Takotsubo Syndrome Secondary to Pulmonary Bronchoscopy.

Takotsubo syndrome is known for its association with psychological stress factors. Rarely, it is associated with invasive procedures. We present a case of Takotsubo induced by bronchoscopy, a procedure with a low rate of complications. LEARNING POINTS: Takotsubo or stress cardiomyopathy is associated with physical and psychological stress factors.Takotsubo syndrome (TS) associated with bronchoscopy is rare.TS should be included in the differential diagnosis of both female and male patients.

Quantitative assessment of emphysema and bronchial wall thickness in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: comparison between the eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic phenotypes.

Objective: To perform a quantitative assessment of bronchial wall thickening and the emphysema score in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), comparing the eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic COPD phenotypes. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of patients with COPD followed between August 2018 and July 2019. The patients were divided into two groups by the eosinophil count in peripheral blood: eosinophilic (≥ 300 cells/µL); and non-eosinophilic (< 300 cells/µL). Quantitative, automated assessments of emphysema and bronchial wall thickness were performed by evaluating computed tomography scans of the chest. Results: We evaluated the records of 110 patients diagnosed with COPD: 28 (25.5%) in the eosinophilic group; and 82 (74.5%) in the non-eosinophilic group. The demographic, clinical, functional, and therapeutic variables were comparable between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the emphysema score or bronchial wall thickness (p > 0.05 for both). Conclusion: Patients with eosinophilic COPD do not appear to have lower emphysema scores or greater bronchial wall thickening than do those with non-eosinophilic phenotypes of the disease.

Objetivo: Avaliar quantitativamente o escore de enfisema e o espessamento da parede brônquica de pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) estável e comparar os fenótipos eosinofílico e não eosinofílico. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal, retrospectivo, que avaliou pacientes com DPOC no período de agosto de 2018 a julho de 2019. Os pacientes foram separados dois grupos, de acordo com o número de eosinófilos periféricos: os eosinofílicos (≥ 300 células/µL) e os não eosinofílicos (< 300 células/µL). Foram realizadas avaliações quantitativas e automatizadas de enfisema e de espessamento brônquico para os dois grupos por meio de tomografia computadorizada de tórax. Resultados: Foram coletados dados de 110 pacientes com o diagnóstico de DPOC, dos quais 28 (25,5%) apresentaram perfil eosinofílico. As variáveis demográficas, clínicas, funcionais e terapêuticas do grupo dos pacientes com perfil eosinofílico foram semelhantes às do grupo não eosinofílico. Não se observaram diferenças significativas em relação ao escore de enfisema e à medida de espessura de parede brônquica entre os dois grupos (p > 0,05). Conclusão: Neste estudo, os pacientes com fenótipo eosinofílico não apresentaram menor escore de enfisema e nem maior espessamento parietal brônquico.

Quantitative assessment of emphysema and bronchial wall thickness in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: comparison between the eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic phenotypes / Avaliação quantitativa de enfisema e espessamento parietal brônquico em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica estável: comparação entre os fenótipos eosinofílico e não eosinofílico

