Estudo de 50 casos por tomografia computadorizada de lesões hipodensas hepáticas fundamentais na infância

OBJETIVO: Relatar os diferentes aspectos tomográficos das lesões hepáticas hipodensas na infância, orientando às diferentes possibilidades diagnósticas. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram realizados estudos tomográficos de lesões hipodensas hepáticas previamente diagnosticadas à ultra-sonografia em 50 pacientes pediátricos (0-16 anos). As imagens foram obtidas antes e após a administração de contraste venoso. Os aspectos de imagem foram analisados e correlacionados posteriormente com o diagnóstico anatomopatológico. RESULTADOS: Dos 50 casos estudados, 47 foram confirmados, 30 destes por estudo anatomopatológico. A maioria das lesões era benigna, sendo o hemangioma o mais freqüente (20% dos casos). Tais lesões apresentaram captação homogênea do meio de contraste, principalmente na fase tardia, diferenciando assim das malignas. As lesões malignas mais freqüentes foram as metástases (18%). CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo constatou que o exame tomográfico, antes e após a administração do contraste venoso, dinâmico e/ou helicoidal, foi de grande valia para a complementação da hipótese diagnóstica nas lesões hipodensas hepáticas na infância, devendo ser rotina após diagnóstico ultra-sonográfico.

Pulmonary 64-MDCT angiography with 50 mL of iodinated contrast material in an unselected patient population: a feasible protocol

Abstract Objective: To propose a protocol for pulmonary angiography using 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (64-MDCT) with 50 mL of iodinated contrast material, in an unselected patient population, as well as to evaluate vascular enhancement and image quality. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 29 patients (22-86 years of age). The body mass index ranged from 19.0 kg/m2 to 41.8 kg/m2. Patients underwent pulmonary CT angiography in a 64-MDCT scanner, receiving 50 mL of iodinated contrast material via venous access at a rate of 4.5 mL/s. Bolus tracking was applied in the superior vena cava. Two experienced radiologists assessed image quality and vascular enhancement. Results: The mean density was 382 Hounsfield units (HU) for the pulmonary trunk; 379 and 377 HU for the right and left main pulmonary arteries, respectively; and 346 and 364 HU for the right and left inferior pulmonary arteries, respectively. In all patients, subsegmental arteries were analyzed. There were streak artifacts from contrast material in the superior vena cava in all patients. However, those artifacts did not impair the image analysis. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that pulmonary angiography using 64-MDCT with 50 mL of iodinated contrast can produce high quality images in unselected patient populations.

Cardiomiectomia com fundoplicatura parcial videolaparoscópica no tratamento do megaesôfago não avançado: estudo de 50 casos

Foram estudados prospectivamente cinqüenta pacientes com megaesôfago não avançado tratados por cardiomiectomia com fundoplicatura parcial por via laparoscópica, avaliados sob o ponto de vista clínico e funcional. Houve 12% de complicações intra-operatórias, duas complicações pós-operatórias imediatas e um óbito. Não houve conversões ou complicações tardias. Os resultados ótimos e bons somaram 97,9% dos casos. Houve tendência à diminuição radiológica do calibre do esôfago e desaparecimento da esofagite à endoscopia. A eletromanometria mostrou diminuição significativa da pressão média do esfíncter inferior do esôfago após a operação; a pHmetria de 24 horas constatou diminuição da estase esofágica e ausência de refluxo gastro-esofágico no pós-operatório. Não houve diferença entre os resultados do tratamento de pacientes com megaesôfago chagásico e não chagásico. Os pacientes tiveram o benefício da cirurgia laparoscópica de menor dor, rápida realimentação, alta precoce e breve retorno às atividades habituais.

O impacto na qualidade de vida após o reposicionamento cirúrgico da pré-maxila em portadores de fissura lábio palatal bilateral - estudo de 50 casos

OBJETIVO: Descrever o protocolo de tratamento no Centro de Atendimento Integral ao Fissurado Lábio-Palatal em Curitiba (CAIF); (b) avaliar as motivações e expectativas em relação ao tratamento e (c) avaliar a percepção de inclusão e integração social obtida pelo procedimento. MÉTODO: Estudo observacional, retrospectivo com todos os 50 participantes recrutados entre os pacientes submetidos ao procedimento de reposicionamento de pré-maxila, no período de janeiro de 2003 a julho de 2005, no Centro de Atendimento Integral ao Fissurado Lábio-Palatal em Curitiba (CAIF), Paraná. Foi aplicado questionário de avaliação RESULTADOS: Com relação ao protocolo de atendimento, os resultados evidenciaram sucesso em 90% das cirurgias. Quanto às expectativas cirúrgicas e de integração social, estas mostraram que 76% procuraram a cirurgia por motivos de insatisfação pessoal e, 86% relataram maior confiança em si mesmo, após a cirurgia. CONCLUSÃO: O protocolo de reposicionamento cirúrgico da pré-maxila é uma técnica viável para o tratamento dos pacientes portadores de fissura bilateral do processo alveolar; a maioria dos pacientes submetidos ao tratamento de reposicionamento de pré-maxila percebeu o tratamento como continuidade dos cuidados dispensados, participou por indicação médica, com expectativa de melhora no aspecto pessoal e melhora da autoconfiança e, 96% deles, manifestaram satisfação com os resultados obtidos, o que facilita a inclusão e integração social dos mesmos.

