Cardiovascular risk in women with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

CONTEXT: The outcomes related to cardiovascular risk (CVR) in patients with nonclassical form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) are unknown, especially those related to therapeutic options, including low doses of glucocorticoids (GCs) or oral contraceptive pills. OBJECTIVES: to analyze CVR by markers of atherosclerosis in females with nonclassical form according to therapeutic options. DESIGN AND SETTING: a cross-sectional study at a tertiary center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven females with NCAH (33.4 ± 10 years) were subdivided into: G1 (n = 28) treated with dexamethasone (0.14 ± 0.05 mg/m2/day); G2 (n = 19) with oral contraceptive pills; and G3 (30 matched controls). CVR was analyzed through serum lipids, HOMA-IR, inflammatory cytokines levels and quantitative image evaluations (pulse wave velocity-PWV, endothelial function by flow mediated dilatation-FMD, carotid intima media thickness-CIMT and visceral fat-VAT by abdominal tomography. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in BMI, HOMA-IR, HDL-cholesterol, or triglyceride levels among groups (p > 0.05). Serum interleukin-6 levels ​​were higher in G1 than in G2 (p = 0.048), and interleukin-8 levels were higher in G1 than in G2/3 (p = 0.008). There were no statistically significant differences in VAT, PWV, FMD or CIMT among groups (p > 0.05). In multivariable regression analysis, there was no statistically significant association between glucocorticoid dose and evaluated outcomes. CONCLUSION: Adult females with NCAH did not show increased CVR using methodologies for detection of precocious atherosclerosis. Although patients receiving dexamethasone therapy had increased IL-6 and 8 levels, these data were not associated with radiological markers of atherosclerosis. Our cohort was composed of young adults and should be reevaluated in a long-term follow-up.

A Head-to-Head Comparison of Computed Tomography Colonography, Optical Colonoscopy, and Colon Endoscopic Capsule for the Detection of Polyps After Partial Colectomy or Rectosigmoidectomy for Colorectal Cancer: A Pilot Study.

Background and objective Optical colonoscopy is the gold standard method for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and it allows for biopsy and resection, as well as documentation of synchronous lesions. CT colonography (CTC) and colon endoscopic capsule (CEC) are also recommended as alternative minimally invasive or non-invasive procedures. Prospective studies comparing these three approaches are scarce in the current literature. In light of this, the aim of this pilot study was to compare the efficacy of polyp detection between these three methods in patients with a history of curative surgical resection of CRC. Methods Patients were consecutively recruited and all procedures were sequentially conducted on the same day. The primary endpoint was the detection rate of polyps, whereas secondary endpoints were the detection of polyps according to size and location, and the adverse events caused by these procedures. Results A total of 21 patients were consecutively included and all of them underwent all three interventions. No adverse events, local recurrences, or metachronous lesions were detected. In two cases with elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CTC unveiled distant metastasis. Optical colonoscopy registered a mean of 0.4 polyp >6 mm and 1.3 polyps <6 mm per patient. CTC unveiled only 0.5 polyp >6 mm/patient and no smaller lesions were documented, whereas findings for the colon capsule comprised an average of 0.4 polyps >6 mm and 0.7 polyps <6 mm per patient. Statistical difference was not demonstrated, except for virtual colonoscopy in terms of the total number of polyps detected in comparison to optical colonoscopy. Conclusions Optical colonoscopy showed superior results in comparison to virtual colonoscopy while there was no statistical difference in comparison to colon capsule. Notwithstanding occasional difficulties, all three techniques were well tolerated. Hence, decisions concerning the use of each diagnostic method should be based on their availability, professional expertise, contraindications, and patient preferences.

Pneumotórax secundário por lesão cística formada na síndrome respiratória aguda pela COVID-19 ­ um relato de caso / Secondary pneumothorax by cystic lesion formed in the syndrome respiratory distress by COVID-19 - a case report

Contexto: Revisões de exames de imagem de tórax durante a pandemia pela COVID-19 relatam que pneumotórax é evento raro, quando não associado à ventilação mecânica. Relatamos um caso de paciente com COVID-19 que apresentou pneumotórax e discutimos sua fisiopatologia, com descrição inédita de alteração anatômica promovida pela COVID-19. Descrição do caso: Paciente de 46 anos, em fase de recuperação de síndrome respiratória aguda pela COVID-19, com exame RT-PCR (transcrição reversa - reação em cadeia da polimerase) para COVID-19 positivo que desenvolveu quadro agudo de dor, falta de ar, hemoptoico e dispneia de início abrupto devido a hidropneumotórax moderado, sem ter sido submetido a ventilação com pressão positiva. O pneumotórax foi prontamente drenado, evoluindo com alta hospitalar após seis dias, com reexpansão pulmonar, mas ainda apresentando lesões em vidro fosco pulmonares típicas da COVID-19 e pequena lesão cística, visível desde a primeira tomografia, feita na fase aguda e com remissão completa na fase de convalescência. Discussão: Apresentamos uma manifestação rara da síndrome respiratória aguda pela COVID-19, ainda não relatada no Brasil, e que associamos com a formação de cistos pulmonares e piora da complacência pulmonar. Conclusão: Pneumotórax deve ser lembrado como hipótese diagnóstica em pacientes que apresentam quadro súbito de dor torácica, dispneia e hipoxemia e sugerimos rever seus exames de imagens em busca de lesões que justifiquem a ruptura pleural.

