[Multifocal hepatic hemangioendothelioma]. / Hemangioendotelioma hepático infantil multifocal.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatic hemangioendothelioma is a rare benign tumor in children, which frequently occurs in the first year of life. The clinical presentation is variable and the diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion, and laboratory and imaging studies. The objective was to describe a case of multifocal hepa tic hemangioendothelioma. CLINICAL REPORT: 3-month-old girl who presented hepatomegaly without elements of hepatic or heart failure. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan were used to diagnose hepatic hemangioendothelioma, which was confirmed by CT abdominal angiography. The patient received glucocorticoid treatment at high doses for a prolonged period. A year and a half after treatment, there was evidence of tumor remission. She had side effects from the established treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic patients with isolated hepatomegaly, it should be considered a probable tumor patho logy, considering the clinic and imaging studies. Possible complications and treatments risks must always be assessed. In this case, the tumor extension and its probable complications justified the use of prolonged corticosteroid therapy at high doses despite its adverse effects.

Hemangioendotelioma hepático infantil multifocal / Multifocal hepatic hemangioendothelioma

INTRODUCCIÓN: El hemangioendotelioma hepático (HEH) es un tumor benigno, raro en niños, que se presenta frecuentemente en el primer año de vida. La presentación clínica es variable y su diagnóstico se realiza en base a la sospecha clínica, estudios de laboratorio y de imagen. El objetivo fue describir un caso de hemangioendotelioma hepático multifocal. CASO CLÍNICO: Niña de 3 meses que presentó hepatomegalia sin elementos de falla hepática ni cardiaca. Se realizó ecografía y tomografía de ab domen que orientaron al diagnóstico de HEH que se confirmó con la angioresonancia de abdomen. Recibió glucocorticoides a altas dosis en forma prolongada. Al año y medio de iniciado el tratamiento se evidenció remisión del tumor. Presentó efectos secundarios por el tratamiento instaurado. CONCLUSIONES: La presencia de una hepatomegalia aislada en un lactante asintomático debe hacer pensar en una probable patología tumoral, orientándonos por la clínica e imagenología al diagnóstico nosológico de la misma. Siempre se debe sospesar las posibles complicaciones con los riesgos de los tratamientos a realizar. En este caso la extensión del tumor y sus probables complicaciones justificó el uso de corticoterapia prologada a altas dosis a pesar de sus efectos adversos.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatic hemangioendothelioma is a rare benign tumor in children, which frequently occurs in the first year of life. The clinical presentation is variable and the diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion, and laboratory and imaging studies. The objective was to describe a case of multifocal hepa tic hemangioendothelioma. CLINICAL REPORT: 3-month-old girl who presented hepatomegaly without elements of hepatic or heart failure. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan were used to diagnose hepatic hemangioendothelioma, which was confirmed by CT abdominal angiography. The patient received glucocorticoid treatment at high doses for a prolonged period. A year and a half after treatment, there was evidence of tumor remission. She had side effects from the established treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic patients with isolated hepatomegaly, it should be considered a probable tumor patho logy, considering the clinic and imaging studies. Possible complications and treatments risks must always be assessed. In this case, the tumor extension and its probable complications justified the use of prolonged corticosteroid therapy at high doses despite its adverse effects.

Sodium caseinate induces increased survival in leukaemic mouse J774 model.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukaemia is a neoplastic disease of haematopoietic stem cells. Although there have been recent advances regarding its treatment, mortality remains high. Consequently, therapeutic alternatives continue to be explored. In the present report, we present evidence that sodium caseinate (CasNa), a salt of the principal protein in milk, may possess important anti-leukaemic properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: J774 leukaemia macrophage-like cells were cultured with CasNa and proliferation, viability and differentiation were evaluated. These cells were also inoculated into BALB/c mice as a model of leukemia. RESULTS: We demonstrated that CasNa inhibits the in vitro proliferation and reduces viability of J774 cells, and leads to increased survival in vivo in a leukaemic mouse model. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that CasNa may be useful in leukaemia therapy.

[Hepatosplenic candidiasis in acute myeloid leukemia]. / Candidiasis hepatoesplénica en un paciente con leucemia mieloide aguda.

