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- Meningomyeloradiculitis as an Unusual Presentation of Neuroborreliosis in ChildhoodPublication . Sousa, V; Lopes de Carvalho, I; Núncio, MS; Conceição, C; Silva, R; Gouveia, CWe report a pediatric case of Lyme neuroborreliosis-associated meningomyeloradiculitis with atypical manifestations and negative initial cerebrospinal fluid borrelial antibodies. Transverse myelitis and painful radiculoneuritis have rarely been described in pediatric neuroborreliosis. Clinical manifestations are wide ranging and nonspecific, and the serologic diagnosis is often delayed in the acute phase.
- Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Correlation Between Histogram Analysis of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Maps and Tumor GradePublication . Sousa Pereira, JA; Rosado, E; Bali, M; Metens, T; Chao, SLPURPOSE: To explore the role of histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) MRI maps based on entire tumor volume data in determining pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNT) grade. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective evaluation of 22 patients with PNTs included low-grade (G1; n = 15), intermediate-grade (G2; n = 4), and high-grade (G3; n = 3) tumors. Regions of interest containing the lesion were drawn on every section of the ADC map containing the tumor and summated to obtain histograms for entire tumor volume. Calculated histographic parameters included mean ADC (mADC), 5th percentile ADC, 10th percentile ADC, 25th percentile ADC, 50th percentile ADC, 75th percentile ADC (ADC75), 90th percentile ADC (ADC90) and 95th percentile ADC (ADC95), skewness and kurtosis. Histogram parameters were correlated with tumor grade by repeated measures analysis of variance with Tukey-Kramer post hoc comparisons. RESULTS: The mADC, ADC75, ADC90, and ADC95 were significantly higher in G1 tumors (1283 ± 267; 1404 ± 300; 1495 ± 318; 1562 ± 347 × 10(-6) mm(2)/s) compared to G2 (892 ± 390; 952 ± 381; 1036 ± 384; 1072 ± 374 × 10(-6) mm(2)/s) and to G3 tumors (733 ± 225; 864 ± 284; 1008 ± 288; 1152 ± 192 × 10(-6) mm(2)/s) (p value <0.05). Skewness and kurtosis were significantly different between G1 (0.041 ± 0.466; 2.802 ± 0.679) and G3 (1.01 ± 1.140; 5.963 ± 4.008) tumors (p value <0.05). Tumor volume (mL) was significantly higher on G3 (55 ± 15.7) compared to G1 (1.9 ± 2.7) and G2 (4.5 ± 3.6) tumors (p value <0.05). In this small sample size, we did not detect statistically significant parameters between G2 (n = 4) and G3 (n = 3) tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Histographic analysis of ADC maps on the basis of the entire tumor volume can be useful in differentiating histologic grades of PNTs.
- The Shading Sign: Is It Exclusive of Endometriomas?Publication . Lopes Dias, J; Veloso Gomes, F; Lucas, R; Cunha, TMOBJECTIVES: To investigate if the shading sign is an exclusive MRI feature of endometriomas or endometrioid tumors, and to analyze its different patterns. METHODS: Three hundred and fourty six women with adnexal masses who underwent 1.5/3-T MRI were included in this retrospective, board-approved study. The shading sign was found in 56 patients, but five cases were excluded due to lack of imaging follow-up or histological correlation. The final sample included 51 women. The type of tumor and the pattern of shading were recorded for each case. RESULTS: Thirty endometriomas and five endometrioid carcinomas were found. The remaining 16 cases corresponded to other benign and malignant tumors. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 73%, 93%, 59%, and 96%, respectively. Restricting the analysis to cystic lesions without solid or fat component, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 73%, 96%, 94%, and 80%. Five shading patterns were identified: layering (15.7%), liquid-liquid level (11.8%), homogenous (45.1%), heterogeneous (11.8%), and focal/multifocal shading within a complex mass (19.6%). No significant correlation was found between these patterns and the type of tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The shading sign is not exclusive of endometriomas or endometrioid tumors. Homogenous shading was the most prevalent pattern in endometriomas and half of the cases with focal/multifocal shading within a complex mass were endometrioid carcinomas.