Excellent Response to Olaparib in a Patient with Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma with Germline BRCA1 Mutation after Progression on FOLFIRINOX: Case Report and Literature Review.

Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal prognosis. Until recently, cytotoxic chemotherapy was the only treatment option. Currently, there are subgroups of patients with PDAC either with somatic or germline mutations who are candidates for targeted agents. Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes promote the incapacity of tumor cells to recover from DNA-accumulated damage caused by cytotoxic drugs, like platinum agents, and, most recently, through a diverse process by poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi). A 59-year-old female who was treated for a triple negative breast cancer 8 years ago with surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, presented with increasing back pain. Investigation revealed multiple liver nodules and a large mass in the head of the pancreas. Biopsy confirmed PDAC. She received 13 cycles of FOLFIRINOX, achieving partial response both in the liver and pancreatic lesion, with resolution of symptoms. Due to increasing neuropathy, chemotherapy was stopped, and the patient was followed. Sixteen months later, her CA19-9 levels increased. Given limiting neuropathy, the patient was restarted on FOLFIRI only. After 8 cycles, there was disease progression plus uncontrolled back pain. A mutational test was requested and confirmed a BRCA1 germline mutation. The patient was started on olaparib. After 3 cycles, images showed a significant response and after 6 cycles, it remained stable, with persistent fall in CA19-9 levels. She is currently on treatment, with ongoing response. In conclusion, patients with metastatic PDAC and BRCA mutation may benefit from PARPi even after progression on chemotherapy. We hypothesize that olaparib works even in the setting of disease progression and not solely as a maintenance therapy following platinum-based therapy. Randomized trials are needed investigating the role of olaparib following disease progression in PDAC.

Primary tumor resection of metastatic gastric cancer in a multimodal era: Two case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Although no consensus has been reached on the role of surgical treatment for metastatic gastric cancer, some reports suggest promising results on patients with a small disease volume upon presentation. We present two cases of metastatic disease with a favorable outcome following surgical treatment. PRESENTATION OF CASES: The first case presented with an adenocarcinoma of the cardia, which was staged as oligometastatic due to a small liver nodule on segment III. Treatment consisted of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by laparoscopic esophagectomy and hepatectomy. The patient remains disease-free 62 months after surgery. Unlike the first case, the second case presented with a large number of liver nodules upon diagnosis, ruling out metastasectomy as a possible treatment. The tumor expressed HER2 receptors and responded favorably to chemotherapy plus trastuzumab for 34 months. At this point, disease progression was observed on the primary site, but the hepatic lesions remained stable. The patient underwent gastrectomy, resumed the chemotherapy regimen, and had a favorable outcome, with stability of the liver metastasis and no local recurrence following primary tumor resection. DISCUSSION: We illustrate through these two cases the effectiveness of a combined approach featuring perioperative chemotherapy and radical surgery for selected cases of oligometastatic gastric cancer, which we hope will spur further research on the topic. CONCLUSION: Systemic treatment in metastatic gastric cancer may represent a novel treatment approach that allows surgical resection of the primary tumor in select cases.

Inter- and intraobserver agreement in computed tomography enterography in inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM: To evaluate intra- and interobserver agreement in imaging features in inflammatory bowel disease and comparison with fecal calprotectin (FC) levels. METHODS: Our institutional computed tomography enterography (CTE) database was retrospectively queried to identify patients who underwent CTE from January 2014 to June 2015. Patient inclusion criteria were confirmed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and FC collected < 4 mo after CTE without any change in clinical treatment or surgical treatment during this interval. The exclusion criterion was poor image quality. Two blinded abdominal radiologists, with 12 and 3 years of experience analyzed the CTE regarding localization (small bowel, colonic, both, or no disease detected); type of IBD (inflammatory, stenosing, fistulizing, > 1 pattern, or normal); and signs of active disease (present or absent). In 42 of 44 patients evaluated, routine CTE reports were made by one of the readers who re-evaluated the CTEs ≥ 6 mo later, to determine the intraobserver agreement. FC was considered a sign of disease activity when it was higher than 250 µg/g. RESULTS: Forty-four patients with IBD (38 with Crohn's disease and 6 with ulcerative colitis) were included. There was a moderate interobserver agreement regarding localization of IBD (κ = 0.540), type of disease (κ = 0.410) and the presence of active signs in CTE (κ = 0.419). There was almost perfect intraobserver agreement regarding localization, type and signs of active disease in IBD. The κ values were 0.902, 0.937 and 0.830, respectively. After a consensus between both radiologists regarding inflammatory activity in CTE, we found that 24 (85.7%) of 28 patients who were classified with active disease had elevated FC, and six (37.5%) of 16 patients without inflammatory activity in CTE had elevated FC (P = 0.003). The correlation between elevated FC and the presence of active disease in CTE was significant (κ = 0.495, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found almost perfect intraobserver and moderate interobserver agreement in the signs of active disease in CTE with concurrence of high FC levels.