Primary Gastric Tuberculosis in an Immunocompetent Patient: The Truth Lying beneath the Surface.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is an uncommon entity, in which clinical presentation can be widely variable, from mild and nonspecific symptoms to an acute abdomen and gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastric involvement by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is rare, especially when it occurs without other recognized infectious foci - primary gastric tuberculosis - with only a few reported cases. Endoscopic findings can be very heterogeneous, from areas of hyperemia to pseudotumor lesions. We present a case of primary gastric tuberculosis in an immunocompetent patient, in which the absence of an epidemiological context and nonspecific endoscopic findings led to a delay in the diagnosis. Bite-on-bite biopsies proved to be essential, allowing to obtain samples from deeper layers of the submucosa where M. tuberculosis was identified. This case aimed to increase awareness for this entity, especially in endemic countries or regions with a high prevalence of tuberculosis since the diagnosis is based mainly on a high index of suspicion.

A tuberculose gastrointestinal é uma entidade pouco comum, com uma apresentação clínica amplamente variável, desde sintomas ligeiros e inespecíficos até quadros de abdómen agudo e hemorragia digestiva. O envolvimento gástrico pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis é raro, especialmente quando ocorre sem outros focos infeciosos reconhecidos ­ tuberculose gástrica primária ­, havendo apenas alguns casos descritos na literatura. Os achados endoscópicos podem ser muito heterogéneos, variando desde áreas de mucosa hiperemiada até lesões pseudo-tumorais. Apresentamos o caso de uma doente imunocompetente com diagnóstico de tuberculose gástrica primária, em que a ausência de um contexto epidemiológico e achados endoscópicos inespecíficos conduziram a um atraso no diagnóstico. As biópsias sobre biópsias mostraram ser essenciais para o diagnóstico, pois permitiram obter amostras de camadas mais profundas da submucosa do antro gástrico onde foi identificado o agente infecioso. Este caso pretende sensibilizar para existência desta entidade, especialmente em países endémicos ou regiões com alta prevalência de tuberculose, uma vez que o seu diagnóstico implica um elevado grau de suspeição.

Subendocardial "ischemic-like" state in patients with severe aortic stenosis: Insights from myocardial histopathology and ultrastructure.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial adaptation to severe aortic stenosis (AS) is a complex process that involves myocardial fibrosis (MF) beyond cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Perfusion impairment is believed to be involved in myocardial remodeling in chronic pressure overload. AIM: To describe morphological and ultrastructural myocardial changes at endomyocardial tissue sampling, possibly reflecting subendocardial ischemia, in a group of patients with severe AS referred to surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR), with no previous history of ischemic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: One-hundred-fifty-eight patients (73 [68-77] years, 50% women) referred for surgical AVR because of severe symptomatic AS with preoperative clinical and imaging study and no previous history of ischemic cardiomyopathy. Intra-operative septal endomyocardial sampling was obtained in 129 patients. Tissue sections were stained with Masson´s Trichrome for MF quantification and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was performed to assess the presence of intracellular glycogen. Ultrastructure was analyzed through Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: MF totalized a median fraction of 11.90% (6.54-19.97%) of EMB, with highly prevalent perivascular involvement (95.3%). None of the samples had histological evidence of myocardial infarction. In 58 patients (45%) we found subendocardial groups of cardiomyocytes with cytoplasmatic enlargement, vacuolization and myofiber derangement, surrounded by extensive interstitial fibrosis. These cardiomyocytes were PAS positive, PAS-diastase resistant and Alcian Blue/PAS indicative of the presence of neutral intracellular glyco-saccharides. At TEM there were signs of cardiomyocyte degeneration with sarcomere disorganization and reduction, organelle rarefaction but no signs of intracellular specific accumulation. CONCLUSION: Almost half of the patients with severe AS referred for surgical AVR have histological and ultrastructural signs of subendocardial cardiomyocyte ischemic insult. It might be inferred that local perfusion imbalance contributes to myocardial remodeling and fibrosis in chronic pressure overload.

Autoimmune Liver Disease in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients: 3 Case Series.

