Decompressive Craniectomy for Malignant Ischemic Stroke: An Institutional Experience of 145 Cases in a Brazilian Medical Center.

BACKGROUND: Malignant ischemic stroke (MIS) occurs in a subgroup of patients with cerebrovascular accident who sustain massive or significant cerebral infarction. It is characterized by neurological deterioration owing to progressive edema, raised intracranial pressure, and cerebral herniation. Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a surgical technique that can be used to treat select cases of this condition in the presence of medically refractory intracranial hypertension. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors associated with clinical outcome, including timing of the procedure, and postoperative mortality. METHODS: We analyzed surgical characteristics associated with prognosis in 145 patients who underwent DC secondary to MIS between 2013 and 2018, assessing clinical outcome at discharge and 6 and 12 months after discharge. Our inclusion criteria were DC secondary to MIS in adult patients with raised intracranial pressure signs. RESULTS: Our analysis showed that although patients from cities >100 km from the neurosurgical center had a worse prognosis, only the surgical head side (left vs. right, P = 0.001), hospitalization length (P < 0.001), and earlier timing of procedure (P < 0.001) were statistically relevant in having worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in whom more time passed from presentation to the neurosurgical procedure, owing to living in a distant city or taking more time to be seen by a specialist, tended to have a worse prognosis. The timing of procedure, surgical side, and hospitalization length were independent predictors in determining the prognosis of patients who underwent DC after an MIS.

Decompressive hemicraniectomy for acute ischemic stroke: A neurosurgical view in a pandemic COVID-19 time highlights of literature.

Background and purpose: The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which was identified after the outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has kept the whole world in tenterhooks due to its severe life-threatening nature of the infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 a pandemic in 2020, an unprecedented challenge, having a high contagious life-threatening condition with unprecedented impacts for worldwide societies and health care systems. Neurologic symptoms related to SARS-CoV-2 have been described recently in the literature, and acute cerebrovascular disease is one of the most serious complications. The occurrence of large-vessel occlusion in young patients with COVID-19 infection has been exceedingly rare. In this article, we describe the profile of patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy for the treatment of intracranial hypertension by stroke associated with COVID-19 published so far. A narrative review of the central issue in focus was designed: decompressive craniectomy in a pandemic time.

Methods of evaluation of smell in victims of subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To systematically review the methods for evaluation of smell in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage victims and to identify the changes found with the use of these methods. RESEARCH STRATEGY: The literature search was performed in PubMed search platform and in the databases Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect in August and September 2014. SELECTION CRITERIA: Original articles published in any language, which addressed smell changes in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and addressed to evaluate this function through specific methods were included. Review studies, case studies, book chapters, editorial, and studies that address the nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were excluded. DATA ANALYSIS: The following variables were considered in data analysis: author/year, country, sample/age, treatment, method, the moment of smell evaluation, and results. RESULTS: The search for articles resulted in 1,763 articles, of which, 9 original articles were selected for this review. It was observed that all articles were from European and Asian countries. Standardized and nonstandardized tests and questionnaires were used in olfactory assessment, and the goals ranged from assessing the smell before and/or after surgery in this population. CONCLUSION: Heterogeneity was observed in the methods used to evaluate the smell in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and in the methods selected for application of evaluations. In addition, studies have demonstrated the existence of olfactory deficits in patients and the relationship between surgery and olfactory dysfunction.

