GAPO syndrome: three new Brazilian cases, additional osseous manifestations, and review of the literature.

The GAPO syndrome is an extremely rare autosomal recessive disease that presents as main characteristics evident growth retardation, alopecia, pseudoanodontia, progressive optic atrophy and a typical face. Until now, only 30 patients have been reported in the medical literature (nine of them from Brazil, including the three cases described in the present article). This study describes three siblings with GAPO syndrome, two female and one male, the children of consanguineous parents (first-degree cousins, inbreeding F = 1/16), who are older than the previously described patients, presenting the characteristic phenotype besides serious bone alterations in the lower limbs, which had not yet been observed.

Is magnetic resonance spectroscopy capable of detecting metabolic abnormalities in neurofibromatosis type 1 that are not revealed in brain parenchyma of normal appearance?

BACKGROUND: Results of magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies in normal-appearing brain and in non-neoplastic brain lesions in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) have been discrepant. OBJECTIVE: We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to analyze the metabolic patterns in the basal ganglia of patients with NF1 and examine their correlation with focal hyperintense lesions in T2-weighted images (T2-weighted hyperintensities). METHODS: We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy data of 42 individuals with NF1 (18 with and 24 without T2- weighted hyperintensities) and 25 controls matched for gender and age. A single-voxel technique was employed by manually placing a region of interest with a uniform size over a predetermined anatomical region including the globus pallidum and putamen (capsulolenticular region). We further analyzed the ratios of choline/creatine, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/creatine, and myoinositol/creatine metabolites and the occurrence of T2-weighted hyperintensities in these regions in individuals with NF1. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the NF1 and control groups with regard to the mean values of myoinositol/creatine and choline/creatine, with higher metabolite values observed in the NF1 group (P < 0.001). Only the myoinositol/creatine ratio was able to discriminate between NF1 subgroups with and without T2-weighted hyperintensities. For the NAA/creatine ratio, there was no significant difference between the NF1 and the control groups. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows the characterization of tissue abnormalities not demonstrable in the structural images of individuals with NF1 through choline and myoinositol metabolite analysis. Yet the preserved NAA values argue against demyelination and axonal degeneration occurring in the region, suggesting instead a functional neuronal stability. Taken in association with the findings of lack of clinical manifestations and the known transient nature of T2-weighted hyperintensities in NF1 as demonstrated by other studies, our results support the current histopathologically driven hypothesis that such T2-weighted hyperintensities may be related to intramyelinic edema.

Unidentified bright objects in neurofibromatosis type 1: conventional MRI in the follow-up and correlation of microstructural lesions on diffusion tensor images.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the evolution of unidentified bright objects (UBOs) in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) by serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to relate this to regional fractional anisotropy (FA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The signal pattern of the T2-weighted sequences in the basal ganglia, thalamus, brain stem, and cerebellum for 27 NF1 individuals and a control group were analyzed by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The presence or absence of UBOs in 2 consecutive MRI examinations was related to FA. RESULTS: We demonstrated significant differences in FA for the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and thalamus between NF1 patients and controls (P ≤ 0.05), even with a reduction or disappearance of UBOs. CONCLUSIONS: MRI allows for adequate monitoring of the temporal and spatial distribution of UBOs in patients with NF1. DTI confirmed changes in FA despite the disappearance or reduction of UBOs, thereby confirming the hypothesis that microstructural damage occurs in specific brain regions of NF1 patients.

Displasia cleidocraniana: descrição com ênfase nos aspectos radiográficos de três casos em uma família / Cleidocranial dysplasia: description with emphasis on the radiographic aspects of three cases in a family

Descrevemos três casos de displasia cleidoclavicular em uma família, uma síndrome genética rara, apresentando comportamento autossômico dominante, porém com 20-40% dos casos esporádicos, com incidência estimada em 1-9/1.000.000. O estudo se baseia em uma família constituída pelo o casal progenitor, duas filhas e um filho. Dentre esse grupo, a mãe e as duas filhas apresentavam baixa estatura, com região frontotemporal craniana abaulada, sutura sagital proeminente principalmente no aspecto anterior, braquicefalia, discreta exoftalmia, pescoço largo e redução do diâmetro laterolateral da porção superior do tórax. Nas radiografias do crânio e tórax, foram observados em todas as três principalmente a presença de ossos wormianos na calota craniana, dentes supranumerários, anomalias de erupção dentária e clavículas ausentes ou rudimentares. Diante dos achados, o diagnóstico de displasia cleidocraniana foi estabelecido (AU)

