Osteoma Osteóide Cervical - Radiofrequência ou a Clássica Curetagem?

Os Osteomas Osteóides são tumores benignos, osteoblásticos, cuja incidência ronda os 3% do total de todos os tumores. Ocorrem mais frequentemente no fémur e tíbia, e o esqueleto axial é afetado em apenas 10% dos casos, maioritariamente ao nível da coluna lombar (56,1%), sendo a coluna cervical afetada em apenas 26,8% dos casos. O clássico tratamento cirúrgico está a ser substituído por técnicas ablativas mini-invasivas, como a termoablação por radiofrequência por via percutânea. No entanto, na coluna cervical, torna-se difícil prever o efeito do calor quando aplicado na proximidade de estruturas nervosas e vasculares. Apresenta-se o caso clínico de uma doente do sexo feminino de 24 anos, observada por cervicalgia persistente, cuja tomografia computorizada realizada demonstrou um Osteoma Osteóide localizado a nível do pedículo esquerdo da 6ª vértebra cervical. A doente foi submetida a tratamento cirúrgico, através de curetagem transpedicular guiada por fluoroscopia, tendo sido obtida uma resolução imediata, completa e sustentada da dor.

Conhecimentos sobre o HPV e cancro do colo do útero nos adolescentes

O Cancro do Colo do Útero (CCU) é uma das principais causas de morte por neoplasia nas mulheres, em todo o mundo. A principal etiologia do CCU é a infeção persistente pelas estirpes oncogénicas do Vírus do Papiloma Humano (HPV) (Ferreira, 2013). Esta temática é de grande interesse para a Saúde Pública por se tratar de uma infeção que na maioria dos casos se apresenta de forma assintomática, afetando ambos os sexos (Leite, Lisboa, & Azevedo, 2011). O presente trabalho tem como objetivos avaliar os conhecimentos dos alunos do Ensino Secundário do Agrupamento de escolas Emidio Garcia, em Bragança, sobre o HPV e CCU e conhecer os dados referentes à cobertura vacinal da população do Concelho de Bragança, relativamente à vacina do HPV no ano de 2014. O estudo efetuado é de tipologia observacional-descritivo e correlacional, de paradigma quantitativo através de um processo sistemático de recolha de dados, num plano transversal. Numa amostra de 196 alunos do ensino secundário do Agrupamento de escolas Emídio Garcia em Bragança, com base num erro amostral de 5%, com um nível de confiança de fidelidade de 95%, classificada como amostra não probabilística, acidental/ocasional. O instrumento de recolha de dados utilizado foi um questionário da autoria de Diana Ramada e Rui Medeiros, validado e devidamente autorizado. As principais conclusões do estudo relativamente aos conhecimentos sobre esta temática por parte dos alunos, revelam que o maior conhecimento reside nos mais jovens com idades compreendidas entre os 15 e 16 anos em relação aos alunos de 18 e 19 anos. São alunos que estão bem informados no que diz respeito às manifestações e aos fatores de risco da infeção por HPV, conscientes de que afeta tanto o sexo feminino com o masculino e que os indivíduos do sexo masculino podem ser portadores assintomáticos. Reconhecem que a infeção pelo vírus do HPV é curável e que a persistência desta infeção pode provocar CCU. Existe uma lacuna relativamente ao HPV ser o agente mais comum das IST, em que 93,4% dos inquiridos respondeu ser o HIV. Revelam desconhecimento relativamente à localização e modos de transmissão deste vírus. Manifestaram interesse por adquirir e aprofundar conhecimentos, assinalando a escola e os profissionais de saúde como centro de informação. Existe, no entanto, um aspeto positivo a concluir, ao se verificar que a vacinação tem uma grande adesão e que é cumprido o esperado pelo Plano Nacional de Vacinação, diminuindo o risco de infeção por HPV e em consequência reduzindo a incidência do CCU, por infeção persistente de HPV.

Indução de morte celular em células de adenocarcinoma cervical humano (HeLa) pela lectina da esponja Cinachyrella apion (CaL)

Cancer is a term used to represent a set of more than 100 diseases, including malignant tumors from different locations. The malignancies are the second leading cause of death in the population, representing approximately 17% of deaths of known cause. Strategies that induce differentiation have had limited success in the treatment of established cancers. In this work, a lectin purified from the marine sponge Cinachyrella apion (CaL) was evaluated due to its hemolytic, cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties, besides the ability to induce cell death via apoptosis in tumor cells. The antiproliferative activity of CaL was tested against cell lines, with the highest inhibition of tumor growth for HeLa, reducing cell growth at a dose dependent manner, with a concentration of 10 μg/mL. The hemolytic activity and toxicity against peripheral blood cells were tested using the concentration of IC50 for both trials and twice the IC50 for analysis in flow cytometry, indicating that CaL is not toxic to these cells. To assess the mechanism of cell death caused by CaL in HeLa cells, we performed flow cytometry and western blotting. The results showed the lectin probably induces cell death by apoptosis activation by pro-apoptotic protein Bax, promoting mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, cell cycle arrest in S phase, with accumulation of cells of approximately 57% in this phase, and acting as both dependent and/or independent of caspases pathway. These results suggest that CaL has the potential to be used as drug treatment against cancer.

