Association of carotid intima-media thickness and cardiovascular risk factors in women pre- and post-bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), such as hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low levels of high-density cholesterol (HDL-C). In obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of >or=40 kg/m2 or 35-40 kg/m2 associated with CVRFs, weight loss may be achieved more effectively by bariatric surgery on reducing several CVRFs. Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) is an indicator of early atherosclerosis, and may be correlated with CVRFs. Our objective was to correlate C-IMT with CVRFs before (baseline data) and after surgery, and to observe whether weight loss is followed by a regression of C-IMT. METHODS: Eighteen women who had undergone bariatric surgery participated in this study. Assessments were carried out on the baseline date, and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Some of the CVRFs analyzed were: total cholesterol (TC) levels, HDL-C, triglycerides to HDL-C ratio (TG/HDL-C) and fasting plasma glucose. C-IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasound. RESULTS: A positive correlation was found between C-IMT and age and triglyceride level (p=0.002 and p=0.02, respectively). Six months after surgery, we found a significant reduction in C-IMT (p<0.05), which was significantly correlated with TG level and systolic pressure (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The weight loss achieved with bariatric surgery resulted in regression of C-IMT. This regression could be observed 6 months following surgery, with an additional benefit at 12 months. Also, this finding was correlated with a reduction in triglyceride levels and systolic blood pressure.

Association of urinary 90 kDa angiotensin- converting enzyme with family history of hypertension and endothelial function in normotensive individuals.

We described angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) isoforms with molecular masses of 190, 90, and 65 kDa in the urine of normotensive offspring of hypertensive subjects. Since they did not appear in equal amounts, we suggested that 90 kDa ACE might be a marker for hypertension. We evaluated the endothelial response in normotensive offspring with or without family history of hypertension and its association with the 90 kDa ACE in urine. Thirty-five normotensive subjects with a known family history of hypertension and 20 subjects without a family history of hypertension, matched for age, sex, body weight, and blood pressure, were included in the study. Endothelial function was assessed by ultrasound and a sample of urine was collected for determination of ACE isoforms. In the presence of a family history of hypertension and detection of 90 kDa ACE, we noted a maximal flow mediated dilation of 12.1 +/- 5.0 vs 16.1 +/- 6.0% in those without a previous history of hypertension and lacking urinary 90 kDa ACE (P < 0.05). In subjects with a family history of hypertension and presenting 90 kDa ACE, there were lower levels of HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05) and higher levels of triglycerides (P < 0.05). Subjects with 90 kDa ACE irrespective of hypertensive history presented a trend for higher levels of triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.06) compared to subjects without 90 kDa ACE. Our data suggest that the 90 kDa ACE may be a marker for hypertension which may be related to the development of early atherosclerotic changes.

Association of urinary 90 kDa angiotensin- converting enzyme with family history of hypertension and endothelial function in normotensive individuals

We described angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) isoforms with molecular masses of 190, 90, and 65 kDa in the urine of normotensive offspring of hypertensive subjects. Since they did not appear in equal amounts, we suggested that 90 kDa ACE might be a marker for hypertension. We evaluated the endothelial response in normotensive offspring with or without family history of hypertension and its association with the 90 kDa ACE in urine. Thirty-five normotensive subjects with a known family history of hypertension and 20 subjects without a family history of hypertension, matched for age, sex, body weight, and blood pressure, were included in the study. Endothelial function was assessed by ultrasound and a sample of urine was collected for determination of ACE isoforms. In the presence of a family history of hypertension and detection of 90 kDa ACE, we noted a maximal flow mediated dilation of 12.1 ± 5.0 vs 16.1 ± 6.0 percent in those without a previous history of hypertension and lacking urinary 90 kDa ACE (P < 0.05). In subjects with a family history of hypertension and presenting 90 kDa ACE, there were lower levels of HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05) and higher levels of triglycerides (P < 0.05). Subjects with 90 kDa ACE irrespective of hypertensive history presented a trend for higher levels of triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.06) compared to subjects without 90 kDa ACE. Our data suggest that the 90 kDa ACE may be a marker for hypertension which may be related to the development of early atherosclerotic changes.

Endothelial function in normotensive and high-normal hypertensive subjects.

