Browsing by Author "Sousa, R"
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- Abandono do Serviço de Urgência Pediátrico Antes da Observação Médica: Quais os Motivos e o Que o Teria Impedido?Publication . Sousa, R; Correia, C; Valsassina, R; Moeda, S; Paínho, T; Oom, PINTRODUCTION: Children who visit emergency departments and leave without being seen represent a multifactorial problem. We aimed to compare the sociodemographic characteristics of children who left and of those who did not leave, as well as to evaluate parental reasoning, subsequent use of medical care and patient outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study of a random sample of children who left without being seen and their matched controls from an emergency department during a three-month period. We performed a phone questionnaire to obtain information concerning reasons for leaving, patient outcomes and general feedback. RESULTS: During the study period, 18 200 patients presented to the emergency department, of whom 92 (0.5%) left without being seen. Fifty-five (59.8%) completed the questionnaire and there were 82 controls. The most common reasons for leaving were 'excessive waiting time' (92.7%) and 'problem could wait' (21.8%). A significantly higher number of patients who left sought further medical care (78.2% vs 11%) but they did not experience higher levels of unfavourable outcomes. DISCUSSION: The waiting time seems to be the major factor that drives the decision to leave. The fact that parents felt safe in leaving and the low level of adverse outcomes highlights the low-acuity nature of the majority of patients who leave. CONCLUSION: Reducing the waiting times may be the logical strategic mean to decrease the rates of patients who leave without being seen. However, our data seems to indicate that the concerns surrounding clinical outcome after leaving may be partly unwarranted.
- Atypical Bartonellosis in Children: What do We Know?Publication . Lemos, AP; Domingues, R; Gouveia, C; Sousa, R; Brito, MJAim: To characterise Bartonella infections in a paediatric population requiring hospital admission and review its treatment. Methods: Longitudinal observational retrospective data analysis of children and adolescents admitted with Bartonella infection at a paediatric tertiary hospital from 2010 to 2019. Results: We identified 16 cases of bartonellosis, with a mean age of 8.0 ± 4.5 years old, no sex predominance and 14 had contact with cats. Most of the cases occurred in fall and winter. Clinical presentations included osteomyelitis/arthritis (n = 9), hepatosplenic disease (n = 2), lymphadenitis (n = 2), neuroretinitis (n = 2) and encephalitis (n = 1). Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by serology (n = 16) and Bartonella DNA detection in patient's lymph nodes/hepatic lesion (n = 3). Therapeutic approach varied according to the clinical presentation: azithromycin in lymphadenitis, rifampicin plus ciprofloxacin in hepatosplenic disease, rifampicin and doxycycline in neuroretinitis, ceftriaxone in encephalitis and azithromycin, cotrimoxazole or rifampicin plus azithromycin, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin or doxycycline in osteomyelitis/arthritis. Immunodeficiency was excluded in seven patients. Seven patients' cats were screened by veterinarians and treated when infected (n = 5). Conclusions: In these clinical presentations, where other infections may be involved, a high index of suspicion is necessary, with emphasis on the epidemiological context. The association of systemic forms with immunodeficiency did not occur in our study. The lack of recommendations for treatment of atypical infection makes the approach of these cases a challenge. Randomised control studies are essential to define the best approach in each case.
- Cat-Scratch Disease With Bone InvolvemnetPublication . Maia, R; Brito, MJ; Sousa, R; Gouveia, CBackground: Bartonella henselae infection typically presents as a self-limiting regional lymphadenopathy. Bone involvement is a very rare form of the disease. Aims: To describe bone infection associated to cat-scratch disease (CSD) in a portuguese pediatric hospital. Methods: Clinical records of children admitted at the hospital with the diagnosis of CSD associated bone infection, during 2010, were reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed by serology using indirect fluorescence assay and nucleic acid amplification from lymph node biopsy. Results: Two boys, 2 and 7 years old, were identified. One had prolonged fever and neck pain. MRI suggested D6-D9 osteomyelitis. Cultures were negative and Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Brucella infection were excluded. He was treated with gentamicin and cotrimoxazol, with clinical, but no significant image, improvement. The second child presented subacute sternoclavicular swelling and mildly enlarged axillary lymph nodes. Image studies revealed an osteolytic lesion of the clavicle and hypoechogenic splenic lesions. Histopathology of lymph node showed granulomatous adenitis and excluded malignancy. Therapy with azythromicin and rifampicin was successful. Both had contact with cats. Primary and secondary immunodeficiency was excluded. Conclusion: The optimal therapy for atypical Bartonella henselae infection is unknown and the role of antibiotics uncertain. Several combinations of antibiotics have been proposed for bone disease treatment, but recommendations are lacking. The different outcome in the presented cases could be related with the distinct therapeutic regimens used. Although atypical infection has classically been associated with immunodeficiency, this has not been the rule in bone disease and the need for extensive evaluation must be reviewed.
