Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava: a case report.

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is an extremely rare tumor that is characterized by a poor prognosis and nonspecific symptoms, a fact that may delay the diagnosis for several years. The only therapeutic modality proven to prolong the survival of patients is total surgical resection of the tumor. In this study, the authors report the case of a 50-year-old patient with a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava, affecting the middle and distal thirds, who was submitted to surgical treatment.

Scrotal collections: pictorial essay correlating sonographic with magnetic resonance imaging findings / Coleções na bolsa testicular: ensaio iconográfico correlacionando achados ultrassonográficos com a ressonância magnética

The present study is aimed at describing scrotal collections observed at ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. The authors describe the main features of hydrocele, hematocele and pyocele, as well as the most common causes, clinical manifestations and associated diseases, with a brief review of the embryology and anatomy of the scrotum. Collections are frequently found in the evaluation of the scrotum, which is often performed on an emergency basis, and in most cases can be differentiated by means of imaging studies. With the consolidation of magnetic resonance imaging as the method of choice complementary with ultrasonography, the authors also describe magnetic resonance imaging findings of scrotal collections as well as the situations where such method is indicated.

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever coleções na bolsa testicular vistas na ultrassonografia e na ressonância magnética. São descritas as principais características da hidrocele, hematocele e piocele, assim como as causas mais comuns, manifestações clínicas e doenças associadas, com uma breve revisão da embriologia e anatomia da bolsa testicular. Coleções são achados frequentes na avaliação da bolsa testicular, muitas vezes realizada em caráter de urgência, e podem ser diferenciadas por meio de exames de imagem. Com a consolidação da ressonância magnética como exame de escolha em complemento à ultrassonografia, são também descritas as características das coleções escrotais na ressonância magnética, além das indicações para a sua realização.

Evaluation of cytokines (MIG, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10) during the different evolutive phases of chagasic esophagopathy.

The production of cytokines (MIG, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10) was studied in 39 individuals, including 28 with chagasic esophagopathy and 11 nonchagasic patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. A sandwich enzyme immunoassay employing monoclonal antibody pairs specific for each cytokine was used. IFN-gamma and MIG production was significantly higher in patients with megaesophagus compared to control. Furthermore, in the absence of stimulation TNF-alpha levels were lower in the chagasic group than in the control group. In addition, significantly lower TNF-alpha levels were observed for the advanced form of the disease compared to the nonadvanced form. These results support the hypothesis that, although patients with advanced phase of megaesophagus present low number of CD4+ T lymphocytes, PBMC from this patients are able to respond up specific antigen stimulation.

Leiomiossarcoma de veia cava inferior / Leiomiossarcoma of the inferior vena cava

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is an extremely rare tumor, and it is reported to have a poor prognosis. The clinical findings are nonspecific and may precede the diagnosis by several years. Symptoms depend on the location and extension of the tumor. A complete surgical resection is the only proven therapeutic modality that prolongs the survival in patients with this lesion. We report a case of a 50 year-old patient with inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma, who was submitted to a surgical treatment.