We present 3 cases of autoimmune liver disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and describe the different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used in each case. The first patient was diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) with features of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), requiring second-line therapy due to incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid. The second patient was diagnosed with AIH with features of PBC and had the particular challenges of presenting with advanced liver fibrosis and having a past history of disseminated cytomegalovirus infection. The last case concerns an AIH with acute liver injury, successfully treated with corticosteroids and azathioprine. Recently, the number of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV disease has increased significantly. Therefore, more patients with this chronic infection have been diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, leading to concerns regarding immunosuppressive therapies in this population. With these cases, we alert for these increasingly incident diseases and support the safety of immunosuppressive therapies, provided that HIV is suppressed with ART.

Apresentamos três casos distintos de doença hepática autoimune em doentes com infeção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (VIH), descrevendo as diferentes abordagens diagnósticas e terapêuticas. O primeiro doente foi diagnosticado com colangite biliar primária (CBP) com caraterísticas de hepatite autoimune (HAI), necessitando de terapêutica de segunda linha por resposta incompleta ao ácido ursodesoxicólico (AUDC). O segundo doente foi diagnosticado com HAI com caraterísticas de CBP, com as particularidades de se apresentar com fibrose hepática avançada e de ter tido uma infeção disseminada pelo citomegalovírus. O terceiro caso apresentou-se como uma hepatite aguda grave, tratada com corticoterapia e azatioprina. Recentemente, o número de doentes sob terapêutica antirretroviral (TARV) para a infeção pelo VIH tem aumentado significativamente. Consequentemente, mais doentes com esta infeção crónica têm sido diagnosticados com doenças autoimunes, levando a receios na administração de terapêuticas imunossupressoras. Com esta série de casos pretendemos alertar para esta incidência crescente e para a segurança dos imunossupressores, desde que os doentes apresentem a sua infeção pelo VIH controlada com a TARV.

Prevalence and significance of relative apical sparing in aortic stenosis: insights from an echo and cardiovascular magnetic resonance study of patients referred for surgical aortic valve replacement.

AIMS: This study aims to assess the prevalence of relative apical sparing pattern (RASP) in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS), referred for surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR), to evaluate its significance, possible relation to amyloid deposition, and persistence after surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective study of 150 consecutive patients [age 73 (interquartile range: 68-77), 51% women], with severe symptomatic AS referred to surgical AVR. All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) before surgery. RASP was defined by [average apical longitudinal strain (LS)/(average basal LS + average mid LS)] > 1 by echocardiography. AVR was performed in 119 (79.3%) patients. Both Congo red and sodium sulphate-Alcian blue (SAB) stain were used to exclude amyloid on septal myocardial biopsy. LV remodelling and tissue characterization parameters were compared in patients with and without RASP. Deformation pattern was re-assessed at 3-6 months after AVR.RASP was present in 23 patients (15.3%). There was no suspicion of amyloid at pre-operative CMR [native T1 value 1053 ms (1025-1076 ms); extracellular volume (ECV) 28% (25-30%)]. None of the patients had amyloid deposition at histopathology. Patients with RASP had significantly higher pre-operative LV mass and increased septal wall thickness. They also had higher N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels [1564 (766-3318) vs. 548 (221-1440) pg/mL, P = 0.010], lower LV ejection fraction (53.7 ± 10.5 vs. 60.5 ± 10.2%, P = 0.005), and higher absolute late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) mass [9.7 (5.4-14.1) vs. 4.8 (1.9-8.6) g, P = 0.016] at CMR. Follow-up evaluation after AVR revealed RASP disappearance in all except two of the patients. CONCLUSION: RASP is not specific of cardiac amyloidosis. It may also be found in severe symptomatic AS without amyloidosis, reflecting advanced LV disease, being mostly reversible after surgery.

Membranous nephropathy after a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SARS-CoV-2 infections can induce kidney injury and glomerulopathy, with the most common pathology findings being acute tubular injury and collapsing glomerulopathy.Here we describe a rare case of membranous nephropathy in a man in his late 70s presented with nephrotic syndrome and rapidly progressive kidney dysfunction 1 month after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Phospholipase A2 receptor antibodies were positive. He was treated with rituximab, with proteinuria control. We review the cases reported in the literature.

