Optic neuropathy diagnosis in the emergency room - retrospective observational study of the last 18 years.

INTRODUCTION: Optic neuropathies (ON), a broad spectrum of disorders of the optic nerve, are a frequent cause of visual loss, presenting either in isolation or associated to neurological or systemic disorders. They are often first evaluated in the Emergency Room (ER) and a rapid determination of the etiology is imperative for implementing timely and appropriate treatment. We aim to describe ER demographic data and clinical characteristics, as well as the performed imaging exams, of patients subsequently hospitalized and diagnosed with ON. Furthermore, we seek to explore the accuracy of ER discharge diagnosis and evaluate possible predictive factors that may influence it. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 192 patients admitted to the ward of the Neurology Department of Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João (CHUSJ), with a discharge diagnosis of ON. Subsequently, we selected those admitted from the ER, with clinical, laboratory and imaging data, between January 2004 and December 2021. RESULTS: We included 171 patients. All participants were discharged from the ER and admitted in the ward with a main diagnostic suspicion of ON. Patients were stratified according to suspected etiology at the time of discharge: 99 inflammatory (57.9%), 38 ischemic (22.2%), 27 unspecified (15.8%) and 7 other (4.1%). By comparing with current follow-up diagnosis, 125 patients had an accurate ER diagnosis category (73.1%), 27 had an ON diagnosis of unspecified etiology that was defined only during follow-up (15.8%) and 19 had an inaccurate diagnosis category (11.1%). Diagnostic change was more common with ER ischemic diagnosis (21.1%) compared to inflammatory diagnosis (8.1%) (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals that most patients with ON can be accurately diagnosed in the ER through clinical history neurological and ophthalmological evaluation.

Pylephlebitis - a rare complication of a fish bone migration mimicking metastatic pancreatic cancer: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pylephlebitis is a rare condition, poorly recognized by clinicians and with few references. In this case, the clinical appearance resembled the clinical course of a pancreatic cancer and was originated by the ingestion of a fish bone, making the case more interesting and rare. CASE SUMMARY: A 79-year-old female presented to the emergency department with fever, loss of appetite and jaundice. Tenderness in the right upper quadrant was present. Inflammation marker were high. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed gallstones and aspects compatible with acute pancreatitis. The patient was admitted to surgery ward and has her condition aggravated. A magnetic resonance revealed multifocal liver lesions. Later, a cholangiopancreatography and an endoscopic ultrasound (US) were able to diagnose the condition. Specific treatment was implemented and the patient made a complete recovery. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this case report demonstrates for the first time the diagnosis of an unusual case of pylephlebitis complicated by the migration of a fish bone, mimicking metastatic pancreatic cancer. Clinical presentation and traditional imaging studies, such as transabdominal US and CT, remain the standard for diagnosing this condition.

Choro: um complexo fenômeno humano / Crying: a complex human phenomenon

O choro é uma autêntica explosão de emoções que permeia nossa vida do nascimento à morte. É desencadeado por diversos estados emocionais, desde tristeza até felicidade. Apesar de muito presente na prática clínica, é pouco mencionado na literatura médica. O presente trabalho fez uma revisão da literatura baseada em artigos indexados no PubMed e no ScienceDirect e em livros de psiquiatria e psicanálise. Desenvolvimento: O choro um fenômeno complexo que envolve questões neurobiológicas, psicológicas e sociais, dependente da interação entre as experiências iniciais da vida, das características individuais que predispõem a certas formas de expressão ou inibição das emoções, do contexto social e do evento que desencadeia certo sentimento. É um reflexo psicogênico resultante da interação entre as áreas do sistema límbico do cérebro que regulam a experiência consciente das emoções internas e das respostas fisiológicas. Acredita-se que o choro possibilita o retorno da homeostase do organismo através da liberação de neurotransmissores e hormônios. Entre suas funções estão a comunicação das emoções e a liberação do sofrimento psíquico. Sua regulação depende das percepções sobre os efeitos do choro em si mesmo e nas pessoas ao redor. O choro pode se manifestar, em um tratamento psíquico, quando as intervenções focarem no afeto, quando o conteúdo evocado na terapia reativar eventos traumáticos ou quando houver nova compreensão de padrões antigos estabelecidos. Conclusão: Considerado um importante comportamento de apego presente ao longo da vida, o choro é uma habilidade natural, que com o desenvolvimento vai sendo suprimida, gerando controvérsias em relação à sua importância para regular o equilíbrio emocional e físico. Mais estudos devem ser realizados para compreender esse processo biopsicossocial e para entender nossos pacientes.(AU)