We describe three cases of cleidoclavicular dysplasia in a family, a rare genetic syndrome, presenting autosomal dominant behavior, but with 20-40% of sporadic cases, with an estimated incidence of 1-9/ 1.000.000. The study is based on a family consisting of the parent couple, two daughters and one child. In this group, the mother and the two daughters presented a short stature, with a frontal cranial frontotemporal region, prominent sagittal suture mainly in the anterior region, brachycephaly, mild exophthalmia, broad neck and reduction of the laterolateral diameter of the upper portion of the thorax. In the radiographs of the skull and chest, the presence of Wormian bones in the skull cap, supernumerary teeth, anomalies of tooth eruption and absent or rudimentary clavicles were observed in all three. In view of the findings, the diagnosis of cleidocranial dysplasia was established.(AU)

Preenchimento estético das mamas com ácido hialurônico: aspectos de imagem e implicações sobre a avaliação radiológica / Aesthetic breast augmentation with hyaluronic acid: imaging findings and implications for radiological assessmen

Novos preenchedores injetáveis, como o ácido hialurônico, vêm sendo empregados recentemente como alternativa não cirúrgica a implantes como os de silicone para aumento estético das mamas. Embora ainda pouco difundido no Brasil, é importante que o radiologista conheça os achados de imagem nesse contexto e as implicações desse preenchedor sobre a avaliação radiológica durante o rastreamento do câncer de mama.

New injectable fillers such as hyaluronic acid have recently been employed as a non-surgical alternative to implants such as silicone for aesthetic breast enhancement. Although their utilization is not yet widespread in Brazil, radiologists should be aware of the imaging findings in this context and of the implications of the presence of this filler for the radiological evaluation in the screening for breast cancer.

Neurofibromatose tipo 1: aspectos radiológicos do tórax / Type 1 neurofibromatosis: radiological findings of the chest

OBJETIVO: Identificar alterações e frequências nas radiografias simples do tórax sugestivas de neurofibromatose tipo 1 e avaliar a possibilidade de inclusão de massa no mediastino posterior como critério de diagnóstico de neurofibromatose tipo 1. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas radiografias com técnica padrão de tórax em póstero-anterior e em perfil de 141 pacientes com neurofibromatose tipo 1, atendidos no Serviço de Radiologia do Hospital de Base e Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, SP. Os resultados obtidos foram avaliados por métodos não paramétricos ao nível de 0,05 de significância (p = 0,05). RESULTADOS: No presente estudo, 141 pacientes com neurofibromatose tipo 1 realizaram radiografia de tórax, sendo as alterações mais frequentes: erosão óssea das costelas (19,8 por cento), peito escavado (12,0 por cento), cifoescoliose (3,5 por cento) e massas no mediastino posterior (7,1 por cento). Esses resultados sugerem que as massas (neurofibroma e meningocele) devem ser incluídas como critério diagnóstico para neurofibromatose tipo 1, juntamente com displasia do osso esfenoide, pseudoartrose e afinamento do córtex de ossos longos, conforme definido pelo National Institutes of Health. CONCLUSÃO: A presença das massas no mediastino posterior associada às alterações ósseas características definidas pelo National Institutes of Health indicam ser um achado consistente para se considerar como critério diagnóstico da doença.

OBJECTIVE: To identify chest radiography findings suggestive of type 1 neurofibromatosis, establishing their frequency and evaluating the possibility of including the presence of posterior mediastinal masses as a criterion for the diagnosis of type 1 neurofibromatosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 141 patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis assisted at the Service of Radiology of Hospital de Base and Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil, and submitted to standard chest radiography in postero-anterior and lateral views. The results were analyzed by non-parametric methods and the level of statistical significance was set at 0.05 (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The most frequent findings were the following: ribs erosion (19.8 percent), pectus excavatum (12.0 percent), kyphoscoliosis (3.5 percent) and posterior mediastinal masses (7.1 percent). Such results suggest that posterior mediastinal masses (neurofibroma and meningocele) should be included as a diagnostic criterion of type 1 neurofibromatosis, in conjunction with dysplasia of the sphenoid wing, pseudoarthrosis and thinning of long bone cortex, as defined by the National Institutes of Health. CONCLUSION: The presence of posterior mediastinal masses in association with the typical bone changes defined by the National Institutes of Health is a consistent finding to be considered as a diagnostic criterion of the disease.

