Preoperative smoking status and long-term survival after coronary artery bypass grafting: a competing risk analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with severe coronary artery disease who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting consistently demonstrate that continued smoking after surgery increases late mortality rates. Smoking may exert its harmful effects through the ongoing chronic process of atherosclerotic progression both in the grafts and the native system. However, it is not clear whether cardiac mortality is primary and solely responsible for the inferior late survival of current smokers. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, we included all consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated coronary artery bypass surgery from 1 January 2000 to 30 September 2015 in an Academic Hospital in Northern Portugal. The predictive or independent variable was the patients' smoking history status, a categorical variable with 3 levels: non-smoker (the comparator), ex-smoker for >1 year (exposure 1) and current smoker (exposure 2). The primary end point was long-term all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were long-term cause-specific mortality (cardiovascular and noncardiovascular). We fitted overall and Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard models. RESULTS: We identified 5242 eligible patients. Follow-up was 99.7% complete (with 17 patients lost to follow-up). The median follow-up time was 12.79 years (interquartile range, 9.51-16.60). Throughout the study, there were 2049 deaths (39.1%): 877 from cardiovascular causes (16.7%), 727 from noncardiovascular causes (13.9%) and 445 from unknown causes (8.5%). Ex-smokers had an identical long-term survival than non-smokers [hazard ratio (HR) 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88, 1.12; P = 0.899]. Conversely, current smokers had a 24% increase in late mortality risk (HR 1.24; 95% CI 1.07, 1.44; P = 0.004) as compared to non-smokers. While the current smoker status increased the relative incidence of noncardiac death by 61% (HR 1.61; 95% CI 1.27, 2.05, P < 0.001), it did confer a 25% reduction in the relative incidence of cardiac death (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59, 0.97; P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Whereas ex-smokers have an identical long-term survival to non-smokers, current smokers exhibit an increase in late all-cause mortality risk at the expense of an increased relative incidence of noncardiac death. By subtracting the inciting risk factor, smoking cessation reduces the relative incidence of cardiac death.

The additive effects of anaemia and transfusion on long-term survival after coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the independent and combined effects of anaemia and red blood cell transfusion on late survival after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 5243 consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, performed from 2000 to 2015, in a Portuguese Academic Hospital. We identified 1649 patients with preoperative anaemia (A+) and 1422 patients who received a perioperative transfusion (T+)-the 4 possible combinations allowed for the creation of 4 subgroups (A-/T-, A-/T+, A+/T- and A+/T+). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 10 years. We employed inverse probability weighting to control for confounding variables. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of the patients had preoperative anaemia, and 27.0% had at least one packed red blood cell transfusion. Inverse probability weighting was effective in eliminating differences in all significant baseline characteristics. The primary endpoint of all-cause mortality at 10 years occurred in 568 patients (20.5%) in the A-/T- group, as compared with 204 (24.4%) in the A-/T+ group (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.31; P = 0.053), 358 (33.8%) in the A+/T- group (hazard ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.38 to 1.71; P < 0.001), 254 (43.6%) in the A+/T+ group (hazard ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.97 to 2.56; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This longitudinal, population-level study emphasizes the adverse long-term outcomes of preoperative anaemia and perioperative red blood cell transfusion. It stresses the importance of an evidence-based, multimodal and multidisciplinary approach to conserving blood resources and optimizing outcomes in patients at high risk for transfusion.