Abstract Objective: To perform a quantitative assessment of bronchial wall thickening and the emphysema score in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), comparing the eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic COPD phenotypes. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of patients with COPD followed between August 2018 and July 2019. The patients were divided into two groups by the eosinophil count in peripheral blood: eosinophilic (≥ 300 cells/µL); and non-eosinophilic (< 300 cells/µL). Quantitative, automated assessments of emphysema and bronchial wall thickness were performed by evaluating computed tomography scans of the chest. Results: We evaluated the records of 110 patients diagnosed with COPD: 28 (25.5%) in the eosinophilic group; and 82 (74.5%) in the non-eosinophilic group. The demographic, clinical, functional, and therapeutic variables were comparable between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the emphysema score or bronchial wall thickness (p > 0.05 for both). Conclusion: Patients with eosinophilic COPD do not appear to have lower emphysema scores or greater bronchial wall thickening than do those with non-eosinophilic phenotypes of the disease.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar quantitativamente o escore de enfisema e o espessamento da parede brônquica de pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) estável e comparar os fenótipos eosinofílico e não eosinofílico. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal, retrospectivo, que avaliou pacientes com DPOC no período de agosto de 2018 a julho de 2019. Os pacientes foram separados dois grupos, de acordo com o número de eosinófilos periféricos: os eosinofílicos (≥ 300 células/µL) e os não eosinofílicos (< 300 células/µL). Foram realizadas avaliações quantitativas e automatizadas de enfisema e de espessamento brônquico para os dois grupos por meio de tomografia computadorizada de tórax. Resultados: Foram coletados dados de 110 pacientes com o diagnóstico de DPOC, dos quais 28 (25,5%) apresentaram perfil eosinofílico. As variáveis demográficas, clínicas, funcionais e terapêuticas do grupo dos pacientes com perfil eosinofílico foram semelhantes às do grupo não eosinofílico. Não se observaram diferenças significativas em relação ao escore de enfisema e à medida de espessura de parede brônquica entre os dois grupos (p > 0,05). Conclusão: Neste estudo, os pacientes com fenótipo eosinofílico não apresentaram menor escore de enfisema e nem maior espessamento parietal brônquico.

Clinical evolution of a severe asthmatics group in the use of immunobiological therapy in a Brazilian Public Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: A small portion of the asthmatic population (3.6%) has severe asthma (SA), presenting high morbimortality rates and demanding more financial resources than other asthmatic populations. The use of immunobiological therapy is an effective tool in controlling symptoms, decreasing the number of exacerbations, and reducing the use of systemic corticosteroids in these patients. In Brazil, epidemiological data regarding this asthmatic population using immunobiologicals and their evolution are scarce. METHODS: This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional, and retrospective study. The sample consisted of adult patients with SA in follow-up at the pulmonology service of the Complexo Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Paraná, from January 2011 to August 2019. The analyzed variables were as follows: the number of exacerbations that required hospitalization in the previous year, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and asthma control test (ACT) scores before and after the start of immunobiological therapy. RESULTS: We studied 20 patients with SA using omalizumab or mepolizumab. We observed an increase in the mean ACT score of 4.8 points, a nonsignificant reduction in the number of exacerbations that required hospitalization, and a slight improvement in the FEV1. Regarding the patients using chronic systemic corticosteroid therapy, 14.2% (n=1) of patients had the medication discontinued and 57% (n=4) of patients had the dose reduced by half. CONCLUSION: The use of omalizumab and mepolizumab as additional therapy in SA provided a significant improvement in the ACT and allowed the dose reduction of systemic corticosteroids, without significant improvement in FEV1 and in the frequency of severe exacerbations.

Clinical evolution of a severe asthmatics group in the use of immunobiological therapy in a Brazilian Public Hospital

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: A small portion of the asthmatic population (3.6%) has severe asthma (SA), presenting high morbimortality rates and demanding more financial resources than other asthmatic populations. The use of immunobiological therapy is an effective tool in controlling symptoms, decreasing the number of exacerbations, and reducing the use of systemic corticosteroids in these patients. In Brazil, epidemiological data regarding this asthmatic population using immunobiologicals and their evolution are scarce. METHODS: This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional, and retrospective study. The sample consisted of adult patients with SA in follow-up at the pulmonology service of the Complexo Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Paraná, from January 2011 to August 2019. The analyzed variables were as follows: the number of exacerbations that required hospitalization in the previous year, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and asthma control test (ACT) scores before and after the start of immunobiological therapy. RESULTS: We studied 20 patients with SA using omalizumab or mepolizumab. We observed an increase in the mean ACT score of 4.8 points, a nonsignificant reduction in the number of exacerbations that required hospitalization, and a slight improvement in the FEV1. Regarding the patients using chronic systemic corticosteroid therapy, 14.2% (n=1) of patients had the medication discontinued and 57% (n=4) of patients had the dose reduced by half. CONCLUSION: The use of omalizumab and mepolizumab as additional therapy in SA provided a significant improvement in the ACT and allowed the dose reduction of systemic corticosteroids, without significant improvement in FEV1 and in the frequency of severe exacerbations.

