Síndrome de Boerhaave: manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico en el Hospital Regional de Talca / Boerhaave Syndrome: diagnostic and therapeutic management at the Hospital Regional de Talca

Introduction: Boerhaave syndrome is a spontaneous rupture of the esophageal wall caused by a sudden increase in intraesophageal pressure. It represents an incidence of approximately 15% of all esophageal perforations, which do not exceed 3.1 per 1 million inhabitants per year. Objectives: To communicate the clinical presentation and management of patients with this syndrome, as well as to reveal the different options available in our service for its treatment. Methods: Search in the statistical data of the regional Hospital of Talca for patients with a diagnosis of Boerhaave syndrome. Five patients were found. Information was obtained from their clinical records and is presented as a clinical case report with a descriptive analysis of their management. Results: Of the 5 clinical cases presented, a classic clinical presentation can be observed, most of the patients presented with vomiting that later evolved with thoracic and/or epigastric pain, associated with imaging studies suggesting esophageal perforation. Management was surgical in 100% of the cases, applying different techniques described in the literature. Discussion and Conclusion: Boerhaave syndrome is a medical-surgical emergency that requires timely management. In spite of the variety of management and the consequences of each one of them, all the patients had an evolution that allowed them to preserve their lives until nowadays. Keeping a high index of suspicion and choosing the best management will have an impact on morbidity and mortality.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration combined with either endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration or endoscopic ultrasound using the EBUS scope-guided fine-needle aspiration for diagnosing and staging mediastinal diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the available evidence base on endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) combined with either endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or endoscopic ultrasound using the EBUS scope-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) for diagnosing and staging mediastinal diseases. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched to identify suitable studies up to June 30, 2019. Two investigators independently reviewed articles and extracted relevant data. Data were pooled using random effect models to calculate diagnostic indices that included sensitivity and specificity. Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves were used to summarize the overall test performance. Data pooled from up to 16 eligible studies (including 10 studies of 963 patients about EBUS-TBNA with EUS-FNA and six studies of 815 patients with EUS-B-FNA) indicated that combining EBUS-TBNA with EUS-FNA was associated with slightly better diagnostic accuracy than combining it with EUS-B-FNA, in terms of sensitivity (0.87, 95%CI 0.83 to 0.90 vs. 0.84, 95%CI 0.80 to 0.88), specificity (1.00, 95%CI 0.99 to 1.00 vs. 0.96, 95%CI 0.93 to 0.97), diagnostic odds ratio (413.39, 95%CI 179.99 to 949.48 vs. 256.38, 95%CI 45.48 to 1445.32), and area under the SROC curve (0.99, 95%CI 0.97 to 1.00 vs. 0.97, 95%CI 0.92 to 1.00). The current evidence suggests that the combination of EBUS-TBNA with either EUS-FNA or EUS-B-FNA provides relatively high accuracy for diagnosing mediastinal diseases. The combination with EUS-FNA may be slightly better.

Manejo terapéutico de hematoma mediastinal después de un acceso venoso central / Therapeutic management of mediastinal hematoma after a venous access

Introducción: el hematoma mediastinal es una causa rara de complicación en el abordaje de la vía venosa central (VVC). Estudio de Gupta 2011 reportó uno y revisó varios casos clínicos analizando la conducta terapéutica. Caso clínico: mujer de 51 años con ventilación mecánica invasiva en terapia intensiva por encefalitis viral, que después de la colocación de VVC subclavia presentó inestabilidad hemodinámica, dificultad para ventilar con resistencias elevadas y compliance disminuida, hace paro cardiaco que revierte con maniobras, se precisa diagnóstico de hematoma mediastinal y se indica manejo conservador con el que evoluciona satisfactoriamente. Discusión: el hematoma de mediastino siempre debe sospecharse y es evidente en radiografías de tórax en los casos graves, con ensanchamiento mediastinal. La ventilación mecánica establece una presión positiva intratorácica permitiendo contener el hematoma, el manejo conservador se reporta beneficioso. Conociendo que las complicaciones de colocación de VVC son mínimas pero con elevado riesgo de inestabilidad, prolongación de hospitalización y aumento de la mortalidad, se recomienda evitar abordajes innecesarios, en especial subclavios.