Body mass index effect on long-term survival after coronary artery bypass surgery: a competing risk analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this sudy was to investigate the presence of an obesity paradox on the long-term mortality of patients undergoing primary isolated coronary artery bypass surgery and to uncover whether any discrepancy found could be attributable to cardiovascular or noncardiovascular causes. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 5242 consecutive patients with body mass index (BMI) over 18.5 kg/m2 undergoing primary isolated coronary artery bypass surgery, performed from 2000 to 2015, in a Portuguese level III Hospital. The primary end point was long-term all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were long-term cause-specific mortality (cardiovascular and noncardiovascular). We fitted overall, and cause-specific hazard models, with BMI forced both as a categorical (using World Health Organization predefined cutoffs) and as a continuous variable. RESULTS: Follow-up was 99.7% complete. The median follow-up time was 12.79 years (interquartile range, 9.51-16.61). The cumulative incidence functions failed to uncover any difference in 15-year all-cause (log-rank test, P = 0.400), cardiovascular (Gray's test, P = 0.996) and noncardiovascular mortality (Gray's test, P = 0.305) between BMI categories. Likewise, extensive multivariable-adjusted Cox regression and cause-specific hazards models failed to demonstrate in-between category differences, with BMI forced as a categorical variable. On the other hand, using BMI as a continuous variable, the model identified the optimal BMI as between 25.8 and 30.3 kg/m2 (nadir around 28.9 kg/m2), albeit this was dependent on the definition of the reference value. CONCLUSIONS: In this longitudinal, population-level analysis of patients undergoing isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting, we could not attest to any protective effect of obesity on long-term survival.

Long-term survival of female versus male patients after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Several of the most extensively used risk prediction tools for coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes include female sex as an independent risk factor for postoperative outcomes. It is not clear whether this putative increased surgical risk impacts long-term survival. This study aimed to assess sex differences in 10-year all-cause mortality. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 5340 consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated coronary artery bypass surgery, performed from 2000 to 2015, in a Portuguese level III Hospital. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at ten years. We employed an overlap weighting algorithm to minimize confounding. Its target population highlights patients with the most overlap in their observed characteristics, and its corresponding estimand is the average treatment effect in the overlap population. RESULTS: We identified that 5340 patients underwent isolated CABG: 1104 (20.7%) were female, and 4236 (79.3%) were male. Sixteen patients were lost to follow-up (0.3%). The median follow-up time was 12.79 (IQR, 9.52-16.66) years: 12.68 (IQR, 9.48-16.54) years for the male patient group and 13.13 (IQR, 9.75-16.98) years for the female patient group. The primary endpoint of all-cause mortality at ten years occurred in 1106 patients (26.1%) in the male patient group, compared with 315 (28.5%) in the female patient group. The unweighted survival analysis for both groups reveals the worst long-term prognosis for the female cohort (hazard ratio, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.35; p < 0.001), while in the overlap weighted survival analysis, such long-term difference in prognosis disappears (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.09; p = 0.693). CONCLUSION: In this longitudinal, population-level analysis of patients undergoing primary, isolated CABG, we demonstrated that the female sex is not associated with increased long-term all-cause mortality compared to their male counterparts. Thus, sex should not influence the undertaking of an adequate revascularization strategy.

An overlap-weighted analysis on 10-year survival of off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery grafting in multivessel coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The introduction of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery intended to overcome some of the conventional on-pump procedure limitations by avoiding potentially harmful adverse effects of extracorporeal circulation and aortic cross-clamping. However, the doubt remains on whether it is associated with worse long-term outcomes. To compare long-term survival in patients with multivessel ischemic heart disease undergoing off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 4788 consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, performed from 2000 to 2015, in Northern Portugal. Among the study population, we identified 1616 and 3172 patients that underwent off-pump and on-pump coronary artery grafting, respectively. We employed a propensity-score-based overlap weighting (OW) algorithm to restrict confounding by indication. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 10 years. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 63.9 (±9.8) years, and 951 (19.9%) were females. OW was effective in eliminating differences in all major baseline characteristics. Follow-up was 100% complete. The median follow-up time was 12.80 (9.62, 16.62) years. The primary endpoint of all-cause mortality at 10 years occurred in 431 patients (26.7%) in the off-pump group, as compared with 863 (27.2%) in the on-pump group (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-1.04; p = .196). CONCLUSIONS: In this longitudinal, population-level comparison of off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery for treating multivessel coronary artery disease, the primary outcome of long-term mortality was identical among both patients' groups.

Long-term survival of single versus bilateral internal mammary artery grafting in patients under 70.

