Pulmonary abscess with atypical topography - computed tomography assessment before and after treatment.

INTRODUCTION: We present a clinical case of a patient with neurological sequelae, dementia, gastrostomy and tracheostomy with a metal canula, who developed a lung abscess in an atypical topography, in the anterior segment of the left upper lobe, being attended to in the emergency department. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old man who was bedridden and with neurological sequelae resulting from a hemorrhagic stroke, with gastrostomy and tracheostomy with a metal canula, was attended for daily fever and increased secretion trough the canula, and a diagnosis of bronchoaspiration pneumonia was made. The chest X-ray was unremarkable with an evaluation impaired by the patient's posture. The chest CT showed a characteristic image of an abscess in the topography of the anterior segment of the upper lobe. Improvement in the patient`s clinical condition was accompanied by an improvement in the CT imaging results. And the other exams carried out did not show any other associated lung disease. DISCUSSION: Chest X-ray is still the initial method for studying infectious lung lesions, and CT is indicated in cases where the appearance of the lesion is not well defined, if doubts persist, whether the patient is immunosuppressed or oncological. CT can provide better definition of abscess imaging findings and is particularly useful for visualizing cavities not well delineated by X-ray, especially when a malignant neoplastic tumor lesion is suspected or when there is an associated pleural collection.

Application of thermography in the diagnostic investigation of thyroid nodules.

Thyroid nodules (TN) are common in the general population, and the clinical importance of diagnosing thyroid nodules is based on excluding the possibility of thyroid cancer, which occurs in 7-15% of cases. The thyroid gland, owing to its superficial location, is easily accessible via thermography, a noninvasive method of recording body temperature that measures infrared radiation emitted by the body surface. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the temperature differences between benign and malignant TN by using thermography. We conducted a cross-sectional study where 147 TN were divided into two groups: the first group included 120 benign nodules and the other included 27 malignant nodules. All the nodules were subjected to ultrasound, fine needle aspiration biopsy, and thermography. On analyzing the thermography results, the benign nodules had a higher temperature at the beginning of the thermography evaluation, and the malignant nodules showed a higher temperature in the middle and at the end (Ft). Using the relationships, it was observed that the temperature delta (ΔT), ΔT nodule/ΔT healthy, ΔT nodule minus ΔT healthy, and nodule Ft minus Ft of the healthy region were higher in malignant nodules. The ROC curve analysis of ΔT demonstrated a cutoff point of 2.38°C, with a sensitivity of 0.963 and specificity of 0.992. Malignant nodules have higher temperatures than benign nodules on thermographic evaluation. This finding suggests that thermography can be a useful tool in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Semiology and radiology integration: a new trend in the teaching-learning process / Integração semiologia e radiologia: nova tendência no processo de ensino e aprendizagem

Abstract: Introduction: The development of clinical reasoning to diagnose diseases and order ancillary tests, such as radiology imaging, is based on history-taking and physical examination skills, which are developed during the semiology course. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the results of the innovative integration of two courses in the medical curriculum at our institution: Medical Semiology and Clinical Radiology. Methods: The sample consisted of 184 fifth-semester medical students attending the two courses simultaneously. Extra-class semiology-radiology sessions based on theoretical and practical topics integrating radiological images and semiological signs were conducted, and the results were assessed by applying a semi-structured questionnaire to the participants, in which all 18 items were rated on a scale from 0 (worst) to 10 (best). The normality hypothesis in score distribution was verified by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the Shapiro-Wilk test. The distribution of the 18 scores were summarized by descriptive statistics and compared by Friedman's test, with post-hoc test in pairwise comparisons adjusted by Bonferroni test. Correlations between the scores were determined by Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficients. Results: The overall mean score for the semiology-radiology sessions was high (8.55). Students were satisfied with the selection of clinical cases (8.46) and found that the semiology-radiology sessions contributed to the development of their clinical reasoning (8.58). Conclusion: Medical schools are facing new challenges in medical education. The innovative concept of Radiology-Semiology integrated teaching modality affects the students' self-perception ability to interpret radiological images and might be an educational strategy trend.

