Non-Contrast-Enhanced MR Arteriography of Potential Living-Related Liver Donor: Using Contrast Enhanced CT Arteriography as Standard Reference.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are the primary modalities to assess donors' vessels before transplant surgery. Radiation and contrast medium are potentially harmful to donors. PURPOSE: To compare the image quality and visualization scores of hepatic arteries on CTA and balanced steady-state free-precession (bSSFP) non-contrast-enhanced MRA (NC-MRA), and to evaluate if bSSFP NC-MRA can potentially be a substitute for CTA. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. POPULATION: Fifty-six consecutive potential living-related liver donors (30.9 ± 8.4 years; 31 men). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 1.5T; four bSSFP NC-MRA sequences: respiratory-triggered (Inhance inflow inversion recovery [IFIR]) and three breath-hold (BH); and CTA. ASSESSMENT: The artery-to-liver contrast (Ca-l) was quantified. Three radiologists independently assigned visualization scores using a four-point scale to potential origins, segments, and branches of the hepatic arteries, determined the anatomical variants based on Hiatt's classification, and assessed the image quality of NC-MRA sequences. STATISTICAL TESTS: Fleiss' kappa to evaluate the readers' agreement. Repeat measured ANOVA or Friedman test to compare Ca-l of each NC-MRA. Friedman test to compare overall image quality and visualization scores; post hoc analysis using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Inhance IFIR Ca-l was significantly higher than all BH bSSFP Ca-l (0.56 [0.45-0.64] vs. 0.37 [0.29-0.47] to 0.41 [0.23-0.51]). Overall image quality score of BH bSSFP TI1200 was significantly higher than other NC-MRA (4 [4-4] vs. 4 [3 to 4-4]). The median visualization scores of almost all arteries on CTA were significantly higher than on NC-MRA (4 [3 to 4-4] vs. 1 [1-2] to 4 [4-4]). The median visualization scores were all 4 [4-4 ] on Inhance IFIR with >92.3% observed scores ≥3, except the segment 4 branch (3 [1-4], 53.6%). The identification rates of arterial variants were 92.9%-97% on Inhance IFIR. DATA CONCLUSIONS: Although CTA is superior to the NC-MRA, all NC-MRA depict the donor arterial anatomy well. Inhance IFIR can potentially be an alternative image modality for CTA to evaluate the arterial variants of living donors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in active surveillance of prostate cancer.

Active surveillance (AS) is an important strategy to avoid overtreatment of prostate cancer (PCa) and has become the standard of care for low-risk patients. The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in AS has expanded due to its ability to risk stratify patients with suspected or known PCa, and MRI has become an integral part of the AS protocols at various institutions. A negative pre-biopsy MRI result is associated with a very high negative predictive value for a Gleason score ≥ 3+4. A positive MRI result in men who are otherwise eligible for AS has been shown to be associated with the presence of high-grade PCa and therefore with ineligibility. In addition, MRI can be used to guide and determine the timing of per-protocol biopsy during AS. However, there are several MRI-related issues that remain unresolved, including the lack of a consensus and guidelines; concerns about gadolinium deposition in various tissues; and increased demand for higher efficiency and productivity. Similarly, the need for the combined use of targeted and systematic sampling is still a matter of debate when lesions are visible on MRI. Here, we review the current AS guidelines, as well as the accepted roles of MRI in patient selection and monitoring, the potential uses of MRI that are still in question, and the limitations of the method.

A vigilância ativa (VA) é uma estratégia importante para evitar o tratamento excessivo do câncer de próstata (CaP) e tornou-se o padrão de atendimento a pacientes de baixo risco. O papel da ressonância magnética (RM) na VA tem se expandido, devido à sua capacidade de estratificar o risco pacientes com CaP suspeito ou diagnosticado, tornando-se parte integrante dos protocolos de VA em várias instituições. Uma RM pré-biópsia negativa está associada a um valor preditivo negativo muito alto para o diagnóstico de Gleason ≥ 3+4. Um exame positivo em homens que são elegíveis para VA tem se mostrado associado à presença de CaP de alto grau e inelegibilidade para VA. A RM também pode ser usada para orientar e determinar o tempo ideal de uma biópsia, ou por protocolo, durante a VA. Há, no entanto, várias questões relacionadas à RM que permanecem não resolvidas. Estas incluem a falta de consenso ou diretrizes, preocupações com o depósito de gadolínio em vários tecidos e aumento da pressão por maior eficiência e produção. Da mesma forma, a necessidade de biópsia sistemática combinada à dirigida continua a ser uma questão controversa, quando as lesões são visíveis na RM. Revisaremos as atuais diretrizes de VA, os papéis consensualmente aceitos da RM na seleção e monitoramento dos pacientes, potenciais usos, ainda discutíveis, e as limitações do método.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in active surveillance of prostate cancer / O papel da ressonância magnética na vigilância ativa do câncer de próstata

