Perfil epidemiológico e cirúrgico de pacientes neuro-oncológicos submetidos a cirurgias neurológicas / Perfil epidemiológico y quirúrgico de pacientes neuro-oncológicos sometidos a cirugías neurológicas / Epidemiological and surgical profile of neuro-oncology patients subjected to neurological surgeries

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar o perfil sociodemográfico e cirúrgico de pacientes neuro-oncológicos submetidos a neurocirurgias. Método: estudo descritivo, retrospectivo de abordagem quantitativa, realizado em um hospital com 236 leitos de referência em câncer no estado do Pará, no período de cinco anos (2014-2018). Os dados foram coletados em setembro a dezembro de 2019 e analisados por meio da estatística descritiva. Resultados: o perfil foi a faixa etária 41 a 50 anos (30,8%; n=20), ensino fundamental completo (44,6%; n=29). Foram submetidos a cirurgia eletiva (87,7%; n=57), consideradas limpas (95,4%; n=62) e de grande porte (96,9%; n=63); A principal complicação apresentada foi infecção de sitio operatório (10,7%; n=8) e tumores localizados no encéfalo (60%; n=39). Conclusão: o trabalho contribuiu para delinear o perfil do público atendido pelo hospital, viabilizando a ampliação de debates que visem aprimorar o planejamento hospitalar, aperfeiçoar a qualidade dos serviços de saúde e da assistência de enfermagem.

RESUMEN: Objetivo: investigar el perfil sociodemográfico y quirúrgico de pacientes neuro-oncológicos sometidos a neurocirugías. Método: estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo con enfoque cuantitativo, realizado en un hospital con 236 camas de referencia en cáncer en el estado de Pará durante un período de cinco años (2014-2018). Los datos se recolectaron entre septiembre y diciembre de 2019 y fueron analizados por medio de estadística descriptiva. Resultados: el perfil incluyó personas pertenecientes al grupo etario de 41 a 50 años (30,8%; n=20) y con enseñanza primaria completa (44,6%; n=29). Fueron sometidos a cirugías electivas (87,7%; n=57), consideradas limpias (95,4%; n=62) y de gran magnitud (96,9%; n=63). Las principales complicaciones que se hicieron presente fueron infección de la herida quirúrgica (10,7%; n=8) y tumores localizados en el encéfalo (60%; n=39). Conclusión: el trabajo contribuyó para delinear el perfil del público atendido por el hospital, viabilizando la ampliación de debates que tenga como objetivo mejorar la planificación hospitalaria y perfeccionar la calidad de los servicios de salud y de la asistencia de Enfermería.

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the sociodemographic and surgical profile of neuro-oncology patients subjected to neurological surgeries. Method: a descriptive and retrospective study with a quantitative approach, conducted during a five-year period (2014-2018) in a hospital with 236 beds, which is a reference in cancer treatment in the state of Pará. The data were collected from September to December 2019 and analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. Results: the profile was characterized by the age group of 41 to 50 years old (30.8%; n=20) and by individuals with complete elementary school (44.6%; n=29). They were subjected to elective surgeries (87.7%; n=57), considered clean (95.4%; n=62), and large (96.9%; n=63). The main complications were surgical site infection (10.7%; n=8) and tumors located in the encephalus (60%; n=39). Conclusion: the paper contributed to delineate the profile of the population served by the hospital, enabling the expansion of debates aimed at improving hospital planning and at refining the quality of the health services and of the Nursing assistance.

Reflexões sobre distanciamento, isolamento social e quarentena como medidas preventivas da covid-19 / Reflexiones sobre distanciamiento, aislamiento social y cuarentena como medidas preventivas de la covid-19 / Reflections on distancing, social isolation and quarantine as preventive measures against covid-19

Objetivo: Refletir sobre distanciamento, isolamento social e quarentena como medidas de prevenção da infecção em massa pelo SARSCoV-2, vírus responsável pela COVID-19. Métodos: Ensaio teórico reflexivo, embasado em ideias de estudiosos do tema, mediante levantamento bibliográfico no Google Acadêmico, na PUBMED/MEDLINE, em site oficial e jornais online, selecionados a partir das palavras-chave "COVID-19", "distanciamento social", "isolamento social", "quarentena" e suas combinações. Resultados e Discussão: Distanciamento, isolamento social e quarentena são medidas preventivas de extrema importância para a redução da velocidade e a disseminação da infecção entre indivíduos. Além de frear a mortalidade causada pela doença, envolvem aspectos de natureza emocional, psicológica, biológica, social, cultural, política e espiritual. Requer utilização de estratégias de enfrentamento, como mudanças no estilo de vida, manter boas relações interpessoais online, afastar-se do excesso de informações sobre a doença, realizar atividades de lazer, exercer a solidariedade, entre outros. Conclusão: Embora essas medidas preventivas acarretem prejuízos à economia mundial, às relações governamentais e de trabalho, mostram-se como grande oportunidade de a sociedade vir a ter uma melhor compreensão da vida em coletividade, dos estados ressignificarem as suas práticas e, ainda, das pessoas reavaliarem o que é mesmo importante em suas vidas (AU)

