Defecation reflex seizures: a case report with long-term VEEG monitoring, neuroimaging and comprehensive epilepsy evaluation.

Reflex seizures are consistently elicited by a specific afferent sensory stimulus or an activity undertaken by the patient. Among many known stimuli, defecation has rarely been reported. We describe the case of a child with reflex seizures triggered by defecation, considering the diagnostic challenge, epilepsy evaluation with video-EEG monitoring, as well as impact on neuropsychology, behaviour and quality of life. The child was a 10-year-old boy with seizure onset at age four with epilepsy diagnosis established one and a half years later. Seizures were focal with impaired awareness triggered by defecation. Video-EEG and structural and functional neuroimaging were performed and all pointed to the left temporal region. The patient became seizure-free with carbamazepine and valproic acid. Neuropsychological and quality of life assessments suggested global impairment, both before and after seizure control. This is the third case of epilepsy induced by defecation reported in the literature. The rarity of this entity may be a diagnostic challenge and postpone specific treatment. Reporting of cases of defecation reflex epilepsy may provide a better understanding of its physiopathology and optimize effective treatment, avoiding cognitive, behavioural and poor social consequences. [Published with video sequence].

Prevalência de lesões precursoras do câncer anal em indivíduos HIV positivos, atendidos na Fundaçào de Medicina Tropical do Amazonas, experiência inicial em Manaus / Prevalence of precursory lesions of cancer in HIV positive, individuals assisted at Fundação de Medicina Tropical do Amazonas, initial experience in Manaus

O câncer anal representa aproximadamente 2 por cento dos cânceres colorretais. Nos últimos anos observa-se o aumento da incidência nos indivíduos HIV positivos. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de lesões intra-epiteliais escamosas anais (ASIL) em pacientes HIV+ procedentes de Manaus. Foram estudados 45 doentes HIV+ encontrando-se no exame histopatológico, os seguintes resultados: 15(35,7 por cento) lesões de baixo grau, 3(7,1 por cento) lesões de alto grau e 24(57,2 por cento) negativos para ASIL. Houve, portanto, alta prevalência de ASIL, 42,8 por cento. Concluímos que a prevalência de ASIL entre os pacientes HIV positivos, da amostra estudada, é muito importante, justificando-se a implantação de um programa de acompanhamento e detecção precoce, destas lesões; pois os pacientes HIV+ representam um importante grupo de risco para o desenvolvimento do câncer anal.

The anal cancer accounts approximately for 2 percent of the cases of colorectal cancer. In the last few years it has been observed an increase in the incidence of this disease in HIV-positive individuals. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASIL) in HIV-positive patients which are resident in Manaus. Forty-five HIV+ patients were included in the study, from which it was collected anal mucosal tissue for biopsy under anoscopic control using widened image for histopathological exam. According to this exam, it was found the following results: 15(35,7 percent) low grade lesions, 3(7,1 percent) high grade lesions and 24 (57,2 percent) negative for ASIL. Therefore, there was a high prevalence of ASIL, 42,8 percent. We concluded that the prevalence of ASIL among HIV-positive patients, in the studied sample, is very important, justifying the implementation of a program of precocious monitoring and detection of these lesions, as the HIV+ patients represent an important risk group for the developing of anal cancer.