To evaluate the impact of a mild increment in blood pressure level on endothelial function, we evaluated 61 healthy volunteers (24 women, 37 men, and aged 35-50 years). All subjects underwent a blood chemistry panel to exclude any metabolic abnormalities and were submitted to a Doppler ultrasound of the brachial artery to assess endothelial function. We assessed the endothelial response to reactive hyperaemia and exogenous nitric oxide administration considering an increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) at each 10-mm Hg interval. Our study population was divided as follows: SBP <115 mm Hg (SG1, n=13), SBP > or =115 mm Hg and <125 mm Hg (SG2, n=20), SBP > or = 125 mm Hg and <135 mm Hg (SG3, n=13) and SBP > or = 135 mm Hg and < 140 mm Hg (SG4, n=15). We found a significant difference in flow-mediated dilation among SG2, SG3 and SG4, 16.2+/-5.6, 13.4+/-5.2 and 11.5+/-3.6%, P<0.05, respectively). After nitrate administration, we observed a nonsignificant decrease in brachial artery dilation among groups, P=0.217. Our data showed in a healthy normotensive population, without any risk factor for atherosclerotic disease that small increases in SBP but not in diastolic blood pressure may impair endothelial function even in subjects considered as high-normal, meaning that this population deserves more attention than usually ascribed to intervene and prevent complications, as endothelial dysfunction may represent an early change in those who develop hypertension later in life.

Nitric oxide, cholesterol oxides and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in plasma of patients with essential hypertension.

The objective of the present study was to identify disturbances of nitric oxide radical (.NO) metabolism and the formation of cholesterol oxidation products in human essential hypertension. The concentrations of.NO derivatives (nitrite, nitrate, S-nitrosothiols and nitrotyrosine), water and lipid-soluble antioxidants and cholesterol oxides were measured in plasma of 11 patients with mild essential hypertension (H: 57.8 +/- 9.7 years; blood pressure, 148.3 +/- 24.8/90.8 +/- 10.2 mmHg) and in 11 healthy subjects (N: 48.4 +/- 7.0 years; blood pressure, 119.4 +/- 9.4/75.0 +/- 8.0 mmHg). Nitrite, nitrate and S-nitrosothiols were measured by chemiluminescence and nitrotyrosine was determined by ELISA. Antioxidants were determined by reverse-phase HPLC and cholesterol oxides by gas chromatography. Hypertensive patients had reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in response to reactive hyperemia (H: 9.3 and N: 15.1% increase of diameter 90 s after hyperemia), and lower levels of ascorbate (H: 29.2 +/- 26.0, N: 54.2 +/- 24.9 micro M), urate (H: 108.5 +/- 18.9, N: 156.4 +/- 26.3 micro M), beta-carotene (H: 1.1 +/- 0.8, N: 2.5 +/- 1.2 nmol/mg cholesterol), and lycopene (H: 0.4 +/- 0.2, N: 0.7 +/- 0.2 nmol/mg cholesterol), in plasma, compared to normotensive subjects. The content of 7-ketocholesterol, 5alpha-cholestane-3beta,5,6beta-triol and 5,6alpha-epoxy-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol in LDL, and the concentration of endothelin-1 (H: 0.9 +/- 0.2, N: 0.7 +/- 0.1 ng/ml) in plasma were increased in hypertensive patients. No differences were found for.NO derivatives between groups. These data suggest that an increase in cholesterol oxidation is associated with endothelium dysfunction in essential hypertension and oxidative stress, although.NO metabolite levels in plasma are not modified in the presence of elevated cholesterol oxides.

Nitric oxide, cholesterol oxides and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in plasma of patients with essential hypertension

The objective of the present study was to identify disturbances of nitric oxide radical (ANO) metabolism and the formation of cholesterol oxidation products in human essential hypertension. The concentrations ofANO derivatives (nitrite, nitrate, S-nitrosothiols and nitrotyrosine), water and lipid-soluble antioxidants and cholesterol oxides were measured in plasma of 11 patients with mild essential hypertension (H: 57.8 ± 9.7 years; blood pressure, 148.3 ± 24.8/90.8 ± 10.2 mmHg) and in 11 healthy subjects (N: 48.4 ± 7.0 years; blood pressure, 119.4 ± 9.4/75.0 ± 8.0 mmHg).Nitrite, nitrate and S-nitrosothiols were measured by chemiluminescence and nitrotyrosine was determined by ELISA. Antioxidants were determined by reverse-phase HPLC and cholesterol oxides by gas chromatography. Hypertensive patients had reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in response to reactive hyperemia (H: 9.3 and N: 15.1 percent increase of diameter 90 s after hyperemia), and lower levels of ascorbate (H: 29.2 ± 26.0, N: 54.2 ± 24.9 æM), urate (H: 108.5 ± 18.9, N: 156.4 ± 26.3 æM), ß-carotene (H: 1.1 ± 0.8, N: 2.5 ± 1.2 nmol/mg cholesterol), and lycopene (H: 0.4 ± 0.2, N: 0.7 ± 0.2 nmol/mg cholesterol), in plasma, compared to normotensive subjects. The content of 7-ketocholesterol, 5alpha-cholestane-3ß,5,6ß-triol and 5,6alpha-epoxy-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol in LDL, and the concentration of endothelin-1 (H: 0.9 ± 0.2, N: 0.7 ± 0.1 ng/ml) in plasma were increased in hypertensive patients. No differences were found for ANO derivatives between groups. These data suggest that an increase in cholesterol oxidation is associated with endothelium dysfunction in essential hypertension and oxidative stress, although ANO metabolite levels in plasma are not modified in the presence of elevated cholesterol oxides

[A comparative study of ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the staging and invasiveness of adjacent structures by renal tumors]. / Estudo comparativo dos métodos de ultra-sonografia, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética no estadiamento e invasão das estruturas adjacentes por tumores renais.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography (US), Computed Tomography (CT), and Magnetic Resonance imaging (MR) were compared for the staging of renal tumors. The differences between these imaging techniques were also studied for their ability to detect adenopathies, vascular invasion, distant intra-abdominal metastases, and particularly adjacent organ invasion. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with solid or complex renal masses were prospectively studied using US, CT, and MR. Differences between the results obtained were studied using the COCHRAN G test and the McNEMAR test. The sensitivity and specificity of each diagnostic technique were compared against a "gold standard" of the surgical and histopathological findings. RESULTS: The following sensitivities were obtained: For the detection of adenopathy, US 63.6%, CT and MR 90.9%. For vascular invasion, US 42.8%, CT and MR 85.7%. For the adjacent organ invasion, US 28.5%, CT 85.7%, and MR 71.4%. Some of the criteria that suggest invasion of adjacent structures include: the envelopment of the adjacent structures by the tumor, tumor extension into the adjacent structures with an irregular appearance, and alterations in shape, size, and density of adjacent structures. Loss of fat planes between the tumor and adjacent structures is not a sign of tumor invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences were found in the detection capacity of US in relation to CT and MR, which were similar. All three techniques were highly sensitive and specific only in the detection of distant abdominal metastases. In addition to the accuracy of these diagnostic modalities for the detection and staging of tumors, invasiveness, risks and cost should be considered in relation to relative costs and benefits.

Ultrasonography for the evaluation of visceral fat and cardiovascular risk.

Visceral fat accumulation is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Clinical evaluation of visceral fat is limited because of the lack of reliable and low-cost methods. To assess the correlation between ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) for the evaluation of visceral fat, 101 obese women, age 50.5+/-7.7 years with a body mass index of 39.2+/-5.4 kg/m(2), were submitted to ultrasonograph and CT scans. Visceral fat measured by ultrasonography, 1 cm above the umbilical knot, showed a high correlation with CT-determined visceral fat (r=0.67, P<0.0001). The ultrasonograph method showed good reproducibility with an intra-observer variation coefficient of <2%. Both ultrasonograph and CT visceral fat values were correlated with fasting insulin (r=0.29 and r=0.27, P<0.01) and plasma glucose 2 hours after oral glucose load (r=0.22 and r=0.34, P<0.05), indicating that ultrasonography is a useful method to evaluate cardiovascular risk. A significant correlation was also found between visceral fat by CT and serum sodium (r=0.18, P<0.05). A ultrasonograph-determined visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio of 2.50 was established as a cutoff value to define patients with abdominal visceral obesity. This value also identified patients with higher levels of plasma glucose, serum insulin and triglycerides and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol, which are metabolic abnormalities characteristic of the metabolic syndrome. Our data demonstrate that ultrasonography is a precise and reliable method for evaluation of visceral fat and identification of patients with adverse metabolic profile.