Métodos de avaliação do olfato em pacientes vítimas de hemorragia subaracnóidea: revisão sistemática / Methods of evaluation of smell in victims of subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: a systematic review

RESUMO Objetivos: Revisar de forma sistemática os métodos para avaliação do olfato em vítimas de hemorragia subaracnóidea aneurismática, e identificar as alterações encontradas com a utilização desses métodos. Estratégia de pesquisa: A pesquisa bibliográfica foi realizada na plataforma de busca PubMed e nas bases de dados Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL e ScienceDirect, tendo a busca de dados ocorrida em agosto e setembro de 2014. Critérios de seleção: Artigos originais publicados em qualquer língua que abordassem as alterações de olfato na hemorragia subaracnóidea aneurismática, com objetivo de avaliar essa função através de métodos específicos. Foram excluídos estudos de revisão; estudos de caso; capítulos de livro; editoriais e estudos que abordassem a hemorragia subaracnóidea não aneurismática. Análise dos dados: Foram consideradas como variáveis na análise dos dados: autor/ano, país, amostra/idade, tratamento, método utilizado, momento da avaliação do olfato e resultados. Resultados: A busca de artigos resultou em 1.763 artigos, desses, 9 artigos originais foram selecionados para esta revisão. Foi observado que todos os artigos foram desenvolvidos em países europeus e asiáticos e na avaliação do olfato utilizou-se desde testes padronizados e não padronizados a questionários, cujos objetivos variaram entre avaliar o olfato antes e/ou após o tratamento cirúrgico nessa população. Conclusão: Foi observada heterogeneidade nos métodos utilizados para avaliação do olfato na hemorragia subaracnóidea aneurismática, como também no momento selecionado para aplicação das avaliações. Além disso, os estudos evidenciaram a existência de déficit olfatório nos pacientes, e a relação entre o tratamento cirúrgico e a disfunção olfatória.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To systematically review the methods for evaluation of smell in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage victims and to identify the changes found with the use of these methods. Research strategy: The literature search was performed in PubMed search platform and in the databases Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect in August and September 2014. Selection criteria: Original articles published in any language, which addressed smell changes in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and addressed to evaluate this function through specific methods were included. Review studies, case studies, book chapters, editorial, and studies that address the nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were excluded. Data analysis: The following variables were considered in data analysis: author/year, country, sample/age, treatment, method, the moment of smell evaluation, and results. Results: The search for articles resulted in 1,763 articles, of which, 9 original articles were selected for this review. It was observed that all articles were from European and Asian countries. Standardized and nonstandardized tests and questionnaires were used in olfactory assessment, and the goals ranged from assessing the smell before and/or after surgery in this population. Conclusion: Heterogeneity was observed in the methods used to evaluate the smell in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and in the methods selected for application of evaluations. In addition, studies have demonstrated the existence of olfactory deficits in patients and the relationship between surgery and olfactory dysfunction.

Fratura evolutiva de crânio na infância ? Relato de cinco casos e revisão de literatura / Growing skull fracture of childhood ? Report of five cases and literature review

A fratura evolutiva é uma rara complicação que se observa geralmente na infância. Caracteriza-se por afastamento progressivo das bordas das fraturas, às vezes associado à formação de um cisto leptomeníngeo, também conhecido como cisto leptomeníngeo pós-traumático. De acordo com a literatura internacional, sua prevalência varia entre 0,03% e 1,6%. Analisamos a casuística de pacientes internados com traumatismo cranioencefálico no Hospital da Restauração de Recife (Brasil), um centro de referência em neurocirurgia pediátrica, no período de 1° de dezembro de 2000 a 30 de abril de 2008. O grupo de estudo compreendeu crianças de 0 a 14 anos. Durante essa investigação foram realizadas 19.758 admissões na emergência pediátrica por traumatismo cranioencefálico, e 74% foram admitidos da área metropolitana e 26% do interior do estado de Pernambuco. Foi observada fratura craniana em 6,3% dos casos, dos quais cinco crianças (menores de 3 anos) desenvolveram fratura evolutiva, representando 0,4% das fraturas de crânio e 0,02% dos traumatismos cranioencefálicos admitidos. Foi achada em todos os casos uma massa pulsátil, que apareceu em média no quarto mês após o trauma. As cinco crianças foram submetidas a tratamento cirúrgico, que compreendeu a ressecção do cisto leptomeníngeo e do tecido cerebral herniado, reparo do defeito dural e cranioplastia. A nossa experiência e a revisão bibliográfica mostram que crianças menores de 3 anos com história de traumatismo cranioencefálico e fratura de crânio apresentam risco de desenvolver fratura evolutiva. No entanto, sendo uma condição rara crianças com fratura de crânio menores de 3 anos, é obrigatório o acompanhamento clínico. Quando diagnosticado, o tratamento cirúrgico imediato é indicado para prevenir déficit neurológico.