Background: Mediastinal hematoma is an uncommon complication from the central venous access. The Gupta's trial 2011 reported one case and a review of other similar cases, 3 cases were treated with coil embolisation by vascular lesion, another 3 cases who needs thoracotomy for hemothorax complication and just 2 cases was established a conservative management in which only one survived. Clinical case: 51-year-old female in invasive mechanical ventilation admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) due to viral encephalitis, present hemodynamic instability and difficulty to ventilate by high resistance and low compliance after of a subclavian venous access, then complicated with cardiac arrest that reverted in 5 min with resuscitation maneuvers, we made a conservative management with continuous infusion of norepinephrine and invasive mechanical ventilation with protective technique (PEEP 10, TV6cc/kg), the requirements of norepinephrine decrease progressively, then the patient was disconnected from mechanical ventilation and was discharged from the intensive care satisfactorily. Discussion: Mediastinal hematoma should always be suspected and is evident with chest X-rays just when it is a severe case and it is suspicioned with wide mediastinum. Conservative management to this case into intensive care unit could be beneficial. Mechanical ventilation establishes a positive intra-thoracic pressure allowing the hematoma to be contained. Knowing that the complications of central venous access are minimal but these complications have high risk of instability, prolonged hospitalization and increased mortality. It is recommended avoid unnecessary central venous access, mainly subclavian access

Endobronchial ultrasound: a minimally invasive technology to assist diagnosis of thoracic diseases / Ultrassonografia endobrônquica: tecnologia minimamente invasiva para auxiliar no diagnóstico de doenças torácicas

ABSTRACT The endobronchial ultrasound is a minimally invasive technique that simultaneously associates ultrasound and bronchoscopy, to visualize lung nodule or masses, airway wall, and structures adjacent to the tracheobronchial tree. Endobronchial ultrasound has been incorporated into clinical practice all over the world because of its low risk and high diagnostic yield in neoplastic and non-neoplastic disease.

RESUMO A ultrassonografia endobrônquica é uma técnica minimamente invasiva que associa simultaneamente broncoscopia à ultrassonografia, com a finalidade de visualizar nódulos ou massas pulmonares, paredes das vias aéreas, e estruturas ao redor de toda a árvore traqueobrônquica. A ultrassonografia endobrônquica foi incorporada à prática clínica em todo o mundo devido a seu baixo risco e elevado rendimento diagnóstico em doenças neoplásicas e não neoplásicas.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in diagnosis of mediastinal lesions / Punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico (EBUS-TBNA) no diagnóstico de lesões do mediastino

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the results of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in making diagnosis of mediastinal injuries associated to different causes. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study of patients submitted to Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration at a private organization, between June 2013 and October 2016. All cases referred for collection of lymph nodes or peritracheal/peribronchial masses by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration, and evaluated through tomography or PET-CT were included. Interventional pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons with experience in the method did the procedures. Rapid on-site evaluation of fine needle aspiration was performed by an experienced pathologist. Material analysis included cytological smear and cytopathological analysis of paraffin-embedded cell blocks. Other specific analyses (immunocytochemistry, tests and cultures of infectious agents) were performed whenever necessary. Results We included 72 patients; 6 were excluded for presenting endobronchial lesions in which bronchoscopic biopsy could be performed, or intrathoracic lesions that were not accessible by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration. The mean age of 66 patients included for analysis was 61.17 years (±14.67 years), with a predominance of males (64%). Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration was definitive for diagnosis in 60 cases (91%). Three cases (4.5%) had inconclusive test results. There were no major complications related to the procedure. Conclusion Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration had a high diagnosis yield, with minimal morbidity, being an excellent option for diagnostic approach of patients with lymphadenopathy or intrathoracic lesions, and for neoplasm staging.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever os resultados da utilização de punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico na definição do diagnóstico em casos de lesões mediastinais por diferentes causas. Métodos Estudo transversal retrospectivo de pacientes submetidos à punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico em instituição privada, entre junho de 2013 e outubro de 2016. Foram incluídos todos os casos referenciados para coleta de materiais de linfonodos ou massas peritraqueais/peribrônquicas por punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico, estudados com tomografia ou PET-CT. Os procedimentos foram realizados por pneumologistas intervencionistas e cirurgiões torácicos com experiência no método. Rapid on-site evaluation da punção aspirativa por agulha fina foi realizada por patologista experiente. A análise do material incluiu citologia dos esfregaços em lâminas e análise citopatológica do emblocado celular. Outras análises específicas (imunocitoquímica, pesquisas e culturas de agentes infecciosos) foram realizadas se necessárias. Resultados Foram incluídos 72 pacientes; destes, 6 foram excluídos por apresentarem lesões endobrônquicas passíveis de biópsia broncoscópica convencional ou lesões intratorácicas não acessíveis a punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico. Assim, a média de idade dos 66 pacientes incluídos para análise foi 61,17 anos (±14,67 anos), com predomínio do sexo masculino (64%). A punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico foi definitivo para o diagnóstico em 60 casos (91%). Três casos (4,5%) foram inconclusivos. Não houve complicações maiores relacionadas ao procedimento. Conclusão A punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico teve elevado rendimento diagnóstico, com mínima morbidade, constituindo excelente opção na abordagem diagnóstica de pacientes com linfadenopatia ou lesões intratorácicas e no estadiamento de neoplasias.