Post-mortem liver and bone marrow iron quantification in haemodialysis patients: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance liver scans indicate that iron overload is common in haemodialysis (HD) patients. However, histological evidence is scarce. METHODS: Liver biopsy and bone marrow aspirate were obtained in the first 24h post mortem from 21 adult HD patients. Biochemical liver iron content (LIC) was quantified by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Tissue iron deposition was graded in the liver and bone marrow using Scheuer and Gale's criteria, respectively. FINDINGS: Median LIC was 42.5 (22.9-69.7) µmol/g and the majority (n=11; 57%) had mild to moderate liver iron overload (LIC >36 µmol/g). Scheuer grade was 2 (1-3) and 13 (62%) of liver biopsies had increased (> 1) iron deposition. In the bone marrow, median Gale's grade was 3 (3-4) and 9 (45%) patients had increased (>3) iron content. Contrary to old autopsy studies, done in the pre-erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) era, both liver and bone marrow were iron replete and showed a positive correlation (r=0.71, p<0.001). Ferritin proved to have a good diagnostic accuracy for liver iron overload (0.87 95% CI 0.71-1.00) with an optimal cut-off value of 422 ng/ml. Haemoglobin was negatively associated with both LIC (r= -0.46, p=0.04) and iron content in the bone marrow (p=0.04). Patients with increased LIC had higher resistance to ESAs (p=0.02), yet no association with previous IV iron therapy. INTERPRETATION: In the majority of HD patients there was iron accumulation in both the liver and bone marrow that associated with anaemia severity and resistance to ESAs, suggesting a blocking mechanism of iron's utilization. FUNDING: None.

Diagnosis of tuberculosis among COVID-19 suspected cases in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 pandemics are both diseases of public health threat globally. Both diseases are caused by pathogens that infect mainly the respiratory system, and are involved in airborne transmission; they also share some clinical signs and symptoms. We, therefore, took advantage of collected sputum samples at the early stage of COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana to conduct differential diagnoses of long-standing endemic respiratory illness, particularly tuberculosis. METHODOLOGY: Sputum samples collected through the enhanced national surveys from suspected COVID-19 patients and contact tracing cases were analyzed for TB. The sputum samples were processed using Cepheid's GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay in pools of 4 samples to determine the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Positive pools were then decoupled and analyzed individually. Details of positive TB samples were forwarded to the NTP for appropriate case management. RESULTS: Seven-hundred and seventy-four sputum samples were analyzed for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in both suspected COVID-19 cases (679/774, 87.7%) and their contacts (95/774, 12.3%). A total of 111 (14.3%) were diagnosed with SARS CoV-2 infection and six (0.8%) out of the 774 individuals tested positive for pulmonary tuberculosis: five (83.3%) males and one female (16.7%). Drug susceptibility analysis identified 1 (16.7%) rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis case. Out of the six TB positive cases, 2 (33.3%) tested positive for COVID-19 indicating a coinfection. Stratifying by demography, three out of the six (50%) were from the Ayawaso West District. All positive cases received appropriate treatment at the respective sub-district according to the national guidelines. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the need for differential diagnosis among COVID-19 suspected cases and regular active TB surveillance in TB endemic settings.

Thrombotic microangiopathy triggered by podocytopathy.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare group of diseases characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and target organ damage. It can be divided into primary and secondary TMA. Herein we report a case of TMA associated to a primary glomerular disease. We report the case of a 31-year-old Black male from Cape Verde admitted in March 2018 with nephrotic syndrome and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, the latter due to severe erythematous gastritis. He was discharged after clinical stabilization. The patient came to Portugal 8 months later. On admission, he presented with rapid deterioration of kidney function and hyperkalemia. The etiologic study revealed microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, nephrotic syndrome and microscopic hematuria. Immunologic study and viral serology were negative. ADAMTS13 activity and inhibitor testing were within normal range, genetic complement evaluation showed CFH-H3 in homozygosity, functional complement studies revealed decreased function of alternative pathway. Kidney biopsy was consistent with the diagnosis of TMA, and electron microscopy was compatible with minimal change disease. Patient underwent plasmapheresis with resolution of hemolysis, fluid overload and recovery of renal function. Two months later, he presented with nephrotic syndrome and started prednisolone with remission. Six months later, the nephrotic syndrome relapsed, and it became steroid-, MMF-, and rituximab-resistant. Tacrolimus was initiated, achieving partial remission. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is an uncommon disease and is rarely reported as secondary to glomerular diseases. This case showcases the challenges regarding treatment options in a resistant glomerulopathy and the implications of therapeutic choices and kidney outcomes with the coexisting TMA.

