How to manage intolerance to dopamine agonist in patients with prolactinoma.

PURPOSE: Dopamine agonists (DA) are the gold-standard for prolactinoma and hyperprolactinemia treatment. Intolerance to DA leading to drug drop out occurs in 3 to 12% of cases. We provide here a review of published data about DA intolerance and present a case report concerning the use of intravaginal cabergoline. METHODS: We review the literature on the definition, the pathogenesis, frequency and management of DA intolerance. In addition, the review provides strategies to enhance tolerability and avoid precocious clinical treatment withdrawal. RESULTS: Cabergoline is often cited as the most tolerable DA and its side effects tend to ameliorate within days to weeks. Restarting the same drug at a lower dose or switching to another DA can be used in cases of intolerance. The vaginal route can be tried specifically if there are gastrointestinal side effects in the oral administration. Symptomatic treatment could be attempted, although mainly based on a strategy used in other diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Due to limited data, no guidelines have been developed for the management of intolerance in DA treatment. The most frequent management is to perform transsphenoidal surgery. Nevertheless, this manuscript provides data derived from published literature and expert opinion, suggesting new approaches to this clinical issue.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Successfully Treated with Methotrexate or Just the Natural Disease Progression?

A 53 year-old-woman presented to our dermatology clinic with a 3-year history of hair loss and pruritus of the anterior scalp. She denied drug use, comorbidities, and other systemic symptoms. Physical examination revealed a band-like recession of the frontotemporal hairline with loss of the eyebrows and perifollicular erythema. The alopecic skin was atrophic and lighter than the chronically sun-exposed forehead. Some "lonely hairs" were observed, as well as depression of temporal veins. Systemic examination was unremarkable. A diagnosis of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) was established, no biopsy was performed, and treatment with hydroxychloroquine 400 mg/daily with topical minoxidil was promptly started. After 6 months, the patient stopped the drugs because no clinical improvement was observed. More than one year later, she returned with the same symptoms demanding new treatment. We opted to change the immunosuppressant/immunomodulator to methotrexate monotherapy 20 mg once a week to improve adherence. Patient achieved clinical stabilization within seven months of treatment. She maintained with the same clinical features as described above but had an eyebrow tattoo made, and perifollicular erythema was no longer present (Figure 1). FFA is a cicatricial alopecia caused by immune-mediated inflammatory infiltrate lymphocytes in the infundibulo-isthmic region of the hair follicle. Its etiopathogenesis is unknown, and it usually occurs in postmenopausal Caucasian women. Clinically, FFA presents with progressive loss of frontotemporal hairline resulting in a lighter skin compared with the forehead and with absence of follicular ostia. Perifollicular erythema, pruritus, pain, the "lonely hair sign", and partial or total scarring eyebrow loss can be encountered as well. Biopsy is no longer necessary, but if it is done it is important to remember that there are no pathological criteria, at present, to distinguish FFA from lichen planopilaris (1,2). There have been no randomized clinical trial on AFF treatment. Topical drugs such as corticosteroids, minoxidil, and calcineurin inhibitors as well as systemic treatments such as 5α-reductase inhibitors, hydroxychloroquine, retinoids, and methotrexate can usually be used (1,2). The Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Severity Score should be used during treatment (3), especially regarding the search for perifollicular erythema, which is well-known for having a direct correlation with progressive disease (4). In a retrospective study with 19 patients at Duke University, methotrexate monotherapy achieved stabilization in one of two patients. The mean duration of therapy was 16 months, and the dose varied between 15-25 mg once a week (5). Unfortunately, the variable course of this disease and the possibility of spontaneous stabilization lead to risk of overestimating the effects of the prescribed treatments (1). After clinical stabilization, drug withdrawal could be attempted with frequent clinical observation. This difficulty persists as no patient is likely to agree with that.

Presternal Goiter.