Aggressive angiomyxoma of the vagina: a case report / Angiomixoma agressivo de vagina: um relato de caso

ABSTRACT Aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) is a rare infiltrative tumor of mesenchymal origin that has high rates of local recurrence. We present the case of a 42-year-old patient with a lump in the vaginal canal, treated with excisional biopsy. Histopathologic evaluation revealed myxoid spindle-cell proliferation in the subepithelial region, and immunohistochemical analysis was positive for CDK4, CD34, desmin, estrogen and progesterone receptors. The markers S100 and smooth muscle actin were negative, what corroborated the diagnosis of AAM. Because of its high recurrence rates, we opted for outpatient follow-up during the two subsequent years.

RESUMO O angiomixoma agressivo (AA) é uma neoplasia rara de origem mesenquimal, caráter infiltrativo e altas taxas de recidiva local. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente de 42 anos com nódulo no canal vaginal, submetida à biópsia excisional. A avaliação histopatológica demonstrou proliferação fusocelular mixoide na região subepitelial, e a análise imuno-histoquímica revelou positividade para CDK4, CD34, desmina e receptores de estrogênio e progesterona. Os marcadores S100 e actina de músculo liso foram negativos, o que corroborou o diagnóstico de AA. Devido às altas taxas de recidiva, optou-se por acompanhamento ambulatorial pelos dois anos subsequentes.

Clinical, histomorphological, and therapeutic prognostic factors in patients with triple-negative invasive breast cancer / Fatores prognósticos clínicos, histomorfológicos e terapêuticos em pacientes com câncer de mama invasivo triplo negativo

ABSTRACT Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common visceral malignancy in women, the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. The triple negative subgroup has poor prognosis and aggressive biological behavior. Objectives: To outline the clinical and histopathological aspects, the treatment profile, and to suggest which factors may predict poor prognosis in patients with triple-negative invasive breast cancer in the Campos Gerais region of Paraná. Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study, longitudinal, comparative, performed in a clinic of anatomic pathology in the Instituto Sul Paranaense de Oncologia, in Ponta Grossa, Paraná. The inclusion criteria were female patients with pathology report of invasive breast carcinoma, whose immunohistochemistry showed negative for hormone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2), diagnosed in the period between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2012. The patients were divided into two groups, living women and patients who have died. Results: The recurrence rate, chemotherapy type, angiolymphatic invasion, tumor size, lymph node invasion, and type of surgery performed were significant variables in the univariate analysis between the groups. After Cox regression for multivariate analysis, only the angiolymphatic invasion (p = 0.012, relative risk [RR] 5.0518, confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.4261-17.8952), and tumor size (p = 0.0385, RR 1.2605, CI 95% 1.0123-1.5695) remained significant. Conclusion: The angiolymphatic invasion and tumor size proved to be risk factors for death, from all causes, in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Differences between groups can indicate different molecular subtypes within the triple-negative phenotype.