Resumo: Introdução: O desenvolvimento do raciocínio clínico para diagnosticar doenças e solicitar exames complementares, como os radiológicos, baseia-se na história e no exame físico, desenvolvidos durante o curso de Semiologia. Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os resultados da integração inovadora de duas disciplinas no currículo médico em nossa instituição: Semiologia Médica e Radiologia Clínica. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 184 estudantes de Medicina do quinto semestre que participaram das duas disciplinas simultaneamente. Realizaram-se sessões extraclasse de semiologia e radiologia, baseadas em tópicos teóricos e práticos, integrando imagens radiológicas com sinais semiológicos. Avaliaram-se os resultados por meio da aplicação de um questionário semiestruturado aos participantes, no qual todos os 18 itens foram classificados em uma escala de 0 (pior) a 10 (melhor). A hipótese de normalidade na distribuição dos escores foi verificada pelos testes de Kolmorov-Smirnov e Shapiro-Wilk. As 18 distribuições de pontuação foram resumidas por estatística descritiva e comparadas pelo teste de Friedman, com teste post hoc em comparações pareadas ajustadas por Bonferroni. As correlações entre as pontuações foram determinadas pelos coeficientes de correlação de classificação de Spearman. Resultados: O escore médio geral para as sessões de semiologia e radiologia foi alto (8,55). Os estudantes ficaram satisfeitos com a seleção de casos clínicos (8,46) e descobriram que as sessões de semiologia-radiologia contribuíram para o desenvolvimento de seu raciocínio clínico (8,58). Conclusão: As escolas médicas enfrentam novos desafios na educação médica. O conceito inovador da modalidade de ensino integrado de radiologia-semiologia afeta a capacidade de autopercepção dos alunos para interpretar imagens radiológicas e pode ser uma tendência de estratégia educacional.

Adjuvant effect of low-carbohydrate diet on outcomes of patients with recurrent glioblastoma under intranasal perillyl alcohol therapy.

BACKGROUND: Standard of care for glioblastoma (GB), consisting of cytotoxic chemotherapy, steroids, and high-dose radiation, induces changes in the tumor microenvironment through its effects on glucose availability, which is a determinant for tumor progression (TP). Low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) reduces the glucose levels needed to drive the Warburg effect. METHODS: To investigate LCD's effect on GB therapy, we have begun a clinical trial using LCD as an addition to intranasal perillyl alcohol (POH) for recurrent GB (rGB) patients. This study involved 29 individuals and evaluated, over a period of 1 year, the adjuvant effect of LCD associated with POH therapy in terms of toxicity, extent of peritumoral edema, reduced corticosteroid use, seizure frequency, and overall survival. POH group (n = 14) received solely intranasal POH without specific diet regimen, whereas POH/LCD group (n = 15) received intranasal POH in combination with nutritional intervention. Patients' assessment was based on clinical reviews and magnetic resonance data. RESULTS: In the 1-year follow-up, the POH/LCD group showed a 4.4-fold decrease in the proportion of patients who needed treatment with corticosteroids, as well as a reduction in tumor size and peritumoral edema, as compared to the POH group. While 75% of patients undergoing POH treatment experienced seizures, this fraction was reduced to 56% in the POH/LCD group. A 2.07-fold increase in the proportion of patients with stable disease, along with a 2.8-fold decrease in the proportion of patients with TP, was seen in the POH/LCD group. CONCLUSION: The results presented in this study show that the LCD associated with intranasal POH therapy may represent a viable option as adjunctive therapy for rGB to improve survival without compromising patients' quality of life. Prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings and validate the efficacy of this novel therapeutic strategy.

Influenza A virus H1N1 associated pneumonia - acute and late aspects evaluated with high resolution tomography in hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND: Influenza A (H1N1) virus often compromises the respiratory tract, leading to pneumonia, which is the principal cause of death in these patients. The purpose of this study was to review the acute and late phase pulmonary findings in influenza A(H1N1) associated pneumonia using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and to determine the importance of performing end expiration series. METHODS: Between July and August 2009, 140 patients presented with influenza A (H1N1) confirmed by real-timepolymerase chain reaction. Out of these, 27 patients underwent HRCT in the acute and late phases of pneumonia, allowing for a comparative study. Late phase exams were performed due to clinical worsening and up to 120 days later in patients with persistent complaints of dyspnea. RESULTS: Ground glass opacities, consolidations, and the combination of both were associated with the acute phase, whereas persistence or worsening of the lesions, lesion improvement, and air trapping in the end expiration series (as seen using HRCT, n=6) were observed in the late phase. CONCLUSIONS: In the HRCT end expiration series, air trapping was found in the late phase of H1N1 associated pneumonia. Generally, these exams are not evaluated in research articles, and air trapping has not previously been studied using the end expiration series. Our study brings more scientific knowledge about aspects of pulmonary involvement by influenza A (H1N1), through evaluation with end expiration series, which makes the CT exam dynamic, translating the respiratory movement, and showing bronchial alteration.

High-resolution computed tomography enhances the diagnosis and follow-up of influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: We present the findings on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia of 140 patients with acute and post-acute pneumonia, totaling 189 exams in a retrospective observational study evaluating the importance of HRCT as a diagnostic imaging method in the acute phase and in the follow-up of pneumonia. METHODOLOGY: We performed a retrospective observational study evaluating the HRCT findings of 140 adult patients with confirmed diagnosis of influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia and without other associated infectious processes. Chest X-ray exams were also performed in these patients. RESULTS: The main HRCT findings of lung involvement were airspace consolidation (57 cases), ground-glass opacities (40 cases) and an association of both aspects (43 cases), with a predominantly bilateral and peripheral distribution. CONCLUSIONS: HRCT is able to distinguish small lesions, such as small areas of consolidation or ground glass opacities, with little increase in lung attenuation, when chest X-rays was normal, allowing a prompt diagnosis and treatment after imaging.

Efficacy of a ketogenic diet with concomitant intranasal perillyl alcohol as a novel strategy for the therapy of recurrent glioblastoma.

It has been hypothesized that persistent ketotic hypoglycemia represents a potential therapeutic strategy against high-grade gliomas. Perillyl alcohol (POH) is a non-toxic, naturally-occurring, hydroxylated monoterpene that exhibits cytotoxicity against temozolomide-resistant glioma cells, regardless of O6-methylguanine-methyltransferase promoter methylation status. The present study aimed to evaluate the toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of intranasal POH when administered in combination with a ketogenic diet (KD) program for the treatment of patients with recurrent glioblastoma. The 32 enrolled patients were divided into two groups, KD or standard diet, with intranasal POH treatment (n=17 and n=15, respectively). The nutritional status and anthropometric parameters of the patients were measured. Patients that adhered to the KD maintained a strict dietary regimen, in addition to receiving 55 mg POH four times daily, in an uninterrupted administration schedule for three months. Neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging analysis were used to monitor disease progression. A total of 9/17 patients in the KD group survived and maintained compliance with the KD. After three months of well-tolerated treatment, a partial response (PR) was observed for 77.8% (7/9) of the patients, stable disease (SD) in 11.1% (1/9) and 11.1% (1/9) presented with progressive disease (PD). Among the patients assigned to the standard diet group, the PR rate was 25% (2/8 patients), SD 25% (2/8) and PD 50% (4/8 patients). The patients assigned to the KD group presented with reduced serum lipid levels and decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. These results are encouraging and suggest that KD associated with intranasal POH may represent a viable option as an adjunct therapy for recurrent GBM.