An enlarging thyroid normally extends into the mediastinum, resulting in a presternal or substernal goiter, depending on its migration anteriorly or posteriorly, respectively. The first one was a rare entity in medical literature, being previously reported in only 6 cases worldwide. The present case reports a 54-year woman with a presternal goiter. She had a history of partial thyroidectomy due to a colloid goiter in 2004. Her thyroid function revealed subclinical hypothyroidism. No other abnormalities were present in physical exam or in laboratory tests. A resection of the remaining thyroid tissue was made, with great postsurgical recovery. The anatomopathological study revealed a colloid goiter. Such case porpoise is to remember physicians that unusual presentations of ordinary diseases can occur. This report differs on literature, which demonstrated that papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most important cause of presternal goiter. Moreover, unlike previous reports with normal thyroid function, this case is the only one reported with subclinical hypothyroidism.

The use of drugs and medical students: a literature review.

INTRODUCTION: The consumption and abuse of alcohol and other drugs are increasingly present in the lives of university students and may already be considered a public health problem because of the direct impacts on the physical and mental health of these individuals. The requirements of the medical program play a vital role in the increasing rate of drug users. OBJECTIVES: To carry out a systematic review of the literature on the use of drugs, licit or not, in Brazilian medical students. METHODS: A descriptive-exploratory study, in which the SciELO and MEDLINE databases were used. A total of 99 articles were found, of which 16 were selected for this review. RESULTS: Alcohol and tobacco were the most frequently used licit drugs among medical students. The most consumed illicit drugs were marijuana, solvents, "lança-perfume" (ether spray), and anxiolytics. The male genre presented a tendency of consuming more significant amounts of all kinds of drugs, with the exception of tranquilizers. It was found an increasing prevalence of drug consumption in medical students, as the program progressed, which may result from the intrinsic stress from medical school activities. Students who do not use psychoactive drugs are more likely to live with their parents, to disapprove drugs consumption, to practice religious beliefs and to be employed. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of licit and illicit drug use among medical students is high, even though they understand the injuries it may cause.

Acute pancreatitis secondary to oral contraceptive-induced hypertriglyceridemia: a case report.

Hypertriglyceridemia is the third most common cause of acute pancreatitis. Among the causes that lead to secondary hypertriglyceridemia, the use of contraceptive agents is the main reason to be assessed in young women. We report a case of a 31-year-old woman who had suffered two acute pancreatitis episodes secondary to hypertriglyceridemia. In the investigation, the previous medical team indicated a genetic screening before ruling out all secondary causes. LPL, apo CII and apo AV genes were negative for mutations. In the first appointment with us, the patient reported the use of a contraceptive agent for about 2 years. She was instructed to discontinue the drug. After one year of follow-up, her serum triglycerides are within the normal range and a copper intrauterine device was the method chosen by the patient for contraception.

The use of drugs and medical students: a literature review

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION The consumption and abuse of alcohol and other drugs are increasingly present in the lives of university students and may already be considered a public health problem because of the direct impacts on the physical and mental health of these individuals. The requirements of the medical program play a vital role in the increasing rate of drug users. OBJECTIVES To carry out a systematic review of the literature on the use of drugs, licit or not, in Brazilian medical students. METHODS A descriptive-exploratory study, in which the SciELO and MEDLINE databases were used. A total of 99 articles were found, of which 16 were selected for this review. RESULTS Alcohol and tobacco were the most frequently used licit drugs among medical students. The most consumed illicit drugs were marijuana, solvents, "lança-perfume" (ether spray), and anxiolytics. The male genre presented a tendency of consuming more significant amounts of all kinds of drugs, with the exception of tranquilizers. It was found an increasing prevalence of drug consumption in medical students, as the program progressed, which may result from the intrinsic stress from medical school activities. Students who do not use psychoactive drugs are more likely to live with their parents, to disapprove drugs consumption, to practice religious beliefs and to be employed. Conclusion The prevalence of licit and illicit drug use among medical students is high, even though they understand the injuries it may cause.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO O consumo e o abuso de álcool e outras drogas estão cada vez mais presentes na vida dos estudantes universitários, e podem ser considerados problemas de saúde pública pelos potenciais prejuízos acarretados na saúde física e mental. No curso de medicina, as exigências acadêmicas e o estresse têm papel fundamental no aumento do uso de drogas entre os estudantes. OBJETIVO Realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre o uso de drogas, lícitas e ilícitas, em estudantes de medicina brasileiros. MÉTODOS Estudo de revisão de literatura, cuja fonte bibliográfica foram os portais de periódicos SciELO e Medline. No total, 99 artigos foram encontrados, dos quais 16 foram selecionados para esta revisão. RESULTADOS O álcool e o tabaco foram as drogas mais consumidas por estudantes de medicina. Dentre as drogas ilícitas, as mais frequentemente utilizadas incluem maconha, solventes, lança-perfume e ansiolíticos. O sexo masculino apresentou maior proporção de consumo de todos os tipos de drogas, com exceção de tranquilizantes. Foi encontrado um aumento da prevalência de consumo de drogas ao longo do curso de medicina, o que pode ser resultante do estresse próprio das atividades do curso. Estudantes que fazem menos uso de substâncias psicoativas tendem a viver com os pais, não possuir vínculos próximos com usuários de drogas, desaprovar o consumo de drogas, possuir e praticar crenças religiosas e trabalhar. CONCLUSÃO A prevalência de consumo de drogas lícitas e ilícitas entre estudantes de medicina é alta, mesmo eles tendo conhecimento sobre os malefícios que o uso pode causar.