RESUMO Introdução: O câncer de mama é a neoplasia maligna visceral mais frequente em mulheres, sendo a principal causa de morte por câncer no sexo feminino em todo o mundo. O subgrupo triplo negativo apresenta prognóstico pobre e comportamento biológico agressivo. Objetivos: Delinear os aspectos clínicos e histomorfológicos e o perfil de tratamento, além de sugerir quais fatores podem predizer pior prognóstico nas pacientes com câncer de mama invasivo triplo negativo na região dos Campos Gerais do Paraná. Métodos: Estudo de corte retrospectivo observacional, longitudinal e comparativo, realizado em uma clínica de anatomia patológica e no Instituto Sul Paranaense de Oncologia, em Ponta Grossa, Paraná. Os critérios de inclusão foram pacientes do sexo feminino com laudo anatomopatológico de carcinoma de mama invasor, cuja imuno-histoquímica apresentou-se negativa para os receptores hormonais e receptor de crescimento epidérmico humano 2 (HER2), diagnosticadas no período entre 01 de janeiro de 2002 a 31 de dezembro de 2012. As pacientes foram divididas em dois grupos, mulheres vivas e as que faleceram. Resultados: O índice de recidiva, o tipo de quimioterapia, a invasão angiolinfática, o tamanho do tumor, a invasão linfonodal e os tipos de cirurgia realizadas foram variáveis significativas na análise univariada entre os grupos. Após a regressão de cox para análise multivariada, apenas a invasão angiolinfática (p = 0,012, risco relativo [RR] 5,0518, intervalo de confiança [IC] 95% 1,4261-17,8952) e o tamanho do tumor permaneceram significativos (p = 0,0385, RR 1,2605, IC 95% 1,0123-1,5695). Conclusão: A invasão angiolinfática e o tamanho do tumor mostraram-se fatores de risco para óbito, por todas as causas, em pacientes com câncer de mama triplo negativo. Diferenças entre os grupos podem indicar diferentes subtipos moleculares dentro do fenótipo triplo negativo.

[Acupuncture in fibromyalgia: a randomized, controlled study addressing the immediate pain response]. / Acupuntura na fibromialgia: um estudo randomizado-controlado abordando a resposta imediata da dor.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia, considering the immediate response of the visual analogue pain scale (VAS) as its primary outcome. METHODS: Randomized, controlled, double-blind study including 36 patients with fibromyalgia (ACR 1990) selected from the outpatient rheumatology clinic, Santa Casa de Misericórdia, Ponta Grossa, PR. Twenty-one patients underwent an acupuncture session, under the principles of the traditional Chinese medicine, and 15 patients underwent a placebo procedure (sham acupuncture). For pain assessment, the subjects completed a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and immediately after the proposed procedure. The mean change in VAS was compared among groups. RESULTS: The variation between the final and initial VAS values was -4.36±3.23 (P=0.0001) in the treatment group and -1.70±1.55 in the control group (P=0.06). The difference in terms of amplitude of variation of VAS (initial - final VAS) among groups favored the actual procedure (P=0.005). The effect size (ES) for the treatment group was d=1.7, which is considered a large effect. Although small, the statistical power of the sample for these results was very relevant (94.8%). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture has proven effective in the immediate pain reduction in patients with fibromyalgia, with a quite significant effect size.

Acupuntura na fibromialgia: um estudo randomizado-controlado abordando a resposta imediata da dor / Acupuncture in fibromyalgia: a randomized, controlled study addressing the immediate pain response

Objetivo Avaliar a eficácia da acupuntura no tratamento da fibromialgia, considerando-se como desfecho primário a resposta imediata da escala visual analógica (VAS) para avaliação da dor. Material e métodos Estudo randomizado, controlado e duplo-cego incluindo 36 pacientes portadores de fibromialgia (ACR 1990) selecionados no ambulatório de Reumatologia da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ponta Grossa, PR. Vinte e um pacientes foram submetidos a uma sessão de acupuntura, nos moldes da Medicina Tradicional Chinesa, e 15 pacientes foram submetidos a um procedimento placebo (acupuntura sham). Para avaliação da dor, os indivíduos preencheram uma Escala Visual Analógica (VAS) antes e imediatamente após o procedimento proposto. As médias na variação da VAS foram comparadas entre os grupos. Resultados A variação entre o valor da EVA final e da EVA inicial foi de –4,36±3,23 (P=0,0001) no grupo de tratamento e de –1,70±1,55 no grupo de controle (P=0,06). A diferença na amplitude de variação da EVA (EVA inicial – final) entre os grupos favoreceu o procedimento verdadeiro (P=0,005). O tamanho de efeito (effect size – ES) para o grupo de tratamento foi de d=1,7, o que é considerado um efeito grande. Embora com uma amostra reduzida, seu poder estatístico para esses resultados foi bastante relevante (94,8%). Conclusão A acupuntura mostrou ser eficaz na redução imediata da dor em pacientes portadores de fibromialgia, com um tamanho de efeito (effect size) bastante significativo. .