OBJECTIVES: As definitive data from randomized controlled trials comparing the effect on long-term survival of using single internal mammary artery (SIMA) or bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) grafting are not yet available, observational studies allow for long-term follow-up in large and representative populations, which might complement the information potentially derived from randomized trials. To compare long-term survival in patients under 70 years of age undergoing SIMA or BIMA grafting. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 3384 consecutive patients under 70 years undergoing primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, performed from 2000 to 2015, in a Portuguese level III Hospital. We identified 2176 and 1208 patients from the study population who underwent SIMA and BIMA grafting, respectively. The primary end point was all-cause mortality at 10 years. We employed inverse probability weighting to restrict confounding by indication. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 59.4 (± 7.6) years, and 567 (16.8%) were females. Inverse probability weighting was effective in eliminating differences in all significant baseline characteristics. Follow-up was 99.88% complete. The median follow-up time was 12.82 (interquartile range, 9.65, 16.74) years: the primary end point of all-cause mortality at 10 years occurred in 463 patients (21.3%) and 166 (13.7%) in the SIMA and BIMA grafting groups, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.92; P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral internal mammary grafting is associated with lower long-term mortality than single internal mammary grafting. Moreover, this survival benefit comes at no increased perioperative morbidity or mortality cost.

ECMO POST-CARDIOTOMY, A SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to examine the results of ECMO post cardiotomy in Centro Hospitalar Universitário S. João (CHUSJ). METHODS: Between 2011 and 2019, 13 patients were cannulated for refractory cardiogenic shock post-cardiotomy; 8 (61,5%) male and 5 (38,5%) female. Patients under 18 years old were excluded. Data was collected from hospital archives concerning preoperative comorbidities, open-heart surgery procedure, dates of ECMO cannulation and decannulation, postoperative complications, hospital mortality and cause of death. Follow-up was obtained by review of the last outpatient observation. The outcomes investigated were hospital mortality and survival at 12, 36 and 60 months. RESULTS: After a median ECMO-VA therapy of 6 days (1-16 days), 7 (53,8%) patients were successfully decannulated; from these 2 succumbed from stroke and septic shock, one is still in intermediate care convalescing steadily and 4 were discharged. Overall 8 (61,5%) patients died. 5 (38,5%) survived, 4 were discharged home and 1 is still in intermediate care. Survival (after discharge) at 12, 36 and 60 months was respectively 25%, 16,7% and 8,3%. Regarding postoperative complications, reoperation for bleeding was necessary in 5 (38.5%), stroke was diagnosed in 2 (15,4%), dialysis in 6 (46,2%), leg ischemia affected 5 (38,5%) and mediastinitis occurred in 1 (7,7%). CONCLUSIONS: VA ECMO saves a life in each three patients suffering from refractory cardiogenic shock after cardiac surgery. Despite risks associated with advanced cardiopulmonary support, survivors maintain good health condition.

"Periosteum: An imaging review".

Periosteum is a fibrous sheath, coating the external bone, except in the articular surfaces, tendon insertions and sesamoid bone surface¹. It changes its aspects and characteristics with aging, becoming progressively less elastic and more firm. It is composed of two different layers: outer fibrous (firm, collagen-filled) and inner proliferative (cambium, containing osteoprogenitor cells)². Four vascular systems are responsible for the blood supply of the periosteum: the intrinsic periosteal system, located between fibrous and proliferative layer; the periosteocortical, the main nutritional arteries of the periosteum; the musculoperiosteal, responsible for the callus formation after fractures; the fascioperiosteal, specifically for each bone.³ It is crucial to bone formation and resorption, reacting to insults in the cortical bone, such as tumors, infections, traumas, medications and arthritic diseases. The aggressiveness of the reaction can be suggested by its radiological aspect and appearance4. The periosteum in children is looser compared to adults, resulting in earlier and more exuberant reactions. All these aspects will be detailed, so the essential information all radiologists need to know will be discussed.

