Initial clinical evidence on biperiden as antiepileptogenic after traumatic brain injury-a randomized clinical trial.

There is currently no efficacious intervention for preventing post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Preclinical studies support the potential use of anticholinergics for this condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of biperiden as an intervention for preventing PTE. A randomized, double-blinded clinical trial was conducted at HC/FMUSP between 2018-2022. Adults with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) were randomly assigned to receive biperiden or placebo, for 10 days. The primary outcome was the incidence of PTE while the secondary outcomes included the frequency of seizures, the frequency of any adverse events and mortality after 24 months. The study was powered at a planned enrolment of 132 patients. The trial began in January 2018 and was halted by researchers on March 2020 (and terminated in December 2022) in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 123 participants were randomized and 112 contributed with data for modified mITT analysis, being that 61 (49.5%) participants completed the 24-month follow-up consult. Data analysis indicated lack of evidence of biperiden for either, the incidence of post-traumatic epilepsy (2.6, 95%CI, 0.65-10.57; p = 0.170) or the mortality rate (1.57, 95%CI, 0.73-3.38; p = 0.248). The frequency of late post-traumatic seizures was higher for biperiden group (2.03, 95%CI = 0.912-3.1597; p <0.001). The present study suggests that there was insufficient evidence regarding the effect of biperiden in preventing PTE after TBI, which underpins the need for larger studies. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT01048138.

Neurothekeoma in the Axilla Causing Persistent Shoulder Pain: Case Report.

Neurothekeomas, also known as neural sheath myxomas, are rare benign tumors of the neural sheath affecting most commonly the head, arms and shoulder of women in their 2 nd and 3 rd decades of life. Due to the low prevalence and undefined clinical picture, they are hardly considered in the initial differential diagnosis of skin tumors. We report the case of a 24 year-old woman who was seen in 2016 reporting > 1 year of moderate pain and limited mobility of her left shoulder. Clinical evaluation revealed restricted mobility of the affected shoulder and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging showed a T2-weighted contrast-enhanced multilobular mass in the quadrilateral area apparently invading the adjacent humeral cortical region. Histopathology of a needle sample material revealed loose fibroconnective tissue with no signs of invasion, mitosis or atypical figures. Successful surgical excision was performed and the diagnosis of neurothekeoma was confirmed after detailed histopathology, including immunohistochemistry. The patient was asymptomatic at 18 months of follow-up, with full recovery of shoulder movement and no signs of relapse.

Neurothekeoma in the Axilla Causing Persistent Shoulder Pain: Case Report / Neurotecoma na axila causando dor persistente no ombro: Relato de caso

Abstract Neurothekeomas, also known as neural sheath myxomas, are rare benign tumors of the neural sheath affecting most commonly the head, arms and shoulder of women in their 2nd and 3rd decades of life. Due to the low prevalence and undefined clinical picture, they are hardly considered in the initial differential diagnosis of skin tumors. We report the case of a 24 year-old woman who was seen in 2016 reporting > 1 year of moderate pain and limited mobility of her left shoulder. Clinical evaluation revealed restricted mobility of the affected shoulder and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging showed a T2-weighted contrast-enhanced multilobular mass in the quadrilateral area apparently invading the adjacent humeral cortical region. Histopathology of a needle sample material revealed loose fibroconnective tissue with no signs of invasion, mitosis or atypical figures. Successful surgical excision was performed and the diagnosis of neurothekeoma was confirmed after detailed histopathology, including immunohistochemistry. The patient was asymptomatic at 18 months of follow-up, with full recovery of shoulder movement and no signs of relapse.