Objective: To reflect on distancing, social isolation and quarantine, as measures to prevent mass infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Methods: Reflective theoretical essay, based on ideas of scholars on the subject, by means of a bibliographic survey on Google Scholar, PUBMED/MEDLINE, official websites and online newspapers, selected from the keywords "COVID-19", "social distancing", "social isolation", "quarantine" and their combinations. Results and Discussion: Distancing, social isolation and quarantine are extremely important preventive measures to reduce the speed and spread of the infection among individuals. In addition to curbing the disease mortality levels, they involve aspects of an emotional, psychological, biological, social, cultural, political, and spiritual nature. They require the use of coping strategies, such as changes in lifestyle, maintenance of good interpersonal relationships online, avoidance of excess of information about the disease, performance of leisure activities, exercise of solidarity, among others. Conclusion: Although these preventive measures harm the world's economic, governmental and labor relations, they are a great opportunity for society to better understand collective life; for nations to reframe their practices; and for people to reevaluate what is really important in their lives (AU)

Objetivo: Reflexionar sobre distanciamiento, aislamiento social y cuarentena, como medidas de prevención de la infección en masa por el SARS-CoV-2, virus responsable por la COVID-19. Métodos: Ensayo teórico reflexivo, basado en ideas de estudiosos del tema, mediante un levantamiento bibliográfico en Google Académico, en PUBMED/MEDLINE, páginas oficiales y periódicos online, seleccionados a partir de las palabras clave "COVID-19", "distanciamiento social", "aislamiento social", "cuarentena" y sus combinaciones. Resultados y Discusión: El distanciamiento, el aislamiento social y la cuarentena son medidas preventivas de extrema importancia para la reducción de la velocidad y diseminación de la infección de los individuos. Además de frenar la mortalidad por la enfermedad, implican aspectos de naturaleza emocional, psicológica, biológica, social, cultural, política y espiritual. Requiere la utilización de estrategias de enfrentamiento, como cambios en el estilo de vida, mantener buenas relaciones interpersonales online, alejarse del exceso de informaciones sobre la enfermedad, realizar actividades de ocio, ejercer la solidaridad, entre otros. Conclusión: Aunque esas medidas preventivas acarreten perjuicios a la economía mundial, a las relaciones gubernamentales y de trabajo, se muestran como una gran oportunidad para que la sociedad venga a tener una mejor comprensión de la vida en colectividad, que los estados resignifiquen sus prácticas y que las personas reevalúen lo que es realmente importante en sus vidas (AU)

Estratégias para retomada do ensino superior em saúde frente a COVID-19 / Strategies for resuming higher education in health in relation to covid-19

Refletir sobre a adoção de estratégias a serem implementadas pelas Instituições de Ensino Superior que oferecem cursos da área de saúde para continuidade das suas atividades acadêmicas durante a pandemia pela COVID-19, primando pela saúde física e mental dos seus docentes e discentes. Método: Trata-se de um estudo teórico reflexivo estruturado em três eixos temáticos, cujo levantamento bibliográfico abrangeu livros, documentos oficiais do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, artigos científicos nacionais e internacionais presentes nas bases de dados da PUBMED/MEDLINE, Web of Science, LILACS e SciELO. Foram selecionados mediante o uso de combinações de palavras-chave relacionadas ao tema"COVID-19", "ensino online", "biossegurança", "aprendizado online", "estresse", "práticas integrativas e complementares em saúde". Resultados: O primeiro eixo destaca a adoção de estratégias virtuais para evitar aglomerações e o risco de contaminação pela COVID-19; o segundo, a utilização de medidas de biossegurança para a realização de atividades acadêmicas presenciais; e o terceiro, as ações de enfrentamento do estresse emocional experimentado pelos docentes e discentes nesse mesmo contexto. Conclusões: Evidencia-se imprescindível adoção de estratégias pedagógicas na tentativa de encontrar soluções criativas e responsáveis pelas Instituições de Ensino Superior em Saúde a fim de minimizar o comprometimento do ensino-aprendizagem e evitar danos à saúde física e mental daqueles que são protagonistas desse processo