Teratoma mediastinal grande asociado a derrame pleuropericárdico severo por perforación de ambas estructuras / Large mediastinal teratoma associated with severe pleural pericardial stroke due to perforation of both structures

Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de 21 años de edad, quien ingresa en el Servicio de Cardiología del Hospital Provincial Docente Clinicoquirúrgico Saturnino Lora Torres por presentar pericarditis aguda de evolución tórpida. Al realizarle la tomografía axial computarizada del mediastino se diagnosticó un teratoma asociado a derrame pleuropericárdico severo por ruptura de ambas estructuras. Fue intervenido con circulación extracorpórea y se confirmó el diagnóstico histológico

The case report of a 21 years patient is presented who is admitted in the Cardiology Service of Saturnino Lora Torres Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital due to acute pericarditis of torpid course. When the computerized axial tomography of the mediastinal cavity was carried out, a teratoma associated with severe pleural pericardial stroke due to rupture of both structures was diagnosed. He was treated with extracorporeal circulation and the histologic diagnosis was confirmed

Boerhaave syndrome - case report / Síndrome de Boerhaave - relato de caso

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Boerhaave syndrome consists of spontaneous longitudinal transmural rupture of the esophagus, usually in its distal part. It generally develops during or after persistent vomiting as a consequence of a sudden increase in intraluminal pressure in the esophagus. It is extremely rare in clinical practice. In 50% of the cases, it is manifested by Mackler's triad: vomiting, lower thoracic pain and subcutaneous emphysema. Hematemesis is an uncommon yet challenging presentation of Boerhaave's syndrome. Compared with ruptures of other parts of the digestive tract, spontaneous rupture is characterized by a higher mortality rate. CASE REPORT: This paper presents a 64-year-old female patient whose vomit was black four days before examination and became bloody on the day of the examination. Her symptoms included epigastric pain and suffocation. Physical examination showed hypotension, tachycardia, dyspnea and a swollen and painful abdomen. Auscultation showed lateral crackling sounds on inspiration. Ultrasound examination showed a distended stomach filled with fluid. Over 1000 ml of fresh blood was extracted by means of nasogastric suction. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was discontinued immediately upon entering the proximal esophagus, where a large amount of fresh blood was observed. The patient was sent for emergency abdominal surgery, during which she died. An autopsy established a diagnosis of Boerhaave syndrome and ulceration in the duodenal bulb. CONCLUSION: Boerhaave syndrome should be considered in all cases with a combination of gastrointestinal symptoms (especially epigastric pain and vomiting) and pulmonary signs and symptoms (especially suffocation).