Patient with Recurrent Glioblastoma Responding Favorably to Ketogenic Diet Combined with Intranasal Delivery of Perillyl Alcohol: A Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction Monoterpene perillyl alcohol (POH) is cytotoxic to temozolomideresistant glioma cells, regardless of its O6-methylguanine-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status. Moreover, adherence to a ketogenic diet (KD) produced successful outcomes in preclinical and clinical studies in the glioma setting. Case Presentation A 54-year-old Caucasian man had a confirmed diagnosis of refractory glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The immunohistochemical evaluation was negative for methylation, and failed to detect mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 and 2 genes. In January 2016, the patient was enrolled in a clinical trial combining daily intranasal delivery of POH in combination with a KD. The KD was administered concomitantly with inhalation of POH (55 mg, 4 times a day) in an uninterrupted administration schedule for 3 months. Results The combination treatment was well-tolerated. The nutritional status and anthropometric measurements of the patient were measured. Adherence to the KD was confirmed by measuring the levels of ketone bodies in the urine. Throughout the treatment, a reduced frequency of seizures was observed. After three months of adherence to the treatment, the patient presented with weight loss, reduced body fat, increased water retention, and a slight increase in bone and muscle mass. A follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan after 3 months of treatment revealed marked reduction of the enhancing lesion. Conclusion Intranasal delivery of POH combined with concomitant adherence to a KD appeared to have a beneficial therapeutic effect in a patient with recurrent GBM. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this therapeutic strategy in a larger cohort of treatment-refractory GBM patients.

Introdução O monoterpeno álcool perílico (AP) é citotóxico para linhagens celulares de glioblastoma, independentemente do status do promotor de metilação O6-metilguaninametiltransferase (MGMT). Além disso, a adesão à dieta cetogênica (DC) produziu resultados bem sucedidos em desenho de estudos pré-clínicos e clínicos de glioma. Relato de Caso Homem, 54 anos, caucasiano, com diagnóstico de glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) recidivo. A avaliação imuno-histoquímica foi negativa para metilação e não detectou mutações do gene da isocitrato desidrogenase 1 e 2 (IDH1 IDH2). Em janeiro de 2016, o paciente foi inscrito em um ensaio clínico da administração intranasal diária do AP combinada a DC. A DC foi administrada concomitantemente com inalação de AP (55 mg, 4 vezes ao dia) em um cronograma de administração ininterrupto durante 3 meses. Resultados O tratamento combinado foi bem tolerado. O estado nutricional e as medidas antropométricas do paciente foram avaliadas. Aderência a DC foi confirmada pela presença de corpos cetônicos na urina. Ao longo do tratamento, observou-se redução da frequência de convulsões. Após três meses de adesão ao tratamento, o paciente apresentou perda de peso, redução da gordura corporal, melhor hidratação e um aumento discreto da massa óssea e muscular. O acompanhamento da ressonância magnética após 3 meses de tratamento revelou redução acentuada do volume da lesão. Conclusão A administração intranasal do AP combinada a DC sugere ter um efeito terapêutico benéfico em pacientes com GBM recorrente. São necessários mais estudos para avaliar a eficácia desta estratégia terapêutica em uma coorte maior de pacientes com GBM refratários.

Thermal Signal Analysis for Breast Cancer Risk Verification.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world. Currently, there are no effective methods to prevent this disease. However, early diagnosis increases chances of remission. Breast thermography is an option to be considered in screening strategies. This paper proposes a new dynamic breast thermography analysis technique in order to identify patients at risk for breast cancer. Thermal signals from patients of the Antonio Pedro University Hospital (HUAP), available at the Mastology Database for Research with Infrared Image - DMR-IR were used to validate the study. First, each patient's images are registered. Then, the breast region is divided into subregions of 3x3 pixels and the average temperature from each of these regions is observed in all images of the same patient. Features of the thermal signals of such subregions are calculated. Then, the k-means algorithm is applied over feature vectors building two clusters. Silhouette index, Davies-Bouldin index and Calinski-Harabasz index are applied to evaluate the clustering. The test results showed that the methodology presented in this paper is able to identify patients with breast cancer. Classification techniques have been applied on the index values and 90.90% hit rate has been achieved.