Gastrointestinal Tuberculosis Mimicking Crohn's Disease.

We present the case of a 24-year-old woman with complaints of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss for 3 months. An outpatient colonoscopy revealed scattered ulcers, suggestive of Crohn's disease (CD). Histopathology also favored the diagnosis of CD. However, after admission to our hospital for further investigation, a chest radiograph revealed pulmonary cavitations. A computed tomography scan suggested the diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Therefore, a bronchofibroscopy, a total colonoscopy with ileoscopy, and an upper endoscopy were performed. Not only were acid-fast bacilli present in both bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and gastric juice, but also in colonic biopsies. A complete resolution of gastrointestinal symptoms was achieved 2 weeks after starting anti-TB drugs.

Apresentamos o caso de uma mulher de 24 anos com queixas de dor abdominal, diarreia sanguinolenta e perda ponderal com 3 meses de evolução. Uma colonoscopia de ambulatório revelou, de forma descontínua, úlceras sugestivas de doença de Crohn (DC). Também a histologia era sugestiva de DC. Contudo, após admissão no nosso hospital, uma radiografia de tórax evidenciou cavitações pulmonares. A tomografia computorizada sugeriu o diagnóstico de tuberculose (TB) pulmonar ativa. Por esse motivo, foram realizadas broncofibroscopia, endoscopia digestiva alta e colonoscopia total com ileoscopia. A pesquisa de bacilos ácido-álcool resistentes foi positiva não só no lavado broncoalveolar e no suco gástrico, mas também nas biópsias do cólon. Verificouse uma resolução completa das queixas gastrointestinais 2 semanas após iniciar antibacilares.

The inflammation-related biomarker CXCR7 independently predicts patient outcome after radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The influence of inflammation on prostate tumor carcinogenesis is currently much better known than with its role in prostate cancer (CaP) progression. We evaluated the prognostic value of epigenetic (HDAC1, HDAC4, H3Ac) and inflammation-related (CXCR4, CXCR7, CXCL12) biomarkers immunoexpression, in radical prostatectomy specimens, from 2 cohorts of CaP patients with long term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded radical prostatectomy specimens were obtained from the pathology archives of Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca Hospital, in Amadora, Portugal and Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, in Porto, Portugal, and tissue microarrays were assembled. It was achieved a set of 234 patients submitted to radical retropubic prostatectomy between January 2000 and December 2005. Immunohistochemistry was used for evaluation of protein expression of epigenetic and inflammation-related markers. Nuclear staining was assessed using digital image analysis. Study outcomes included disease-specific survival and disease-free survival (DFS). Statistical analysis was tabulated using SPSS version 23.0. Hazard ratios (HRs) and survival curves were estimated using Cox-regression and Kaplan-Meyer models, respectively. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Complete follow-up data was available for 234 patients and median follow-up time was 164 [11-218] months. Patients with higher CXCR4 immunoexpression experienced significantly worse disease-specific survival compared to patients with low expression (HR = 1.016, 95% CI: 1.002-1.031). The same happened with CXCL12 (HR = 0.546 95% CI: 0.322-0.926) and H3Ac (HR = 1.015, 95% CI: 1.001c1.029). In what concerns to DFS, patients with higher expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 were significantly more prone to experience disease recurrence (HR = 1.003, 95% CI: 1.000-1.005 and HR = 1.111, 95% CI:1.032-1.196, respectively). When adjusted to pTStage and WHO Grade Groups, CXCR7 maintained independent impact on DFS (HR = 1.119, 95% CI: 1.032-1.214). CONCLUSIONS: The interplay between inflammation and epigenetics and its impact in CaP outcome deserves further studies in the future. CXCR7 shows an independent predictor for worse DFS after radical prostatectomy, and could provide important prognostic information for patient management after radical prostatectomy.