Abstract Active surveillance (AS) is an important strategy to avoid overtreatment of prostate cancer (PCa) and has become the standard of care for low-risk patients. The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in AS has expanded due to its ability to risk stratify patients with suspected or known PCa, and MRI has become an integral part of the AS protocols at various institutions. A negative pre-biopsy MRI result is associated with a very high negative predictive value for a Gleason score ≥ 3+4. A positive MRI result in men who are otherwise eligible for AS has been shown to be associated with the presence of high-grade PCa and therefore with ineligibility. In addition, MRI can be used to guide and determine the timing of per-protocol biopsy during AS. However, there are several MRI-related issues that remain unresolved, including the lack of a consensus and guidelines; concerns about gadolinium deposition in various tissues; and increased demand for higher efficiency and productivity. Similarly, the need for the combined use of targeted and systematic sampling is still a matter of debate when lesions are visible on MRI. Here, we review the current AS guidelines, as well as the accepted roles of MRI in patient selection and monitoring, the potential uses of MRI that are still in question, and the limitations of the method.

Resumo A vigilância ativa (VA) é uma estratégia importante para evitar o tratamento excessivo do câncer de próstata (CaP) e tornou-se o padrão de atendimento a pacientes de baixo risco. O papel da ressonância magnética (RM) na VA tem se expandido, devido à sua capacidade de estratificar o risco pacientes com CaP suspeito ou diagnosticado, tornando-se parte integrante dos protocolos de VA em várias instituições. Uma RM pré-biópsia negativa está associada a um valor preditivo negativo muito alto para o diagnóstico de Gleason ≥ 3+4. Um exame positivo em homens que são elegíveis para VA tem se mostrado associado à presença de CaP de alto grau e inelegibilidade para VA. A RM também pode ser usada para orientar e determinar o tempo ideal de uma biópsia, ou por protocolo, durante a VA. Há, no entanto, várias questões relacionadas à RM que permanecem não resolvidas. Estas incluem a falta de consenso ou diretrizes, preocupações com o depósito de gadolínio em vários tecidos e aumento da pressão por maior eficiência e produção. Da mesma forma, a necessidade de biópsia sistemática combinada à dirigida continua a ser uma questão controversa, quando as lesões são visíveis na RM. Revisaremos as atuais diretrizes de VA, os papéis consensualmente aceitos da RM na seleção e monitoramento dos pacientes, potenciais usos, ainda discutíveis, e as limitações do método.

Histogram Analysis of Adrenal Lesions With a Single Measurement for 10th Percentile: Feasibility and Incremental Value for Diagnosing Adenomas.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess whether histogram analysis of adrenal lesions from a single measurement of mean attenuation and SD, using a threshold of 10% of negative voxels, can replace voxel counting while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a 4-year period, 325 adrenal lesions were detected on CT examinations of 308 consecutive patients. After exclusions, 91 patients with 108 lesions, including 20 malignant lesions and 88 adenomas (defined by histologic results or follow-up), were enrolled. Two observers retrospectively measured lesion size, mean attenuation value, and SD attenuation value and generated a pixel histogram. The 10th percentile (P10) was obtained from the conventional histogram analysis and was also calculated from the following formula: P10 = mean attenuation - (1.282 × SD). Diagnostic accuracies of the mean attenuation criterion, histogram analysis, and calculated 10th percentile were compared. RESULTS: The study group was composed of 74 patients with 88 adenomas and 17 patients with 20 malignant lesions, including seven adrenocortical carcinomas and 13 metastases; 93.1% of histograms showed normal distribution. The correlation between histogram analysis and calculated 10th percentile was 0.9827 and 0.9843 for reader 1 and 2 (p < 0.00001 for both). For both readers, sensitivity and specificity of the mean attenuation analysis were 65.9% (95% CI, 55.0-75.7%) and 100.0% (95% CI, 83.2-100%). The sensitivity and specificity of histogram analysis and calculated 10th percentile were the same, 87.5% (95% CI, 78.7-93.6%) and 95.0% (95% CI, 75.1-99.8%), for both readers. The increment increase in sensitivity was significant (p < 0.001), whereas the decrease in specificity was not (p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: For most adrenal lesions, the pixel attenuation has a gaussian distribution, allowing estimation of 10th percentile with a single measurement. The accuracy of histogram analysis and calculated 10th percentile outperformed the mean attenuation as a diagnostic criterion for nonfunctioning adenomas.