Crying is an authentic explosion of emotions that is present in human life from birth to death. It is triggered by different emotional states, from sadness to joy. The present study describes the results of a review of articles indexed in the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases, as well as of relevant books in the field of psychiatry and psychoanalysis. Crying is a complex phenomenon that involves neurobiological, psychological, and social aspects. It depends on the relationship between early life experiences, individual characteristics that predispose to certain forms of expression or inhibition of emotions, social background, and the event triggering a given feeling. Crying is a psychogenic reflex resulting from the interaction between areas of the brain's limbic system that regulate the conscious experience of internal emotions and physiological responses. It is believed that crying re-establishes homeostasis through the release of neurotransmitters and hormones. The main roles of crying are to communicate emotions and to relieve psychic suffering. Its regulation depends on the individual's perceptions of the effects of crying on themselves and on people around them. During psychic treatment, crying may be present when interventions focus on affection, when the contents evoked in therapy reactivate traumatic events or when a new understanding of long-established standards is achieved. Crying is considered an important attachment behavior, present throughout life. It is a natural, inborn ability that is gradually suppressed as the subject develops, which generates controversies about its role in regulating emotional and physical balance. Further studies are necessary before we can achieve a better understanding of this biopsychosocial phenomenon and, thus, of our patients.(AU)

Prevalência de pielonefrite aguda e incidência de cicatriz renal em crianças menores de dois anos de idade com infecção do trato urinário avaliadas por cintilografia renal com 99mTc-DMSA: a experiência de um hospital universitário / Prevalence of acute pyelonephritis and incidence of renal scarring in children under the age of two with urinary tract infection evaluated by 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy: the experience of a university hospital

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the frequencies of acute pyelonephritis and renal scarring in patients under the age of two, with first episode of urinary tract infection in a Brazilian university hospital, comparing with data reported in the international literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Scintigraphic reports of children less than two years old submitted to 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy in a university hospital in Rio Grande do Sul between 2006 and 2009 were reviewed to investigate acute pyelonephritis/renal scarring. Additionally, the presence of vesicoureteral reflux, early use of antibiotics, and comorbidities were investigated on electronic records. The sample size calculation was based on a systematic review study and obtained a minimum of 147 patients. Patients whose electronic records were not available were excluded. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-seven children met the inclusion criteria; among them 48 had acute pyelonephritis and 8 of these had renal scars. Neither age nor sex presented any significant association with acute pyelonephritis (p = 0.405 and p = 0.124, respectively). No statistical significance was observed in the association between vesicoureteral reflux and acute pyelonephritis (p = 1.0) and other comorbidities (p = 0.470), and in relation to early use of antibiotics with acute pyelonephritis (p = 0.130) and renal scarring (p = 0.720). CONCLUSION: The frequencies found in the present study for acute pyelonephritis/renal scarring are in agreement with the results reported by most studies in the literature.

OBJETIVO: Calcular as frequências de pielonefrite aguda e cicatriz renal em pacientes menores de dois anos com cintilografia renal com 99mTc-DMSA com primeiro quadro de infecção do trato urinário em hospital universitário brasileiro, comparando com dados da literatura internacional. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram revisados laudos cintilográficos de crianças menores de dois anos de idade que realizaram cintilografia renal com 99mTc-DMSA em um hospital universitário no Rio Grande do Sul, entre 2006 e 2009, para pesquisa de pielonefrite aguda/cicatriz renal. Revisaram-se a presença de refluxo vesicoureteral, o uso precoce de antibiótico, e a presença de comorbidades que constassem nos prontuários eletrônicos. Calculou-se a amostra com base num estudo de revisão sistemática e obteve-se um mínimo de 147 pacientes. Excluíram-se pacientes sem registro eletrônico. RESULTADOS: Cento e cinquenta e sete crianças preencheram critérios de inclusão do estudo, 48 tiveram pielonefrite aguda e 8 destas apresentaram cicatriz renal. Nem a idade nem o gênero dos pacientes apresentaram associação significativa com pielonefrite aguda (p = 0,405 e p = 0,124, respectivamente). Não houve diferença estatística nas associações de refluxo vesicoureteral e pielonefrite aguda (p = 1,0) e outras comorbidades (p = 0,470) e em relação ao uso precoce de antibiótico com pielonefrite aguda (p = 0,130) e cicatriz renal (p = 0,720). CONCLUSÃO: As frequências de pielonefrite aguda e cicatriz renal obtidas concordam com os resultados da maioria dos estudos publicados.

