Primary Tumors of the Sacrum: Imaging Findings.

The diagnosis of sacral neoplasms is often delayed because they tend to remain clinically silent for a long time. Imaging is useful at all stages of the management of sacral bone tumors, i.e., from the detection of the neoplasm to the long-term follow-up. Radiographs are recommended as the modality of choice to begin the imaging workup of a patient with known or suspected sacral pathology. More sensitive examinations, such as Computerized Tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MRI), or scintigraphy, are often necessary. The morphological features of the lesions on CT and MRI help orientate the diagnosis. Although some imaging characteristics are helpful to limit the differential diagnosis, an imaging-guided biopsy is often ultimately required to establish a specific diagnosis. Imaging is of paramount importance even in the long-term follow-up, in order to assess any residual tumor when surgical resection remains incomplete, to assess the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and to detect recurrence.

Efeitos da obesidade materna sobre o prognóstico gestacional e perinatal: [revisão] / Effects of maternal obesity on gestational and perinatal outcomes: [review]

A literatura obstétrica atual sugere a existência de impacto da obesidade sobre os desfechos maternos e perinatais à medida que inúmeros relatos demonstram implicações críticas aos períodos anteparto, intraparto e pós-parto. Apesar dessas publicações, a extensão desse impacto permanece controversa. Dada a crescente prevalência de obesidade entre mulheres em idade fértil e considerando-se o fato de que o peso materno acima do ideal é um dos poucos fatores de risco potencialmente modificáveis e, provavelmente, relacionados a um desfecho gestacional desfavorável, estratégias que incluam a prevenção da obesidade gestacional fornecidas ainda no período periconcepcional se tornam atualmente importantes ações de saúde pública. No presente estudo, os autores realizam uma atualização sobre o assunto, focalizando na interface dos efeitos da obesidade materna sobre o prognóstico gestacional e perinatal.

Neurological congenital malformations in a tertiary hospital in south Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among infants. The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) occurs in 21% of cases. OBJECTIVE: To identify incidence of CNS malformations and associated factors in newborns at a Terciary Hospital of Porto Alegre. METHOD: Case-control study conducted between 2000 and 2005 based on the Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations database. RESULTS: Among 26,588 births registered in this period, 3.67% presented with malformations (IC=95%; 3.44-3.9), being 0.36% of the CNS (IC=95%,(0.29-0.43)). The most common CNS malformation was meningomielocele (10.4%). Young maternal age (p=0.005); low birth weight (p=0.015); large cephalic perimeter (p=0.003); post term birth (p=0.000) and low APGAR indexes at the 1st and 5th minutes were associated with CNS malformations. CONCLUSION: We found an incidence of CNS malformations similar as compared to literature.

Neurological congenital malformations in a tertiary hospital in south Brazil / Malformações neurológicas congênitas observadas em hopsital terciário no sul do Brasil

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among infants. The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) occurs in 21 percent of cases. OBJECTIVE: To identify incidence of CNS malformations and associated factors in newborns at a Terciary Hospital of Porto Alegre. METHOD: Case-control study conducted between 2000 and 2005 based on the Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations database. RESULTS: Among 26,588 births registered in this period, 3.67 percent presented with malformations (IC=95 percent; 3.44-3.9), being 0.36 percent of the CNS (IC=95 percent,(0.29-0.43)). The most common CNS malformation was meningomielocele (10.4 percent). Young maternal age (p=0.005); low birth weight (p=0.015); large cephalic perimeter (p=0.003); post term birth (p=0.000) and low APGAR indexes at the 1st and 5th minutes were associated with CNS malformations. CONCLUSION: We found an incidence of CNS malformations similar as compared to literature.

Anomalias congênitas são umas das principais causas de morbimortalidade infantil. O sistema nervoso central (SNC) é acometido em 21 por cento dos casos. OBJETIVO: Identificar a incidência e fatores associados a malformações do SNC em recém nascidos na maternidade de um hospital terciário de Porto Alegre. MÉTODO: Estudo controle realizado de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2005, baseado no banco de dados do Estudo Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformações Congênitas. RESULTADOS: Dos 26.588 nascimentos, 3,67 por cento apresentaram malformação (IC=95 por cento; 3,44-3,9), com 0,36 por cento do SNC (IC=95 por cento, (0,29-0,43)). A malformação do SNC mais comum foi hidrocefalia (10,9 por cento). Menor idade materna (p=0,005); menor peso ao nascimento (p=0,015), maior perímetro cefálico (p=0,003); nascimentos pré-termo (p=0,000) e menores índice APGAR no 1º e 5º minutos (p<0,000) apresentaram associação com malformações do SNC. CONCLUSÃO: Foi encontrada incidência similar de malformações do SNC comparada à literatura.