Aproximación a la Medicina Natural y Tradicional desde la óptica de la extensión universitaria / An approximation to the Natural and Traditional Medicine from the university extension point of view

Introducción: como parte de la política de integración de la Medicina Natural y Tradicional en la docencia médica, y mediante estrategias curriculares nacionales, se imparten contenidos de Medicina Natural y Tradicional en las carreras de las ciencias médicas. En la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Ciego de Ávila este trabajo de integración se lleva a cabo, con carácter extensionista, desde la Cátedra Honorífica "Juan Tomás Roig". Objetivo: describir los resultados de la labor extensionista para la integración de la Medicina Natural y Tradicional en la docencia médica y en la interacción con la comunidad desarrollada por la Cátedra Honorífica "Juan Tomás Roig" en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Ciego de Ávila. Método: se consultaron los documentos constitutivos y registros que recogen la actividad de la Cátedra Honorífica "Juan Tomás Roig" desde su creación y literatura sobre el tema, en formatos impreso y digital. Conclusiones: la actividad extensionista desarrollada por la Cátedra Honorífica "Juan Tomás Roig" contribuye a la difusión de los resultados de los proyectos de investigación y la información científico-técnica generada en el ámbito de la Medicina Natural y Tradicional para favorecer tanto su introducción o sistematización como conocimiento como la inclusión de sus diversas modalidades terapéuticas dentro de la estructura curricular de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Ciego de Ávila; promueve estilos de vida saludables a través de acciones de prevención y posibilita la interacción de la Universidad con la sociedad a través de la cooperación y el trabajo coordinado con distintas instituciones de la provincia.

Introduction: as part of the integration policy of the Natural and Traditional Medicine in medical education, and through national curricular strategies, contents of Natural and Traditional Medicine are taught in medical science careers. In the University of Medical Sciences of Ciego de Ávila this integration work is carried out, with extension character, from the Honorary Chair "Juan Tomás Roig". Objective: to describe the results of extension work for the integration of Natural and Traditional Medicine in medical teaching and the interaction with the community developed by the Honorary Chair "Juan Tomás Roig" at the University of Medical Sciences of Ciego de Ávila. Method: were consulted the constituent documents and records that reflect the activity of the Honorary Chair "Juan Tomás Roig" since its inception and literature on the subject, in print and digital formats. Conclusions: the extension activity developed by the Honorary Chair "Juan Tomás Roig" contributes to the dissemination of the results of research projects and scientific and technical information generated in the field of Natural and Traditional Medicine to promote both their introduction or knowledge systematization as the inclusion of its various therapeutic modalities within the curricular structure at the University of Medical Sciences of Ciego de Ávila; promotes healthy lifestyles through prevention and enables interaction of the University with society through cooperation and coordinated work with various institutions in the province.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of bone tumours and tumour-like lesions.

UNLABELLED: Bone tumours and tumour-like lesions are frequently encountered by radiologists. Although radiographs are the primary screening technique, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help narrow the differential or make a specific diagnosis when a lesion is indeterminate or shows signs of aggressiveness. MRI can extend the diagnostic evaluation by demonstrating several tissue components. Even when a specific diagnosis cannot be made, the differential diagnosis can be narrowed. MRI is superior to the other imaging modalities in detecting bone marrow lesions and tumoral tissue (faint lytic/sclerotic bone lesions can be difficult to visualise using only radiographs). Contrast-enhanced MRI can reveal the most vascularised parts of the tumour and MRI guidance makes it possible to avoid biopsing necrotic areas. MRI is very helpful in local staging and surgical planning by assessing the degree of intramedullary extension and invasion of the adjacent physeal plates, joints, muscle compartments and neurovascular bundles. It can be used in assessing response to neoadjuvant therapy and further restaging. The post-therapeutic follow-up should also be done using MRI. Despite the high quality of MRI, there are a few pitfalls and limitations of which one should be aware. Applications of MRI in bone tumours will probably continue to grow as new sequences are further studied. TEACHING POINTS: • When a lesion is indeterminate or shows signs of aggressiveness, MRI is indicated. • When MRI does not lead to a diagnosis, biopsy is indicated. • MRI is superior to the other imaging modalities in detecting bone marrow lesions. • MRI is very helpful in local staging and surgical planning. • MRI is used in assessing the response to neoadjuvant therapy, restaging and post-therapeutic follow-up.