Comparison of open and endovascular surgery for treatment of popliteal artery aneurysm: a review / Comparação entre cirurgia aberta e endovascular no tratamento do aneurisma da artéria poplítea: uma revisão

Os aneurismas de artéria poplítea correspondem a 70% dos aneurismas periféricos e o tratamento é cirúrgico, com controvérsias sobre os resultados da via endovascular. Este estudo objetivou realizar uma revisão da literatura sobre a comparação entre cirurgia aberta e endovascular no tratamento dos aneurismas da artéria poplítea. A pesquisa foi realizada utilizando os termos apropriados nos portais de periódicos LILACS e MEDLINE, com a seleção de 15 artigos. Um total de 5.166 procedimentos cirúrgicos foram comparados, sendo 3.930 cirurgias abertas e 1.236 cirurgias endovasculares. A cirurgia aberta com bypass venoso continua sendo o padrão-ouro. A cirurgia endovascular apresenta menor tempo de internação e é uma opção viável em pacientes eletivos, com baixa expectativa de vida, alto risco cirúrgico, comorbidades e mais idosos, desde que tenham anatomia favorável para o procedimento. Contudo, são necessários estudos de longo prazo para estabelecer os reais benefícios e indicações das duas técnicas, como o ensaio clínico randomizado controlado

Popliteal artery aneurysms account for 70% of peripheral aneurysms and must be treated surgically. The results of endovascular treatment are controversial. The objective of this study is to conduct a literature review on comparisons between open surgery and endovascular treatment for popliteal artery aneurysms. Searches were run on the LILACS and MEDLINE databases using the appropriate search terms and 15 articles were selected. A total of 5,166 surgical procedures were compared, 3,930 open surgeries and 1,236 endovascular surgeries. Open surgery with venous bypass is still the gold standard. Endovascular surgery offers shorter length of hospital stay and is a viable option for elective patients, those with short life expectancy, high surgical risk, comorbidities, and more advanced age. However, long-term studies are needed to establish the true benefits and indications for the two techniques, such as randomized clinical trials

Relações Entre Ações de uma Invervenção Educativa na Adesão ao Tratamento e no RNI de Pacientes em Uso de Antagonistas de Vitamina K / Relationship Between Educative Intervention on Treatment Adherence and INR of Patients on Vitamin K Antagonists