To reflect on the adoption of strategies to be implemented by Higher Educational Institutions that offer courses in the health field to continue their academic activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the physical and mental health of their professors and students. Methods: This is a reflective theoretical study structured in three thematic axes, whose bibliographic survey covered books, official documents from the Ministry of Health of Brazil, national and international scientific articles from the databases of PUBMED/MEDLINE, Web of Science, LILACS and SciELO. The selection was conducted using combinations of keywords related to the issue: "COVID-19", "online teaching", "biosafety", "online learning", "stress", "integrative and complementary healthcare practices". Results: The first axis highlights the adoption of virtual strategies to avoid agglomerations and the risk of contamination by COVID-19; the second, the use of biosafety measures to carry out on-site academic activities; and the third, actions to cope with the emotional stress experienced by professors and students in this context. Conclusions: It is essential to adopt pedagogical strategies in an attempt to find creative and responsible solutions for Higher Educational Institutions in Health in order to minimize teaching-learning weakening and avoid damage to the physical and mental health of those who are protagonists of this process.

Pitfalls in the Diagnostic Evaluation of Hyperprolactinemia.

An appropriate diagnostic evaluation is essential for the most appropriate treatment to be performed. Currently, macroprolactinemia is the third most frequent cause of nonphysiological hyperprolactinemia after drugs and prolactinomas. Up to 40% of macroprolactinemic patients may present with hypogonadism symptoms, infertility, and/or galactorrhea. Thus, the screening for macroprolactin is indicated not only for asymptomatic subjects but also for those without an obvious cause for their prolactin (PRL) elevation. Before submitting patients to macroprolactin screening and pituitary magnetic resonance imaging, one should rule out pregnancy, drug-induced hyperprolactinemia, primary hypothyroidism, and renal failure. The magnitude of PRL elevation can be useful in determining the etiology of hyperprolactinemia. PRL values >250 ng/mL are highly suggestive of prolactinomas and virtually exclude nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) and other sellar masses as the etiology of hyperprolactinemia. However, they can also be found in subjects with macroprolactinemia, drug-induced hyper-prolactinemia or chronic renal failure. By contrast, most patients with NFPAs, drug-induced hyperprolactinemia, macroprolactinemia, or systemic diseases present with PRL levels <100 ng/mL. However, exceptions to these rules are not rare. Indeed, up to 25% of patients harboring a microprolactinoma or a cystic macroprolactinoma may also have PRL <100 ng/mL. Falsely low PRL levels may result from the so-called "hook effect," which should be considered in all cases of large (≥3 cm) pituitary adenomas associated with normal or mildly elevated PRL levels (≤250 ng/mL). The hook effect may be unmasked by repeating PRL measurement after a 1:100 serum sample dilution.

Involvement of mast cells and microvessels density in reactive lesions of oral cavity: A comparative immunohistochemical study.

In view of the similarity of clinicopathological features between reactive lesions of the oral cavity, the objective of the present study was to investigate the density of MCs (mast cells) and microvessels in a series of these lesions. Thirty-seven cases of reactive lesions including fibrous hyperplasia (FH, n=10), inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia (IFH, n=10), peripheral giant cell lesion (PGCL, n=10) and lobular capillary hemangioma (LCH, n=7) were investigated using immunohistochemistry for mast cell tryptase and CD34. For comparative purposes, central giant cell lesions (CGCL, n=5) were included. A higher MC density was observed in LCH (37.01), while CGCL exhibited the lowest density (n=8.14). There was a significant difference in MC density when all reactive lesions were compared to CGCL (p=0.001). The largest mean density of microvessels was observed in LCH (n=21.69). The smallest number was observed in CGCL (n=6.24). There was a significant difference in microvessel density when the reactive lesions were compared to CGCL (p=0.003). There was a significant and direct correlation between the density of MCs and microvessels only for IFH (p=0.048) and CGCL (p=0.005). A significant and direct correlation between the mean density of MCs and microvessels was observed when the reactive lesions were analyzed as a whole (p=0.005). Our results suggest that mast cells contribute to the connective tissue framework and angiogenic function, as well as the development, of reactive lesions of the oral cavity, including FH, IFH, LCH and PGCL.

p53 and MDM2 protein expression in actinic cheilitis.

Actinic cheilitis is a potentially malignant lip lesion caused by excessive and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to histomorphological alterations indicative of abnormal cell differentiation. In this pathology, varying degrees of epithelial dysplasia may be found. There are few published studies regarding the p53 and MDM2 proteins in actinic cheilitis. Fifty-eight cases diagnosed with actinic cheilitis were histologically evaluated using Banóczy and Csiba (1976) parameters, and were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using the streptavidin-biotin method in order to assess p53 and MDM2 protein expression. All studied cases expressed p53 proteins in basal and suprabasal layers. In the basal layer, the nuclei testing positive for p53 were stained intensely, while in the suprabasal layer, cells with slightly stained nuclei were predominant. All cases also tested positive for the MDM2 protein, but with varying degrees of nuclear expression and a predominance of slightly stained cells. A statistically significant correlation between the percentage of p53 and MDM2-positive cells was established, regardless of the degree of epithelial dysplasia. The expression of p53 and MDM2 proteins in actinic cheilitis can be an important indicator in lip carcinogenesis, regardless of the degree of epithelial dysplasia.

p53 and MDM2 protein expression in actinic cheilitis

Actinic cheilitis is a potentially malignant lip lesion caused by excessive and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to histomorphological alterations indicative of abnormal cell differentiation. In this pathology, varying degrees of epithelial dysplasia may be found. There are few published studies regarding the p53 and MDM2 proteins in actinic cheilitis. Fifty-eight cases diagnosed with actinic cheilitis were histologically evaluated using Banóczy and Csiba (1976) parameters, and were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using the streptavidin-biotin method in order to assess p53 and MDM2 protein expression. All studied cases expressed p53 proteins in basal and suprabasal layers. In the basal layer, the nuclei testing positive for p53 were stained intensely, while in the suprabasal layer, cells with slightly stained nuclei were predominant. All cases also tested positive for the MDM2 protein, but with varying degrees of nuclear expression and a predominance of slightly stained cells. A statistically significant correlation between the percentage of p53 and MDM2-positive cells was established, regardless of the degree of epithelial dysplasia. The expression of p53 and MDM2 proteins in actinic cheilitis can be an important indicator in lip carcinogenesis, regardless of the degree of epithelial dysplasia.

Adrenal incidentalomas: diagnostic evaluation and long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cause and the clinical and laboratory features of adrenal incidentalomas (AI) in 52 patients and to assess the evolution of nonsurgically treated lesions during long-term follow-up. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 52 patients with AI undergoing routine follow-up in 2 Brazilian endocrine centers. RESULTS: In our study group, nonfunctioning adenomas were the most frequent cause of AI (42%), followed by cortisol-secreting adenomas (15%), metastatic disease (10%), pheochromocytomas (8%), myelolipomas (6%), cysts (6%), carcinomas (4%), lymphomas (4%), tuberculosis (4%), and aldosteronoma (2%). Only 13 lesions (25%) were functioning (8 cortisol-secreting adenomas, 4 pheochromocytomas, and 1 aldosteronoma). Carcinomas were the largest adrenal masses (mean diameter, 11.7 +/- 1.3 cm). With the exception of 1 pheochromocytoma, 1 cyst, and 1 myelolipoma, all AI larger than 6 cm were carcinomas. During follow-up of 21 patients with nonsurgically treated AI for 6 to 36 months (mean, 24.8 +/- 8.9), no patient had tumor reduction or disappearance. After 12 months of follow-up, however, a 45-year-old woman had adrenal mass enlargement from 3.2 cm to 4.4 cm; the excised lesion proved to be an adenoma. Moreover, evidence of cortisol hypersecretion developed after 24 months of follow-up in a 30-year-old man with a 3.5-cm adenoma in the left adrenal gland. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that most AI are nonfunctioning benign lesions and emphasize the need for long-term follow-up of patients with conservatively managed lesions, in light of the potential for evolution to hormonal hypersecretion or tumor growth.