Long-term survival, autonomy, and quality of life of elderly patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

AIMS: We reviewed the long-term survival, autonomy, and quality of life (QoL) of elderly patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: Records of patients ≥75 years old that underwent AVR from 2002 to 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. Functional status was classified with Barthel Index (BI). QoL was presumed as the self-perception of well-being after AVR. Independent predictors of mortality were identified using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: We included 114 patients, with a mean age of 78.5 ± 2.5 years. Seventy (59.8%) patients were females. Mean additive and logistic EuroSCORE were 7 ± 2 and 9 ± 7, respectively. Follow-up on vital status was achieved for 113 (99.1%) patients after a mean period of 47.2 ± 23.4 months. Twenty-seven (23.7%) patients died (including three operative deaths). Survival up to one, three, and five years of follow-up was 94.4%, 86.7%, and 76.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that pulmonary hypertension and diabetes were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. Information on BI score and QoL was obtained for 77 (89.5%) and patients. Among those, 69 (89.6%) were autonomous according to BI and 72 (93.5%) considered having had an improvement in QoL. CONCLUSION: Patients ≥75 years old undergoing AVR presented good medium-term survival. Predictors of an adverse outcome were significant pulmonary hypertension and diabetes. At follow-up, most achieved improvement of QoL and remained autonomous. These results stress that excellent long-term outcomes with AVR can be achieved in appropriately selected elderly patients.

Myxoma in the right ventricular outlow tract.

We present a patient with dyspnea, cyanosis and presyncope during exercise related to intermittent obstruction of the right outflow tract by a myxoma of the right ventricle attached to the membranous interventricular septum by its pedicle. We also review the specific medical and surgical features of such tumors. Right ventricular myxomas are rare benign tumors and clinical manifestations depend mainly on size and site of attachment. They can cause obstructive events, and embolism is also possible. Both forms of clinical presentation are potentially fatal and surgical removal should be urgently scheduled. This is usually curative, although recurrences have been reported, generally when these tumors are part of the Carney complex. The best surgical approach is individualized, and transesophageal echocardiography is an important tool in the decision. In our case right atriotomy was considered the best option.

A ressonância magnética para o diagnóstico das lesões condrais, meniscais e dos ligamentos cruzados do joelho / Magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of the chondral, meniscal and cruciate ligaments injuries of the knee

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o valor diagnóstico da ressonância magnética (RM) do joelho. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Setenta e dois pacientes foram submetidos a RM previamente à artroscopia do joelho realizada por um único cirurgião e considerada como método padrão. Verificou-se a sensibilidade, a especificidade, os valores de verossimilhança e a concordância entre o radiologista e o ortopedista em classificar as lesões. RESULTADOS: O coeficiente de concordância kappa entre a RM e a artroscopia, em classificar as lesões, foi muito bom para lesões de ligamento cruzado anterior (0,84), bom para o menisco lateral (0,75), razoável para o menisco medial (0,50) e baixo para lesões condrais (menor que 0,50). A RM mostrou ter alta sensibilidade para rupturas de ligamento cruzado anterior (94 por cento) e menisco medial (92 por cento), boa sensibilidade para lesões de menisco lateral (80 por cento) e baixa sensibilidade para lesões em todas as zonas condrais (menor que 50 por cento), enquanto a especificidade foi excelente para todas as estruturas condrais, ligamentares e para o menisco lateral estudadas (maior que 97 por cento) e razoável para o menisco medial (65 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: A RM é uma ferramenta útil para subsidiar o diagnóstico clínico de lesões intra-articulares do joelho, como já foi mostrado em resultados semelhantes encontrados na literatura produzida no Brasil e no exterior.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two patients have been submitted to MRI previously to arthroscopy of the knee performed by a single surgeon and utilized as a comparative standard method. Sensitivity, specificity, values of likelihood and rate of interobserver agreement have been evaluated. RESULTS: The kappa agreement coefficient between MRI and arthroscopy was very good for lesions in the anterior cruciate ligament (0.84), good for lateral meniscus (0.75), reasonable for medial meniscus (0.50) and poor for chondral lesions (< 0.50). MRI has demonstrated high sensitivity for tears in the anterior cruciate ligament (94 percent) and in the medial meniscus (92 percent), good sensitivity for lesions in the lateral meniscus (80 percent), and low sensitivity for lesions in all of the chondral zones (< 50 percent), while the specificity has been excellent for all the chondral, and ligamentous structures, besides the lateral menisci analyzed (more than 97 percent), and reasonable (65 percent) for the medial meniscus. CONCLUSION: MRI is a useful tool in the clinical diagnosis of intra-articular knee lesions, as already demonstrated by similar results reported both in the Brazilian and international literature.