Reproducibility and interobserver agreement of the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score: focus on imaging features.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reproducibility and interobserver agreement for R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two independent radiologists retrospectively analyzed 46 consecutive patients with renal masses, between 2008 and 2012, using the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (RENAL-NS), which is based on the evaluation of five anatomical features of the tumor, as evaluated with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging: Radius, Exophytic/endophytic properties, Nearness to the collecting system, Anterior or posterior descriptor, and Location relative to the polar line. Tumor complexity was graded as low, intermediate, or high. The interobserver agreement was calculated for the total score and for the score for each parameter. Surgical excision of the tumors was used as the standard of reference. RESULTS: The interobserver agreement for each of the RENAL-NS parameters, respectively, a hilar location, and the total score was 98%, 80%, 100%, 89%, 85%, 89%, and 93% of patients, corresponding to kappa values of 0.96, 0.65, 1.00, 0.75, 0.72, 0.78, and 0.88, respectively. The Nearness, Radius, and total score showed the best agreement. For the cases that were discordant in terms of the final score, no major implications in surgical planning were observed. CONCLUSION: The RENAL-NS is a structured, useful system to assess the anatomical features of renal tumors. It is easily applicable and reproducible, even for less experienced radiologists.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a concordância interobservador e a reprodutibilidade do sistema de pontuação nefrométrico R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (RENAL-NS) usando imagens de tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Dois observadores independentes analisaram, retrospectivamente, 46 pacientes com massas renais, consecutivos, de 2008 a 2012. Cinco características anatômicas foram avaliadas: raio (R); localização exofítico/endofítico (E); proximidade do tumor ao sistema coletor (N, nearness); posição anterior (A) ou posterior e de localização em relação à linha polar (L). Os tumores foram classificados em baixo, intermediário ou alto grau de complexidade. A concordância foi calculada para cada parâmetro do escore e para o valor global. A excisão cirúrgica das lesões foi utilizada como padrão de referência. RESULTADOS: A concordância para cada um dos parâmetros renais, para a característica de "h", e para a pontuação final foi 98%, 80%, 100%, 89%, 85%, 89% e 93% dos pacientes, o que corresponde a valores de kappa de 0,96, 0,65, 1,00, 0,75, 0,72, 0,78 e 0,88, respectivamente. Os parâmetros "N", "R" e o escore global mostraram as melhores concordâncias. Entre os casos discordantes na pontuação final, não foram observadas grandes mudanças no planejamento cirúrgico. CONCLUSÃO: O RENAL-NS é um sistema estruturado, útil para avaliar características anatômicas do tumor renal. É de fácil aplicação, reprodutível, mesmo entre os radiologistas menos experientes.