Growing fracture is a rare complication that usually is observed in childhood. It is characterized by a progressive opening from the edges of fractures, sometimes associated with the formation of leptomeningeal cyst, also known as post-traumatic leptomeningeal cyst. According to the literature, its prevalence ranges from 0.03% to 1.6%. We analyzed a casuistic of patients hospitalized with head trauma at the Hospital da Restauração of Recife (Brazil), a referral center for pediatric neurosurgery, in the period from December 1st 2000 to April 30th, 2008. The study group consisted of children aged 0 to 14 years. During this research, were analyzed 19,758 emergency admissions for pediatric traumatic brain injury, which 74% were admitted to the metropolitan area and 26% were from the countryside, in the state of Pernambuco. Skull fracture was observed in 6.3% of cases, including 5 children under 3 years old, who developed growing fracture, constituting 0.4% of skull fractures and 0.02% of traumatic brain injury admitted. In all cases, it was found a pulsating mass that appeared in an average time in the 4th month after the trauma. The five children were submitted to surgical resection of the leptomeningeal cyst and of the herniated brain tissue, repair of dural defect and cranioplasty. Our experience and review of the literature show that children under 3 years old, with a history of traumatic brain injury and skull fracture, present at risk of developing a growing fracture. Even though, it is a rare condition, a clinical follow-up is mandatory for these children. When the growing fracture is diagnosed, an immediate surgical treatment is indicated to prevent neurologic deficit.

Extensive spinal cord involvement in magnetic resonance imaging evaluation on schistosomal myelitis.

UNLABELLED: The diagnosis of schistosomal myelitis (SM) is frequently presumptive because no findings from any complementary examination are pathognomonic for this disease. The present report describes some abnormalities seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of a series of SM patients and discusses their etiopathogenesis. METHODS: This study evaluated SM patients at the time of their diagnosis. These patients routinely underwent MRI on all segments of the spinal cord. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were evaluated. The MRI was abnormal in 12 (92.3%) of them. In 11 patients (84.61%), the damage reached two or more spinal segments. CONCLUSIONS: MRI was an important diagnostic aid in this sample, because of the high rate of abnormalities detected. The tissue damage observed on MRI was extensive in the majority of the patients.

Extensive spinal cord involvement in magnetic resonance imaging evaluation on schistosomal myelitis / Envolvimento difuso da medula espinhal na avaliação pela ressonância magnética da mielite esquistossomótica

The diagnosis of schistosomal myelitis (SM) is frequently presumptive because no findings from any complementary examination are pathognomonic for this disease. The present report describes some abnormalities seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of a series of SM patients and discusses their etiopathogenesis. Methods: This study evaluated SM patients at the time of their diagnosis. These patients routinely underwent MRI on all segments of the spinal cord. Results: Thirteen patients were evaluated. The MRI was abnormal in 12 (92.3 percent) of them. In 11 patients (84.61 percent), the damage reached two or more spinal segments. Conclusions: MRI was an important diagnostic aid in this sample, because of the high rate of abnormalities detected. The tissue damage observed on MRI was extensive in the majority of the patients.