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A síndrome de Boerhaave é uma ruptura longitudinal transmural espontânea do esôfago, normalmente da parte distal. Ela geralmente se desenvolve durante ou após vômitos persistentes como consequência do aumento repentino da pressão intraluminal no esôfago. É extremamente rara na prática clínica. Em 50% dos casos, manifesta-se pela tríade de Mackler: vômitos, dor torácica inferior, enfisema subcutâneo. Hematêmese é uma apresentação incomum porém desafiadora da síndrome de Boerhaave. Em comparação com rupturas de outras partes do tubo digestivo, a ruptura espontânea é caracterizada pela taxa de mortalidade mais elevada. RELATO DO CASO: O artigo apresenta uma paciente do sexo feminino de 64 anos de idade, cujo vômito era preto, quatro dias antes do exame, e continha sangue no dia do exame. Os sintomas incluíam dor epigástrica e sufocação. No exame físico, foi verificada hipotensão, taquicardia, dispneia e abdômen inchado e doloroso. Ausculta revelou estertores laterais na inspiração. A ultrassonografia mostrou estômago dilatado, preenchido com conteúdo líquido. Sucção nasogástrica evacuou mais de 1.000 ml de sangue fresco. Esofagogastroduodenoscopia foi abortada imediatamente ao se entrar no esôfago proximal, onde foi observada grande quantidade de sangue fresco. A paciente foi encaminhada com urgência para cirurgia abdominal, durante a qual faleceu. Autópsia estabeleceu diagnóstico de síndrome de Boerhaave e úlcera no bulbo-duodenal. CONCLUSÃO: A síndrome Boerhaave deve ser considerada em todos os casos com uma combinação de sintomas gastrointestinais (especialmente dor epigástrica e vómitos) e sintomas e sinais pulmonares (especialmente sufocação).

Utilidad de la mediastinoscopia: resultados de 140 procedimientos / Mediastinoscopy: experience with 140 procedures

Objetivo: determinar la sensibilidad y especificidad de la mediastinoscopia para diagnóstico y estadiaje de enfermedades del tórax. Métodos: se revisó la información general incluida en la base de datos del servicio de Cirugía de Tórax del Hospital Dr. R. A. Calderón Guardia, de 140 pacientes sometidos a mediastinoscopia durante el periodo comprendido entre 1989 y 2013, la cual se complementó con datos específicos obtenidos de los expedientes clínicos...

Tumor raro em mediastino: hamartoma / A rare mediastinum tumor: hamartoma

In the present paper we report a case of mediastinal tumor which we believe has never been reported. Since surgical treatment, the patient presented good evolution. We discuss the presentation, differential diagnosis and therapy. Finally, we stress the importance of the pathologic findings.

Boerhaave's syndrome: a differential diagnosis of acute chest pain following a vomiting illness / Síndrome de Boerhaave: un diagnóstico diferencial de dolor torácico, agudo tras enfermedad acompañada de vómitos

Spontaneous oesophageal rupture (Boerhaave's syndrome) is extremely rare in children. Presentation is usually in middle aged men as a result of vomiting following heavy food or alcohol consumption. We describe an unusual case of a 12-year old boy without significant past medical history presenting with acute chest pain following gastroenteritis.

La ruptura esofágica espontánea (síndrome de Boerhaave) es extremadamente rara en niños. Por lo general se presenta en hombres de mediana edad como resultado vómitos tras la ingestión de alcohol o alimentos pesados. Describimos un caso inusual de un niño de 12 años de edad sin antecedentes clínicos significativos, que acudió con dolor torácico agudo tras una gastroenteritis.

Síndrome de Boerhaave: relato de caso / Boerhaave´s syndrome: case report

Spontaneous esophageal rupture carries high morbidity and mortality. The main prognostic factor is early diagnosis, before 12 hours, and appropriate treatment. This is a case report of a 41-years-old man with late esophageal rupture diagnosis treated successfully with transmediatinal esophagectomy and esophageal-gastric tube cervical anastomosis.

Síndrome postneumonectomía derecha: informe de un caso / Right postpneumonectomy syndrome: Case report

El síndrome postneumonectomía es una entidad poco frecuente en pediatría. Comunicamos un caso secundario a una neumonectomía realizada por un tumor intratorácico. Niño de 4 años con antecedente de exéresis pulmonar derecha y dificultad respiratoria progresiva, con obstrucción extrínseca de la vía aérea por estructuras mediastínicas desplazadas. Hubo intentos frustros de tutorización con dispositivos endoluminales de la vía aérea, e imposibilidad de retiro de la asistencia ventilatoria mecánica. Ante la imposibilidad de reposicionamiento mediastinal, se realiza puente (bypass) aórtico con tubo protésico, con evolución favorable y egreso hospitalario.