Neurofibromatose tipo 1: aspectos clínicos e radiológicos / Neurofibromatosis type 1: clinical and radiological aspects

A neurofibromatose tipo 1 é uma doença genética com incidência de aproximadamente 1:3.000 habitantes e caracteriza-se, principalmente, pelo envolvimento sistêmico e progressivo, manifestando-se por deformidade física e comprometimento de funções neurológicas. O diagnóstico da neurofibromatose tipo 1 deve ser realizado o mais precocemente possível, por meio de exames clínicos e história familial, sendo indispensável o uso de exames de imagem como radiografia, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética para diagnóstico, acompanhamento terapêutico e controle das lesões, prevenindo complicações. Neste estudo são abordados aspectos clínicos e radiológicos da neurofibromatose tipo 1, considerando características clínicas, base genética, alterações ósseas no tórax, coluna vertebral, membros superiores e inferiores, e cranioencefálicas.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a genetic disease with an incidence of approximately 1 in 3,000 people, characterized mainly by systemic and progressive involvement, manifesting by physical deformity and compromising of neurological functions. The diagnosis of the neurofibromatosis type 1 must be performed the earliest possible through clinical exams and familial history. The use of imaging diagnosis as radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging is valuable for diagnosis, treatment, follow-up of patients and control of lesions, preventing complications. In this study we describe the clinical and radiological aspects of the neurofibromatosis type 1, considering clinical features, genetics, bone alterations in chest, vertebral column, upper and lower limbs, and craniofacial abnormalities.

Prevalência de achados pulmonares em 55 pacientes com neoplasias esofagianas / Prevalence of lung abnormalities in 55 patients with esophageal cancer

OBJETIVO: Identificar alterações pulmonares em pacientes com neoplasia esofágica. Comparar os dados obtidos, além de mostrar sua relação com o tabagismo. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal tipo série de casos. Foram analisados prontuários e exames de imagem (tomografias computadorizadas e radiografias) de 55 pacientes com câncer de esôfago, diagnosticados entre 1998 e 2001, no Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto. Comparou-se a freqüência dos tumores encontrados e outras alterações pulmonares em dois grupos de pacientes: tabagistas e não tabagistas. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e seis (83 por cento) pacientes apresentaram carcinomas espinocelulares, sete (13 por cento) adenocarcinomas, um (2 por cento) carcinoma de pequenas células e um (2 por cento) linfoma não-Hodgkin. Quarenta e oito (87 por cento) pacientes eram tabagistas e sete (13 por cento) eram não tabagistas. Entre os tabagistas, 89 por cento possuíam carcinoma espinocelular, 9 por cento adenocarcinoma e 2 por cento carcinoma de pequenas células. Entre os não tabagistas, 57 por cento apresentaram adenocarcinoma, 28 por cento carcinoma espinocelular e 15 por cento linfoma não-Hodgkin. Houve metástases em quatro tabagistas e em dois não tabagistas. A prevalência das alterações pulmonares (infiltrado intersticial, enfisema e pneumonia) foi maior nos tabagistas (73 por cento) do que nos não tabagistas (27 por cento) (p = 0,03). CONCLUSÃO: Este fato reforça a importância da avaliação pulmonar nos pacientes com neoplasia esofágica.

OBJECTIVE: To identify lung abnormalities in patients with esophageal cancer, to compare the obtained data and to demonstrate its relationship with smoking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a series of cases type of cross-sectional study. We studied 55 patients with esophageal carcinoma diagnosed between 1998 and 2001 at "Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto", SP, Brazil. Chest plain films and computed tomography scans were analyzed. The frequency of the tumors and other lung abnormalities in two groups of patients were compared: smokers and non-smokers. RESULTS: Forty-six (83%) patients had spinous cell carcinoma, seven (13%) adenocarcinomas, one (2%) carcinoma of small cells and one (2%) non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Forty-eight (87%) patients were smokers and seven (13%) were non-smokers. In the smokers group, 89% had spinous cell carcinoma, 9% adenocarcinoma and 2% small cells carcinoma. In the non-smokers group, 57% had adenocarcinoma, 28% spinous cell carcinoma and 15% non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Metastases were identified in four smokers and in two non-smokers. The prevalence of the lung abnormalities (interstitial infiltration, emphysema and pneumonia) was higher in the smokers group (73%) than in the non-smokers group (27%) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This fact reinforces the importance of evaluation of the lungs in patients with esophageal neoplasms.

Prevalência de achados radiográficos da nerurofibromatose tipo 1: estudo de 82 casos / Prevalence of radiological findings in neurofibromatosis type 1: a study of 82 patients

A neurofibromatose tipo 1 é uma das enfermidades genéticas mais comuns da espécie humana com padrão de herança autossômica dominante. As alterações radiológicas encontradas com maior freqüência são: escoliose, cifose, cifoescoliose, áreas de erosão óssea, crescimento anormal do osso, pseudo-artrose, meningocele, deformidade da parede posterior dos corpos vertebrais ("scalloping"), peito escavado, lesões osteolíticas nos ossos longos e alterações do sistema nervoso central. Os autores apresentam dados estatísticos dos achados radiográficos prevalentes em 82 pacientes com neurofibromatose tipo 1 acompanhados pelo Centro de Pesquisa e Atendimento em Neurofibromatose, de São José do Rio Preto, SP, um centro multidisciplinar de estudo e tratamento dos portadores da doença.