Reproducibility and interobserver agreement of the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score: focus on imaging features / Reprodutibilidade e concordância interobservador do escore nefrométrico R.E.N.A.L.: ênfase nos achados de imagem

Abstract Objective: To investigate the reproducibility and interobserver agreement for R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring system. Materials and Methods: Two independent radiologists retrospectively analyzed 46 consecutive patients with renal masses, between 2008 and 2012, using the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (RENAL-NS), which is based on the evaluation of five anatomical features of the tumor, as evaluated with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging: Radius, Exophytic/endophytic properties, Nearness to the collecting system, Anterior or posterior descriptor, and Location relative to the polar line. Tumor complexity was graded as low, intermediate, or high. The interobserver agreement was calculated for the total score and for the score for each parameter. Surgical excision of the tumors was used as the standard of reference. Results: The interobserver agreement for each of the RENAL-NS parameters, respectively, a hilar location, and the total score was 98%, 80%, 100%, 89%, 85%, 89%, and 93% of patients, corresponding to kappa values of 0.96, 0.65, 1.00, 0.75, 0.72, 0.78, and 0.88, respectively. The Nearness, Radius, and total score showed the best agreement. For the cases that were discordant in terms of the final score, no major implications in surgical planning were observed. Conclusion: The RENAL-NS is a structured, useful system to assess the anatomical features of renal tumors. It is easily applicable and reproducible, even for less experienced radiologists.

Resumo Objetivo: Investigar a concordância interobservador e a reprodutibilidade do sistema de pontuação nefrométrico R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (RENAL-NS) usando imagens de tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética. Materiais e Métodos: Dois observadores independentes analisaram, retrospectivamente, 46 pacientes com massas renais, consecutivos, de 2008 a 2012. Cinco características anatômicas foram avaliadas: raio (R); localização exofítico/endofítico (E); proximidade do tumor ao sistema coletor (N, nearness); posição anterior (A) ou posterior e de localização em relação à linha polar (L). Os tumores foram classificados em baixo, intermediário ou alto grau de complexidade. A concordância foi calculada para cada parâmetro do escore e para o valor global. A excisão cirúrgica das lesões foi utilizada como padrão de referência. Resultados: A concordância para cada um dos parâmetros renais, para a característica de "h", e para a pontuação final foi 98%, 80%, 100%, 89%, 85%, 89% e 93% dos pacientes, o que corresponde a valores de kappa de 0,96, 0,65, 1,00, 0,75, 0,72, 0,78 e 0,88, respectivamente. Os parâmetros "N", "R" e o escore global mostraram as melhores concordâncias. Entre os casos discordantes na pontuação final, não foram observadas grandes mudanças no planejamento cirúrgico. Conclusão: O RENAL-NS é um sistema estruturado, útil para avaliar características anatômicas do tumor renal. É de fácil aplicação, reprodutível, mesmo entre os radiologistas menos experientes.

The role of CT in predicting the need for surgery in patients diagnosed with mesenteric phlebosclerosis.

To determine if imaging findings on computed tomography (CT) can predict the need of surgery in patients with idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis (IMP).This retrospective study included 28 patients with IMP. Abdominal CT images were reviewed to determine the extent and severity of mesenteric calcifications and the presence of findings related to colitides. We compared the number of colonic segments with mesenteric venous calcification, a total calcification score, and the rate of colonic wall thickening, pericolic fat stranding, and bowel loop dilatation between patients undergoing surgery (surgery group) and patients without surgery (nonsurgery group). Comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was also performed. Inter-reader agreement for the calcification scores was analyzed using kappa statistics.The number of colonic segments with mesenteric venous calcification and the total calcification scores were both significantly higher in the surgery group than the nonsurgery group (4.33 vs 2.96, P = 0.003; and 15.00 vs 8.96, P <0.001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristics to identify patients who need surgery were 0.96 and 0.92, respectively. The prevalence of bowel loop dilatation in the surgery group was also significantly higher than that in the nonsurgery group (16% vs 100%, P = 0.011).Evaluation of the severity and extent of IMP based on the total mesenteric venous calcification score, number of involved colonic segments, and the presence bowel loop dilatation on CT may be useful to indicate the outcomes of conservative treatment and need for surgery.

Low yield of chemical shift MRI for characterization of adrenal lesions with high attenuation density on unenhanced CT.