Resumo Neurotecomas, também conhecidos como mixomas da bainha neural, são tumores benignos raros da bainha neural afetando mais comumente a cabeça, braços e ombros de mulheres entre 20 e 40 anos de idade. Devido à baixa prevalência e quadro clínico mal definido, essas lesões são raramente consideradas no diagnóstico diferencial de tumores cutâneos. Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 24 anos de idade que procurou atendimento em 2016 relatando dor moderada por mais de um ano e limitação dos movimentos do ombro esquerdo. Ao exame, foi constatada restrição da mobilidade dessa articulação e uma ressonância magnética revelou imagem multilobular com aumento de sinal em T2 na região quadrilateral, aparentando invasão da região cortical do úmero subjacente. A histopatologia de uma biópsia incisional mostrou lesão composta por tecido conjuntivo frouxo, sem sinais de invasão, figuras de mitose ou atipias. Foi realizada excisão completa da lesão e o diagnóstico de neurotecoma foi confirmado após análise histopatológica que incluiu painel imunohistoquímico. À revisão de 18 meses, a paciente estava assintomática com recuperação completa do movimento e sem evidência de recidiva da lesão.

Haplotype analysis of the internationally distributed BRCA1 c.3331_3334delCAAG founder mutation reveals a common ancestral origin in Iberia.

BACKGROUND: The BRCA1 c.3331_3334delCAAG founder mutation has been reported in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer families from multiple Hispanic groups. We aimed to evaluate BRCA1 c.3331_3334delCAAG haplotype diversity in cases of European, African, and Latin American ancestry. METHODS: BC mutation carrier cases from Colombia (n = 32), Spain (n = 13), Portugal (n = 2), Chile (n = 10), Africa (n = 1), and Brazil (n = 2) were genotyped with the genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays to evaluate haplotype diversity around BRCA1 c.3331_3334delCAAG. Additional Portuguese (n = 13) and Brazilian (n = 18) BC mutation carriers were genotyped for 15 informative SNPs surrounding BRCA1. Data were phased using SHAPEIT2, and identical by descent regions were determined using BEAGLE and GERMLINE. DMLE+ was used to date the mutation in Colombia and Iberia. RESULTS: The haplotype reconstruction revealed a shared 264.4-kb region among carriers from all six countries. The estimated mutation age was ~ 100 generations in Iberia and that it was introduced to South America early during the European colonization period. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that this mutation originated in Iberia and later introduced to Colombia and South America at the time of Spanish colonization during the early 1500s. We also found that the Colombian mutation carriers had higher European ancestry, at the BRCA1 gene harboring chromosome 17, than controls, which further supported the European origin of the mutation. Understanding founder mutations in diverse populations has implications in implementing cost-effective, ancestry-informed screening.

PRE-PLANNING ANKLE ARTHRODESIS USING 3D RECONSTRUCTED TOMOGRAPHIES.

OBJECTIVE: To implement one analysis method of the ankle bone contour that could make a more precise ankle arthrodesis. METHODS: Twenty tomographies were submitted to 3D reconstruction. Seven points of anatomic interest for ankle arthrodesis with the three screws technique were marked with a triplannar marker. The median of the position of markers was estimated, and the union of the seven median points allow the construction of one median ankle for that population. Using this median ankle, sizes and angles for the screws position were determined. RESULTS: Two median ankles were reconstructed, left and right. The position of the screw passage were determined considering the anatomical parameters. In the right ankle the lateral to medial screw should enter 4.56 cm and 0.79 above and posterior to lateral malleolus, with one inclination of 17.34° in relation to tibial longitudinal axis; and 0° in relation to tibial axial plane. The position for the other two screws is also described. CONCLUSION: Our article is the first to presents one precise guide for ankle arthrodesis based on a populational assessment. Level of evidence II, Diagnostic Studies.