O diagnóstico da mielite esquistossomótica é frequentemente realizado por presunção, não havendo achado de exame complementar que seja patognomônico à condição. O presente estudo descreve alterações presentes na avaliação desses pacientes pela técnica da ressonância magnética e discute sua etiopatogênese. Métodos: O estudo avaliou pacientes com mielite esquistossomótica no momento do diagnóstico, os quais foram submetidos, rotineiramente, à ressonância magnética de todos os segmentos medulares. Resultados: Foram avaliados 13 pacientes, sendo a ressonância magnética alterada em 92.3 por cento dos casos. Em 11 pacientes (84.61 por cento), o dano abrangeu dois ou mais segmentos espinais. Conclusões: A ressonância magnética espinhal foi um importante auxílio diagnóstico nessa casuística em virtude da alta taxa de alterações detectadas. O dano tecidual observado foi extenso na maioria dos pacientes.

Portal Doppler ultrasound evaluation in myelitis by Schistosoma mansoni.

UNLABELLED: The mechanism for development of schistosomal myelitis has not yet been completely understood. Few publications have tried to establish a link between the general clinical presentation of the illness and its neurological manifestations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluated the portal blood flow in patients with schistosomal myelitis and controls. METHOD: Forty-three individuals were evaluated using portal Doppler ultrasound. Group I consisted of 13 patients with the spinal form of schistosomiasis. Group II included 10 patients with intestinal and hepatointestinal forms of schistosomiasis, but no neurological symptoms; while group III involved 20 healthy controls. RESULTS: Portal venous speed and portal venous flow were significantly elevated in group I (p<0.001) compared with the others. CONCLUSION: Doppler ultrasound demonstrated a situation of high flow within the portal venous system of patients with schistosomal myelitis.

Epidemiological aspects in neuroschistosomiasis.

UNLABELLED: The urbanization process of schistosomiasis has been described in the literature. The present report shows and discusses some epidemiological aspects of neuroschistosomiasis that emphasizes this trend. METHOD: The study was done between July, 2005 and June, 2006, and consisted of spinal cord schistosomiasis carriers at the moment of diagnosis. These patients were evaluated whatever the origin and period of the year that they developed the symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were evaluated. Ten cases (76.92%) came from the Metropolitan Region of Recife, while the other zones (Zona da Mata, Agreste e Sertão) contributed with just three cases (23.07%). October, November and December (post rainy period) concentrated the majority of the cases (61.54%). CONCLUSION: The high spatial and temporal concentration of cases in relation to a recent endemic area for Schistosomiasis suggests that the immunological status may be an important factor for installation of Sschistosomal myelitis.

Portal Doppler ultrasound evaluation in myelitis by Schistosoma mansoni / Avaliação pela ultrassonografia com Doppler portal na mielite pelo Schistosoma mansoni

The mechanism for development of schistosomal myelitis has not yet been completely understood. Few publications have tried to establish a link between the general clinical presentation of the illness and its neurological manifestations. Objective: To evaluated the portal blood flow in patients with schistosomal myelitis and controls. Method: Forty-three individuals were evaluated using portal Doppler ultrasound. Group I consisted of 13 patients with the spinal form of schistosomiasis. Group II included 10 patients with intestinal and hepatointestinal forms of schistosomiasis, but no neurological symptoms; while group III involved 20 healthy controls. Results: Portal venous speed and portal venous flow were significantly elevated in group I (p<0.001) compared with the others. Conclusion: Doppler ultrasound demonstrated a situation of high flow within the portal venous system of patients with schistosomal myelitis.

A fisiopatogênese da mielopatia esquistossomótica não é completamente entendida, sendo escassas as publicações que tentam inferir a relação entre a forma clínica da esquistossomose e suas manifestações neurológicas. Objetivo: Avaliar o fluxo sanguíneo do sistema porta em pacientes com mielite esquistossomótica, contribuindo no entendimento dos mecanismos que favorecem a chegada dos parasitas e/ou seus derivados ao sistema nervoso. Método: Foram avaliados 43 indivíduos pela Dopplerfluxometria portal. O grupo I constou de 13 pacientes com esquistossomose medular, sendo o grupo II composto por 10 portadores de formas intestinal e hepatointestinal (sem doença neurológica), e o grupo III, por 20 controles sadios. Resultados: A velocidade venosa portal e o fluxo venoso portal foram significativamente elevados (p-valor<0,001) no grupo I. Conclusão: A Dopplerfluxometria demonstrou a presença de estados hiperdinâmicos do leito vascular porta em pacientes com mielite pelo Schistosoma mansoni.