- Five Cases of Atypical Rickettsial InfectionsPublication . Salva, I; Gouveia, C; Sousa, R; Brito, MJBackground: Rickettsia conorii is the most frequent species of RickettsiaI causing disease in Portugal. In general the disease manifests itself by fever, exanthema, headaches and the presence of an eschar. However atypical forms can be present and physicians should be aware. Aims: Analyse the atypical presentation of rickettsiosis. Material and Methods: Children admitted at the CHLC Hospital from 2000 to 2010 with atypical presentation of rickettsiosis. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by serology and molecular techniques (PCR). Results: Five cases of children with a median age of 2 years, 1 of which female, were admitted between June and August. The diagnoses were: myositis (1), synovitis (1), cholecystitis (1), orchiepididymitis (1) and meningitis (1). Myositis developped with functional disability, CPK 9600 U/L, lower limbs’ edema, hypoalbuminemia (1,6 g/dL) and arterial hypertension. Synovitis developped with functional disability, synovial fluid increase and CRP 16,2 mg/dL. The child with cholecystitis had abdominal pain, intraabdominal fluid increase, leukopenia (1900/μL), thrombocytopenia (75000/μL) and CRP 15,3 mg/dL. Orchiepididymitis developped with testicle’s inflammatory signs, leukopenia (2900/μL), thrombocytopenia (90000/μL) and CRP 14,45 mg/dL. The patient with meningitis, who had pleocytosis (320 cells/μL), hyperproteinorrachia (284 mg/dL), hypoglicorrachia (36 mg/dL), presented only with fever and headaches. The tache noire and the classical triad were present in 3/5 cases. The clinical course was favourable in all cases. Antibodies against Rickettsia of spotted fever group were detected in 3/5 cases. In one patient Rickettsia conorii Malish strain was identified by PCR and sequencing. Conclusions: Rickettsial infection may present itself unusually. In a country of high prevalence, especially during summer months and in the presence of an inoculation eschar, it is of the uttermost importance to study the atypical presentations for a possible rickettsial infection.
- Mesonephric Hyperplasia can Cause Abnormal Papanicolaou Smears: A Case ReportPublication . Pedrosa, I; Alpendre, F; Sousa, R; Raposo Dinis, S; Figueiredo, PMesonephric hyperplasia (MH) is a very rare condition. There are few cases in the literature. Mesonephric remnants (MR) or MH can be a rare source of abnormal Papanicolaou smears. The most common, often difficult, in the differential diagnosis of MH is mesonephric carcinoma that has a poor prognosis. We report a case of a 29-years-old with a routine Papanicolaou smear reported as atypical glandular cells. The patient underwent to a loop electrosurgical excision procedure and because it is a benign condition and a strong desire to preserve fertility, we opted for clinical surveillance.
- Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: a Nationwide Portuguese Clinical Epidemiological StudyPublication . Santos, E; Rocha, AL; Oliveira, V; Ferro, D; Samões, R; Sousa, AP; Figueiroa, S; Mendonça, T; Abreu, P; Guimarães, J; Sousa, R; Melo, C; Correia, I; Durães, J; Sousa, L; Ferreira, J; Sá, J; Sousa, F; Sequeira, M; Correia, AS; André, AL; Basílio, C; Arenga, M; Mendes, I; Brás Marques, I; Perdigão, S; Felgueiras, H; Alves, I; Correia, F; Barroso, C; Morganho, A; Carmona, C; Palavra, F; Santos, M; Salgado, V; Palos, A; Nzwalo, H; Timóteo, A; Guerreiro, R; Isidoro, L; Boleixa, D; Carneiro, P; Neves, E; Martins Silva, A; Gonçalves, G; Leite, MI; Sá, MJIntroduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare disorder in which astrocyte damage and/or demyelination often cause severe neurological deficits. Objective: To identify Portuguese patients with NMOSD and assess their epidemiological/clinical characteristics. Methods: This was a nationwide multicenter study. Twenty-four Portuguese adult and 3 neuropediatric centers following NMOSD patients were included. Results: A total of 180 patients met the 2015 Wingerchuk NMOSD criteria, 77 were AQP4-antibody positive (Abs+), 67 MOG-Abs+, and 36 seronegative. Point prevalence on December 31, 2018 was 1.71/100,000 for NMOSD, 0.71/100,000 for AQP4-Abs+, 0.65/100,000 for MOG-Abs+, and 0.35/100,000 for seronegative NMOSD. A total of 44 new NMOSD cases were identified during the two-year study period (11 AQP4-Abs+, 27 MOG-Abs+, and 6 seronegative). The annual incidence rate in that period was 0.21/100,000 person-years for NMOSD, 0.05/100,000 for AQP4-Abs+, 0.13/100,000 for MOG-Abs+, and 0.03/100,000 for seronegative NMOSD. AQP4-Abs+ predominated in females and was associated with autoimmune disorders. Frequently presented with myelitis. Area postrema syndrome was exclusive of this subtype, and associated with higher morbidity/mortality than other forms of NMOSD. MOG-Ab+ more often presented with optic neuritis, required less immunosuppression, and had better outcome. Conclusion: Epidemiological/clinical NMOSD profiles in the Portuguese population are similar to other European countries.
