Orbital lymphatic vessels: immunohistochemical detection in the lacrimal gland, optic nerve, fat tissue, and extrinsic oculomotor muscles / Vasos linfáticos orbitários: identificação imunohistoquímica na glândula lacrimal, no nervo óptico, no tecido adiposo e nos músculos extrínsecos oculomotores

ABSTRACT Purpose: To identify the lymphatic vessels in orbital specimens from human cadavers using light microscopy and immunohistochemical analysis. Methods: A postmortem study included 10 orbital specimens from 10 human cadavers. The orbital specimens were obtained no later than 12 hours after death. The orbital specimens were dissected into lacrimal gland, optic nerve, fat tissue, and oculomotor muscles. The histologic criteria to qualify as a lymphatic vessel were thin-walled channels of endothelium without a well-developed basal membrane and with an erythrocyte-free, irregular lumen. The immunohistochemical criteria were irregularly shaped, thin-walled vessels with an erythrocyte-free, irregular lumen and immunopositivity for podoplanin D2-40. Results: The lacrimal gland, optic nerve, fat tissue, and extraocular muscle sections were positively stained with podoplanin D2-40. