Mongolian Gerbils as a Model for the Study of Cholesteatoma: Otoendoscopic as a Diagnostic Tool

Abstract Introduction Cholesteatoma is a disease with significant clinical impact but is incompletely understood. The challenge of performing studies with long-term follow-up in humans is a factor that has restricted the advance of knowledge in this field. Thus, the use of animal models is highly pertinent, and the Mongolian gerbil model has emerged as one of the most useful. Objective The present study aims to evaluate, through serial otoendoscopies, the development and characteristics of pars flaccida retraction pocket and cholesteatoma in Mongolian gerbils after obliteration of the eustachian tube and compare it with the control group. Methods Forty Mongolian gerbils were divided into two groups of 20 animals each. In the intervention group, the animals were followed with serial otoendoscopies after eustachian tube obliteration. In the control group, the animals were only followed through serial otoendoscopies. Results At the end of the 16-week follow-up, cholesteatoma was present in 13 of 38 (34.2%) ears in the intervention group, and in 7 of 34 (20.6%) in the control group (p = 0.197). When we considered cholesteatoma and its potential precursor, pars flaccida retraction pocket, in a combined way, we verified it in 23 of 38 (60.8%) in the intervention group and in 11 of 34 (32.3%) in the control group (p = 0.016). Conclusions Over the 16 weeks of follow-up, serial otoendoscopies enabled us to evaluate the formation and development of pars flaccida retraction pockets and cholesteatomas in Mongolian gerbils and proved to be an excellent diagnostic tool.

Neurodegenerative changes in the brainstem and olfactory bulb in people older than 50 years old: a descriptive study / Alterações neurodegenerativas no tronco cerebral e bulbo olfatório em indivíduos acima de 50 anos: um estudo descritivo

With the increase in life expectancy in Brazil, concerns have grown about the most prevalent diseases in elderly people. Among these diseases are neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Protein deposits related to the development of these diseases can pre-date the symptomatic phases by years. The tau protein is particularly interesting: it might be found in the brainstem and olfactory bulb long before it reaches the limbic cortex, at which point symptoms occur. Of the 14 brains collected in this study, the tau protein was found in the brainstems of 10 (71.42%) and in olfactory bulbs of 3 out 11. Of the 7 individuals who had a final diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 6 presented tau deposits in some region of the brainstem. Our data support the idea of the presence of tau protein in the brainstem and olfactory bulb in the earliest stages of AD.

Com o aumento da expectativa de vida no Brasil e no mundo, crescem as preocupações com as doenças mais prevalentes entre os idosos, dentre elas as doenças neurodegenerativas (DN) como a doença de Alzheimer (DA) e a doença de Parkinson (DP). Sabe-se que os depósitos proteicos relacionados com o desenvolvimento destas doenças podem preceder a fase sintomática em anos. A proteína tau é de particular interesse, uma vez que parece ser encontrada no tronco encefálico e bulbo olfatório muito antes de atingir o córtex límbico, quando ocorrem os primeiros sintomas. Dos 14 encéfalos coletados neste estudo, a proteína tau foi encontrada, no tronco encefálico, em 10 (71,42%) e no bulbo olfatório em 3 de 11. Dos 7 indivíduos que tiveram diagnóstico final de DA, todos apresentavam depósitos de tau em alguma região do tronco encefálico. Nossos dados estão de acordo com a literatura mais recente, que tem confirmado a presença de proteína tau no tronco encefálico e bulbo olfatório nos estágios mais precoces da DA.

Neurocitoma central atípico: relato de caso / Atypical central neurocytoma: case report

Neurocitomas centrais são tumores do sistema nervoso central de comportamento usualmente benigno, que costumam ocorrer nos ventrículos laterais de indivíduos jovens. Apresentamos o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, de 31 anos de idade, com uma lesão expansiva intraventricular ocasionando quadro de hidrocefalia e queixas visuais. O paciente foi submetido à ressecção completa da lesão. Apresentou hidrocefalia persistente no pós-operatório, necessitando de derivação ventrículo-peritoneal. A evolução foi favorável e o paciente recebeu alta para seguir acompanhamento ambulatorial. Exame anatomopatológico evidenciou neurocitoma central atípico. O objetivo deste relato é apresentar um caso clássico de uma neoplasia rara, realizando uma revisão da literatura e mostrando sua importância, dado o prognóstico favorável.