OBJETIVO: Implementar método de análise do contorno e alinhamento ósseos no tornozelo de uma população normal, possibilitando uma artrodese tibiotársica mais precisa. MÉTODOS: Tomografias de vinte tornozelos foram submetidas à reconstrução 3D. Nesses exames, 7 pontos anatômicos de interesse para a técnica de fixação com 3 parafusos foram identificados e marcados com indicadores da posição triplanar. As médias das localizações de cada ponto foram calculadas. A união dessas médias permitiu a reconstrução de um tornozelo padrão daquela população. Nesses tornozelos médios estudou-se os comprimentos e ângulos para a passagem dos parafusos. RESULTADOS: Dois tornozelos, direito e esquerdo, foram reconstruídos. A posição para a passagem dos parafusos em relação a parâmetros anatômicos foi determinada. Para o tornozelo direito, a passagem do parafuso de lateral para medial deve ocorrer com o ponto de entrada 4,56 cm acima e 0,79 cm posterior à ponta do maléolo lateral, com inclinação de 17,34° em relação ao eixo longitudinal e 0° em relação ao eixo axial da tíbia. As posições dos outros dois parafusos também estão descritas. CONCLUSÃO: Esse é o primeiro trabalho que apresenta um guia preciso para realização da artrodese do tornozelo, baseado em um estudo populacional. Nível de evidência II, Estudos Diagnósticos.

Pre-planning ankle arthrodesis using 3d reconstructed tomographies / Desenvolvimento da artrodese do tornozelo baseada na tomografia com reconstrução 3d

ABSTRACT Objective: To implement one analysis method of the ankle bone contour that could make a more precise ankle arthrodesis. Methods: Twenty tomographies were submitted to 3D reconstruction. Seven points of anatomic interest for ankle arthrodesis with the three screws technique were marked with a triplannar marker. The median of the position of markers was estimated, and the union of the seven median points allow the construction of one median ankle for that population. Using this median ankle, sizes and angles for the screws position were determined. Results: Two median ankles were reconstructed, left and right. The position of the screw passage were determined considering the anatomical parameters. In the right ankle the lateral to medial screw should enter 4.56 cm and 0.79 above and posterior to lateral malleolus, with one inclination of 17.34° in relation to tibial longitudinal axis; and 0° in relation to tibial axial plane. The position for the other two screws is also described. Conclusion: Our article is the first to presents one precise guide for ankle arthrodesis based on a populational assessment. Level of evidence II, Diagnostic Studies.

RESUMO Objetivo: Implementar método de análise do contorno e alinhamento ósseos no tornozelo de uma população normal, possibilitando uma artrodese tibiotársica mais precisa. Métodos: Tomografias de vinte tornozelos foram submetidas à reconstrução 3D. Nesses exames, 7 pontos anatômicos de interesse para a técnica de fixação com 3 parafusos foram identificados e marcados com indicadores da posição triplanar. As médias das localizações de cada ponto foram calculadas. A união dessas médias permitiu a reconstrução de um tornozelo padrão daquela população. Nesses tornozelos médios estudou-se os comprimentos e ângulos para a passagem dos parafusos. Resultados: Dois tornozelos, direito e esquerdo, foram reconstruídos. A posição para a passagem dos parafusos em relação a parâmetros anatômicos foi determinada. Para o tornozelo direito, a passagem do parafuso de lateral para medial deve ocorrer com o ponto de entrada 4,56 cm acima e 0,79 cm posterior à ponta do maléolo lateral, com inclinação de 17,34° em relação ao eixo longitudinal e 0° em relação ao eixo axial da tíbia. As posições dos outros dois parafusos também estão descritas. Conclusão: Esse é o primeiro trabalho que apresenta um guia preciso para realização da artrodese do tornozelo, baseado em um estudo populacional. Nível de evidência II, Estudos Diagnósticos.

Screening and characterization of BRCA2 c.156_157insAlu in Brazil: Results from 1380 individuals from the South and Southeast.

Portuguese immigration to Brazil occurred in several waves and greatly contributed to the genetic composition of current Brazilian population. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of a Portuguese founder Alu insertion in BRCA2 exon 3 (c.156_157insAlu) among individuals fulfilling Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) syndrome criteria in 1,380 unrelated families originated from three distinct Brazilian States. We identified the c.156_157insAlu BRCA2 mutation in nine (9/1,380; 0.65%) probands analised. In carrier probands, European ancestry had the highest proportion (80%), followed by the African (10%) and Amerindian and in most families with the rearrangement, haplotype analyses were compatible with the Portuguese ancestral haplotype. In conclusion, the present study reports a low albeit relevant frequency of the Portuguese BRCA2 founder mutation c.156_157insAlu in Brazilian patients at-risk for HBOC Brazilian population.

Comparison between Brain Computed Tomography Scan and Transcranial Sonography to Evaluate Third Ventricle Width, Peri-Mesencephalic Cistern, and Sylvian Fissure in Traumatic Brain-Injured Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCS) may help guide multimodal monitoring in the neurocritical setting. It may provide indirect information about intracranial hypertension, such as midline shift, third ventricle width, and peri-mesencephalic cistern obliteration. We aim to assess the agreement between brain computed tomography scan (CT scan) and TCCS in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional observational study, TCCS was performed within 6 h before a brain CT scan. Only the first CT and TCCS after ICU admission were included. The agreement between the CT scan and TCCS was assessed by Bland-Altman plots and evaluating the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Overall, 15 consecutive patients were included (80% male, 42 ± 23 years of age, Glasgow Coma Score 5 [4,6]). The mean difference between the brain CT scan and TCCS in measuring the midline shift was 0.30 ± 2.1 mm (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.93; p < 0.01). An excellent correlation was also observed between the methods in assessing the third ventricle width (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.88; p < 0.01). Bland-Altman plots did not show any systematic bias in either agreement analysis. TCCS showed good accuracy in predicting non-compressed peri-mesencephalic cisterns (AUC: 0.83, 95% CI 0.46-1.0) and the presence of the Sylvian fissure (AUC: 0.91, 95% CI 0.73-1.0) on CT scan. CONCLUSION: TCCS is a promising tool and may be an alternative to CT scans for evaluating TBI patients.

Knee bone tumors: findings on conventional radiology.

The knee is a common site for bone tumors, whether clinically painful or not. Conventional radiology has been established as the first line of investigation in patients with knee pain and can reveal lesions that often generate questions not only for the generalist physician but also for the radiologist or general orthopedist. History, image examination, and histopathological analysis compose the essential tripod of the diagnosis of bone tumors, and conventional radiology is an essential diagnostic tool in patients with knee pain. This pictorial essay proposes to depict the main conventional radiography findings of the most common bone tumors around the knee, including benign and malignant tumors, as well as pseudo-tumors.

O joelho é sede comum de apresentação de tumores ósseos, sejam eles clinicamente dolorosos ou não. A radiologia convencional consagra-se como exame de primeira linha para investigação inicial dos doentes com dor no joelho e pode revelar lesões que muitas vezes geram dúvidas tanto para o médico generalista quanto para o radiologista ou ortopedista geral. História, exame de imagem e estudo histopatológico compõem o tripé essencial do diagnóstico dos tumores ósseos, sendo a radiografia simples o instrumento essencial de investigação diagnóstica nesses casos. Este ensaio iconográfico propõe expor os principais achados dos mais frequentes tumores ósseos, benignos, malignos e pseudotumorais do joelho.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 rearrangements in Brazilian individuals with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome.

Approximately 5-10% of breast cancers are caused by germline mutations in high penetrance predisposition genes. Among these, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are associated with the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) syndrome, are the most frequently affected genes. Recent studies confirm that gene rearrangements, especially in BRCA1, are responsible for a significant proportion of mutations in certain populations. In this study we determined the prevalence of BRCA rearrangements in 145 unrelated Brazilian individuals at risk for HBOC syndrome who had not been previously tested for BRCA mutations. Using Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) and a specific PCR-based protocol to identify a Portuguese founder BRCA2 mutation, we identified two (1,4%) individuals with germline BRCA1 rearrangements (c.547+240_5193+178del and c.4675+467_5075-990del) and three probands with the c.156_157insAlu founder BRCA2 rearrangement. Furthermore, two families with false positive MLPA results were shown to carry a deleterious point mutation at the probe binding site. This study comprises the largest Brazilian series of HBOC families tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2 rearrangements to date and includes patients from three regions of the country. The overall observed rearrangement frequency of 3.44% indicates that rearrangements are relatively uncommon in the admixed population of Brazil.

The Brazilian founder mutation TP53 p.R337H is uncommon in Portuguese women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Since the first studies reporting the TP53 p.R337H mutation as founder mutation in Southern and Southeastern Brazil, there has been controversy on its origin. Preliminary analysis of a small subset of Brazilian mutation carriers revealed that the haplotype incided on a Caucasian background. The vast majority of carriers identified today reside in Brazil or, if identified in other countries, are Brazilian immigrants. To our knowledge, the only two exceptions of carriers without a recognizable link with Brazil are two European families, from Portugal and Germany. Haplotype analysis in the Portuguese family revealed the same haplotype identified in Brazilian individuals, but in the German family, a distinct haplotype was found. Knowing that a significant proportion of women with breast cancer (BC) in Southern Brazil are p.R337H carriers, we analyzed p.R337H in a Portuguese cohort of women diagnosed with this disease. Median age at diagnosis among the first 573 patients tested was 60 years and 100 (17.4%) patients had been diagnosed at or under the age of 45 years. Mutation screening failed to identify the mutation in the 573 patients tested. These results are in contrast with the mutation frequency observed in a study including 815 BC-affected women from Brazil, in which carrier frequencies of 12.1 and 5.1% in pre- and postmenopausal women were observed, respectively. These findings suggest that the Brazilian founder mutation p.R337H, the most frequent germline TP53 mutation reported to date, is not a common germline alteration in Portuguese women diagnosed with BC.

Impact of an educational intervention implanted in a neurological intensive care unit on rates of infection related to external ventricular drains.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the implantation of care routines showed reduction on EVD catheter-related infections rates; however zero tolerance is difficult to be achieved. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of an educational intervention on the maximal reduction on rates of EVD-related infections. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The quasi-experimental (before-after intervention) study occurred in two phases: pre-intervention, from April 2007 to July 2008, and intervention, from August 2008 to July 2010. Patients were followed for 30 days after the removal of the EVD, and EVD-related infections were considered as only those with laboratorial confirmation in the CSF. Observations were made of the care of the EVD and compliance with Hygiene of the Hands (HH), a routine of care was drawn up, training was given, and intervention was made to reduce the time the EVD catheter remained in place. RESULTS: during the study, 178 patients were submitted to 194 procedures, corresponding to 1217 EVD catheters-day. Gram-negative agents were identified in 71.4% of the infections during the pre-intervention period and in 60% during the intervention period. During the study, EVD-related infection rates were reduced from 9.5% to 4.8% per patient, from 8.8% to 4.4% per procedure, and the incidence density dropped from 14.0 to 6.9 infections per 1000 catheters-day (p = 0.027). The mortality reduced 12% (from 42% to 30%). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: During one year after the fourth intervention, no microbiologically identified infection was documented. In light of these results, educational intervention proved to be a useful tool in reducing these rates and showed also impact on mortality.

Portuguese c.156_157insAlu BRCA2 founder mutation: gastrointestinal and tongue neoplasias may be part of the phenotype.

We have screened BRCA2 c.156_157insAlu founder mutation in a cohort of 168 women with diagnosis of breast cancer referred for genetic counseling because of risk of being carriers of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. Portuguese founder mutation BRCA2 c.156_157insAlu was identified in three unrelated breast cancer probands. Genotyping identified a common haplotype between markers D13S260 and D13S171, and allele sizes were compatible to those described in the Portuguese families. Allele sizes of marker D13S1246, however, were concordant in two families, suggesting that the haplotype may be larger in a subset of families. Tumor phenotypes in Brazilian families seem to reinforce the high prevalence of breast cancer among affected males. However, an apparent excess of gastrointestinal and tongue neoplasias were also observed in these families. Although these tumors are not part of the phenotypic spectrum of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, they might be accounted for by other risk alleles contained in the founder haplotype region.

Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome associated with a large BRCA1 intragenic deletion.

BACKGROUND: Li-Fraumeni (LFS) and Li-Fraumeni-like (LFL) syndromes are associated to germline TP53 mutations, and are characterized by the development of central nervous system tumors, sarcomas, adrenocortical carcinomas, and other early-onset tumors. Due to the high frequency of breast cancer in LFS/LFL families, these syndromes clinically overlap with hereditary breast cancer (HBC). Germline point mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 genes are associated with high risk of breast cancer. Large rearrangements involving these genes are also implicated in the HBC phenotype. METHODS: We have screened DNA copy number changes by MLPA on BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 genes in 23 breast cancer patients with a clinical diagnosis consistent with LFS/LFL; most of these families also met the clinical criteria for other HBC syndromes. RESULTS: We found no DNA copy number alterations in the BRCA2 and TP53 genes, but we detected in one patient a 36.4 Kb BRCA1 microdeletion, confirmed and further mapped by array-CGH, encompassing exons 9-19. Breakpoints sequencing analysis suggests that this rearrangement was mediated by flanking Alu sequences. CONCLUSION: This is the first description of a germline intragenic BRCA1 deletion in a breast cancer patient with a family history consistent with both LFL and HBC syndromes. Our results show that large rearrangements in these known cancer predisposition genes occur, but are not a frequent cause of cancer susceptibility.

Study of vascular reactivity in HIV patients whether or not receiving protease inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: A great number of HIV-infected patients using antiretroviral drugs develop endothelial dysfunction and atherothrombosis, which lead to a high medical and social burden. Thus, it is important to identify pathophysiological mechanisms involved with the endothelial function in these patients, so that early intervention can be made to avoid disease progression. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate endothelial function using endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation in HIV-positive patients and in a control group. METHODS: A total of 27 HIV-positive patients and 16 controls were evaluated. Endothelium-dependent (reactive hyperemia) and independent (SL nitroglycerine) vasodilation of the brachial artery was used to evaluate the endothelial function. RESULTS: HIV-positive patients receiving protease inhibitors (PI) showed significantly lower endothelium-independent vasodilation than the HIV-negative (p=0.020) and HIV-positive without PI (p=0.034) subgroups. The change in brachial artery diameter during active hyperemia was not statistically significant in any subgroup. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that only PI was associated with the relative delta of brachial reactivity to vasodilator in HIV-positive patients at 60s and 90s. CONCLUSION: HIV-positive patients receiving PI presented endothelium-independent dysfunction when compared to HIV-positive patients not receiving PI and to the control group.

Estudo da reatividade vascular em portadores de HIV com e sem uso de inibidor de protease / Study of vascular reactivity in HIV patients whether or not receiving protease inhibitor

FUNDAMENTO: Considerando o alto número de pacientes infectados por HIV em uso de antirretrovirais, evoluindo com alteração da função endotelial e aterotrombose, levando ao alto custo médico social, é importante identificar mecanismos fisiopatológicos envolvidos com a função endotelial em portadores de HIV, para que, precocemente, possamos intervir e evitar a progressão da doença. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a função endotelial pela vasodilatação endotélio dependente e independente em pacientes HIV positivo e em grupo controle. MÉTODOS: O estudo avaliou 27 pacientes HIV positivo e 16 do grupo controle. A avaliação da função endotelial foi realizada por meio da vasodilatação da artéria braquial endotélio dependente (hiperemia reativa) e independente (nitroglicerina SL). RESULTADOS: Pacientes HIV positivo em uso de inibidor de protease (IP) apresentaram vasodilatação endotélio independente significativamente menor que os subgrupos HIV negativo (p = 0,020) e HIV positivo sem uso de IP (p = 0,034). A variação do diâmetro da artéria braquial durante hiperemia reativa não apresentou significância estatística em qualquer subgrupo. A análise de regressão linear múltipla mostrou que apenas o IP estava associado ao delta relativo da reatividade braquial pelo vasodilatador, nos pacientes HIV positivo, aos 60 e 90 segundos. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes HIV positivo em uso de IP apresentam disfunção endotélio independente quando comparados a pacientes HIV positivo que não fazem uso de IP e a um grupo controle.