Discapacidades en niños y jóvenes tapietes y guaraníes: análisis de las prácticas y saberes comunitarios / Disabilities in Tapiete and Guarani Children and Young People: Analysis of Community Practices

INTRODUCCION: La discapacidad es analizada habitualmente usando nociones de la cultura occidental, sin preguntarse cómo son comprendidas las alteraciones corporales, intelectualesy emocionales en otras sociedades. OBJETIVO: Analizar los saberes y prácticas en torno a la discapacidad en niños indígenas de comunidades periurbanas de Salta, explorando, al mismo tiempo, la relación de estas poblaciones con el sistema público de salud. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo, de tipo descriptivo-comparativo. La población objetivo estuvo compuesta por padres y familiares de niños discapacitados (0-14 años), médicos y personal sanitario. La muestra fue intencional, y la recolección de datos se hizo a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y observación participante. RESULTADOS: La investigación mostró que estos grupos indígenas vinculan las causas de la discapacidad en los niños con el quebrantamiento de tabúes y normas sociales, lo cual incide en los patrones de abordaje del problema por partedel sistema de salud pública. CONCLUSIONES: La relación de estos pueblos con los efectores del sistema de salud pública, así como los diferentes modelos explicativos de los procesos de salud/enfermedad/atención utilizados por ambos actores, influyen en laprevención y tratamiento precoz de enfermedades vinculadas con la pobreza, que aumentan el riesgo de discapacidad en los niños.

INTRODUCTION: Disability is usually analyzed using Western concepts without posing the question of howphysical, intellectual and emotional alterations are understood and dealt with in other societies. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the knowledge and practices regarding disability in indigenouschildren of peri-urban communities in Salta, exploring at the same time the relation of these populations with the public health system. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using a descriptive comparative design. The target population was composed by parents and family members of disabledchildren (0-14 years old), physicians and health staff. The sample was intentional, and data were gathered through semistructured interviews and participant observation. RESULTS: The research showed that these indigenous communities relate the causes of disability in children to the violation ofsocial norms and taboos, changing patterns used by the public health system to approach the problem. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between these populations and public health effectors, and the different explanatory models of both actorsregarding health-disease-care process have influence on the prevention and early treatment of poverty-related diseases, that increase the risk of disability in children.

Uso, circulación y significación de los medicamentos en comunidades Pilagá, guaraní, MBYA-Guaraní, Tapiete y Toba / Use, Circulation and Meanings of Pharmaceuticals among Pilagá, Guaraní, Mbya-Garaní, Patipete and Toba Communities

Las prácticas de uso y consumo de medicamentos permiten analizar la inserción de la biomedicina y las acciones de salud pública entre los pueblos indígenas. OBJETIVO: Analizar uso, circulación y significado otorgado a los medicamentos por comunidades tapiete, guaraní, mbya-guaraní, pilagá y toba, en ámbitos rurales y periurbanos de las provincias argentinas de Salta, Formosa y Misiones. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, comparativo y exploratorio, basado en técnicas cualitativas: observación y entrevistas semiestructuradas realizadas en hospitales, centros de salud, farmacias y hogares de las familias indígenas durante 2012-2013. RESULTADOS: El estudio demostró que los indígenas se proveían de medicamentos por diversas vías. En algunos de los grupos se registró una alta incidencia de automedicación con consumo de analgésicos, antiinflamatorios y antibióticos (amoxicilina), una coexistencia de prácticas culturales propias con las del sistema biomédico y diversos recorridos terapéuticos. Se observó una mayor presencia de medicamentos en los grupos guaraní y tapiete de Salta y la comunidad periurbana toba de Formosa, menor en lapilagá y escasa en la mbya-guaraní. CONCLUSIONES: El vínculo con los medicamentos muestra una gran variabilidad según el grupo étnico. Existe una marcada aceptación, pese a la difícil relación con los servicios de salud. Es necesario considerar las prácticas de la salud y la enfermedad en los pueblos originarios a fin de mejorar las acciones preventivas y de intervención...