Pitfalls in the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome: [review]

Among endocrine disorders, Cushing's syndrome (CS) is certainly one of the most challenging to endocrinologists due to the difficulties that often appear during investigation. The diagnosis of CS involves two steps: confirmation of hypercortisolism and determination of its etiology. Biochemical confirmation of the hypercortisolaemic state must be established before any attempt at differential diagnosis. Failure to do so will result in misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and poor management. It should also be kept in mind that hypercortisolism may occur in some patients with depression, alcoholism, anorexia nervosa, generalized resistance to glucocorticoids, and in late pregnancy. Moreover, exogenous or iatrogenic hypercortisolism should always be excluded. The three most useful tests to confirm hypercortisolism are the measurement of 24-h urinary free cortisol levels, low-dose dexamethasone-suppression tests, and determination of midnight serum cortisol or late-night salivary cortisol. However, none of these tests is perfect, each one has different sensitivities and specificities, and several are usually needed to provide a better diagnostic accuracy. The greatest challenge in the investigation of CS involves the differentiation between Cushing's disease and ectopic ACTH syndrome. This task requires the measurement of plasma ACTH levels, non-invasive dynamic tests (high-dose dexamethasone suppression test and stimulation tests with CRH or desmopressin), and imaging studies. None of these tests had 100 percent specificity and their use in combination is usually necessary. Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling is mainly indicated when non-invasive tests do not allow a diagnostic definition. In the present paper, the most important pitfalls in the investigation of CS are reviewed.

Entre as doenças endócrinas, a síndrome de Cushing (SC) é certamente uma das mais desafiadoras para o endocrinologista, devido às dificuldades que comumente surgem durante a investigação. O diagnóstico de SC envolve dois passos: a confirmação do hipercortisolismo e a determinação de sua etiologia. A confirmação bioquímica do excesso de cortisol precisa ser estabelecida antes de qualquer tentativa de diagnóstico diferencial; caso contrário, poderá resultar em diagnóstico incorreto, tratamento impróprio e manejo insuficiente. Deve também ser lembrado que hipercortisolismo pode ocorrer em certos pacientes com depressão, alcoolismo, anorexia nervosa, resistência generalizada aos glicocorticóides e no final da gravidez. Além disso, hipercortisolismo exógeno ou iatrogênico deverá ser sempre excluído. Os três testes mais úteis para a confirmação do hipercortisolismo são: a medida do cortisol livre em urina de 24 h, os testes de supressão com dexametasona (TSD) em doses baixas e a determinação do cortisol sérico à meia-noite ou do cortisol salivar no final da noite. Contudo, nenhum deles é perfeito, cada um com sua sensibilidade e especificidade, sendo vários deles usualmente necessários para fornecer uma melhor acurácia diagnóstica. O maior desafio na investigação da SC envolve a diferenciação entre a doença de Cushing e a síndrome do ACTH ectópico. Esta tarefa requer a medida dos níveis plasmáticos de ACTH, testes dinâmicos não-invasivos (TSD com doses altas e testes de estímulo com CRH ou desmopressina) e estudos de imagem. Nenhum desses testes tem 100 por cento de especificidade e muitas vezes é necessário seu uso combinado. Amostragem venosa do seio petroso inferior está indicada principalmente quando os testes não-invasivos não permitem uma definição diagnóstica. Neste artigo, revisaremos as mais importantes armadilhas na investigação da SC.

Cushing's syndrome in pregnancy: an overview: [review]

Cushing's syndrome (CS) during pregnancy is a rare condition with fewer than 150 cases reported in the literature. Adrenal adenomas were found to be the commonest cause, followed by Cushing's disease. The gestation dramatically affects the maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in increased hepatic production of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), increased levels of serum, salivary and urinary free cortisol, lack of suppression of cortisol levels after dexamethasone administration and placental production of CRH and ACTH. Moreover, a blunted response of ACTH and cortisol to exogenous CRH may also occur. Therefore, the diagnosis of CS during pregnancy is much more difficult. Misdiagnosis of CS is also common, as the syndrome may be easily confused with preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. Because CS during pregnancy is usually associated with severe maternal and fetal complications, its early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Surgery is the treatment of choice for CS in pregnancy, except perhaps in the late third trimester, with medical therapy being a second choice. There does not seem to be a rationale for supportive treatment alone.