Epidemiological aspects in neuroschistosomiasis / Aspectos epidemiologicos na neuroesquistossomose

The urbanization process of schistosomiasis has been described in the literature. The present report shows and discusses some epidemiological aspects of neuroschistosomiasis that emphasizes this trend. Method: The study was done between July, 2005 and June, 2006, and consisted of spinal cord schistosomiasis carriers at the moment of diagnosis. These patients were evaluated whatever the origin and period of the year that they developed the symptoms. Results: A total of 13 patients were evaluated. Ten cases (76.92 percent) came from the Metropolitan Region of Recife, while the other zones (Zona da Mata, Agreste e Sertão) contributed with just three cases (23.07 percent). October, November and December (post rainy period) concentrated the majority of the cases (61.54 percent). Conclusion: The high spatial and temporal concentration of cases in relation to a recent endemic area for Schistosomiasis suggests that the immunological status may be an important factor for installation of Sschistosomal myelitis.

O processo de urbanização da esquistossomose vem sendo descrito na literatura. O presente estudo apresenta e discute alguns aspectos epidemiológicos na neuroesquistossomose que confirmam essa tendência. Método: O estudo foi realizado entre julho de 2005 e junho de 2006, sendo composto por portadores de mielite esquistossomótica no momento do diagnóstico. Os pacientes foram avaliados quanto à procedência e ao período do ano que desenvolveram a doença. Resultados: No total foram 13 pacientes avaliados, sendo 10 casos (76,92 por cento) provenientes da Região Metropolitana do Recife, enquanto as demais regiões (Zona da Mata, Agreste e Sertão) contribuíram com apenas um caso cada. Os meses de outubro, novembro e dezembro concentraram a maioria dos pacientes (61,54 por cento). Conclusão: A alta concentração espacial e temporal de casos em relação a uma área endêmica recente para esquistossomose sugere que a participação de fatores imunológicos possa ser importante para o desenvolvimento de sua forma medular.

Meningiomas do forâmen magno / Foramen magnum meningiomas

Contexto: Os meningiomas do forâmen magno são patologias raras e representam um dos mais desafiantes tumores do sistema nervoso central em relação ao seu tratamento cirúrgico. Sua frequência varia na literatura em torno de 3% dos meningiomas. Podem ser classificados como ventrais, ventrolaterais e dorsais. Tal classificação é importante, pois define a abordagem cirúrgica a ser utilizada. Objetivo: Revisão dos aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos desse raro e intrigante tumor. Método: Pesquisa eletrônica no PubMed (www.pubmed.com) utilizando as seguintes palavras-chave: meningioma do forâmen magno e acesso extremo lateral. Foram revisados dados de trabalhos do período de 1987 a 2008. Também foi realizada pesquisa das publicações mais citadas em relação ao tema. Artigos com dados clínicos incompletos não foram analisados. Resultados: Como todos os meningiomas, são mais frequentes no sexo feminino. Possuem uma apresentação clínica variável. O diagnóstico precoce é mandatório a fim de se atingir os melhores resultados terapêuticos. O tratamento de eleição, definido pela maioria dos autores, é o cirúrgico, embora a radiocirurgia estereotáxica esteja despontando como uma das possibilidades terapêuticas. A maioria das séries publicadas relata uma taxa de ressecção total em torno de 70% dos casos. Conclusões: A melhor opção terapêutica, até o presente momento, é a remoção cirúrgica do tumor. A abordagem ideal ainda não está estabelecida como um consenso, embora esteja se direcionando para o acesso extremo lateral e suas variantes segundo a maioria dos autores. A embolização pré-operatória tem o seu papel definido e deve ser utilizada sempre que possível. A radiocirurgia estereotáxica pode ser uma opção terapêutica para um grupo seleto de pacientes. O diagnóstico precoce continua sendo a melhor arma de todo esse arsenal para que os pacientes desfrutem de um bom resultado terapêutico e evoluam com um prognóstico favorável. Em virtude da complexidade de sua localização anatômica, é necessário o amplo conhecimento da anatomia dos acessos de base de crânio, em especial o acesso extremo lateral e suas variantes.