PURPOSE: To investigate the threshold unenhanced CT density of adrenal nodules at which further evaluation with chemical shift MRI is unlikely to be definitive and therefore not helpful in further characterizing some indeterminate adrenal lesions. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 44 adrenal lesions imaged with unenhanced CT and chemical shift MRI and followed for at least 1 year. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of signal loss on chemical shift MRI was performed. Adenomas were diagnosed if the lesion measured equal or less than 10 HU on unenhanced CT; on MRI a SI index greater than 16.5% or adrenal:spleen chemical shift ratio less than 0.71 was considered diagnostic of adenoma. RESULTS: 31.8% (14/44), 47.7% (21/44), and 20.5% (9/44) of the adrenal lesions had an unenhanced CT attenuation density ≤10, 10-30, and >30 HU. Adrenal lesions with an unenhanced CT density 10-30 and >30 HU had a 76.2% (16/21) and a 33.3% (3/9) chance of being categorized as an adenoma using MRI SI index, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenal lesions with unenhanced attenuation CT density >30 HU had a 66.6% of remaining indeterminate even after evaluation with chemical shift MRI. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Chemical shift MRI is reasonable for evaluating adrenal lesions with an unenhanced CT attenuation density less than 30 HU. The likelihood of chemical shift MRI detecting signal loss in lesions CT density greater than 30 HU, however, is low.

Classificação de Bosniak para cistos renais complexos: histórico e análise crítica / Bosniak classification for complex renal cysts: history and critical analysis

A classificação de Bosniak para cistos renais surgiu na década de 1980 para tentar padronizar a descrição e condutas em relação às lesões renais císticas complexas. Esta classificação sofreu alterações na década de 1990 e, a última, em 2005. Atualmente, são definidas cinco categorias de lesões císticas renais – I, II, II-F, III e IV –, de acordo com o grau de complexidade e maior probabilidade de malignidade. Apesar de inicialmente ter sido descrita para a tomografia computadorizada, esta classificação é utilizada, com algumas vantagens, também na ressonância magnética. O presente artigo revisa as diferentes fases desta classificação, sua eficácia diagnóstica e os aspectos mais controversos de sua utilização.

The Bosniak classification for renal cysts was developed in the late 1980s in an attempt to standardize the description and management of complex cystic renal lesions. Alterations were made to such a classification in the 1990s and, the last one, in 2005. Currently, five categories of cystic renal lesions are defined - namely, I, II, II-F, III and IV –, according to their degree of complexity and likelihood of malignancy. Despite being initially described for computed tomography, this classification has been also utilized with some advantages also for magnetic resonance imaging. The present article reviews the different phases of this classification, its diagnostic efficacy and the most controversial features of its use.

Imaging of the adrenal gland lesions / Imaginologia das lesões das glândulas adrenais

With the steep increase in the use of cross-sectional imaging in recent years, the incidentally detected adrenal lesion, or "incidentaloma", has become an increasingly common diagnostic problem for the radiologist, and a need for an approach to classifying these lesions as benign, malignant or indeterminate with imaging has spurred an explosion of research. While most incidentalomas represent benign disease, typically an adenoma, the possibility of malignant involvement of the adrenal gland necessitates a reliance on imaging to inform management decisions. In this article, we review the literature on adrenal gland imaging, with particular emphasis on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and photon-emission tomography, and discuss how these findings relate to clinical practice. Emerging technologies, such as contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, dual-energy computed tomography, and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging will also be briefly addressed.

O crescente uso da tomografia computadorizada e da ressonância magnética levou a um aumento na identificação de nódulos adrenais incidentais, também chamados de incidentalomas, gerando um impasse diagnóstico para o radiologista, bem como um número significativo de pesquisas a fim de caracterizar essas lesões como benignas ou malignas. Apesar de a maioria dos incidentalomas representar um processo benigno, geralmente um adenoma, a possibilidade de a lesão ser maligna requer suficiente acurácia dos métodos de imagem para que esses possam auxiliar no manejo dos pacientes. Neste artigo nós apresentamos uma revisão da literatura dedicada à investigação radiológica das lesões adrenais, com ênfase na tomografia computadorizada, ressonância magnética e tomografia por emissão de prótons, e discutimos como os achados de imagem relacionam-se com a prática clínica. Tecnologias recentes, como a ultrassonografia com uso de contraste, a tomografia computadorizada com dupla fonte de energia e a espectroscopia de prótons por ressonância magnética são brevemente discutidas.

Imaging of the adrenal gland lesions.

