Atrial flutter complicating severe leptospirosis: a case report.

Cardiac disturbances are relatively common and electrocardiographic abnormalities may be found in more than 70% of patients with leptospirosis. We report the case of a 68 year-old male with severe leptospirosis who developed atrial flutter. Effective treatment was done with amiodarone. The patient became clinical stable, with complete recovery. Rigorous clinical observation and continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring may facilitate the identification of rhythm disorders, and thus prevent a probable fatal outcome, in severe cases of leptospirosis.

Atrial flutter complicating severe leptospirosis: a case report

Cardiac disturbances are relatively common and electrocardiographic abnormalities may be found in more than 70% of patients with leptospirosis. We report the case of a 68 year-old male with severe leptospirosis who developed atrial flutter. Effective treatment was done with amiodarone. The patient became clinical stable, with complete recovery. Rigorous clinical observation and continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring may facilitate the identification of rhythm disorders, and thus prevent a probable fatal outcome, in severe cases of leptospirosis.

Leishmaniose tegumentar em paciente com espondilite anquilosante utilizando adalimumabe / Cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis using adalimumab

A leishmaniose é uma antropozoonose causada por espécies de Leishmania e pode apresentar-se de diversas formas clínicas, dependendo da interação parasita-hospedeiro. O fator de necrose tumoral-α (TNF-α) é uma citocina essencial para o controle de infecções, especialmente contra parasitas intracelulares como a Leishmania. A terapia anti-TNF-α tem importante papel no tratamento de doenças reumáticas, mas o uso desses antagonistas está relacionado ao aumento de infecções. Relatamos o primeiro caso de leishmaniose cutânea no Brasil em uma paciente portadora de espondilite anquilosante em uso de adalimumabe e metotrexato. Acreditamos que neste caso não houve relação entre o uso de anti-TNF-α e a leishmaniose cutânea, pois a doença estava limitada a apenas uma úlcera, que cicatrizou completamente após o tratamento. Mais estudos, entretanto, são necessários para entender melhor a possível associação entre agentes anti-TNF-α e leishmaniose.

Leishmaniasis is an anthropozoonosis caused by species of Leishmania and can have different clinical presentations, depending on the parasite-host relationship. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cytokine essential to infection control, especially against intracellular parasites such as Leishmania. Anti-TNF-α strategies have had a marked impact on the treatment of rheumatic diseases, but the clinical use of those antagonists has been accompanied by an increased report of infections. We report the first case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis treated with adalimumab and methotrexate in Brazil. We believe that, in this case, there was no association between the anti-TNF-α treatment and cutaneous leishmaniasis, because the disease was limited to only one ulcer that healed completely after treatment. More studies, however, are necessary to better understand the possible relationship between anti-TNF-α agents and leishmaniasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis using adalimumab.

Leishmaniasis is an anthropozoonosis caused by species of Leishmania and can have different clinical presentations, depending on the parasite-host relationship. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cytokine essential to infection control, especially against intracellular parasites such as Leishmania. Anti-TNF-α strategies have had a marked impact on the treatment of rheumatic diseases, but the clinical use of those antagonists has been accompanied by an increased report of infections. We report the first case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis treated with adalimumab and methotrexate in Brazil. We believe that, in this case, there was no association between the anti-TNF-α treatment and cutaneous leishmaniasis, because the disease was limited to only one ulcer that healed completely after treatment. More studies, however, are necessary to better understand the possible relationship between anti-TNF-α agents and leishmaniasis.

Hair loss due to lichen planopilaris after hair transplantation: a report of two cases and a literature review.

Androgenetic alopecia is often treated by follicular unit transplantation, a technique that involves minimal risk of hair loss because of the more resistant nature of the donor area. Lichen planopilaris is a cicatricial alopecia that causes permanent destruction of hair follicles. We report two cases of post-transplantation lesions compatible with lichen planopilaris in both recipient and donor areas. The quality of the hair follicles in the donor area was apparently compromised by lichen planopilaris, the probable cause of hair loss. Similar reports are rare. When lichen planopilaris is suspected, a biopsy of the scalp must be performed to avoid transplantation during disease activity.