Estudo comparativo dos métodos de ultra-sonografia, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética no estadiamento e invasäo das estruturas adjacentes por tumores renais / A comparative study of ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the staging and invasion of adjacent structures by renal tumors

OBJETIVO: Comparamos os exames de ultra-som (US), tomografia computadorizada (TC) e ressonância magnética (RM) no estadiamento dos tumores renais, estudando as diferenças entre estes exames em relaçäo a sua capacidade de detecçäo de adenomegalias, invasäo vascular, metástases intra-abdominais à distância e particularmente invasäo dos órgäos adjacentes. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados prospectivamente 31 pacientes portadores de massas renais sólidas ou complexas através dos exames de US, TC e RM. As discordâncias entre os resultados observados foram estudadas através do Teste G de Cochran e Teste de McNemar, além de se calcular a sensibilidade e especificidade de cada método diagnóstico utilizado, considerando-se como "regra de ouro" os achados cirúrgico e anatomopatológico. RESULTADOS: Destes 31 pacientes, 28 eram portadores de massas malignas e três de lesöes benignas. Quanto à detecçäo de adenomegalia, o US mostrou sensibilidade de 63,6 por cento, enquanto a TC e RM tiveram sensibilidade de 90,9 por cento. Em relaçäo à invasäo vascular, o US mostrou sensibilidade de 42,8 por cento enquanto que a TC e a RM tiveram a sensibilidade de 85,7 por cento. Em relaçäo à invasäo de órgäos adjacentes, a sensibilidade foi respectivamente 28,5 por cento (US), 85,7 por cento (TC) e 71,4 por cento (RM). Säo critérios que sugerem a invasäo das estruturas adjacentes: quando estas se encontram envolvidas/englobadas pelo tumor; a extensäo do tumor para o seu interior com superfície de contato irregular; alteraçöes na forma, tamanho e densidade da estrutura adjacente. Somente a perda do plano de gordura e o íntimo contato do tumor com a estrutura adjacente näo indicam invasäo. CONCLUSÖES: Houve diferenças significantes na capacidade de detecçäo do US em relaçäo à TC e RM. Estas duas últimas näo diferiram entre si. Somente em relaçäo às metástases abdominais à distância todos os métodos se mostraram altamente sensíveis e específicos. Além da acurácia dos métodos, tanto para o diagnóstico como no estadiamento, devem ser considerados aspectos relativos à invasibilidade, riscos e preço na ponderaçäo dos custos e benefícios dos diversos exames de diagnóstico por imagem

Scintigraphy and Doppler ultrasonography for the evaluation of obstructive urinary calculi

Forty-seven patients with unilateral obstructive calculi (12 males and 35 females) were submitted to 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) or 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scans for assessment of renal function. The scans revealed unilateral functional deficit in 68 and 66 per cent of the patients, respectively. A calculus size of 1.1 to 2.0 cm was significantly associated with deficit detected by DTPA, but duration of obstruction and calculus localization were not. After relief of the obstruction, the mean percent renal function of the affected kidney was found to be significantly increased from 25 + or - 12 per cent to 29 + or - 12 per cent in DTPA and from 21 + or - 15 per cent to 24 + or - 12 per cent in DMSA. Initial Doppler ultrasonography performed in 35 patients detected an increased resistive index in 10 (29 per cent). In the remaining patients with a normal resistive index, ureteral urinary jet was observed, indicating partial obstruction. The high frequency of renal function impairment detected by DTPA and of tubulointerstitial damage detected by DMSA as well as the slight amelioration of unilateral renal function after relief of obstruction suggest that scintigraphy assessment may help evaluate the unilateral percentage of renal function and monitor renal function recovery when it occurs. The presence of a urinary jet detected by Doppler ultrasonography further indicates the severity of obstruction and the recovery prognosis.