Context: Foramen magnum meningiomas are rare diseases and represent one of the most challenging tumors of the central nervous system for its surgical treatment. Its frequency varies in the literature corresponding to about 3% of all meningiomas. They are classified as ventral, ventrolateral and dorsal. This classification is important because it defines the surgical approach to be used. Objective: Literature review of clinical and therapeutic aspects of this rare and puzzling tumor. Method: An electronic search in PubMed (www.pubmed.com) using the following keywords: meningioma of the foramen magnum and extreme lateral access. We reviewed data from studies published during the period of 1987 to 2008. We also carried out research into the publications cited in the articles. Articles with incomplete clinical data were not analyzed. Results: Like all meningiomas they are more common in women. They have a variable clinical presentation. Early diagnosis is mandatory in order to achieve the best therapeutic results. The treatment of choice, as defined by most authors, is surgery, while stereotactic radiosurgery is emerging as one of the therapeutic possibilities. Most published series report a total resection rate of around 70%. Conclusions: The best therapeutic option, so far, is the surgical removal of the tumor. The ideal approach is not yet established as a consensus, although it is moving toward the extreme lateral access and its variants according to most authors. The preoperative embolization has its defined role and should be used whenever possible. The stereotactic radiosurgery may be a therapeutic option for a select group of patients. Early diagnosis remains the best factor to achieve a good outcome and a favorable prognosis. Due to the complexity of its anatomical location, one must have extensive knowledge of the anatomy of the skull base, especially that concerning with the extreme lateral access and its variants.

Aneurisma intrameatal da AICA: relato de caso e discussão / AICA intrameatal Aneurysm: case report and discussion

Introdução: Os aneurismas distais da artéria cerebelarântero-inferior representam 0,1% dos aneurismas intracranianos(3% dos aneurismas da fossa posterior). Métodos: Nopresente artigo reportamos um caso tratado com êxito dessarara entidade e discutimos alguns aspectos da literatura sobreo tema. Conclusão: O manuseio dessa patologia requer umconhecimento detalhado da anatomia local, sendo a exclusãoda lesão com preservação da integridade das estruturas vascularesenvolvidas, a abordagem terapêutica mais adequada.

[Multivoxel spectroscopy with short echo time: choline/N-acetyl-aspartate ratio and the grading of cerebral astrocytomas]. / Espectroscopia multivoxel com tempo de eco curto: a razão colina/N-acetil-aspartato e a graduação dos astrocitomas cerebrais.

The choline/N-acetyl-aspartate (Cho/NAA) ratio, obtained by the multivoxel spectroscopy with short echo time (TE), was evaluated, in the histological grading of the brain astrocytomas (grades I, II and III-IV) in comparison with the normal cerebral parenchyma. A significant increase (p<0.05) in the average ratios of Cho/NAA was observed in the three astrocytoma groups studied in relation to normal tissue, having a tendency to increase with the increase in grading, without any statistic significance, which corresponded to: 0.53+/-0.24 in the control group, 1.19+/-0.49 in grade I, 1.58+/-0.65 in grade II and 5.13+/-8.12 in the high grade group (grades III-IV), with variation in the values encountered. There was an increase in the Cho/NAA ratio in 4/5 (80%) in grade I, 5/6 (83%) in grade II and 10/20 (50%) in grades III and IV. We conclude that multivoxel spectroscopy with short TE can be used in discriminating between normal parenchyma and neoplasm tissue. However, not all neoplasm tissue studied presented an increase in Cho/NAA, especially in the group with higher grade of malignancy.