With the steep increase in the use of cross-sectional imaging in recent years, the incidentally detected adrenal lesion, or "incidentaloma", has become an increasingly common diagnostic problem for the radiologist, and a need for an approach to classifying these lesions as benign, malignant or indeterminate with imaging has spurred an explosion of research. While most incidentalomas represent benign disease, typically an adenoma, the possibility of malignant involvement of the adrenal gland necessitates a reliance on imaging to inform management decisions. In this article, we review the literature on adrenal gland imaging, with particular emphasis on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and photon-emission tomography, and discuss how these findings relate to clinical practice. Emerging technologies, such as contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, dual-energy computed tomography, and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging will also be briefly addressed.

O crescente uso da tomografia computadorizada e da ressonância magnética levou a um aumento na identificação de nódulos adrenais incidentais, também chamados de incidentalomas, gerando um impasse diagnóstico para o radiologista, bem como um número significativo de pesquisas a fim de caracterizar essas lesões como benignas ou malignas. Apesar de a maioria dos incidentalomas representar um processo benigno, geralmente um adenoma, a possibilidade de a lesão ser maligna requer suficiente acurácia dos métodos de imagem para que esses possam auxiliar no manejo dos pacientes. Neste artigo nós apresentamos uma revisão da literatura dedicada à investigação radiológica das lesões adrenais, com ênfase na tomografia computadorizada, ressonância magnética e tomografia por emissão de prótons, e discutimos como os achados de imagem relacionam-se com a prática clínica. Tecnologias recentes, como a ultrassonografia com uso de contraste, a tomografia computadorizada com dupla fonte de energia e a espectroscopia de prótons por ressonância magnética são brevemente discutidas.

Bosniak classification for complex renal cysts: history and critical analysis.

The Bosniak classification for renal cysts was developed in the late 1980s in an attempt to standardize the description and management of complex cystic renal lesions. Alterations were made to such a classification in the 1990s and, the last one, in 2005. Currently, five categories of cystic renal lesions are defined - namely, I, II, II-F, III and IV -, according to their degree of complexity and likelihood of malignancy. Despite being initially described for computed tomography, this classification has been also utilized with some advantages also for magnetic resonance imaging. The present article reviews the different phases of this classification, its diagnostic efficacy and the most controversial features of its use.

A classificação de Bosniak para cistos renais surgiu na década de 1980 para tentar padronizar a descrição e condutas em relação às lesões renais císticas complexas. Esta classificação sofreu alterações na década de 1990 e, a última, em 2005. Atualmente, são definidas cinco categorias de lesões císticas renais ­ I, II, II-F, III e IV ­, de acordo com o grau de complexidade e maior probabilidade de malignidade. Apesar de inicialmente ter sido descrita para a tomografia computadorizada, esta classificação é utilizada, com algumas vantagens, também na ressonância magnética. O presente artigo revisa as diferentes fases desta classificação, sua eficácia diagnóstica e os aspectos mais controversos de sua utilização.

Is a visible (hypoechoic) lesion at biopsy an independent predictor of prostate cancer outcome?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic implications of the sonographic appearance of prostate cancers. All patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer between January 2003 and July 2004 (and at least 5 years of follow-up) were selected retrospectively. After exclusions, 101 patients constituted our study population and were divided into isoechoic (or nonvisible) and hypoechoic (or visible) lesion. The clinical outcomes of these two groups were compared. The outcomes for the two groups were significantly different (p < 0.01). For nonvisible lesions, 37 of the 41 patients (90.2%) had no disease relapse and 2 (4.9%) had biochemical failure. For the visible lesions, 37 of the 60 (61.6%) patients were free of recurrence, 7 (11.7%) had systemic metastases and 10 (16.7%) died of complications related to prostate cancer. Our data show that patients with nonvisible prostate cancer had significantly better outcomes than patients with visible lesions during a five-year period of evaluation.