A ocorrência de síndrome de Cushing (SC) durante a gravidez é rara, com menos de 150 casos reportados na literatura. Os adenomas adrenais parecem ser a causa mais comum seguidos da doença de Cushing. A gestação afeta de maneira dramática o eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenal materno resultando em aumento da produção hepática da globulina ligadora de corticosteróides (CBG), aumento dos níveis séricos, salivares e livres urinários de cortisol, falta de supressão do cortisol após administração de dexametasona e produção placentária de CRH e ACTH. Além disso, pode também ocorrer bloqueio da resposta do ACTH e do cortisol ao CRH exógeno. Assim, o diagnóstico de SC durante a gravidez torna-se muito mais difícil. A falha em diagnosticar SC é também comum, já que a síndrome pode ser facilmente confundida com pré-eclampsia ou diabetes gestacional. Uma vez que a SC de ocorrência na gravidez é usualmente associada com graves complicações materno-fetais, seu diagnóstico e tratamento precoces tornam-se críticos. A cirurgia é o tratamento de escolha para a SC na gravidez, exceto, talvez, no final do 3º trimestre, sendo o tratamento medicamentoso a segunda escolha. Não parece haver nenhum arrazoado para o tratamento de suporte isoladamente.

[Endogenous Cushing's syndrome: clinical and laboratorial features in 73 cases]. / Síndrome de Cushing endógena: características clínico-laboratoriais em 73 casos.

We studied clinical and laboratorial features of 73 patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome, subdivided as follows: 46 (63%) with Cushing's disease (CD), 21 (28.7%) with an adrenal tumor and 6 (8.2%) with ectopic ACTH secretion (EAS). The rate of typical manifestations of hypercortisolism was similar regardless its etiology. In 100% of cases of Cushing's syndrome we observed serum cortisol levels greater than 1.8 microg/dL in low-dose dexamethasone (DMS) suppression tests, as well as elevation of serum or salivary midnight cortisol. However, urinary free cortisol was normal in 11.5% of patients. ACTH levels were suppressed in patients with adrenal tumors, normal or high in CD and always high in EAS. In the 8-mg overnight DMS suppression test, serum cortisol suppression > 50% was observed in 78.2% of cases of CD and in 33.3% of subjects with EAS, while an 80% suppression was only seen in CD. After stimulation with CRH or DDAVP an ACTH increase > 35% occurred in 81% of individuals with CD and 16.6% of those with EAS, while an ACTH increase > 50 achieved 100% specificity. Moreover, the combination of serum cortisol suppression > 50% and an ACTH increase > 35% in both tests only occurred in Cushing's disease. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging identified 100% of macroadenomas and 59.4% of microadenomas in patients with CD. Among 10 patients that underwent bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling, a central-to-peripheral ACTH gradient > 3 after CRH or DDAVP had 90% sensitivity and 100% specificity for Cushing's disease.

Síndrome de cushing endógena: características clínico-laboratoriais em 73 casos / Endogenous cushings syndrome: clinical and laboratorial features in 73 cases

Avaliamos as características clínico-laboratoriais de 73 pacientes com síndrome de Cushing (SC) endógena, assim distribuídos: 46 (63 por cento) com doença de Cushing (DC), 21 (28,7 por cento) com tumores adrenais (TA) e 6 (8,2 por cento) com a síndrome do ACTH ectópico (SAE). A freqüência de manifestações clássicas do hipercortisolismo foi similar, independentemente da etiologia da SC. Em 100 por cento dos casos de SC, observaram-se níveis do cortisol sérico (CS) > 1,8 µg/dL após supressão com doses baixas de dexametasona (DMS), além de elevação do cortisol à meia-noite (sérico ou salivar). Contudo, o cortisol livre urinário foi normal em 11,5 por cento dos pacientes. Os níveis de ACTH mostraram-se suprimidos nos pacientes com TA, normais ou elevados na DC e sempre elevados na SAE. No teste de supressão noturna com 8 mg de DMS, supressão do CS > 50 por cento foi observada em 78,2 por cento dos casos de DC e 33,3 por cento dos casos de SAE, enquanto uma supressão > 80 por cento foi exclusiva da DC. Após estímulo com CRH ou DDAVP, um incremento do ACTH > 35 por cento aconteceu em 81 por cento dos indivíduos com DC e em 16,6 por cento daqueles com SAE, ao passo que um incremento do ACTH > 50 por cento restringiu-se à DC. A combinação de incremento do ACTH > 35 e supressão do CS > 50 por cento foi também exclusiva da DC. A ressonância magnética visualizou 100 por cento dos macroadenomas e 59,4 por cento dos microadenomas hipofisários nos casos de DC. Em 10 pacientes submetidos ao cateterismo bilateral do seio petroso inferior, um gradiente centro-periferia de ACTH > 3 pós-CRH ou DDAVP teve sensibilidade de 90 por cento e especificidade de 100 por cento para a doença de Cushing.