BACKGROUND: A great number of HIV-infected patients using antiretroviral drugs develop endothelial dysfunction and atherothrombosis, which lead to a high medical and social burden. Thus, it is important to identify pathophysiological mechanisms involved with the endothelial function in these patients, so that early intervention can be made to avoid disease progression. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate endothelial function using endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation in HIV-positive patients and in a control group. METHODS: A total of 27 HIV-positive patients and 16 controls were evaluated. Endothelium-dependent (reactive hyperemia) and independent (SL nitroglycerine) vasodilation of the brachial artery was used to evaluate the endothelial function. RESULTS: HIV-positive patients receiving protease inhibitors (PI) showed significantly lower endothelium-independent vasodilation than the HIV-negative (p=0.020) and HIV-positive without PI (p=0.034) subgroups. The change in brachial artery diameter during active hyperemia was not statistically significant in any subgroup. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that only PI was associated with the relative delta of brachial reactivity to vasodilator in HIV-positive patients at 60s and 90s. CONCLUSION: HIV-positive patients receiving PI presented endothelium-independent dysfunction when compared to HIV-positive patients not receiving PI and to the control group.

Hemorragia subaracnóidea traumática: aspectos clínicos, radiológicos e complicações / Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: clinical and radiological aspects and complications

Introdução: Recentes estudos têm demonstrados associação entre a presença de sangue no espaço subacnóide na primeira tomografia de crânio e o prognóstico dos pacientes com lesão cerebral traumática. Os autores realizaram uma revisão, buscando diretrizes específicas para sua classificação clínica e radiológica, prevenção e tratamento. Material e Método: Artigos elaborados no formato de revisão com levantamento de trabalhos citados na base Medline/Index Medicus/Lilacs, compreendendo período de janeiro de 1970 a março de 2008. Resultado: Neste período verificamos 192 trabalhos, 132 escritos em português ou inglês, destes selecionados os 37 de maior impacto. Conclusão: Hemorragia sucnóidea tramática é um marcador de pior prognóstico nos pacientes com TCE moderado e e grave e tratamento envolve medidas avançadas de neurointensivo.

Considerações sobre o diagnóstico e tratamento de cistos colóide de III ventrículo / Diagnosis and treatment of III ventricle colloid cyst

Introdução: Cisto colóide é um tumor benigno, de crescimento lento, porém sua localização mais freqüente implica em grande morbimortalidade pela possível associação com hidrocefalia obstrutiva aguda e hipertensão intracraniana. Cisto colóide do III ventrículo representa 0,5 a 1% dos tumores intracranianos primários e 15% a 20% de todos os intraventriculares. Materiais e Métodos: Artigo de revisão realizado com levantamento em base de dados Medline/Pubmed e Lilacs, incluido período de 1960 a 2007, com prioridade para artigos com o maior nível de evidência. Resultados: Foram identificados 407 artigos, com 47 considerados como relatos de com caso com revisão ou revisão pura. Neste trabalho descrevemos também a aplicação da ressecção por neuroendoscopia associada com laser. Conclusões: Cistos colóides são lesões raras, com diagnósticos e tratamento e em muitos estudos descrita com aplicação preferencial comparada aos demais acessos descritos no tratamento dessas lesões.