Inguinal hernias in patients of 50 years and above. Pattern and outcome

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate a one year experience with inguinal hernia repair, in patients of > 50years, with respect to the type of inguinal hernia, type of surgery, postoperative complications and recurrence. METHODS: a prospective descriptive study of patients (n=57) > 50 years operated for inguinal hernia during a one year period. Tension-free meshplasty and herniorrhaphy, using 3"x6" polypropylene mesh and 2-0 polypropylene suture, were performed in elective and emergency surgery respectively. Follow-up visits were scheduled at six weeks, three and six months postoperatively. RESULTS: the most representative age group was 61-70 years, and all patients were male. 52 (91.22%) patients had unilateral inguinal hernias, while five (8.77%) had bilateral hernias. In 50 (87.71%) patients, the hernia was uncomplicated, while seven (12.28%) patients presented with some complication such as obstruction or strangulation. Elective surgery was performed in 50 (87.71%) patients while seven (12.28%) patients were operated in emergency. Postoperatively, 50 (87.7%) patients had uneventful recovery, while seven (12.28%) patients developed some complications which were treated conservatively. Mean hospital stay was six days. One recurrence was observed and there was no peri/postoperative death. CONCLUSION: tension-free meshplasty and herniorrhaphy are safe, simple and applicable even in elderly patients after adequate pre-operative assessment and optimization. Although associated with longer hospital stay, the mortality rate is nil and complication as well as recurrence rate is low. Hence, timely repair is necessary in elderly patients even in those with comorbid conditions.

Self-perception of sexual life and associated factors: a population study conducted in women aged 50 or more years

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of women aged 50 years or more who are sexually active and their self-perception with respect to their sexual lives. Associated factors were also assessed. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based, self-reported household survey involving 622 Brazilian women aged 50 years or more. Sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors were evaluated. The sexual life self-perception was classified as very good, good, fair, poor, or very poor. Data were analyzed using the χ² test, Fisher's exact test, and Poisson multiple regression analysis. Prevalence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were also calculated. RESULTS: Of the women in this sample, 228 (36.7%) reported having a sexual life and, of these, 53.5% classified it as very good or good, while 46.5% considered it fair, poor, or very poor. The bivariate analysis indicated that being postmenopausal (p=0.025) and using natural remedies to treat the menopause (p=0.035) were factors associated with the woman classifying their sexual lives as fair, poor, or very poor. Multiple regression analysis showed that more women who had used or were currently using natural remedies for the menopause scored their sexual lives as fair, poor, or very poor. CONCLUSIONS: More than half the women aged 50 years or more in this study were not sexually active. A poorer sexual life self-perception was associated with the use of natural remedies to treat menopausal symptoms. This may indicate a need to improve the way in which these women are evaluated and treated. Women's assessment of their own sexual lives may prove a useful tool in clinical practice.

Factors associated with fragility fractures in women over 50 years of age: a population-based household survey

PURPOSE: To analyze the prevalence of and factors associated with fragility fractures in Brazilian women aged 50 years and older. METHODS: This cross-sectional population survey, conducted between May 10 and October 31, 2011, included 622 women aged >50 years living in a city in southeastern Brazil. A questionnaire was administered to each woman by a trained interviewer. The associations between the occurrence of a fragility fracture after age 50 years and sociodemographic data, health-related habits and problems, self-perception of health and evaluation of functional capacity were determined by the χ2 test and Poisson regression using the backward selection criteria. RESULTS: The mean age of the 622 women was 64.1 years. The prevalence of fragility fractures was 10.8%, with 1.8% reporting hip fracture. In the final statistical model, a longer time since menopause (PR 1.03; 95%CI 1.01-1.05; p<0.01) and osteoporosis (PR 1.97; 95%CI 1.27-3.08; p<0.01) were associated with a higher prevalence of fractures. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may provide a better understanding of the risk factors associated with fragility fractures in Brazilian women and emphasize the importance of performing bone densitometry.

Factors associated with the onset of hypertension in women of 50 years of age or more in a city in Southeastern Brazil

PURPOSE:To evaluate factors associated with hypertension in Brazilian women of 50 years of age or more.METHODS:A cross-sectional population based study using self-reports. A total of 622 women were included. The association between sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral factors and the woman's age at the onset of hypertension was evaluated. Data were analyzed according to cumulative continuation rates without hypertension, using the life-table method and considering annual intervals. Next, a Cox multiple regression analysis model was adjusted to analyze the occurrence rates of hypertension according to various predictor variables. Significance level was pre-established at 5% (95% confidence level) and the sampling plan (primary sampling unit) was taken into consideration.RESULTS:Median age at onset of hypertension was 64.3 years. Cumulative continuation rate without hypertension at 90 years was 20%. Higher body mass index (BMI) at 20–30 years of age was associated with a higher cumulative occurrence rate of hypertension over time (coefficient=0.078; p<0.001). Being white was associated with a lower cumulative occurrence rate of hypertension over time (coefficient= -0.439; p=0.003), while smoking >15 cigarettes/day was associated with a higher rate over time (coefficient=0.485; p=0.004).CONCLUSION:The results of the present study highlight the importance of weight control in young adulthood and of avoiding smoking in preventing hypertension in women aged ≥50 years.