We studied clinical and laboratorial features of 73 patients with endogenous Cushings syndrome, subdivided as follows: 46 (63 percent) with Cushings disease (CD), 21 (28.7 percent) with an adrenal tumor and 6 (8.2 percent) with ectopic ACTH secretion (EAS). The rate of typical manifestations of hypercortisolism was similar regardless its etiology. In 100 percent of cases of Cushings syndrome we observed serum cortisol levels greater than 1.8 µg/dL in low-dose dexamethasone (DMS) suppression tests, as well as elevation of serum or salivary midnight cortisol. However, urinary free cortisol was normal in 11.5 percent of patients. ACTH levels were suppressed in patients with adrenal tumors, normal or high in CD and always high in EAS. In the 8-mg overnight DMS suppression test, serum cortisol suppression > 50 percent was observed in 78.2 percent of cases of CD and in 33.3 percent of subjects with EAS, while an 80 percent suppression was only seen in CD. After stimulation with CRH or DDAVP an ACTH increase > 35 percent occurred in 81 percent of individuals with CD and 16.6 percent of those with EAS, while an ACTH increase > 50 achieved 100 percent specificity. Moreover, the combination of serum cortisol suppression > 50 percent and an ACTH increase > 35 percent in both tests only occurred in Cushings disease. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging identified 100 percent of macroadenomas and 59.4 percent of microadenomas in patients with CD. Among 10 patients that underwent bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling, a central-to-peripheral ACTH gradient > 3 after CRH or DDAVP had 90 percent sensitivity and 100 percent specificity for Cushings disease.

Pitfalls in the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome.

Among endocrine disorders, Cushing's syndrome (CS) is certainly one of the most challenging to endocrinologists due to the difficulties that often appear during investigation. The diagnosis of CS involves two steps: confirmation of hypercortisolism and determination of its etiology. Biochemical confirmation of the hypercortisolaemic state must be established before any attempt at differential diagnosis. Failure to do so will result in misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and poor management. It should also be kept in mind that hypercortisolism may occur in some patients with depression, alcoholism, anorexia nervosa, generalized resistance to glucocorticoids, and in late pregnancy. Moreover, exogenous or iatrogenic hypercortisolism should always be excluded. The three most useful tests to confirm hypercortisolism are the measurement of 24-h urinary free cortisol levels, low-dose dexamethasone-suppression tests, and determination of midnight serum cortisol or late-night salivary cortisol. However, none of these tests is perfect, each one has different sensitivities and specificities, and several are usually needed to provide a better diagnostic accuracy. The greatest challenge in the investigation of CS involves the differentiation between Cushing's disease and ectopic ACTH syndrome. This task requires the measurement of plasma ACTH levels, non-invasive dynamic tests (high-dose dexamethasone suppression test and stimulation tests with CRH or desmopressin), and imaging studies. None of these tests had 100% specificity and their use in combination is usually necessary. Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling is mainly indicated when non-invasive tests do not allow a diagnostic definition. In the present paper, the most important pitfalls in the investigation of CS are reviewed.

Cushing's syndrome in pregnancy: an overview.

Cushing's syndrome (CS) during pregnancy is a rare condition with fewer than 150 cases reported in the literature. Adrenal adenomas were found to be the commonest cause, followed by Cushing's disease. The gestation dramatically affects the maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in increased hepatic production of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), increased levels of serum, salivary and urinary free cortisol, lack of suppression of cortisol levels after dexamethasone administration and placental production of CRH and ACTH. Moreover, a blunted response of ACTH and cortisol to exogenous CRH may also occur. Therefore, the diagnosis of CS during pregnancy is much more difficult. Misdiagnosis of CS is also common, as the syndrome may be easily confused with preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. Because CS during pregnancy is usually associated with severe maternal and fetal complications, its early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Surgery is the treatment of choice for CS in pregnancy, except perhaps in the late third trimester, with medical therapy being a second choice. There does not seem to be a rationale for supportive treatment alone.