Accidental aspiration of a finishing bur: clinical and legal aspects / Aspiração Acidental de Broca de Acabamento: Aspectos Clínicos e Legais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar um caso clínico de aspiração de broca protética de acabamento durante o tratamento odontológico e evidenciar aspectos clínicos, éticos e legais relacionados a esse tipo de acidente. Paciente do sexo masculino, 58 anos, durante um atendimento odontológico relatou que sentiu uma sensação de “coceira” na garganta. O atendimento foi interrompido e o mesmo encaminhado para atendimento hospitalar. Após radiografia e tomografia computadorizada do tórax foi constatada a aspiração acidental de uma broca de acabamento de restauração resinosa, removida com sucesso via broncoscopia. Cabe ao cirurgião-dentista conhecer e aplicar os meios necessários para prevenir a aspiração de objetos utilizados no tratamento, como a utilização do lençol de borracha ou amarrar objetos com o fio dental, bem como abordar as complicações decorrentes desse acidente. Dessa forma estará resguardado de possíveis demandas ético-judiciais por cumprir com suas responsabilidades profissionais.

The aim of this paper is to report a clinical case of prosthetic bur aspiration during dental procedure, and to evidence clinical, ethical and legal aspects related to this kind of accident. A male pacient, 58 years-old, during a dental procedure reported a sensation of itching in the throat. The service was discontinued and the patient was taken to hospital care. After imaging exam – radiography and computed tomography– it was diagnosed accidental aspiration of a finishing bur, which was successfully removed by bronchoscopy. The analysis of this case allows concluding that the dentist must know and apply the due means to prevent aspiration of foreign bodies during dentaltreatment, as the use of rubber dam or tying small objects with dental floss, as well as inform the patient about possible complications of this accident. This way the dentist will fulfill all professional responsibilities, and will be guarded from possible ethical issues.

Tumor de pequenas células redondas desmoplásico intra-abdominal: relato de caso / Intraabdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor: case report

Os autores relatam um caso de tumor de pequenas células redondas desmoplásico intra-abdominal acometendo paciente do sexo masculino, de 21 anos de idade, atendido com quadro de dor abdominal, trombose do membro inferior direito e perda da função renal, de causa obstrutiva. A investigação demonstrou volumosa lesão abdominopélvica, sólida, bocelada, com áreas císticas internas, situada posteriormente à bexiga, causando obstrução ureteral, compressão da veia ilíaca direita e oclusão parcial do reto, além de acometimento de linfonodos intra e retroperitoneais. São descritos os achados cirúrgicos, de ultra-sonografia, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética, bem como aqueles do estudo macroscópico, microscopia e imuno-histoquímica.

Tendäo X cicatrizaçäo: retomada da resistência / Tendon X healing: resistance recovering

Com o objetivo de comparar a resistência, tensäo e o padräo histológico de tendöes patelares de animais submetidos à tenotomia e tenorrafia com tendöes näo tenotomizados, 28 ratos Wistar machos (peso médio = 275g) foram submetidos à tenotomia do tendäo patelar esquerdo seguida de tenorrafia. Uma vez divididos em 4 grupos, estes foram sacrificados após 4, 5, 6 ou 8 semanas do procedimento para exérese do tendäo tenotomizado e de seu homólogo direito (utilizado como controle). Após terem sido submetidos ao teste de resistência em um dinamômetro, verificou-se que os tendöes tenotomizados e suturados foram mais resistentes que os controles (p=0,00004). Houve formaçäo de cartilagem e inclusive osso no tecido cicatricial de alguns tendöes.

Fissuras lábio-palatinas: incidência e prevalência da patologia no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre: um estudo de 10 anos / Cleft lip and palate: incidence and prevalence of this pathology at the Hospital de Clínicas, Porto Alegre, RS-Brazil

As fissuras lábio-palatinas estäo entre as anomalias congênitas mais comuns. Realizou-se um estudo no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre ((HCPA) com o objetivo de avaliar a prevalência e analisar possíveis fatores predisponentes. Foram estudados todos os casos de fissura lábio-palatina nascidos no hospital no período de fevereiro de 1983 a julho de 1993. Foram utilizados dados do Estudo Colaborativo Latino-Americano de Malformaçöes Congênitas (ECLAMC) e do Serviço de Arquivo Médico e Informaçäo de Saúde (SAMIS) do HCPA. Ocorreram 41 caso de fendas lábio-palatinas em 31.058 nascimentos, correspondendo a um prevalência de 1/757,5 nascimentos. Os casos foram descritos pelo método LAHSHAL, um novo sistema de documentaçäo que, por ser simples e facilmente memorizado, facilita a descriçäo clínica e seu uso em trabalhos de pesquisa