Added value of diffusion-weighted MRI in detection of cervical cancer recurrence compared with morphologic and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI sequences

PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the added value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting post-treatment cervical cancer recurrence. The detection accuracy of T2-weighted (T2W) images was compared with that of T2W MRI combined with either dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI or DWI. METHODS Thirty-eight women with clinically suspected uterine cervical cancer recurrence more than six months after treatment completion were examined with 1.5 Tesla MRI including T2W, DCE, and DWI sequences. Disease was confirmed histologically and correlated with MRI findings. The diagnostic performance of T2W imaging and its combination with either DCE or DWI were analyzed. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy were calculated. RESULTS Thirty-six women had histologically proven recurrence. The accuracy for recurrence detection was 80% with T2W/DCE MRI and 92.1% with T2W/DWI. The addition of DCE sequences did not significantly improve the diagnostic ability of T2W imaging, and this sequence combination misclassified two patients as falsely positive and seven as falsely negative. The T2W/DWI combination revealed a positive predictive value of 100% and only three false negatives. CONCLUSION The addition of DWI to T2W sequences considerably improved the diagnostic ability of MRI. Our results support the inclusion of DWI in the initial MRI protocol for the detection of cervical cancer recurrence, leaving DCE sequences as an option for uncertain cases.

Home-based urinary HPV DNA testing in women who do not attend cervical cancer screening clinics

International audience

Preoperative assessment of deep myometrial and cervical invasion in endometrial carcinoma: comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic evaluation

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of deep myometrial invasion and cervical extension by endometrial carcinoma. This prospective study included 101 patients with histologically documented endometrial carcinoma, between July 1998 and April 2004. The findings of preoperative pelvic MRI were compared with histological diagnosis. From 101 cases studied by pelvic MRI, 43 were classified as deep myometrial invasion (50% of myometrium), where the pathological evaluation confirmed as having deep myometrial invasion. Cervical extension in the MRI study was found in 19 cases. Pathologic study found cervical extension and/or invasion in 31 cases including all cases identified by MRI. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of MRI were 95%, 89%, 100%, detecting deep myometrial invasion and 88%, 61%, 100%, detecting cervical invasion, respectively. The high accuracy achieved makes MRI an adequate method for determine the depth of myometrial and cervical invasion in endometrial carcinoma.

Causes of cervical lymphadenopathy at Kamuzu Central Hospital

Aim Description of pathologic causes of cervical lymphadenopathy at Kamuzu Central Hospital. Introduction The evaluation of cervical lymphadenopathy is a common diagnostic challenge facing clinicians. Previously at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) tuberculosis (TB) was reported to be the most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy However, no recent study has assessed this common diagnostic challenge in Malawi, particularly since the beginning of the HIV epidemic and the subsequent scale-up of antiretroviral therapy. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of all cervical lymph node specimens from the KCH pathology laboratory between 1 July 2011 and 28 February 2013 and describe patient age, gender, and pathologic diagnoses. Results Our search of the KCH pathology database yielded 179 cases. Of these, 143 (77%) were histologic specimens (open biopsy or core needle samples) while 34 (23%) were cytology specimens. The age range was from 0 to 76 years with a mean of 30 (SD: 19). In adults, the most common diagnosis was malignancy (n=41, 35%), while in children 15 cases each of malignancy and benign masses were diagnosed. Only 6 cases (5%) of TB were diagnosed in adults, and 4 cases (6%) of TB were diagnosed in children. Conclusion Our study shows more malignancy and much less TB than a prior study of cervical lymphadenopathy at KCH. With the successful initiaion of the KCH Pathology Laboratory in 2011, we recommend biopsy or FNA early in the workup of cervical lymphadenopathy to prevent long delays in diagnosis and treatment of curable cancers.