Scintigraphy and Doppler ultrasonography for the evaluation of obstructive urinary calculi.

Forty-seven patients with unilateral obstructive calculi (12 males and 35 females) were submitted to 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) or 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scans for assessment of renal function. The scans revealed unilateral functional deficit in 68 and 66% of the patients, respectively. A calculus size of 1.1 to 2.0 cm was significantly associated with deficit detected by DTPA, but duration of obstruction and calculus localization were not. After relief of the obstruction, the mean percent renal function of the affected kidney was found to be significantly increased from 25 +/- 12% to 29 +/- 12% in DTPA and from 21 +/- 15% to 24 +/- 12% in DMSA. Initial Doppler ultrasonography performed in 35 patients detected an increased resistive index in 10 (29%). In the remaining patients with a normal resistive index, ureteral urinary jet was observed, indicating partial obstruction. The high frequency of renal function impairment detected by DTPA and of tubulointerstitial damage detected by DMSA as well as the slight amelioration of unilateral renal function after relief of obstruction suggest that scintigraphy assessment may help evaluate the unilateral percentage of renal function and monitor renal function recovery when it occurs. The presence of a urinary jet detected by Doppler ultrasonography further indicates the severity of obstruction and the recovery prognosis.

Thyroid function and serum prolactin levels in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate both thyroid function and serum prolactin levels in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and to detect possible correlation with disease activity. METHODS: Forty-two JSLE patients (3-15 years old at disease onset), twenty-two pubertal. All patients were evaluated according their clinical manifestations and disease activity. We determined serum prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T4, free T4, T3, thyroid peroxidasis and thyreoglobulin antibodies in all patients and controls. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed in the patients. RESULTS: We did not observe any difference in thyroid hormone and prolactin levels between patients and controls. One patient with JSLE presented with hyperthyroidism and six had thyroid antibodies. We observed abnormalities by ultrasonography in four patients (9.3%), specially heterogeneity of the gland echotexture. We did not find any correlation between prolactin levels, clinical manifestations or disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of thyroid function should not be routine for JSLE patients. Thyroid hormones and prolactin should be measured only in patients with clinical manifestations of hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

Intima-media thickness evaluation by B-mode ultrasound. Correlation with blood pressure levels and cardiac structures.

The aim of this study was to analyze the thickness of the intima-media complex (IMC) using a noninvasive method. The carotid and femoral common arteries were evaluated by noninvasive B-mode ultrasound in 63 normotensive and in 52 hypertensive subjects and the thickness of the IMC was tested for correlation with blood pressure, cardiac structures and several clinical and biological parameters. The IMC was thicker in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects (0.67 +/- 0.13 and 0.62 +/- 0.16 vs 0.54 +/- 0.09 and 0.52 +/- 0.11 mm, respectively, P<0.0001). In normotensive patients, the simple linear regression showed significant correlations between IMC and age, body mass index and 24-h systolic blood pressure for both the carotid and femoral arteries. In hypertensives the carotid IMC was correlated with age and 24-h systolic blood pressure while femoral IMC was correlated only with 24-h diastolic blood pressure. Forward stepwise regression showed that age, body mass index and 24-h systolic blood pressure influenced the carotid IMC relationship (r2 = 0.39) in normotensives. On the other hand, the femoral IMC relationship was influenced by 24-h systolic blood pressure and age (r2 = 0.40). In hypertensives, age and 24-h systolic blood pressure were the most important determinants of carotid IMC (r2 = 0.37), while femoral IMC was influenced only by 24-h diastolic blood pressure (r2 = 0.10). There was an association between carotid IMC and echocardiographic findings in normotensives, while in hypertensives only the left posterior wall and interventricular septum were associated with femoral IMC. We conclude that age and blood pressure influence the intima-media thickness, while echocardiographic changes are associated with the IMC.