Practices related with use and consumption of pharmaceuticals constitute a venue to analyze thein corporation of biomedicine and public health actions among indigenous peoples. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the use, circulation and meaning given to pharmaceuticals by Tapiete, Guaraní, Mbya-Guaraní, Pilagá and Toba indigenous communities from rural and peri-urban areas in the Argentine provinces of Salta, Formosa and Misiones. METHODS: Descriptive, comparative and exploratory study, based on qualitative techniques: observation and semi-structured interviews conducted in hospitals, health centers, pharmacies and houses of indigenous families during 2012-2013. RESULTS: Indigenous peoples obtained pharmaceuticals through different channels. In some of the groups there was a high incidence of self-medication with consumption ofanalgesics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics (amoxicillin), aswell as a coexistence of native cultural practices and those of the biomedical health system and diverse therapeutic itineraries.There was a larger presence of pharmaceuticals among Guaraní and Tapiete groups in Salta and the peri-urban Toba community in Formosa, less among the Pilagá and scarce among the Mbya-Guaraní. CONCLUSIONS: The relation with pharmaceuticals varies greatly according to the ethnic group. In spite of the difficult relation with health care services, there iswide acceptance of pharmaceuticals. It is necessary to consider the health and illness practices of native peoples to improve preventive measures and interventions...

Influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia: high-resolution computed tomography-pathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features of fatal cases of Influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia and to correlate them with pathologic findings. METHODS: The study included six adult patients who died following Influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia. All patients had undergone HRCT, and the images were retrospectively analyzed by two chest radiologists, who reached decisions by consensus. Two experienced lung pathologists reviewed all pathological specimens. The HRCT findings were correlated with the histopathologic data. RESULTS: The predominant HRCT findings included areas of airspace consolidation (n=6) and ground-glass opacities (n=3). The main pathological features consisted of diffuse alveolar damage with hyaline membrane formation (n=5), associated with various degrees of pulmonary congestion, edema, hemorrhage, inflammatory infiltration and bronchiolitis. A patient who survived longer showed findings of organizing pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Fatal cases of Influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia can present as areas of consolidation on CT, with or without ground-glass opacities. These abnormalities can be pathologically correlated with diffuse alveolar damage. Patients with longer survival may present with findings of organizing pneumonia.

High-resolution computed tomography findings from adult patients with Influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings at presentation in patients diagnosed with Influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the HRCT findings from 20 patients diagnosed with Influenza A (H1N1) and compared their HRCT scans with chest radiographs, obtained on the same day. The imaging studies were obtained 4-9 days after the onset of symptoms. The patients included 11 men and 9 women (ages 24-62 years; mean 42.7 years). All patients had a body temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F (>38 degrees C), tachypnea, and cough. Other common symptoms included diarrhea (60%) and sore throat (30%). The radiographs and HRCT scans were reviewed independently by two observers who reached a consensus decision. RESULTS: The predominant HRCT findings consisted of bilateral ground-glass opacities (n=12), bilateral areas of consolidation (n=2), or a mixed bilateral pattern of ground-glass opacities and areas of consolidation (n=6). The abnormalities were bilateral in all of the 20 patients, had a predominantly sub-pleural distribution in 13 patients, and had a random distribution in the remaining 7 patients. The predominant radiographic findings were consolidations. Normal radiographs were found in 4 out of the 20 patients. CONCLUSION: HRCT may reveal parenchymal abnormalities in patients with Influenza A (H1N1) infection who have normal findings on radiographs. The predominant HRCT findings were bilateral, peripheral, ground-glass opacities and/or bilateral areas of consolidation. The patients who presented consolidations had more severe clinical course.

Meningiomas parasselares: aspectos na ressonância magnética / Parasselar meningiomas: magnetic resonance imaging findings

Foram revistos 22 casos de meningiomas parasselares avaliados por ressonância magnética em clínicas privadas nas cidades de Niterói e Rio de Janeiro, RJ. O objetivo deste trabalho é demonstrar os aspectos de imagem encontrados neste tumor. Os equipamentos utilizados tinham 0,5 e 1,0 Tesla, respectivamente, com aquisição de seqüências multiplanares ponderadas em T1 (antes e após a administração de gadolínio) e em T2. Os sintomas principais foram cefaléia e alterações visuais, tendo apenas um caso cursado com hiperprolactinemia. O aspecto mais freqüente foi o de massa parasselar hipointensa em T1 e hiperintensa em T2, impregnando-se intensamente pelo gadolínio. A ressonância magnética é útil não apenas na demonstração da lesão, mas, sobretudo, na avaliação do comprometimento das estruturas vizinhas, especialmente do seio cavernoso, o que explica as alterações visuais encontradas.