A review of patients with advanced cervical cancer presenting to palliative care services at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi

Background Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer affecting women in Malawi, which has the highest rate of this disease in the world. Most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Aim To describe the symptom burden, palliative care interventions, and outcomes of cervical cancer patients who entered care at Tiyanjane Clinic in Blantyre, Malawi, between January and December 2012. Methods We reviewed the case files of 72 patients presenting to our hospital-based palliative care service over one year. Results The mean age was 49.5 years. Twenty-six patients (36%) were HIVpositive and the majority of these (n = 22; 85%) were on antiretroviral medication at presentation to palliative care. Pain (n = 66; 92%), vaginal discharge (n = 44; 61%), and unpleasant odour (n = 37; 51%) were commonly reported. Over a third of patients (n = 26; 36%) reported pain in two or more sites. Fourteen patients (19%) reported vaginal bleeding. Spousal breakdown (through widowhood or divorce) was noted in over half (n = 41; 57%) of all cases. Pain relief was provided to 69 (96%) of the patients (morphine to 40 patients; 56%). Common interventions provided included metronidazole tablets (used vaginally), sanitary items, and counselling. At the end of the study period, 18 patients (25%) were still under the care of palliative services. Conclusions Access to medications such as morphine, metronidazole and tranexamic acid can improve quality of life, even when radiotherapy is limited. Health care teams require necessary skills and training, including how to perform a comprehensive assessment, with an emphasis on the provision of psychosexual counselling, to assist with the complexity of symptoms occurring in this vulnerable group.

Evaluación del efecto citopático inducido por un adenovirus oncolítico en una línea celular murina utilizada como modelo de cáncer cervical

Los adenovirus oncolífticos ofrecen un tratamiento muy prometedor para combatir al cáncer. Estos virus se replican pobremente en células de ratón, por lo que para evaluar su eficacia para destruir tumores, usualmente se implantan células tumorales humanas en las cuales se replican los virus, pero con el inconveniente que se deben usar ratones inmunosuprimidos, para evitar que su sistema inmune elimine estas células por ser de diferente especie. Sin embargo, estos ratones no representan un modelo adecuado para evaluar la eficacia terapéutica de dichos adenovirus en ensayos preclfnicos, ya que carecen de mecanismos de defensa propios del sistema inmune que pudiesen coadyuvar en la protección contra el tumor y/o eliminación del adenovirus. Actualmente no existe un modelo de cáncer de cervix en ratones silvestres (inmunocompetentes) en los cuales los tumores se desarrollen a partir de celulas murinas y que los virus oncolfticos se repliquen eficientemente, al igual que en las células humanas, y se permita evaluar su efecto antitumoral. Se ha demostrado que los genes E6 y E7 del HPV-16 facilitan la replicación de los adenovirus. En este trabajo por primera vez se evalu6 1a capacidad de replicación de un adenovirus oncolftico en Ia lfrrea celular murina TC-1 Ia cual posee los genes E6 y E7 del HPV-16. Demostramos que el adenovirus oncolitico Adhz60 indujo en Ia lfnea TC-1 un efecto citopatico evidente, disminuye importantemente su viabilidad celular, indujo la expresión de proteínas virales tempranas y tardas, fue capaz de generar una progenie viral infectiva y de inducir apoptosis. Contribuciones y Conclusiones. Con nuestros resultados demostramos que la linea celular murina TC-1 es permisiva para la replican del virus oncolftico Adhz60. Por lo tanto, las células TC-1 pueden ser usadas como modelo tumoral para evaluar adenovirus oncoliticos en ratones inmunocompetentes.

CCR2 and CCR5 genes polymorphisms in women with cervical lesions from Pernambuco, Northeast Region of Brazil: a case-control study

Polymorphisms in chemokine receptors play an important role in the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to cervical cancer (CC). Our study examined the association of CCR2-64I (rs1799864) and CCR5-Δ32 (rs333) polymorphisms with susceptibility to develop cervical lesion (CIN and CC) in a Brazilian population. The genotyping of 139 women with cervical lesions and 151 women without cervical lesions for the CCR2-64I and CCR5-Δ32 polymorphisms were performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The individuals carrying heterozygous or homozygous genotypes (GA+AA) for CCR2-64I polymorphisms seem to be at lower risk for cervical lesion [odds ratio (OR) = 0.37, p = 0.0008)]. The same was observed for the A allele (OR = 0.39, p = 0.0002), while no association was detected (p > 0.05) with CCR5-Δ32 polymorphism. Regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV) type, patients carrying the CCR2-64I polymorphism were protected against infection by HPV type 16 (OR = 0.35, p = 0.0184). In summary, our study showed a protective effect of CCR2-64I rs1799864 polymorphism against the development of cervical lesions (CIN and CC) and in the susceptibility of HPV 16 infection.