Avaliar se uma intervenção educacional interfere na adesão ao tratamento, meta terapêutica e frequência de eventos hemorrágicos de pacientes em uso de antagonistas de vitamina K e se características socioeconômicas/clínicas possuem efeito sobre os resultados encontrados. Método: Estudo analítico intervencionista não controlado qualitativo. Foram incluídos 49 pacientes e aplicados os questionários de medida de adesão ao tratamento (MAT) e socioeconômico. Posteriormente foram realizadas ligações mensais educativas sobre anticoagulação e foram coletadas informações sobre eventos hemorrágicos e valores de RNI. Ao termino da intervenção foi aplicado mais um questionário MAT. Foram comparados os dados antes e após a intervenção. Resultados: Os pacientes foram considerados mais aderentes após a intervenção (p=0,04) e houve diminuição na frequência de eventos hemorrágicos (p=0,01), existindo nenhuma relação com as variáveis socioeconômicas ou clínicas. Não houve melhora significativa em relação à meta de RNI (p=0,06), porém o estado civil desses pacientes teve associação com a estabilidade terapêutica (p=0,04). Conclusões: A intervenção melhorou a aderência e diminuiu os eventos hemorrágicos dos pacientes, não tendo influência sobre a meta terapêutica. Pacientes com cônjuge apresentaram melhores metas terapêuticas se comparados aos solteiros. Não houve interferência de outras variáveis socioeconômicas ou clínicas sobre os desfechos encontrados

Objectives: To evaluate if an educational intervention interfere in treatment adherence, therapeutic ranges and hemorrhagic.events of patients on vitamin K antagonists; and if social, economic and clinical.characteristics are associated with the ending points. Methods: It's an interventionist analytic study. 49 patients were included.and an adherence.and social/economic questionnaires were applied. Then, monthly educative phone calls.were performed about anticoagulation and information about hemorrhagic,events and INR were collected. When intervention,were done, another adherence questionnaire was applied. Data before and after intervention were compared. Results: Patients had their adherence improved (p=0,04) and there was a fall on the prevalence,of hemorrhagic events (p=0,01) with,no,social/clinical variables association. There were no significant,changes,on the therapeutic ranges (p=0,06), although there was a relationship,between marital state and INR,stability (p=0,04). Conclusions: Educational intervention increased adherence,and decreased hemorrhagic events. Marital state has been associated with better therapeutic,ranges. No other social, economic.or clinical.variable has been associated with the ending points

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

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

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

ANALYSIS OF FOOD TOLERANCE IN PATIENTS SUBMITTED TO BARIATRIC SURGERY USING THE QUESTIONNAIRE QUALITY OF ALIMENTATION.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increased prevalence of obesity in many countries, the number of bariatric surgeries is increasing. They are considered the most effective treatment for obesity. In the postoperative there may be difficulties with the quality of alimentation, tolerance to various types of food, as well as vomiting and regurgitation. Few surveys are available to assess these difficulties in the postoperative. AIM: To perform a systematic literature review about food tolerance in patients undergoing bariatric surgery using the questionnaire "Quality of Alimentation", and compare the results between different techniques. METHOD: A descriptive-exploratory study where the portals Medline and Scielo were used. The following headings were used in english, spanish and portuguese: quality of alimentation, bariatric surgery and food tolerance. A total of 88 references were found, 14 used the questionnaire "Quality of Alimentation" and were selected. RESULTS: In total, 2745 patients were interviewed of which 371 underwent to gastric banding, 1006 to sleeve gastrectomy, 1113 to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 14 to biliopancreatic diversion associated with duodenal switch, 83 were non-operated obese, and 158 non-obese patients. The questionnaire showed good acceptability. The biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch had the best food tolerance in the postoperative when compared to other techniques, but it was evaluated in a single article with a small sample. The longer the time after the operation, the better is the food tolerance. Comparing the sleeve gastrectomy and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, there are still controversial results in the literature. The gastric banding had the worst score of food tolerance among all the techniques evaluated. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire is easy and fast to assess the food tolerance in patients after bariatric surgery. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch had the best food tolerance in the postoperative when compared to sleeve gastrectomy and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Gastric banding still remains in controversy, due it presented the worst score.