- OHVIRA Syndrome with a Blind-Ended Ureteral RemnantPublication . Sousa, R; Amante, S; Carneiro, R; Nunes, A; Soares, EOHVIRA syndrome is characterized by a didelphys uterus with an obstructed/blind hemi-vagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis. We presented a case of a female child with a pre-natal diagnosis of left renal agenesis whose post-natal imaging findings were consistent with OHVIRA syndrome.
- Rare Case of Sarcomatoid Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in an Ovarian Mature TeratomaPublication . Sousa Pedrosa, I; Alpendre, F; Sousa, R; Raposo Dinis, S; Gomes, DAlthough mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is benign, malignant transformation (MT) occurs in ∼ 1% to 2% of all cases, and usually consists of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which accounts for ∼ 80% of the cases. Spindle-cell (sarcomatoid) carcinoma (SCSC) is an uncommon type of SCC, comprising up to 3% of all cases. The lack of characteristic symptoms and specific imaging findings may lead to preoperative misdiagnosis. Moreover, the clinicopathologic characteristics, the treatment, the prognostic factors and the mechanism of MT have not yet been well understood due to the rarity of such tumors, especially in women of reproductive age. The authors present a case of a 34-year-old patient with 14 weeks of gestation who was diagnosed with an adnexal mass suggestive of ovarian teratoma. A laparoscopy salpingo-oophorectomy was performed after 6 months of delivery, and the histological exam revealed a sarcomatoid SCC in the MCT.
- Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Portugal in May-July 2020: Results of the First National Serological Survey (ISNCOVID-19)Publication . Kislaya, I; Gonçalves, P; Barreto, M; Sousa, R; Garcia, AC; Matos, R; Guiomar, R; Rodrigues, AP; Dias, AIntroduction: The aim of this study was to estimate and describe the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) specific antibodies (immunoglobulin M and/or immunoglobulin G) in Portugal in May-July 2020. Material and methods: A cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey was developed after the peak of the first epidemic wave on a sample of 2301 Portuguese residents, aged 1 year or older. Survey sample was selected using a two-stage stratified non-probability sampling design (quota sampling). SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies were measured in serum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seroprevalence estimates of immunoglobulin M and/or immunoglobulin G and 95% confidence intervals were stratified by sex, age group, health region and education. Results: Overall, seroprevalence was 2.9% (95% confidence interval: 2.0% - 4.2%). Higher prevalence rates were observed in male (4.1%, 95% confidence interval: 2.6% - 6.6%) and those with secondary education (6.4%, 95% confidence interval: 3.2% - 12.5%). Differences in seroprevalence by age group and region were not statistically significant. Discussion: The estimated seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was higher than the cumulative incidence reported by the National Surveillance System but far from necessary to reach herd immunity. Conclusion: Our results support limited extent of infection by SARS-CoV-2 in the study population possibly due to early lockdown measures implemented in Portugal and support the need to continue monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in order to increase our knowledge about the evolution of the epidemic and to estimate the proportion of the susceptible population over time.
- Severe Israeli Spotted Fever with Multiorgan Failure in a ChildPublication . Bota, S; Sousa, R; Santos, M; Varandas, L; Gouveia, CAn increased risk of severe and fatal Israeli spotted fever (ISF) has been observed in adults, mostly associated with ISF strain. Here, we report a case of severe ISF with multiorgan failure in a Portuguese child.