Clinicopathologic predictors of renal outcomes in light chain cast nephropathy: a multicenter retrospective study.

Light chain cast nephropathy (LCCN) in multiple myeloma often leads to severe and poorly reversible acute kidney injury. Severe renal impairment influences the allocation of chemotherapy and its tolerability; it also affects patient survival. Whether renal biopsy findings add to the clinical assessment in predicting renal and patient outcomes in LCCN is uncertain. We retrospectively reviewed clinical presentation, chemotherapy regimens, hematologic response, and renal and patient outcomes in 178 patients with biopsy-proven LCCN from 10 centers in Europe and North America. A detailed pathology review, including assessment of the extent of cast formation, was performed to study correlations with initial presentation and outcomes. Patients presented with a mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 13 ± 11 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 82% had stage 3 acute kidney injury. The mean number of casts was 3.2/mm2 in the cortex. Tubulointerstitial lesions were frequent: acute tubular injury (94%), tubulitis (82%), tubular rupture (62%), giant cell reaction (60%), and cortical and medullary inflammation (95% and 75%, respectively). Medullary inflammation, giant cell reaction, and the extent of cast formation correlated with eGFR value at LCCN diagnosis. During a median follow-up of 22 months, mean eGFR increased to 43 ± 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Age, ß2-microglobulin, best hematologic response, number of cortical casts per square millimeter, and degree of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IFTA) were independently associated with a higher eGFR during follow-up. This eGFR value correlated with overall survival, independently of the hematologic response. This study shows that extent of cast formation and IFTA in LCCN predicts the quality of renal response, which, in turn, is associated with overall survival.

Causes of Death in an Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit of a Portuguese General Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Psychiatric patients are at increased risk of death from a number of natural and unnatural causes. This study examines the mortality causes of all psychiatric inpatients of an acute psychiatric unit at a general hospital in Portugal for sixteen years (1998 to 2013). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one inpatients died at the inpatient unit between 1998 and 2013 (average 1.3 per year). A retrospective study through case-file review was carried to collect demographic characteristics, medical and psychiatry diagnosis. Patients transferred to other wards during their admission were not included. RESULTS: Circulatory system diseases were the most prevalent causes of death, occurring in 2/3 of patients and include pulmonary embolism (n = 6), acute stroke (n = 3), cardiac arrhythmia (n = 2), acute myocardial infarction (n = 1), abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture (n = 1) and heart failure (n = 1). Two patients died with pneumonia and in four cases the cause of death was undetermined. Only one case of suicide was registered. DISCUSSION: Circulatory conditions were the most frequent causes of death in our inpatient unit. Albeit a relatively rare event, inpatient suicide does occur and, in addition to its complex consequences on staff, family and patients should remain a focus for continued prevention. CONCLUSION: Mortality studies are important for determining quality of health care and to create recommendations for preventive measures.

Introdução: Os doentes afectos de patologia psiquiátrica apresentam maior risco de morte, tanto por causas naturais como não naturais. Este estudo avalia as causas de morte de todos os doentes de uma unidade de internamento de agudos de Psiquiatria num hospital geral em Portugal, ao longo de dezasseis anos (de 1998 a 2013). Material e Métodos: Vinte e um doentes morreram na unidade de internamento de doentes agudos entre 1998 e 2013 (média 1,3 por ano). As características demográficas, os diagnósticos médicos e psiquiátricos foram recolhidos através de um estudo retrospectivo que consistiu na análise dos processos clínicos da amostra selecionada. Os doentes transferidos para outras enfermarias durante o internamento não foram incluídos no estudo. Resultados: As doenças do sistema circulatório foram as causas de morte mais prevalentes, ocorrendo em 2/3 dos doentes, incluindo embolismo pulmonar (n = 6), acidente vascular cerebral (n = 3), arritmia cardíaca (n = 2), enfarte agudo do miocárdio (n = 1), rutura de aneurisma da aorta abdominal (n = 1) e insuficiência cardíaca (n = 1). Dois doentes morreram de pneumonia e em quatro casos a causa de morte foi indeterminada. Apenas um caso de suicídio foi registado. Discussão: As doenças do aparelho circulatório foram as causas de morte mais frequentes nesta unidade de agudos. O suicídio em doentes internados, apesar de constituir um evento raro, é uma realidade que comporta consequências complexas para os profissionais de saúde, familiares e restantes doentes, devendo permanecer como foco de prevenção continuada. Conclusão: Os estudos de mortalidade são importantes para determinar a qualidade dos cuidados de saúde e criar recomendações para medidas preventivas.