[Clinical features in osteosarcoma and prognostic implications]. / Características clínicas do osteossarcoma na infância e sua influência no prognóstico.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the clinical features in osteosarcoma and to investigate their influence on the prognosis of children and adolescents presenting this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of children and adolescents with osteosarcoma treated by the Bone Tumors Group of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between January 1992 and December 2001 were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty consecutive patients were included in this study. Mean age at diagnosis was 13 years (3-22); 68% of the patients were males. The primary site of disease was the femur in 50% of the patients, tibia in 30%, pelvis in 4%, humerus in 10%, fibula in 2% and other sites in 4%. Nineteen patients presented metastases at diagnosis (38%). All patients received chemotherapy and were treated with three different schemes. As for surgical treatment, 26 patients (52%) had an amputation and 17 (34%) received conservative surgery. Serum lactic dehydrogenase > 1,000 UI/ml (p = 0.0159, log rank), tumor necrosis < 90% and presence of metastases had a negative influence on prognosis. The overall 5-year survival was of 33.2+/-7.2% with mean follow-up of 36 months (6-126). Event-free survival was 29.7+/-7%. The 5-year event-free survival in non-metastatic patients was 45+/-10.7%, and zero in metastatic patients (follow-up of 78.4 and 18.7 months, respectively). Only two out of 19 metastatic patients are alive and free of disease at 18 and 30 months respectively. CONCLUSION: Metastatic disease at diagnosis, serum levels of serum lactic dehydrogenase > 1,000 UI/ml and tumor necrosis < 90% are predictors of unfavorable prognosis. The excessively high incidence of metastatic patients may suggest the presence of an aggressive pattern of disease in our population, or may indicate late diagnosis.

Características clínicas do osteossarcoma na infância e sua influência no prognóstico / Clinical features in osteosarcoma and prognostic implications

OBJETIVOS: Conhecer as características clínicas e determinar os fatores de importância prognóstica de crianças e adolescentes com osteossarcoma. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram revisados os prontuários de crianças e adolescentes com diagnóstico de osteossarcoma tratados entre janeiro de 1992 e dezembro de 2001 pelo Grupo de Tumores Osseos do Rio Grande do Sul. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 50 pacientes com idade mediana de 13 anos (3 a 22), sendo 68 por cento pacientes do sexo masculino. Os locais primários foram: 50 por cento fêmur, 30 por cento tíbia, 4 por cento ilíaco, 10 por cento úmero, 2 por cento fíbula e 4 por cento outros . Dezenove pacientes (38 por cento) apresentavam metástases ao diagnóstico. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a quimioterapia. Quanto ao tratamento cirúrgico, 26 pacientes (52 por cento) foram submetidos a amputação, e 17 a cirurgia conservadora (34 por cento). A desidrogenase láctica maior do que 1.000 UI/ml ao diagnóstico, o índice de necrose inferior a 90 por cento e a presença de metástases influíram negativamente no prognóstico. A probabilidade de sobrevida global em 5 anos foi de 33,2+7,2 por cento, com média de follow-up de 36 meses (6-126); a probabilidade de sobrevida livre de eventos em 5 anos foi de 29,7+7 por cento. A probabilidade de sobrevida livre de eventos em 5 anos dos pacientes não-metastáticos ao diagnóstico foi de 45+10,7 por cento, e a dos metastáticos foi zero (médias de follow-up de 78,4 e 18,7 meses, respectivamente); apenas dois dos 19 pacientes com doença metastática encontram-se fora de tratamento e livres de doença, com follow-up de 18 e 30 meses, respectivamente. CONCLUSAO: A presença de doença metastática e nível sérico de desidrogenase láctica acima de 1.000 UI/ml ao diagnóstico, assim como índice de necrose < 90 por cento, representam fatores prognósticos desfavoráveis. O percentual excessivamente elevado de pacientes com doença metastática ao diagnóstico sugere que se trata de uma população de pacientes com doença biologicamente agressiva ou diagnosticados tardiamente em nosso meio.