Microadonomas hipofisários: revisäo de 95 casos / Pituitary microadenomas: review of 95 cases

Procedemos a uma revisão de 95 casos de microadenomas hipofisários, evidenciados por ressonância magnética, nas instituições: Hospital Santa Cruz/Beneficência Portuguesa de Niterói e Clínica X-Labs/Rio de Janeiro. O objetivo foi verificar o tipo principal, incidência, proximidade à haste hipofisária, correlacionando-os com dados clínico-laboratoriais. Os equipamentos utilizados foram de 0,5 Tesla (Gyroscan T5 III da Philips e Vectra da GE) e 1,0 Tesla (Signa da GE), sendo realizadas seqüências rápidas, antes e após administração venosa do meio de contraste paramagnético (gadolínio). Predominaram pacientes do sexo feminino, com prolactinomas, sendo as queixas mais freqüentes: galactorréia, amenorréia e hiperprolactinemia. Em contraste à literatura corrente, observamos que mais freqüentemente a haste hipofisária encontrava-se centrada. Na detecção dos microadenomas é fundamental a injeção venosa do gadolínio o mais próximo possível da aquisição das imagens, sendo recomendável utilizar metade da dose do meio de contraste.

Revisão de 60 casos de macroadenomas hipofisários / Pituitary macroadenomas: review of 60 cases

Foram revistos, neste trabalho, 60 casos de pacientes portadores de macroadenomas hipofisários que se submeteram a exames de ressonância magnética em clínicas privadas, nas cidades de Niterói e do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho é demonstrar as vantagens da ressonância magnética na obtenção do diagnóstico e no acompanhamento desses pacientes. Encontramos predomínio de macroprolactinomas, quatro casos de macroadenomas produtores de hormônio do crescimento com sintomatologia clínica de acromegalia, e um caso no qual foi constatado ser o macroadenoma produtor de hormônio do crescimento e prolactina, simultaneamente. Sete pacientes apresentaram apoplexia pituitária e hipersinal nas seqüências ponderadas em T1, antes da administração do meio de contraste gadolínio, o que é indicativo da presença de sangramento intratumoral, sendo dado relevante. No acompanhamento evolutivo de 15 casos, os exames realizados puderam constatar a redução da massa após cirurgia, tratamento clínico e mesmo radioterapia. A ressonância magnética é de grande valia no estudo dos macroadenomas hipofisários, por facilitar a demonstração da invasão das estruturas vizinhas, especialmente dos seios cavernosos, além da compressão do quiasma óptico e da haste hipofisária, que são dados importantes a serem informados quando o tratamento cirúrgico for proposto.

Avaliaçäo pela tomografia computadorizada das alteraçöes pulmonares pós-radioterapia / Computed tomography evaluation of pulmonary alterations after radiotherapy

Foram analisados, retrospectivamente, 15 pacientes com neoplasia primária, sendo 13 de pulmäo e dois de mama, que se submeteram a tratamento radioterápico no Hospital Santa Cruz/Beneficência Portuguesa de Niterói, RJ, no período de fevereiro de 1991 a outubro de 1996. Os efeitos da radioterapia pulmonar apresentaram-se na tomografia computadorizada em duas fases clínicas evolutivas - aguda (pneumonite actínica) e crônica (fibrose actínica) - e dependeram da dosagem, da área corporal irradiada, da suscetibilidade individual e do uso prévio de quimioterapia. Foram evidenciados sinais de fibrose pulmonar em 73,3 por cento dos pacientes, de pneumonite em 20,0 por cento e näo foram constatadas alteraçöes após irradiaçäo em 6,6 por cento. A tomografia computadorizada foi um excelente método diagnóstico näo-invasivo utilizado no estudo das alteraçöes pulmonares pós-radioterapia, sendo estas melhor avaliadas pela técnica de alta resoluçäo