Chronic diseminated candidiasis--mainly its hepatosplenic form- is one of the most characteristic invasive infection due to Candida in haematological patients. A case is presented of a 31 year old man admitted to the Clinical Department with acute mieloid leukosis M2, showing febrile neutropenia after induction and consolidation chemotherapy. Hepatoesplenic candidiasis was diagnosed and confirmed by computered axial tomography (CAT) and hepatic biopsy; amphotericin B followed by liposome encapsuled amphotericin B up to complete a total dose of 4 g was used for treatment. The patient was discharged waiting for bone marrow transplantation. Early suspicion of hepatosplenic candidiasis helps to select a rapid diagnosis method and an effective treatment.

Dexamethasone treatment improves morphological and hematological parameters in chronic experimental schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis, a chronic disease with considerable social impact, is an important health problem in many countries. To investigate the possible use of immunomodulators as coadjuvants in the treatment of chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection, we evaluated the effect of dexamethasone on histological, hematological, and biochemical parameters that reflect disease severity and morbidity. Animals treated from the first day or after 35 days of infection, were analyzed. In both groups, dexamethasone: (1) induced a decrease in the number of granulomas in hepatic tissue without affecting the alanine aminotransferase profile, (2) reduced splenomegaly and hepatomegaly associated with disease, and (3) improved hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit values and reduced the percentage of reticulocytes, preventing the development of anemia that occurs in the chronic phase of infection. These data suggest that treatment with dexamethasone results in a mild course of murine schistosomiasis and point to this drug as a promising agent to complement S. mansoni specific treatment.

Bone mineral density in children and adolescents with hepatosplenic mansonic schistosomiasis and esophageal varices who underwent splenectomy and ligature of the left gastric vein

Twenty eight children and adolescents from 7 to 19 years of age, suffering from hepatosplenic mansonic schistosomiasis and bleeding esophageal varices were evaluated for bone mineral density (BMD), before undergoing medical and surgical treatment. The surgical protocol was splenectomy, autoimplantation of spleen tissue into a pouch of the greater omentum and ligature of the left gastric vein. Twenty one patients were evaluated after a follow up from two to nine years post surgical treatment. The BMD was measured at the lumbar spine (L2 - L4) through the dual energy absorptionmetry X-ray (DEXA), using a LUNAR DPX-L densitometer. Preoperatively, all patients showed deficit of the BMD varying from 1 to 7.07 standard deviations (Mean +/- SEM - 2.64 +/- 0.28), considering the mean line of the control curve for healthy children accepted as normal. The BMD deficit was more evident among the females than the males. After treatment there was a significant increment (C2 = 9.19 - p =0.01) of the BMD and 29 percent of the patients (six out of twenty one) were considered without bone mineral deficit. It was concluded that the patients included in this series, who suffer from hepatosplenic mansonic schistosomiasis, showed an important BMD deficit, specially among the females which has had a significant improvement after medical and surgical treatment

Ultrasound findings in children with toxocariasis: report on 18 cases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate abdominal ultrasound (US) findings in children infected with Toxocara canis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen children, 18 months to 7 years of age, with serological diagnosis of T.canis infection underwent abdominal US. Eosinophil counts, hemoglobin levels and immunoglobulin E titers were measured for all patients. RESULTS: Abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple hypoechoic areas in the livers of 15 patients (83.3%). Hepatohilar lymph-node enlargement was present in 14 patients (77.7%), 2 of whom also showed peripancreatic lymph-node enlargement. Hepatomegaly was present in 13 patients (72.7%) and splenomegaly in 9 (50%). CONCLUSION: The most prevalent findings of abdominal ultrasound examination of children with T.canis infection are hepatic granulomas and abdominal lymph-node enlargement. This infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any children who exhibit these findings on abdominal US examination, especially for those with eosinophilia.

Specific treatment of advanced schistosomiasis liver disease in man: favourable results.

One hundred eighty-four patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni from the northeast of Brazil were studied. All were treated with a single dose of Oxamniquine or Praziquantel, and were observed over 6 to 12 months. Special attention was given to the evolution of severe hepatopathy. Favourable results were obtained, particularly with the compensated hepatosplenic form. Hepatic function showed great improvement. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were significantly reduced in size, to a greater or lesser extent, in the great majority of patients. The implications of the results obtained are considered below.

Specific treatment of advanced Schistosomiasis liver disease in man: favourable results

One hundred eighty-four patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni from the northeast of Brazil were studied. All were treated with a single dose of Oxamniquine or Praziquantel, and were observed over 6 to 12 months. Special attention was given to the evolution of severe hepatopathy. Favourable results were obtained, particularly with the compensated hepatosplenic form. Hepatic function showed great improvement. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were significantly reduced in size, to a greater or lesser extent, in the great majority of patients. The implications of the results obtained are considered below.