Osteossarcoma periosteal: estudo de quatro casos / Periosteal osteosarcoma: study of four cases

Os autores estudam quatro casos de uma entidade pouco conhecida até recentemente - o osteossarcoma periosteal. A casuística analisada é comparada com o descrito na literatura pertinente em relaçäo aos aspectos anatomopatológico e terapêutico.

Auto-enxerto tumoral irradiado nas reconstruções dos tumores ósseos / Irradiated tumoral autograft in bone tumor reconstructions: preliminary evalaution in three cases

Os autores relatam sua avaliação preliminar em três casos de sarcomas ósseos em que usaram a irradiação como método de aniquilação das células tumorais e normais do fragmento ósseo ressecado. Tais excisões obedeceram aos critérios oncológicos, de margem de ressecção, preestabelecidos. As peças foram irradiadas com 300Gy depois de retiradas as partes moles e o tecido medular. Os segmentos tratados foram reimplantados no mesmo ato operatório. Dois casos tiveram a fíbula vascularizada colocada no interior do auto-enxerto e fixação com placa única especial. O resultado, com 20 meses de seguimento, foi muito satisfatório, concordante com a literatura mundial. Apesar do método ser ainda pouco utilizado e reconhecido pela maioria da comunidade médica, apresenta vantagens observáveis sobre os métodos alternativos existentes.

Epidemiologic Study of Retinoblastoma no Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil: janeiro 1985 - julho 1997

Objetivo: O retinoblastoma é o tumor maligno intraocular mais freqüente da infância. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar aspectos clínicos, de diagnóstico, tratamento e prognóstico em pacientes portadores de retinoblastoma atendidos em três centros de referência para esta patologia na cidade do Recife - PE. Métodos: Revisamos 85 prontuários de portadores de retinoblastoma e apresentamos o resultado da análise de 66 destes pacientes, atendidos durante o período de janeiro de 1985 a julho de 1997. Resultados: Apenas 4,5 por cento tinham história pregressa da doença. O sexo masculino foi mais acometido numa razäo homem/mulher de 1,12. A média de idade ao surgimento dos primeiros sintomas foi de 23,8 meses, sendo leucocoria e hiperemia ocular os mais freqüentes. A média de idade ao diagnóstico foi de 31,7 meses e a média de idade ao tratamento cirúrgico foi de 32,8 meses. O olho direito, com 42,4 por cento dos casos, foi mais acometido que o esquerdo (37,9 por cento). O tumor era unilateral em 80,3 por cento dos casos e bilateral em 19,7 por cento. Os tumores eram extra-oculares ao diagnóstico em 62,1 por cento, e intra-oculares em 37,9 por cento. O tratamento mais instituído foi a cirurgia associada à quimioterapia, em 47 por cento dos casos. 27,3 por cento dos pacientes tratados foram a óbito e 19,7 por cento abandonaram o tratamento. Conclusöes: Os dados encontrados em nosso estado assemelham-se àqueles observados em países em desenvolvimento, no que concerne à epidemiologia do retinoblastoma.

Doenças da arranhadura do gato e lesöes ósseas - relato de um caso / Cat scratch disease and bone lesions - a case report

Resumo: A doença da arranhadura do gato em pacientes imunocompetentes näo é näo é doença comum. A sua associaçäo com lesöes ósseas é rara. Um paciente que apresenta queixas ósseas de dor e tem diagnóstico rediológico de lesäo óssea deve ser investigado para esta doença. Uma simples anamnese poderá fazer o diagnóstico diferencial com outras doenças mais complexas como sarcoma de Ewing ou granuloma esonofílico.