High-risk features in potentially resectable colon cancer: a prospective MDCT-pathology agreement study.

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in potentially resectable high-risk Stage II and Stage III colon cancer has demonstrated promising results in the PRODIGE 22-ECKINOXE Phase II trial. Identification of adverse morphologic features, namely T3 with >5 mm extramural extension/T4 stages and/or N2, is fundamental and requires accurate noninvasive imaging. Our aim was to assess the value of optimized preoperative MDCT to stratify potentially resectable colon cancer patients for neoadjuvant therapy. METHODS: this is an observational prospective cross-sectional radiologic-pathologic agreement study. All patients with colon cancer referred to our Institution's Radiology department for preoperative MDCT staging between 01-10-2013 and 11-02-2015 underwent independent reading based on axial and multiplanar reconstruction images by 3 radiologists with 3, 6, and 20 years of experience in gastrointestinal radiology. T stage, extramural extension if T3 (≤5 mm or >5 mm), and N stage were recorded. Surgical specimens subsequently obtained underwent micro-pathologic analysis by a gastrointestinal pathologist with 9 years of experience in gastrointestinal pathology. Main outcome measures were sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, AUROC, diagnostic accuracy, and interobserver agreement of optimized MDCT, and pathologic analysis of the surgical specimen considered the reference standard. RESULTS: 74 patients [43 males; median age 73 (45-89)] were eligible. MDCT sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, AUROC, and diagnostic accuracy ranged between 42.9-76.2, 75.5-90.6, 55.2-76.2, 80.0-90.6, 0.67-0.83 and 0.76-0.86%, respectively, for the identification of T3 > 5 mm/T4 disease, with moderate interobserver agreement (0.49); and 8.3-33.3, 93.5-98.4, 20-66.7, 84.1-88.2, 0.51-0.65 and 0.80-0.86%, respectively, for the identification of N2 disease, with absent interobserver agreement (0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Specificity of MDCT in the stratification of patients for neoadjuvant therapy may be high enough to prevent overtreatment. However, it may lead to undertreatment in a meaningful proportion of patients. Observer performance may benefit from targeted training programs, given the variability and observer dependence of the results. Limitations include 4-slice MDCT equipment, time to surgery and lack of long-term outcome information based on imaging parameters per se.

Da extimidade da Psicanálise e seu lugar na polis / On the extimity of psychoanalysis and its place at the polis / Sobre la extimidad del Psicoanálisis y su lugar en la polis

Este artigo desenvolve considerações acerca do ensino e da pesquisa em Psicanálise na Universidade. A existência da Psicanálise de orientação lacaniana na América Latina tornou-se cada vez mais forte, seja por sua contínua atividade formadora nas escolas de Psicanálise, seja por sua intensa produção editorial e também pela sua numerosa presença na Universidade ­ como o lugar onde os diferentes saberes são confrontados. Considerando que toda pesquisa no campo da Psicanálise é clínica, e toda clínica em Psicanálise é do mal-estar, é essa a crucial noção para entender que há sempre um real em jogo, impossível de simbolizar, e isso é de estrutura. Tendo sido criada por um desejo de Freud de ajudar a diminuir a dor da alma, em sua proposta de troca do sofrimento neurótico pela infelicidade banal, o artigo pretende verificar o lugar da Psicanálise na Universidade a partir de seu trabalho sobre os restos deixados de lado pela ciência moderna que, ao mesmo tempo, cria a condição de possibilidade para sua existência. Considera-se a Psicanálise filha da ciência moderna, mas uma filha bastarda, ao mesmo tempo íntima e estranha, que lida com os dejetos dela, a ciência. Tendo a ciência excluído o sujeito de seu campo, é à Psicanálise quem cabe acolhê-lo em seu mal-estar. (AU)