CERVIXCHECK: A SPIRITUALLY-BASED SMS TEXT MESSAGING PILOT INTERVENTION TO INCREASE CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS AND PAP TEST SCREENING INTENTION AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN

African American women account for a disproportionate burden of cervical cancer incidence and mortality rate when compared to non-Hispanic White women. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, and women can be screened for it with a routine Pap test. Given that religion occupies an essential place in African American lives, framing health messages with important spiritual themes and delivering them through a popular communication delivery channel may allow for a more culturally-relevant and accessible technology-based approach to promoting cervical cancer educational content to African American women. Using community-engaged research as a framework, the purpose of this multiple methods study was to develop, pilot test, and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a spiritually-based SMS text messaging intervention to increase cervical cancer awareness and Pap test screening intention among African American women. The study recruited church-attending African American women ages 21-65 and was conducted in three phases. Phases 1 and 2 consisted of a series of focus group discussions (n=15), cognitive response interviews (n=8), and initial usability testing that were conducted to inform the intervention development and modifications. Phase 3 utilized a non-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design to pilot test the 16-day text messaging intervention (n=52). Of the individuals enrolled, forty-six completed the posttest (retention rate=88%). Findings provided evidence for the early feasibility, high acceptability, and some initial efficacy of the CervixCheck intervention. There were significant pre-post increases observed for knowledge about cervical cancer and the Pap test (p = .001) and subjective norms (p = .006). Additionally, results post-intervention revealed that 83% of participants reported being either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the program and 85% found the text messages either “useful” or “very useful”. 85% of the participants also indicated that they would “likely” or “very likely” share the information they learned from the intervention with the women around them, with 39% indicating that they had already shared some of the information they received with others they knew. A spiritually-based SMS text messaging intervention could be a culturally appropriate and cost-effective method of promoting cervical cancer early detection information to African American women.

Auscultación cervical: alternativa no invasiva en el diagnóstico de disfagia en niños con problemas de neurodesarrollo

Los niños y las niñas con disfunciones neurológicas tienen frecuentemente disfagia, condición que les ocasiona infecciones respiratorias a repetición, desnutrición, mala calidad de vida; su oportuno diagnóstico permite decidir sobre la mejor intervención. La videofluoroscopia y de videoendoscopia son técnicas diagnósticas invasivas, costosas y por lo tanto difíciles de hacerlas, lo que ocasiona retardo en el diagnóstico e intervención. Hoy en día existen nuevas tecnologías médicas no invasivas que pueden ser muy eficaces, una de ellas es la auscultación cervical que escucha los sonidos de la deglución mediante un estetoscopio u otro dispositivo de medición como la colocación de un micrófono o un acelerómetro en la superficie del cuello. Este método tiene como principio que los sonidos y/o movimientos biológicos normales de la deglución son diferentes de los anormales. En este artículo se presenta una revisión de la pertinencia social del diagnóstico de la disfagia, de las aplicaciones clínicas de la auscultación cervical y los dispositivos usados para realizarla, como una base para establecer su potencial de uso para la detección de disfagia en niños con problemas de neurodesarrollo. Estas orientaciones teóricas permiten al médico tener actuaciones más acertadas en el diagnóstico integral de niños y niñas con disfunción neurológica

Antitumor activity of physcion 8-o-β-glucopyranoside against cervical cancer by induction of apoptosis

Purpose: To investigate the antitumor activity of physcion8-O-β-glucopyranoside (PSG) against cervical cancer, as well as its mechanisms. Methods: The anti-proliferative effects of PSG on HeLa cells were determined by CCK-8 assay and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were calculated. Subsequently, a mouse xenograft model of HeLa cell line was established to investigate the antitumor effect of PSG in vivo. Furthermore, cell apoptosis was investigated by fluorescence microscopy via DAPI staining, and other mechanisms were determined by Western blot assay. Results: In vitro, PSG exhibited significant anti-proliferative effect on HeLa cells (p <0.05) in concentration-and time-dependent manners, with an IC50 value of 41.34 μg/mL. In vivo, PSG also had significant anti-tumor activity in nude mouse xenograft model (p < 0.05), inhibiting tumor growth. Furthermore, the results showed that treatment with PSG (20, 40 and 60 μg/mL) for 24 h resulted in significantly increased apoptosis in HeLa cells (p < 0.05). Additionally, Western blot analysis revealed that after exposure to 20, 40 and 60 μg/mL of PSG for 24 h, protein expressions of C-caspase-3, Ccaspase-9 and Bax were markedly up-regulated (p < 0.05) while Bcl-2 was significantly down-regulated (p < 0.05). These results confirmed that PSG inhibited HeLa cell growth by inducing mitochondriamediated apoptosis via up-regulation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and Bax, and down-regulation of Bcl2. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that PSG possesses notable anti-tumor activity against cervical cancer and that the mechanisms involve induction of apoptosis by mitochondria-mediated signaling pathway.