=27.3%, H-N=30%, IFG=36% and DM=50%, p=0.03. We demonstrated a significant association between subtle disturbances of the glucose metabolism, assessed by subnormal levels of fasting glucose and insulin resistance parameters, and angiographically documented coronary artery disease.

Infecção cutânea por alternaria alternata em paciente transplantado renal / Cutaneous infection caused by alternaria alternata in renal transplanted patient

Feohifomicose por alternaria alternata é uma forma de infecção cutânea rara que acomete principalmente pacientes imunocomprometidos. Neste artigo, descrevemos o caso de um paciente transplantado renal que apresentou alternariose cutânea no pé e perna esquerda após trauma local. Aspectos referentes à dificuldade diagnóstica e terapêutica são comentados.

Effectiveness of acetylcysteine in prevention of contrast nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Acetylcysteine may provide prophylaxis against contrast nephropathy (CN) in some patients. Its benefit may vary according to the characteristics of patients and contrast used. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of oral acetylcysteine in preventing CN after coronary procedures in our practice. METHODS: We prospectively studied 397 patients with a creatinine level equal to or above 1.3 mg/dl, diabetes mellitus, or 70+ years of age who underwent a coronary procedure. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either acetylcysteine or placebo and 0.9% saline before and after the contrast agent. High- or low-osmolality contrast was used according to the discretion of the interventional cardiologist. Serum creatinine was measured before and 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. RESULTS: An increase of greater than or equal to 25% in the baseline creatinine level 24 to 48 hours after the procedure occurred in 14 (7.1%) of 196 acetylcysteine patients and in 17 (8.4%) of 201 placebo patients (p=0.62). In the acetylcysteine group, the mean baseline serum creatinine concentration was 1.30+/-0.56 mg/dl and increased 0.076+/-0.21 mg/dl 24 to 48 hours after administration of contrast, whereas in the placebo group, it was 1.27+/-0.51 mg/dl and increased 0.101+/-0.28 mg/dl (p=0.33). In the subgroup with estimated baseline creatinine clearance <60 ml/minute, no difference was found in the incidence of CN (9.1% in the acetylcysteine group; 11.7% in the placebo; p=0.66). By multivariate analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction less than or equal to 40%, volume of contrast >200 ml, and estimated creatinine clearance (but not acetylcysteine) were related to CN. CONCLUSIONS: Oral acetylcysteine was not effective as a prophylactic treatment against CN for patients with a potential risk and submitted to coronary angiographic procedures with predominantly high-osmolality contrast.