En este artículo se desarrolla consideraciones de la enseñanza y la investigación en psicoanálisis en la Universidad. La existencia del psicoanálisis lacaniana en América Latina se ha convertido cada vez más fuerte, ya sea en su actividad de formación continua en las escuelas de psicoanálisis, ya sea en su intensa producción editorial o por su numerosa presencia en la universidad como el lugar donde los diferentes saberes se enfrentan. Mientras que todas las investigaciones en el campo del psicoanálisis es clínico, se considera crucial entender que siempre hay un real, imposible de simbolizar, y eso es estructural. Después de haber sido creado por un deseo de Freud para ayudar a disminuir el dolor del alma en su propuesta de sustituir el sufrimiento neurótico por la infelicidad común, el documento tiene como objetivo verificar el lugar del psicoanálisis en la universidad, de su trabajo sobre los restos dejados de lado por la ciencia moderna que, al mismo tiempo, crea las condiciones de posibilidad de su existencia. Se considera el psicoanálisis hija de la ciencia moderna, pero una hija bastarda a la vez íntima y extraña, que trata de los residuos de la ciencia. El sujeto excluido de su campo es lo que el psicoanálisis deben recibe con su malestar. (AU)

This article develops some considerations about teaching and researching in psychoanalysis at the University. The existence of Lacanian psychoanalysis in Latin America has become increasingly strong, either on its continuous training activity in the schools of psychoanalysis, either on its intense editorial production or their numerous presences at the university as the place where different knowledge are confronted. Whereas all research in the field of psychoanalysis is clinical, and every clinic in psychoanalysis is about discomfort, we consider this notion as crucial to understand that there is always a real in game, impossible to symbolize, and this is a fact of structure. Having been created by a desire of Freud to help decreasing the soul pain with his proposal to substitute the neurotic suffering by an ordinary unhappiness, this paper aims to verify the place of psychoanalysis at the university, from its work on the elements that are left aside by modern science which, at the same time, creates the condition of possibility for its existence. The psychoanalysis is considered the daughter of modern science, but a bastard daughter, at the same time intimate and strange, which turns out to deal with the waste of science. As science excluded the subject of its field, it is up to psychoanalysis to receive him in his discomfort. (AU)

An 18-year-old woman with a 34-cm metaplastic breast carcinoma.

Metaplastic breast carcinomas (MBCs) are rare malignancies usually with poor prognosis. We report a case of an 18-year-old African female patient who presented with a 34-cm tumor on the right breast. Biopsy showed an extensively necrotic MBC negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (triple negative). A modified right radical mastectomy was performed, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Histology confirmed a widely necrotic undifferentiated malignant tumor, with strong and diffuse expression of vimentin and B-cell lymphoma 2, focal high-molecular-weight keratins and focal CD34 expression; Ki67 was >90%. There was no skin, deep margin or lymph node involvement. Six months after surgery, the patient showed a 9 × 7 cm nodule adjacent to the suture and adherent to the anterior chest wall. The tumor was considered unresectable and the patient evolved with rapid systemic deterioration. The patient had a progression-free survival of 6 months and overall survival of 9 months.

[Oncocytic tumors of the adrenal gland]. / Tumores oncocíticos da supra-renal.