Postpneumonectomy syndrome is a rare entity in children. We report a case secondary to pneumonectomy performed due to an intrathoracic tumor. A 4-year-old boy with a history of right pneumonectomy and progressive respiratory distress, with extrinsic airway obstruction due to displaced mediastinal structures. There were failure to intubate the airway with endoluminal devices and impossibility of withdrawing from mechanical ventilation. As mediastinal repositioning was not possible, an aortic bypass with a prosthetic tube graft was performed, with favorable outcome and hospital discharge.

Factores de pronóstico y resultados a largo plazo de timomas tratados quirúrgicamente en una cohorte de pacientes argentinos / Prognostic factors and long-term results of surgically treated thymoma in a cohort of patients Argentine

Los timomas representan el tumor más frecuente del mediastino anterior. El objetivo del trabajo es presentar las características clínico patológicas de los timomas tratados quirúrgicamente desde enero de 1971 hasta diciembre del 2008 en el Hospital de Rehabilitación Respiratoria María Ferrer, e investigar los factores que afectan la supervivencia. De los 131 casos analizados, 11 fueron perdidos de seguimiento (6%); de los restantes 120, 26 se hallaban fallecidos al final del estudio (21.7%). Se analizaron las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, síntomas de miastenia gravis al momento del diagnóstico, estadificación de Masaoka(1994) del tumor original, clasificación histológica de la OMS (1999), radioterapia postoperatoria y evolución clínica de la miastenia gravis según la clasificación modificada de Osserman. Fueron analizados 66 hombres (54%) y 56 mujeres (46%), con una mediana de edad de 48 años (rango13-78); 78 presentaban miastenia gravis al momento del diagnóstico (64%), y el 97% de ellos persistían sintomáticos luego del tratamiento quirúrgico. En el análisis univariado, la presencia de miastenia gravis al momento del diagnóstico (HR 0.527, IC 95% 0.243 - 1.141, p = 0.10), la evolución clínica de la enfermedad (HR 18.81, IC 95% 4.070 - 86.886,p = 0.000) y el estadio de Masaoka (HR 2.044, IC 95% 0.934 - 4.474, p = 0.074) se asociaron significativamente con la frecuencia de la muerte en pacientes con timoma. En el análisis multivariado, ese valor resultó ser casi 7 veces mayor en timomas invasores que en los estadios I y II (HR 7.272, IC 95% 2.19 - 24.11, p = 0.001), mientras que la radioterapia adyuvante disminuyó en un 79% este riesgo en nuestra población (HR 0.214 IC 95% 0.0648 - 0.7085, p= 0.12)...

Thymomas are neoplasias originating from epithelial cellsof the thymus. The aim is to present a serie of surgicallytreated thymomas at the Hospital de Rehabilitación Respi -ratoria María Ferrer from January 1971 to December 2008and to determine which factors affected the survival ofthese patients during the follow-up time. All patients withdiagnostic of thymoma surgically treated were included.A total of 131 cases were analized, 11 of which were lostto follow-up (6%); of the remaining 120, 26 were dead atthe end of the study (21.7%). The following variables wereanalyzed: age, gender, symptoms of myasthenia gravis atthe time of diagnosis, staging of Masaoka (1994) of theoriginal tumor, the 1999 WHO classification, postoperativeradiotherapy treatment and clinical course of myastheniagravis defined by the modified Osserman classification.Out of the 120 patients studied, 66 were men (54%) and 56female (46%), with a median age of 48 years old (range 13-78); 78/120 had myasthenia gravis at the time of diagnosis(64%), and 97% of them had persistent symptoms aftersurgical treatment. In univariate analysis, symptoms ofmyasthenia gravis at the time of diagnosis (HR 0.527, 95%CI 0.243 - 1.141, p = 0.10), clinical course of myastheniaaccording to the Osserman classification (HR 18.81, CI95% 4.070 - 86.886, p = 0.000) and staging of Masaoka(HR 2.044, 95% CI 0.934-4.474, p = 0.074) showed a signi -ficant association with the frequency of death in patientswith thymoma. In multivariate analysis, the risk of deathin patients with invasive thymomas proved to be almost7 times higher than in stages I and II (HR 7.272, 95% CI2.19 - 24.11, p = 0.001), whereas the postoperative adjuvanttherapy decreased 79% this risk in our population (HR0.214, 95% CI 0.0648 - 0.7085, p = 0.012)...