- Percutaneous Ventricular Restoration (PVR) Therapy Using the Parachute Device in 100 Subjects with Ischaemic Dilated Heart Failure: One-Year Primary Endpoint Results of PARACHUTE III, a European TrialPublication . Thomas, M; Nienaber, C; Ince, H; Erglis, A; Vukcevic, V; Schäfer, U; Cruz Ferreira, R; Hardt, S; Verheye, S; Gama Ribeiro, V; Sugeng, L; Tamburino, CAIMS: This prospective, non-randomised, observational study conducted in Europe was designed in order to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of the Parachute device in ischaemic heart failure subjects as a result of left ventricle remodelling after anterior wall myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred subjects with New York Heart Association Class II-IV ischaemic heart failure (HF), ejection fraction (EF) between 15% and 40%, and dilated akinetic or dyskinetic anterior-apical wall without the need to be revascularised were enrolled. The primary safety endpoint was procedural- or device-related major adverse cardiac cerebral events (MACCE). The secondary safety endpoint was the composite of mortality and morbidity. Secondary efficacy endpoints included haemodynamic measurements determined by echocardiography, LV volume indices, and assessment of functional improvement measured by a standardised six-minute walk test. Of the 100 subjects enrolled, device implantation was successful in 97 (97%) subjects. The one-year rates of the primary and secondary safety endpoints were 7% and 32.3%, respectively. The secondary endpoints, LV volume reduction (p<0.0001) and six-minute walk distance improvement (p<0.01), were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The favourable outcomes observed in this high-risk population provide reassuring safety and efficacy data to support adoption of this technology as a therapeutic option for HF subjects.
- Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome: Pre-and Post-Surgical MRI and US FindingsPublication . Lopes Dias, J; Jogo, RHerlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) is a rare congenital anomaly of the female urogenital tract that associates Müllerian duct anomalies with mesonephric duct anomalies. The triad of uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis characterizes this syndrome. Patients generally present with non-specific symptoms after menarche. Pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and palpable mass due to hematocolpos or hematometra are the most common findings. Pyohematocolpos and pyosalpinx may appear as acute complications, while endometriosis and pelvic adhesions constitute potential long-term complications. When a prenatal diagnosis of unilateral renal agenesis in newborn girls is known, a gynecological imaging study should be performed to exclude uterine and vaginal abnormalities. These patients should be followed up to ensure that a timely surgical correction is performed. The diagnosis of HWWS is difficult due to the lack of specific symptoms or findings upon physical examination. An accurate imaging description of these congenital anomalies is crucial to guide patients toward surgical treatment, relieving acute complications, and preserving the normal fertility. The authors provide a pictorial review of the magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography findings of the HWWS with correlation to embryological, clinical, and surgical features.
- Salvage Flexor Hallucis Longus Transfer for a Failed Achilles Repair: Endoscopic TechniquePublication . Gonçalves, S; Caetano, R; Corte-Real, NFlexor hallucis longus (FHL) transfer is a well-established treatment option in failed Achilles tendon (AT) repair and has been routinely performed as an open procedure. We detail the surgical steps needed to perform an arthroscopic transfer of the FHL for a chronic AT rupture. The FHL tendon is harvested as it enters in its tunnel beneath the sustentaculum tali; a tunnel is then drilled in the calcaneus as near to the AT footprint as possible. By use of a suture-passing device, the free end of the FHL is advanced to the plantar aspect of the foot. After adequate tension is applied to the construct, the tendon is fixed in place with an interference screw in an inside-out fashion. This minimally invasive approach is a safe and valid alternative to classic open procedures with the obvious advantages of preserving the soft-tissue envelope and using a biologically intact tendon.