Central neurocytomas are central nervous system tumors. They are usually benign and tend to occur in the lateral ventricles of young adults. We report the case of a 31-year-old male patient with an intraventricular lesion, causing hydrocephalus and visual complaints. The patient was submitted to a complete surgical resection of the lesion. However, he persisted with hydrocephalus in the postoperative period and required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The clinical course was favorable and the patient was discharged to follow-up. Anatomic pathology test revealed an atypical central neurocytoma. The objective of this case report is to describe a classic presentation of a rare neoplasm, including a review of the literature, highlighting the importance of this diagnosis because of the favorable prognosis.

Tocotraumatismo materno e fetal. Experiência de um hospital universitário nível III / Maternal and fetal birth injury: Experience in a tertiary referral university hospital

Introdução: Os tocotraumatismos maternos e fetais, por estarem diretamente vinculados à morbiletalidade, constituem tema importante na área perinatológica. Conhecer a real incidência desse evento torna-se importante para eventuais correções de condutas. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a prevalência e os tipos de tocotraumatismos materno e fetal na população usuária de um hospital universitário nível III. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal, que envolveu gestantes no período de julho/2004 a dezembro/2005. Foram avaliadas variáveis maternas e neonatais. Utilizou-se o programa estatístico SPSS 16.0 para analisar as médias, desvios padrões e percentuais. Resultados: Em 2.137 nascimentos foram identificados 25 casos (1,2%) de tocotraumatismo fetal e 34 (1,6%) de tocotraumatismo materno. Dentre os tocotraumatismos fetais, a via de parto predominante foi a vaginal (88%) e a média da idade materna foi de 25,1±5,8 anos. O peso fetal médio foi de 3.366,4g±696,3g. As lesões leves foram as mais observadas (n=16; 64%). A fratura de clavícula foi o tocotraumatismo mais prevalente, seguido do céfalo-hematoma. Dentre os tocotraumatismos maternos, 33 nascimentos ocorreram via vaginal (97,1%) e a média da idade materna foi de 26,6±7,1 anos. O peso fetal médio foi de 3.152,9g ± 507,8g. As lesões mais observadas foram as de fúrcula vaginal (n=19; 55,9%). Conclusão: Dentre os casos de tocotraumatismo fetal (1,2%), as lesões do tipo leve e superficial foram as mais observadas, prevalecendo a fratura de clavícula. Dentre os casos de tocotraumatismos maternos (1,6%), as lacerações do 1.o e 2.o graus foram as mais prevalentes

Introduction: Because the maternal and fetal birth injuries are directly linked to morbidity/mortality, they are a major theme in the perinatal field. To get to know the real incidence of such events becomes important in order to correct any misconducts. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the types of maternal and fetal birth injuries in the population cared for at a tertiary referral university hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving pregnant women in the Jul/2004-Dec/2005 period. Maternal and neonatal variables were evaluated. Statistical software SPSS 16.0 was used in the analysis of means, standard deviations, and percentages. Results: Of 2.137 births, 25 cases (1.2%) of fetal and 34 (1.6%) cases of maternal birth injuries were reported. Among the fetal birth injuries, vaginal childbirth was the prevailing route of delivery (88%) and the mean maternal age was 25.1±5.8 years. The mean birth weight was 3.366.4g±696.3g. Minor lesions were the most prevalent ones (n=16; 64%). Fracture of the clavicle was the commonest injury, followed by cephalhematoma. Among the maternal birth injuries, 33 were through vaginal childbirth (97.1%) and the mean maternal age was 26.6±7.1 years. The mean birth weight was 3.152.9g±507.8g. The commonest injuries were those to the vaginal furcula (n=19; 55.9%). Conclusion: Among the cases of fetal birth injury (1.2%), minor, superficial lesions were the most frequent ones, with fracture of the clavicle prevailing. Among the maternal birth injuries (1.6%), 1st and 2nd degree lacerations were the most prevalent