Intima-media thickness evaluation by B-mode ultrasound: Correlation with blood pressure levels and cardiac structures

The aim of this study was to analyze the thickness of the intima-media complex (IMC) using a noninvasive method. The carotid and femoral common arteries were evaluated by noninvasive B-mode ultrasound in 63 normotensive and in 52 hypertensive subjects and the thickness of the IMC was tested for correlation with blood pressure, cardiac structures and several clinical and biological parameters. The IMC was thicker in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects (0.67 ± 0.13 and 0.62 ± 0.16 vs 0.54 ± 0.09 and 0.52 ± 0.11 mm, respectively, P<0.0001). In normotensive patients, the simple linear regression showed significant correlations between IMC and age, body mass index and 24-h systolic blood pressure for both the carotid and femoral arteries. In hypertensives the carotid IMC was correlated with age and 24-h systolic blood pressure while femoral IMC was correlated only with 24-h diastolic blood pressure. Forward stepwise regression showed that age, body mass index and 24-h systolic blood pressure influenced the carotid IMC relationship (r2 = 0.39) in normotensives. On the other hand, the femoral IMC relationship was influenced by 24-h systolic blood pressure and age (r2 = 0.40). In hypertensives, age and 24-h systolic blood pressure were the most important determinants of carotid IMC (r2 = 0.37), while femoral IMC was influenced only by 24-h diastolic blood pressure (r2 = 0.10). There was an association between carotid IMC and echocardiographic findings in normotensives, while in hypertensives only the left posterior wall and interventricular septum were associated with femoral IMC. We conclude that age and blood pressure influence the intima-media thickness, while echocardiographic changes are associated with the IMC

Tomographic aspects of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and related complications.

The authors present their experience involving seven patients with histopathologic diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis who were submitted to preoperative computed tomography (CT). The results are the following: a) stones (86 percent of the cases), b) increase in renal volume, c) hydronephrosis, d) density measurements (from 14 to 29 HU), e) enhancement found in all cases, f) extrarenal involvement (all cases). CT has shown to be a reliable method in characterizing xanthogranulomatous xyelonephritis and extrarenal involvement.

Acute adrenal haemorrhage: diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Acute adrenal haemorrhage (AAH) is a rare disorder with different aetiologies. Aiming to discuss this condition, this report deals with four different cases that will be analysed and examined below, each one of them confirmed by biopsy or surgery and followed clinically and radiologically. In these cases it was found that the patients suffered from localized abdominal pain (4/4) and fever (2/4); one patient had adrenal insufficiency due to bilateral massive AAH. Therefore we concluded that AAH is an uncommon condition with variable clinical manifestations.

Sonographic visualization of the ureter in pregnancy.

We describe a method of differentiating physiological from pathological dilatation of the renal collecting system in pregnant patients. In physiological hydronephrosis the dilated ureter extends down only to the level of the common iliac artery. In 2 patients with distal ureteral stones a dilated ureter was visualized past the vessels. To determine the frequency and reliability of visualizing the ureters in pregnant patients 105 consecutive asymptomatic pregnant patients were examined. Hydronephrosis was found in 83 kidneys in 59 of the patients. The dilated ureter was visualized in 64 of the renal units. The anatomy was well demonstrated by color flow Doppler scanning and in all of these cases the dilated ureter was seen to taper where it crossed the common iliac artery. These results suggest that the presence of a dilated ureter past the iliac artery is strong evidence for pathological distal ureteral obstruction in pregnancy.

Transurethral resection of prostatic abscess under sonographic guidance.

Transrectal ultrasound may establish the diagnosis of prostatic abscess in an ambiguous clinical setting. Transurethral resection (deroofing) is the treatment preferred by many clinicians, yet intraoperative complete abscess obliteration may be difficult to confirm endoscopically. We report on a patient with a complex prostatic abscess endoscopically resected under transrectal ultrasound guidance. Adequacy of treatment was proved pathologically.

Calcificaçöes pancreáticas em criança associada a ingestäo crônica de álcool: relato de caso / Pancreatic calcifications in child with association of chronic ingestiion of alcohol: a case report

Calcificaçöes pancreáticas em crianças tem sido descritas com pouca frequência, sendo a associaçäo com ingestäo crônica de álcool ainda mais rara. Os autores apresentaram o caso de uma criança de nove anos de idade com calcificaçöes pancreáticas e dores abdominais recorrentes, causadas pela pancreatite crônica alcoólica. Essa etiologia foi determinada por anamnese, dados epidemiológicos, exames laboratoriais e diagnóstico por imagem