The oncocytic tumors of the adrenal gland are rare. To date there's only 147 cases published. The authors present a case of a 34 year-old man admitted to the hospital with lumbar pain and fever. At medical examination a mass was found in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. The hormonal measurements of the adrenal gland were normal and the abdominal angio CT showed a left retroperitoneal lesion measuring 145 x 157 x 128 mm with extensive necrotic and hemorrhagic areas. The patient underwent a complete surgical resection of the lesion. The mass weighted 1495g and the histological exam revealed an oncocytic tumor of the adrenal gland with uncertain potential. Most of the oncocytic tumors are non functioning and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of adrenocortical tumors. The biologic behavior and the prognosis of these tumors are variable and still need a better definition. Due to the rarity of these tumors the authors made a revision on the published bibliography.

Os tumores oncocíticos da supra-renal são neoplasias pouco frequentes. Atualmente existem 147 casos publicados. Os autores descrevem o caso de um homem de 34 anos admitido no hospital por lombalgias e febre. À observação identificava-se massa no quadrante superior esquerdo do abdomen. Os doseamentos das hormonas da supra-renal foram normais e a angiotomografia abdominal mostrou lesão retroperitoneal esquerda com 145 x 157 x 128 mm com extensas áreas necrosadas e hemorrágicas. O doente foi submetido a ressecção cirúrgica completa da lesão. O tumor pesava 1495 g e o exame anatomo-patológico concluiu tratar-se de tumor oncocítico da supra-renal com potencial maligno incerto. A maioria dos tumores oncocíticos é não funcionante e devem ser considerados no diagnóstico diferencial de tumores do córtex da supra-renal. O comportamento biológico e o seu prognóstico são variáveis e ainda estão mal estabelecidos. A propósito da raridade deste tipo de tumores os autores fazem uma revisão da bibliografia publicada.

Escrita no corpo: gozo e laço social

Procura-se discutir, à luz das contribuições da psicanálise, como algumas formas de escrita no corpo, tão frequentes na contemporaneidade - tatuagens, cortes, escarificações -, poderiam produzir maneiras possíveis e singulares de enlaçamento do sujeito ao Outro. A escrita deixa pistas, vestígios do percurso da pulsão, rastos do pensamento e possibilita alguma ligação com o mundo compartilhado, dando margem a pensar numa contenção do gozo através destes tipos específicos que compõem um repertório de traços. Em muitos casos, esses atos de escrita suprem a função paterna permitindo que aqueles em que a voz do Outro não escreveu uma identificação unária na carne tenham acesso ao corpo próprio.(AU)

Writing the body: jouissance and social bond. The objective of this paper, based on Psychoanalysis contributions, is to discuss the contemporary body writing, such as cuts, scarifications and tattoos, to discuss how they can help to make possible and singular the social bonds between subjects and the Other. Writing leaves tracks, vestiges of the drive paths, remnants of thinking and enables some connection to the common world, giving way to restraining jouissance by means of a repertoire of traces. In many cases, these acts of writing supply the paternal function allowing those who did not undergo the unary inscription of the voice of the Other in their own flesh, so they can have access to their own body.(AU)

Escrita no corpo: gozo e laço social / Writing in the body: enjoyment and social bonding

Procura-se discutir, à luz das contribuições da psicanálise, como algumas formas de escrita no corpo, tão frequentes na contemporaneidade - tatuagens, cortes, escarificações -, poderiam produzir maneiras possíveis e singulares de enlaçamento do sujeito ao Outro. A escrita deixa pistas, vestígios do percurso da pulsão, rastos do pensamento e possibilita alguma ligação com o mundo compartilhado, dando margem a pensar numa contenção do gozo através destes tipos específicos que compõem um repertório de traços. Em muitos casos, esses atos de escrita suprem a função paterna permitindo que aqueles em que a voz do Outro não escreveu uma identificação unária na carne tenham acesso ao corpo próprio.

Writing the body: jouissance and social bond. The objective of this paper, based on Psychoanalysis contributions, is to discuss the contemporary body writing, such as cuts, scarifications and tattoos, to discuss how they can help to make possible and singular the social bonds between subjects and the Other. Writing leaves tracks, vestiges of the drive paths, remnants of thinking and enables some connection to the common world, giving way to restraining jouissance by means of a repertoire of traces. In many cases, these acts of writing supply the paternal function allowing those who did not undergo the unary inscription of the voice of the Other in their own flesh, so they can have access to their own body.