Tumor odontogênico epitelial calcificante: relato de um caso clínico / Calcifyng epithelial odontogenic tumor: Case report

O tumor odontogênico epitelial calcificante (TOEC) ou tumor de Pindborg é uma neoplasia odontogênica rara de natureza benigna e comportamento biológico localmente agressivo. Apresenta imagem radiográfica de padrão misto devido à presença de calcificações concêntricas observadas microscopicamente. É caracterizado ainda pela presença de células epiteliais poliédricas, pontes intercelulares e depósitos eosinofílicos identificados como amilóide. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um caso clínico de TOEC em paciente do sexo feminino, 51 anos, que procurou o Serviço de Estomatologia da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia com limitação de abertura bucal e discreto aumento de volume na região posterior da mandíbula no lado esquerdo. Exames imaginológicos demonstraram presença de lesão radiolúcida extensa com áreas de calcificações dispersas, associadas ao terceiro molar não irrompido. A biopsia incisional da lesão revelou o diagnóstico de TOEC e devido à extensão da lesão optou-se pela hemimandibulectomia. O exame da peça cirúrgica confirmou o diagnóstico de TOEC. Após a reconstrução cirúrgica da mandíbula, a paciente encontra-se sob acompanhamento clínico-radiográfico. Com base nos dados revistos da literatura, foram discutidas as características clínicas, imaginológicas e histopatológicas da lesão

Eficácia da cabergolina no tratamento da acromegalia / Efficacy of cabergoline in the treatment of acromegaly

Avaliamos o efeito da cabergolina (1 a 1,5mg duas vezes por semana, por 2 a 4 meses) em 9 pacientes acromegálicos em um estudo prospectivo, não randomizado. Normalização dos níveis de GH e IGF-1 ocorreu em 3 dos 9 pacientes avaliados (33 por cento), em 3 dos 5 pacientes (60 por cento) com tumores co-secretores de GH e prolactina, mas em nenhum daqueles sem hiperprolactinemia associada. As melhores respostas terapêuticas aconteceram nos pacientes cujos níveis pré-tratamento de GH e IGF-1 eram <20ng/mL e <750ng/mL, respectivamente. Nossos achados sugerem que a cabergolina representa uma eficaz opção terapêutica para acromegálicos com adenomas co-secretores de GH e prolactina, sobretudo na presença de moderada elevação dos níveis séricos de GH e IGF-1.

Tratamento medicamentoso dos tumores hipofisários: parte I: prolactinomas e adenomas secretores de GH / Drug therapy of hypophyseal tumors: part I: prolactinomas and GH secretory adenomas

O recente desenvolvimento de novas drogas, particularmente os análogos da somatostatina (SRIFa), representou um grande processo na terapia dos tumores hipofisários. Os SRIFa mostram-se bastante eficazes na normalizaçäo dos níveis de GH e IGH- 1 em acromegálicos e podem ser uma alternativa para a cirurgia transesfeinodal, mas seu uso como terapia primária da acromegalia fica limitado pelo pequeno efeito dessas drogas na reduçäo das dimensöes do tumor. Os resultados preliminares com os antagonistas do receptor de GH, como o pegvisomant, säo bastante animadores. Tais drogas permitem a normalizaçäo do IGF-1 e melhora clínica em mais de 80 por cento dos casos; entretanto, nao causam reduçäo tumoral. Agonistas dopaminérgicos (DA) represemtam a terapia de escolha para microprolactinonas sintomáticos e macroprolactinomas, permitindo normalizaçäo dos níveis da prolactina e reduçäo do volume do adenoma na maioria dos pacientes . Podem também ser eventualmente eficazes em acromegálicos, sobretudo naqueles com adenomas co-secretores de prolactina e níveis näo muito elevados de GH e IGF-1. Devido a sua maior eficácia e maior tolerabilidade, a carbegolina representa o DA de escolha para o manuseio dos prolactinomas e da acromegalia.

O vírus delta em Recife: estudo da prevalência em doadores de sangue e hepatopatas crônicos HBsAg-positivos / The hepatitis delta virus in Recife: prevalance study HBsAg - positive blood donors and patients with chronic liver disease

Para avaliar-se a prevalência da infecçäo pelo vírus Delta em Recife, 120 doadores de sangue HBsAG-positivos e uma pequena amostra de 15 portadores do HBsAg com doença hepática crônica foram submetidos a pesquisa sérica do anticorpo contra o antígeno delta (anti-HD), através do ensaio imunoenzimático bloqueador. Essses 120 doadores HBsAg-positivos foram identificados entre aproximadamente 20.000 doadores da Fundaçäo Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia de Pernambuco (HEMOPE). Os hepatopatas crônicos eram acompanhados em três hospitais do Recife. Todas as 135 amostras de soro mostraram-se negativas a pesquisa do anti-HD. Estes dados säo indicativos de que, entre os doadores de sangue do HEMOPE (principal hemocentro do Estado), o vírus Delta näo é encontrado ou ocorre com uma prevalência muito baixa