Cytogenetic study of 50 Brazilian patients with primary myelodysplastic syndrome

In this work we analyzed cytogenetically 50 patients with primary myelodysplastic syndrome from several hospitals of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities was 32%. Patients with refractory anemia, or refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, presented normal karyotypes or single abnormalities such as del(5q) or -Y, while patients with refractory anemia with an excess of blasts, refractory anemia with an excess of blasts in transformation or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia showed complex karyotypes and single abnormalities involving chromosomes 7 or 8, which are related to a bad prognosis and an elevated risk of evolution to acute myeloid leukemia.

Bone mineral density in Brazilian men 50 years and older

Bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine (LSBMD), femoral neck (FNBMD) and whole body (WBBMD) and whole body tissue composition were evaluated in 288 Brazilian men 50 years and older, 80% white and 20% Mulattoes. Age was inversely correlated with WBBMD (r = -0.20) and FNBMD (r = -0.21) but not with LSBMD (r = 0.03). Body mass index and weight showed a strong positive correlation with WBBMD (r = 0.48 and 0.54), LSBMD (r = 0.37 and 0.45) and FNBMD (r = 0.42 and 0.48). Correlation with height was positive but weaker. No significant bone loss at the lumbar spine level was observed as the population aged. FNBMD and WBBMD decreased significantly only in the last decade (age 70-79) studied. BMD was higher for Brazilian men as compared to Brazilian women at all sites. No significant differences were observed between Brazilian and the US/European male population for BMD in the femoral neck. BMD measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in South American men is reported here for the first time. A decrease in FNBMD was detected only later in life, with a pattern similar to that described for the US/European male population.

Measurement of the ultrasonic properties of human coronary arteries in vitro with a 50-MHz acoustic microscope

Ultrasonic attenuation coefficient, wave propagation speed and integrated backscatter coefficient (IBC) of human coronary arteries were measured in vitro over the -6 dB frequency bandwidth (36 to 67 MHz) of a focused ultrasound transducer (50 MHz, focal distance 5.7 mm, f/number 1.7). Corrections were made for diffraction effects. Normal and diseased coronary artery sub-samples (N = 38) were obtained from 10 individuals at autopsy. The measured mean ± SD of the wave speed (average over the entire vessel wall thickness) was 1581.04 ± 53.88 m/s. At 50 MHz, the average attenuation coefficient was 4.99 ± 1.33 dB/mm with a frequency dependence term of 1.55 ± 0.18 determined over the 36- to 67-MHz frequency range. The IBC values were: 17.42 ± 13.02 (sr.m)-1 for thickened intima, 11.35 ± 6.54 (sr.m)-1 for fibrotic intima, 39.93 ± 50.95 (sr.m)-1 for plaque, 4.26 ± 2.34 (sr.m)-1 for foam cells, 5.12 ± 5.85 (sr.m)-1 for media and 21.26 ± 31.77 (sr.m)-1 for adventitia layers. The IBC results indicate the possibility for ultrasound characterization of human coronary artery wall tissue layer, including the situations of diseased arteries with the presence of thickened intima, fibrotic intima and plaque. The mean IBC normalized with respect to the mean IBC of the media layer seems promising for use as a parameter to differentiate a plaque or a thickened intima from a fibrotic intima.

Assessment of the cardiovascular effects of electroconvulsive therapy in individuals older than 50 years

To evaluate the impact of electroconvulsive therapy on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, and the occurrence of ischemia or arrhythmias, 38 (18 men) depressive patients free from systemic diseases, 50 to 83 years old (mean: 64.7 ± 8.6) underwent electroconvulsive therapy. All patients were studied with simultaneous 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and Holter monitoring, starting 18 h before and continuing for 3 h after electroconvulsive therapy. Blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, arrhythmias, and ischemic episodes were recorded. Before each session of electroconvulsive therapy, blood pressure and heart rate were in the normal range; supraventricular ectopic beats occurred in all patients and ventricular ectopic beats in 27/38; 2 patients had non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. After shock, systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure increased 29, 25, and 24% (P < 0.001), respectively, and returned to baseline values within 1 h. Maximum, mean and minimum heart rate increased 56, 52, and 49% (P < 0.001), respectively, followed by a significant decrease within 5 min; heart rate gradually increased again thereafter and remained elevated for 1 h. Analysis of heart rate variability showed increased sympathetic activity during shock with a decrease in both sympathetic and parasympathetic drive afterwards. No serious adverse effects occurred; electroconvulsive therapy did not trigger any malignant arrhythmias or ischemia. In middle-aged and elderly people free from systemic diseases, electroconvulsive therapy caused transitory increases in blood pressure and heart rate and a decrease in heart rate variability but these changes were not associated with serious adverse clinical events.