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia, considering the immediate response of the visual analogue pain scale (VAS) as its primary outcome. Methods Randomized, controlled, double-blind study including 36 patients with fibromyalgia (ACR 1990) selected from the outpatient rheumatology clinic, Santa Casa de Misericórdia, Ponta Grossa, PR. Twenty-one patients underwent an acupuncture session, under the principles of the traditional Chinese medicine, and 15 patients underwent a placebo procedure (sham acupuncture). For pain assessment, the subjects completed a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and immediately after the proposed procedure. The mean change in VAS was compared among groups. Results The variation between the final and initial VAS values was -4.36±3.23 (P=0.0001) in the treatment group and -1.70±1.55 in the control group (P=0.06). The difference in terms of amplitude of variation of VAS (initial – final VAS) among groups favored the actual procedure (P=0.005). The effect size (ES) for the treatment group was d=1.7, which is considered a large effect. Although small, the statistical power of the sample for these results was very relevant (94.8%). Conclusion Acupuncture has proven effective in the immediate pain reduction in patients with fibromyalgia, with a quite significant effect size. .

Câncer de mama em mulheres jovens: uma análise do estadiamento clínico inicial e dos subtipos moleculares dos tumores / Breast cancer in young women: an analysis of the initial clinical staging and molecular subtypes of tumors

Objetivo: Comparar o estádio clínico inicial e os subtipos moleculares dos tumores em mulheres de idades inferiores a 40 anos com outras três faixas etárias. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo, tipo caso-controle, que analisou prontuários eletrônicos de pacientes atendidas no período de 2001 a 2011. As pacientes foram distribuídas em quatro grupos, de acordo com a idade ao diagnóstico: pacientes com menos de 40 anos (n=65, denominadas Casos); pacientes com idades entre 40 e 49 anos (n=187, Controles I); pacientes com idades entre 50 e 65 anos (n=276, Controles II) e com mais de 65 anos (n=162, Controles III). Foram analisadas as variáveis estádio clínico inicial e subtipos moleculares dos tumores. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do teste do Χ2 , com correção de Yates, e foram considerados significativos valores de p<0,05, com correção para múltiplas comparações onde necessária. Resultados: Não foi observada uma diferença estatisticamente significativa na distribuição por estádios entre os grupos, exceto pela categoria 3A que se mostrou mais frequente no Grupo Casos em comparação com o Grupo Controles III (20 versus 6%, OR: 3,8; IC95% 1,57-9,18; p<0,004). Em relação à distribuição dos subtipos moleculares dos tumores, não se observou diferença estatística significativa entre os Grupos Casos e Controles. Conclusão: A distribuição dos indicadores de prognóstico estádio clínico inicial e subtipos moleculares dos tumores mostrou-se independente da idade. Isso sugere que o mau prognóstico do câncer de mama em mulheres jovens pode não estar associado a esses fatores.

Objective: To compare the initial clinical stage and molecular subtypes of tumors in women younger than 40 years old with three older age groups. Methods: A case-control retrospective study was carried out, and analyzed the electronic medical records of patients treated between 2001 to 2011. They were divided into four groups according to the age at diagnosis: patients younger than 40 years old (n=65, referred as Cases); patients aged 40 and 49 years old (n=187, Control I); patients with ages between 50 and 65 years old (n=276, Control II), and older than 65 years old (n=162, Control III). The variables initial clinical stage and molecular subtypes of tumors were analyzed. A statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test with Yates correction, and values of p<0.05 were considered significant, corrected for multiple comparisons where it was deemed necessary. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the stage distribution between groups, except for category 3A that was more frequent in the Case Group compared to the Control III (20 versus 6%, OR: 3.8; 95%CI 1.57-9.18; p<0.004). Regarding the distribution of molecular subtypes of tumors, no significant difference was observed between Cases and Controls. Conclusion: Distribution of the initial clinical stage and tumor molecular subtypes prognostic indicators showed to be independent of age. This suggests that the poor prognosis of breast cancer in young women may not be associated with these factors.