Punção aspirativa guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico no diagnóstico e estadiamento de linfadenopatia mediastinal: experiência inicial no Brasil / Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal lymphadenopathy: initial experience in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA, punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico) é um método novo em diagnóstico e estadiamento linfonodal mediastinal. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os resultados preliminares obtidos com EBUS-TBNA no diagnóstico de lesões e no estadiamento linfonodal mediastinal. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados pacientes com tumores ou adenopatias mediastinais e com diagnóstico ou suspeita de câncer de pulmão. Os procedimentos foram realizados com os pacientes sob sedação ou anestesia geral. O material coletado foi preparado em lâminas fixadas em álcool absoluto para citologia e em formol para bloco de células. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 50 pacientes (30 do sexo masculino), com média de idade de 58,3 ± 13,5 anos. Foram realizadas 201 punções em 81 linfonodos ou massas mediastinais (média de 2,5 punções). O material obtido foi considerado adequado para análise citológica em 37 pacientes (74 por cento), dos quais 21 (57 por cento) foram diagnosticados com malignidade. Nos 16 pacientes remanescentes, 1 teve diagnóstico de tuberculose, 6 tiveram seguimento clínico, e 9 foram submetidos a investigação adicional (2 diagnosticados com neoplasia - resultados falso-negativos). O rendimento do exame foi maior nos procedimentos com objetivo diagnóstico, em pacientes com lesões em múltiplas estações, e nas punções da estação linfonodal subcarinal. Um paciente apresentou sangramento endobrônquico resolvido com medidas locais. Não houve mortalidade na série. CONCLUSÕES: Esta experiência preliminar confirmou que o EBUS-TBNA é procedimento seguro, e que o nosso rendimento diagnóstico, inferior ao da literatura, foi compatível com a curva de aprendizado do método.

OBJECTIVE: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a new method for the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal lymph nodes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the preliminary results obtained with EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of lesions and mediastinal lymph node staging. METHODS: We evaluated patients with tumors or mediastinal adenopathy, diagnosed with or suspected of having lung cancer. The procedures were performed with the patients under sedation or under general anesthesia. Material was collected by EBUS-TBNA, after which it was prepared on slides, fixed in either absolute alcohol (for cytology) or formalin (for cell-block analysis). RESULTS: We included 50 patients (30 males). The mean age was 58.3 ± 13.5 years. We performed 201 biopsies of 81 lymph nodes or mediastinal masses (mean of 2.5 punctures/biopsy). The quantity of material was considered sufficient for cytology in 37 patients (74 percent), 21 (57 percent) of whom were thus diagnosed with malignancy. Of the remaining 16 patients, 1 was diagnosed with tuberculosis, 6 entered clinical follow-up, and 9 underwent further investigation (2 diagnosed with neoplasm-false-negative results). The yield was higher when the procedure was performed for diagnostic purposes, as well as being higher in patients with lesions in multiple stations and in biopsies involving the subcarinal lymph node station. One patient had endobronchial bleeding, which was resolved with local measures. There were no deaths among the patients evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary experience shows that EBUS-TBNA is a safe procedure. Our diagnostic yield, although lower than that reported in the literature, was consistent with the learning curve for the method.

Ruptura espontânea do esôfago: síndrome de Boerhaave / Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus: boerhaave's syndrome

Boerhaave's syndrome, the spontaneous rupture of the esophagus, is associated with a 35% death rate. Perforated esophagus is a surgical emergency; it is the most serious, and frequently the most rapidly lethal, perforation of the gastro-intestinal tract. Three cases of Boerhaave's syndrome are presented, with their variants and resolutions. Treatment and outcome are largely determined by the time of presentation. We reviewed our experience with esophageal perforations to determine the overall mortality and whether the time of presentation should influence management strategy.