- Post-Treated Prostate Cancer: Normal Findings and Signs of Local Relapse on Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance ImagingPublication . Lopes Dias, J; Lucas, R; Pina, J; João, R; Costa, N; Leal, C; Bilhim, T; Campos Pinheiro, L; Mateus Marques, RThe use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) for prostate cancer has increased over recent years, mainly for detection, staging, and active surveillance. However, suspicion of recurrence in the set of biochemical failure is becoming a significant reason for clinicians to request mp-MRI. Radiologists should be able to recognize the normal post-treatment MRI findings. Fibrosis and atrophic remnant seminal vesicles after prostatectomy are often found and must be differentiated from local relapse. Moreover, brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy, cryosurgery, and hormonal therapy tend to diffusely decrease the signal intensity of the peripheral zone on T2-weighted images (T2WI) due to the loss of water content, consequently mimicking tumor and hemorrhage. The combination of T2WI and functional studies like diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced improves the identification of local relapse. Tumor recurrence tends to restrict on diffusion images and avidly enhances after contrast administration either within or outside the gland. The authors provide a pictorial review of the normal findings and the signs of local tumor relapse after radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, cryosurgery, and hormonal therapy.
- Identificação das Formas Farmacêuticas Orais Sólidas no Circuito do Medicamento. Qual o Valor da Segurança?Publication . Antas, T; Costa, A; Correia, A; Figueira, MF; Martins, C; Portugal, SIntrodução É missão do farmacêutico hospitalar aumentar a segurança e qualidade de todos os processos associados à utilização do medicamento1,2. Os erros de medicação são a principal causa de eventos adversos preveníveis, comprometem a confiança dos doentes nas instituições prestadoras de cuidados de saúde e aumentam os custos3. O presente trabalho centra-se na problemática da identificação unitária das formas farmacêuticas orais sólidas (FFOS) a propósito de duas histórias actuais de segurança com medicamentos no HSJ: paracetamol 500mg comprimidos e de acetilcisteína 600mg comprimidos efervescentes. Objetivos Evidenciar a intervenção dos Serviços Farmacêuticos (SF) na garantia da segurança das FFOS no contexto das exigências das Boas Práticas de Farmácia Hospitalar e dos constrangimentos na selecção e aquisição de medicamentos. Desenvolvimento Os SF são responsáveis pela selecção e aquisição de medicamentos com a máxima qualidade, para o suprimento das necessidades terapêuticas dos doentes do Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central (CHLC)4. A indústria farmacêutica não disponibiliza a totalidade dos medicamentos em embalagem unitária devidamente identificada. Os hospitais públicos têm a obrigatoriedade de adquirir os medicamentos que constam no catálogo dos Serviços Partilhados do Ministério da Saúde (SPMS), sendo critério de adjudicação único o preço mais baixo5. Muitos destes medicamentos não cumprem os requisitos de identificação adequados para a prevenção de erros de medicação e garantia da segurança do doente. Para colmatar esta lacuna e promover a segurança do circuito do medicamento, os SF reembalam os medicamentos disponibilizando-os de forma individualizada adequadamente identificados. Metodologia Pesquisa e análise bibliográfica. Recolha, através do Sistema de Gestão Integrada do Circuito do Medicamento (SGICM), dos dados de consumo de paracetamol 500mg comprimidos e de acetilcisteína 600mg comprimidos efervescentes dos anos 2014/2015. Recolha dos dados de produção da unidade de reembalagem dos SF do Hospital de São José de FFOS desde Janeiro 2011 a Agosto de 2015. Conclusões Verifica-se um aumento continuado do número de FFOS reembaladas ao longo do período analisado. A capacidade instalada da unidade de reembalagem de FFOS é limitada. Idealmente a indústria farmacêutica deve responder efectivamente às necessidades de qualidade e segurança na utilização dos medicamentos que coloca no mercado. A inclusão no catálogo dos SPMS deve exigir a completa identificação unitária das FFOS; senão, deverá ser ponderada a ampliação da capacidade da unidade de reembalagem das FFOS dos SF para garantir a segurança no circuito do medicamento. Referências bibliográficas 1. FIP Global Conference on the Future of Hospital Pharmacy, Final Basel Statements, 2008; 2. Decreto-Lei 414/91; 3. Bates,D., Preventing medication errors: a summary in American Journal of Health System Pharmacy, EUA, vol.64, supl.9, 2007; 4. Procedimento Multissetorial, Med.106, Responsabilidades no circuito do medicamento. CHLC 2014; 5. Despacho 13025-B/2013.