Perda pilosa por líquen plano pilar após transplante capilar: relato de dois casos e revisão da literatura / Hair loss due to lichen planopilaris after hair transplantation: a report of two cases and a literature review

Alopecia androgenética é tratada com frequência por meio de microtransplante capilar, téc nica em que os fios transplantados geralmente não caem, pois mantêm características da área doadora, mais resistente. O líquen plano pilar é uma alopecia cicatricial com permanente destruição pilosa. Este artigo relata dois casos de lesões compatíveis com líquen plano pilar em áreas receptora e doadora póstransplante. A dominância da área doadora foi aparentemente sobrepujada pelo líquen plano pilar, que deve ter gerado a queda dos fios. Relatos semelhantes são raros. À suspeita de líquen plano pilar, devese biopsiar o couro cabeludo e evitar o transplante durante a atividade da doença.

Androgenetic alopecia is often treated by follicular unit transplantation, a technique that involves minimal risk of hair loss because of the more resistant nature of the donor area. Lichen planopilaris is a cicatricial alopecia that causes permanent destruction of hair follicles. We report two cases of post-transplantation lesions compatible with lichen planopilaris in both recipient and donor areas. The quality of the hair follicles in the donor area was apparently compromised by lichen planopilaris, the probable cause of hair loss. Similar reports are rare. When lichen planopilaris is suspected, a biopsy of the scalp must be performed to avoid transplantation during disease activity.

Oxidative stress in follicular units during hair transplantation surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hair transplantation surgery currently is a well-established procedure in plastic surgery. It consists of harvesting a strip of scalp from the back of the head, then obtaining grafts called follicular units (FUs) from this strip and implanting them in the bald area. The FUs undergo oxidative stress during cold ischemia and after their implantation. METHODS: Surgery was performed for 18 patients between April and July 2008. Follicular units were preserved in solutions containing different growth-stimulating hormone (GSH) concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mmol). Saline solution was used as a control condition. Spectrophotometry was used to measure the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) and GSH concentrations before ischemia (control group) in the FUs preserved in the four proposed solutions, then after 30 min of cold ischemia and 30 min after grafting. The data obtained were submitted to analysis of variance, t test, and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The TBARS (µmol of malondialdehyde [MDA]/g) and GSH (µmol/g) concentrations were not significantly different between the four solutions in either the ischemia or grafting group. The GSH concentration did not differ significantly between the control (59.801 ± 30.639 µmol/g) and ischemia (56.284 ± 28.404 µmol/g) groups. The GSH concentrations were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the postgrafting group (63.815 ± 28.404 µmol/g) than in the group subjected to ischemia. CONCLUSION: Increasing the GSH concentrations used in FU preservation solutions does not reduce the oxidative effects of cold ischemia and reperfusion injury during hair transplantation surgery.

Treinamento inicial em microcirurgia / Initial training in microsurgery

A técnica microcirúrgica que até a década de 80 do século passado se constituiu um procedimento de exceção, somente utilizada em casos extremos, devido aos avanços facilmente observados em diversas publicações atuais, tornou-se em muitos procedimentos a primeira opção cirúrgica, fazendo com quase que, de maneira obrigatória, todos os médicos que exerçam a especialidade de Cirurgia Plástica tenham que realizar treinamento na citada técnica operatória. O presente artigo se propõe a apresentar um modelo de fácil execução como treinamento básico em microcirurgia.

The microsurgical technique witch until the 1980’s was an exclusion procedure, only chosen in extreme cases, due to easily observed advances seen in innumerous current publications, has become in various procedures the first surgical option, practically compelling all doctors who practice in the field of Plastic Surgery to perform training in the referred technique. The current article presents an easy executed model of microsurgery basic training.