Espectroscopia multivoxel com tempo de eco curto: a razão colina/N-acetil-aspartato e a graduação dos astrocitomas cerebrais / Multivoxel spectroscopy with short echo time: choline/N-acetyl-aspartate ratio and the grading of cerebral astrocytomas

Avaliou-se a relação colina/N-acetil-aspartato (Co/NAA), obtida pela espectroscopia multivoxel com tempo de eco (TE) curto, na graduação histológica dos astrocitomas encefálicos (graus I, II e III-IV), comparando com o parênquima cerebral normal. Observou-se aumento significativo (p<0,05) das relações médias de Co/NAA nos três grupos de astrocitomas estudados em relação ao tecido normal, havendo tendência de elevação com o aumento da graduação, sem significância estatística, que correspondeu a: 0,53±0,24 no grupo controle, 1,19±0,49 no grau I, 1,58±0,65 no grau II e 5,13±8,12 no grupo de alto grau (graus III-IV). Houve aumento da relação Co/NAA em 4/5 (80 por cento) dos pacientes com grau I, 5/6 (83 por cento) com grau II e 10/20 (50 por cento) com graus III e IV. Concluiu-se que a espectroscopia multivoxel com TE curto pode ser usada na discriminação entre o parênquima normal e o tecido neoplásico. Entretanto, nem todo tecido neoplásico estudado apresentou aumento da relação Co/NAA, principalmente o grupo com maior malignidade.

The choline/N-acetyl-aspartate (Cho/NAA) ratio, obtained by the multivoxel spectroscopy with short echo time (TE), was evaluated, in the histological grading of the brain astrocytomas (grades I, II and III-IV) in comparison with the normal cerebral parenchyma. A significant increase (p<0.05) in the average ratios of Cho/NAA was observed in the three astrocytoma groups studied in relation to normal tissue, having a tendency to increase with the increase in grading, without any statistic significance, which corresponded to: 0.53±0.24 in the control group, 1.19±0.49 in grade I, 1.58±0.65 in grade II and 5.13±8.12 in the high grade group (grades III-IV), with variation in the values encountered. There was an increase in the Cho/NAA ratio in 4/5 (80 percent) in grade I, 5/6 (83 percent) in grade II and 10/20 (50 percent) in grades III and IV. We conclude that multivoxel spectroscopy with short TE can be used in discriminating between normal parenchyma and neoplasm tissue. However, not all neoplasm tissue studied presented an increase in Cho/NAA, especially in the group with higher grade of malignancy.

Persistência da cauda: relato de caso / Human tail: case report

O nascimento de uma criança com apêndice caudal é evento benigno e raro. De acordo com a literatura, a cauda humana é uma estrutura embrionária näo relacionada ao tubo neural e portanto näo associada a malformaçöes congênitas da coluna e medula espinhal. Nosso trabalho apresenta um novo caso de persistência da cauda e a moderna perspectiva científica sobre o assunto é discutida

Neuralgia vago-glossofaringea sintomática: relato de dois casos / Symptomatic vagus-glossopharyngeal neuralgia: report of 2 cases

Descrevem-se dois casos de neuralgia vago-glossofaringea por compressäo neurovascular. O caso n§ 1, apresentou episódios de assistolia cardíaca e hipotensäo arterial sistêmica transitórias, em uma paciente de 43 anos, que possuía um ramo da artéria cerebelar póstero-inferior D situado entre os nervos glossofaríngeo e vago. O caso n§ 2, tem associado um síndrome de pré-excitaçäo cardíaca do tipo Lown-Ganong-Levine, em uma paciente de 58 anos, portadora de aderências unindo a artéria cerebelar póstero-inferior E e os nervos glossofaríngeo e vago. Ambos os casos caracterizam-se como neuralgias sintomáticas e como tal merecem ser relatados