- Sedation and Analgesia Practices in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (EUROPAIN): Results from a Prospective Cohort StudyPublication . Carbajal, R; Eriksson, M; Boyle, E; Avila-Alvarez, A; Dovland Andersen, R; Sarafidis, K; Polkki, T; Matos, C; Lago, P; Papadouri, T; Attard Montalto, S; Ilmoja, ML; Simons, S; Tameliene, R; Overmeire, B; Berger, A; Dobrzanska, A; Schroth, M; Bergqvist, L; Lagercrantz, H; Anand, KBACKGROUND: Neonates who are in pain or are stressed during care in the intensive care unit (ICU) are often given sedation or analgesia. We investigated the current use of sedation or analgesia in neonatal ICUs (NICUs) in European countries. METHODS: EUROPAIN (EUROpean Pain Audit In Neonates) was a prospective cohort study of the management of sedation and analgesia in patients in NICUs. All neonates admitted to NICUs during 1 month were included in this study. Data on demographics, methods of respiration, use of continuous or intermittent sedation, analgesia, or neuromuscular blockers, pain assessments, and drug withdrawal syndromes were gathered during the first 28 days of admission to NICUs. Multivariable linear regression models and propensity scores were used to assess the association between duration of tracheal ventilation (TV) and exposure to opioids, sedatives-hypnotics, or general anaesthetics in neonates (O-SH-GA). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01694745. FINDINGS: From Oct 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, 6680 neonates were enrolled in 243 NICUs in 18 European countries. Mean gestational age of these neonates was 35.0 weeks (SD 4.6) and birthweight was 2384 g (1007). 2142 (32%) neonates were given TV, 1496 (22%) non-invasive ventilation (NIV), and 3042 (46%) were kept on spontaneous ventilation (SV). 1746 (82%), 266 (18%), and 282 (9%) neonates in the TV, NIV, and SV groups, respectively, were given sedation or analgesia as a continuous infusion, intermittent doses, or both (p<0.0001). In the participating NICUs, the median use of sedation or analgesia was 89.3% (70.0-100) for neonates in the TV group. Opioids were given to 1764 (26%) of 6680 neonates and to 1589 (74%) of 2142 neonates in the TV group. Midazolam was given to 576 (9%) of 6680 neonates and 536 (25%) neonates of 2142 neonates in the TV group. 542 (25%) neonates in the TV group were given neuromuscular blockers, which were administered as continuous infusions to 146 (7%) of these neonates. Pain assessments were recorded in 1250 (58%) of 2138, 672 (45%) of 1493, and 916 (30%) of 3017 neonates in the TV, NIV, and SV groups, respectively (p<0.0001). In the univariate analysis, neonates given O-SH-GA in the TV group needed a longer duration of TV than did those who were not given O-SH-GA (mean 136.2 h [SD 173.1] vs 39.8 h [94.7] h; p<0.0001). Multivariable and propensity score analyses confirmed this association (p<0.0001). INTERPRETATION: Wide variations in sedation and analgesia practices occur between NICUs and countries. Widespread use of O-SH-GA in intubated neonates might prolong their need for mechanical ventilation, but further research is needed to investigate the therapeutic and adverse effects of O-SH-GA in neonates, and to develop new and safe approaches for sedation and analgesia. FUNDING: European Community's Seventh Framework Programme.
- Isolated Aortitis: a Rare Cause of Febrile IllnessPublication . Fior, A; Barreto, PFebrile illness often presents a challenge for the clinician. The main causes of febrile illness are infections, solid or haematological malignancies and connective tissue disorders, including vasculitis. A 49-year-old woman sought medical attention because of intermittent fever that lasted 2 weeks. She presented no further symptoms or physical signs to suggest the aetiology. The epidemiological context was irrelevant. Analyses revealed anaemia of chronic disease and significant elevations of inflammatory parameters. A comprehensive study was performed, which revealed presence of an aortitis. Investigation of infectious and immunological causes was negative. We arrived at the definitive diagnosis of isolated aortitis. She was treated with corticosteroid and methotrexate, with resolution of symptoms and clinical abnormalities.