Impacto das disfunções do assoalho pélvico na sexualidade feminina / Impact of pelvic floor dysfunctions on female sexuality

As disfunções do assoalho pélvico são prevalentes e apresentam íntima relação com a sexualidade feminina. É fundamental a avaliação conjunta destes sistemas, a fim de reduzir morbidade e agregar qualidade de vida e bem estar sexual a estas mulheres.

Pelvic floor dysfunctions are prevalent and have a narrow relation with female sexuality. It's fundamental to have a joint assessment of both systems, in order to decrease morbidity and improve quality of life and sexual well being of these women.

Complete spontaneous thrombosis of a non-giant middle cerebral artery aneurysm: report of two cases / Trombose espontânea de aneurisma da artéria cerebral média: relato de dois casos

Spontaneous intra-aneurysmal thrombosis occurs in approximately 50% of giant intracranial aneurysms. The incidence of this process is associated to location, size, and origin, and the natural history of spontaneous thrombosis occurrence in non-giant aneurysms is rare and still unclear. We describe two non-giant middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms that spontaneously thrombosed and comment the aspects of the literature.

Trombose intra-aneurismática espontânea ocorre em aproximadamente 50% dos aneurismas intracranianos gigantes. A incidência é associada a localização, tamanho e origem, e a história natural da ocorrência de trombose espontânea em aneurismas não gigantes é rara e ainda indefinida. Descrevemos dois aneurismas de artéria cerebral média com trombose espontânea e comentamos os aspectos da literatura.

The challenge of managing fusiform basilar artery aneurysms: from acute ischemic stroke to a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage.

We present the case of a patient with acute brain stem ischemic stroke who was found to have a fusiform basilar aneurysm with a thrombus within the dilated vessel. Three days after the ischemic stroke, the patient had a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage and died. This case illustrates the difficulties in the acute management of ischemic events in patients with basilar fusiform aneurysms, because the natural history of this disease encompasses both bleeding and thrombosis.

Cerebrospinal fluid eosinophilia associated with intraventricular shunts.

CSF eosinophilia (CSF-eo) is uncommon and is usually caused by helminthic infections. However, it has also been found in ∼30% of patients experiencing intraventricular shunt malfunctions. We present a case report and review the conditions associated with CSF-eo and their prophylaxis. An 8 year-old boy with tetraventricular hydrocephalus has had several shunt malfunctions over the last three years. During hospitalization in January 2009 for shunt revision, a transient 30% eosinophilia was detected in his cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) concomitant with Staphylococcus epidermidis infection and long term vancomycin administration. After several shunt replacements and antibiotic treatment, CSF-eo eventually disappeared with good overall clinical response. CSF-eo is a transient and focal event mainly associated with infection, reactions to foreign substances, particles or blood, or obstruction of tubing by normal or fibro-granulomatous tissues. Infection associated with CSF-eo is usually caused by S. epidermidis and Propioniumbacterium acnes. In addition to infection, allergy to silicone and other foreign materials may also be a cause of CSF-eo. We review the diversity of conditions and proposed mechanisms associated with CSF-eo, as well as recommendations for the care of patients with shunts. Detection of CSF-eo has been shown to be a useful indicator of shunt malfunction. As such, it provides physicians with an indicator of a hypersensitivity reaction that is underway or the need to identify bacterial infection. We also highlight the need for improved biocompatibility of shunt hardware and describe strategies to avoid conditions leading to shunt malfunction.

Reação inflamatória após cranioplastia utilizando pericárdio bovino como substituto dural / Inflammatory reaction after cranioplasty using bovine pericardium as a dural susbstitute

Enxertos substituindo dura-máter são comumente aplicados em Neurocirurgia. O pericárdio bovino é considerado seguro e associado a raras complicações. Objetivamos mostrar caso de uma paciente com meningeoma do tubérculo selar, que apresentou uma complicação atípica após duroplastia utilizando pericárdio bovino para reconstrução da região fronto-temporal. Após dois dias de boa evolução pósoperatória, a paciente apresentou piora neurológica e a TC de crânio evidenciou hematoma intraparenquimatoso à direita, com edema peri-lesional, sendo necessária cirurgia para drenagem, e substituição do pericárdio bovino por enxerto de fáscia lata, com boa evolução pós-operatória. Pericrânio pediculado, fáscia temporal e fáscia lata constituem as mais efetivas e seguras escolhas para substituir dura-máter. Dentre os enxertos heterólogos e sintéticos utilizados, o pericárdio bovino é associado a poucas complicações. Todavia, intercorrências como reação inflamatória e infecção tem sido descritas relacionadas à substância glutaraldeído, presente neste enxerto.