ANALYSIS OF FOOD TOLERANCE IN PATIENTS SUBMITTED TO BARIATRIC SURGERY USING THE QUESTIONNAIRE QUALITY OF ALIMENTATION / ANÁLISE DA TOLERÂNCIA ALIMENTAR EM PACIENTES SUBMETIDOS À CIRURGIA BARIÁTRICA ATRAVÉS DO QUESTIONÁRIO QUALITY OF ALIMENTATION

Background: Due to the increased prevalence of obesity in many countries, the number of bariatric surgeries is increasing. They are considered the most effective treatment for obesity. In the postoperative there may be difficulties with the quality of alimentation, tolerance to various types of food, as well as vomiting and regurgitation. Few surveys are available to assess these difficulties in the postoperative.Aim:To perform a systematic literature review about food tolerance in patients undergoing bariatric surgery using the questionnaire "Quality of Alimentation", and compare the results between different techniques.Method: A descriptive-exploratory study where the portals Medline and Scielo were used. The following headings were used in english, spanish and portuguese: quality of alimentation, bariatric surgery and food tolerance. A total of 88 references were found, 14 used the questionnaire "Quality of Alimentation" and were selected.Results: In total, 2745 patients were interviewed of which 371 underwent to gastric banding, 1006 to sleeve gastrectomy, 1113 to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 14 to biliopancreatic diversion associated with duodenal switch, 83 were non-operated obese, and 158 non-obese patients. The questionnaire showed good acceptability. The biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch had the best food tolerance in the postoperative when compared to other techniques, but it was evaluated in a single article with a small sample. The longer the time after the operation, the better is the food tolerance. Comparing the sleeve gastrectomy and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, there are still controversial results in the literature. The gastric banding had the worst score of food tolerance among all the techniques evaluated.Conclusion: The questionnaire is easy and fast to assess the food tolerance in patients after bariatric surgery. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch had the best food tolerance in the postoperative when compared to sleeve gastrectomy and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Gastric banding still remains in controversy, due it presented the worst score.

Introdução: Devido ao aumento da prevalência da obesidade em diversos países, o número de operações bariátricas está aumentando. Elas são consideradas o tratamento de maior eficácia da obesidade. No pós-operatório podem ocorrer dificuldades com relação à qualidade da alimentação, tolerância para vários tipos de alimentos, além de vômito e regurgitação. Poucos questionários estão disponíveis para avaliar essas dificuldades no pós-operatório.Objetivo: Realizar revisão sistemática da literatura sobre a tolerância alimentar em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica utilizando o questionário "Quality of Alimentation" e comparar os resultados entre as diferentes técnicas.Método:Estudo descritivo-exploratório onde foram pesquisados os portais de periódicos Medline e Scielo. Utilizaram-se os descritores "quality of alimentation, bariatric surgery e food tolerance", em inglês, português e espanhol. Foram encontradas 88 referências, sendo 14 selecionadas por utilizarem o questionário "Quality of Alimentation".Resultados: Ao total, 2745 pacientes foram entrevistados sendo que 371 foram submetidos à bandagem gástrica, 1006 à gastrectomia vertical, 1113 ao bypass gástrico em Y-de-Roux, 14 à derivação biliopancreática associada ao duodenal switch, 83 eram obesos não operados, e 158 pacientes não obesos. O questionário teve boa aceitação. A derivação biliopancreática com duodenal switch apresentou a melhor tolerância alimentar no pós-operatório quando comparada às demais técnicas, mas foi avaliada em um único artigo e com pequena amostra. Quanto maior o tempo de pós-operatório, melhor foi a tolerância alimentar. Comparando a gastrectomia vertical e o bypass gástrico em Y-de-Roux, ainda há resultados controversos na literatura. A banda gástrica apresentou o pior escore de tolerância alimentar dentre todas as técnicas avaliadas.Conclusão: O questionário é de fácil e rápida aplicação para avaliar a tolerância alimentar em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica. A derivação biliopancreática com duodenal switch teve a melhor tolerância alimentar no pós-operatório quando comparada à gastrectomia vertical e ao bypass gástrico em Y-de-Roux. Quanto à banda gástrica ainda existe controvérsia quanto ao seu uso, devido à apresentação de piores resultados.