Cervicoplastia na flacidez cutânea por síndrome de Ehlers-Danlos: relato de caso / Cervicoplasty in cutaneous laxity from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a case report

Introdução: A síndrome de Ehlers-Danlos é um distúrbio raro, caracterizado por anormalidades diversas na estrutura, síntese e secreção do colágeno, resultando em um quadro clínico variado, com alterações cutâneas, articulares e vasculares. Procedimentos cirúrgicos realizados nestes pacientes, muitas vezes, complicam com sangramentos de difícil controle, deiscência de suturas, friabilidade dos tecidos, hematomas recorrentes e dificuldade de cicatrização, com pobres resultados estéticos. Relato do caso: No presente relato, os autores apresentam um caso de cervicoplastia em paciente portadora da síndrome de Ehlers-Danlos, evidenciando seus resultados.

Introduction: The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by multiples anomalies in collagen synthesis, structure and secretion, resulting in in numerous clinical manifestations such as cutaneous, articular and vascular abnormalities. Surgical procedures are often complicated by difficulty in control bleeding, wound dehiscence, tissue friability, recurrent hematomas and problems in wound healing, leading to poor aesthetic results. Case report: In the present report, the authors present a case of cervicoplasty in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, exposing their results.

Comparação entre a técnica clássica de transplante de unidades foliculares e o transplante de fios longos (preview long air) / Comparison between the classical technique of follicular unit hair transplant and the preview long hair transplant

Introdução: O transplante capilar de unidades foliculares (UFs) é considerado atualmente o tratamento padrão ouro para calvície. O cabelo é retirado da região lateral e posterior da cabeça, onde os fios são mais resistentes, e é implantado na área calva. Depois de 3 a 4 meses um novo fio nasce e é definitivo, mantendo as características da área doadora. No transplante de fios longos (TFL), os fios da área doadora são mantidos longos e pode-se ter uma visão antecipada do resultado da cirurgia, o que na técnica clássica (TC) só é possível após 6 meses. O objetivo do trabalho foi comparar a TC e o TFL. Método: Foram operados 20 pacientes, sendo dez pela TC e dez pelo TFL e comparados dados relacionados ao tempo cirúrgico, UFs implantadas, pós-operatório e resultado estético. Resultados: A velocidade média de implante no TFL foi menor que na TC (p<0,002). A duração do TFL foi maior que na TC (p<0,0006). O número de UFs implantadas não diferiu nas duas técnicas 1.717 (D.P. ± 258) no TFL e 1.663 (D.P. ± 155) na TC (p=0,66). O resultado estético final foi considerado igual nos dois grupos. Conclusões: O tempo cirúrgico foi maior no TFL, entretanto em nenhum caso ultrapassou seis horas e o número total de UFs implantadas não diferiu nos dois grupos. A ansiedade pela espera do resultado final foi menor no TFL. O resultado estético final foi igual nas duas técnicas.

Background: The follicular unit (FU) transplant is currently considered the gold standard treatment for baldness. The hair is removed from the lateral and posterior region of the head where it is more resistant, and is implanted in the bald area. After 3 to 4 months a new hair starts to grow, maintaining the characteristics of the donor area. On the Preview Long Hair technique (PLH), the donor area hair is kept long and it’s possible to have a preview of the final result, when in classic technique (CT) it’s possible only after 6 months. The objective of this research was to compare the classic and the PLH technique. Method: Ten patients were operated using each technique and the data related to surgical time, implanted FUs and post operative aesthetic result was compared. Results: The average speed of the PLH technique was lower than in classic technique (p<0.002). The duration of PLH surgery was higher than in classic technique (p<0.0006). The number of FUs implanted wasn’t different in the two techniques (p=0,66). The final aesthetic result was considered equal in both groups by patients. Conclusions: The surgical time was higher in PLH surgery, but it didn’t exceed six hours in any patient and the total number of FUs had no difference in the two groups. The anxiety of waiting for the final outcome was lower in the PLH. The final aesthetic result was similar in both techniques.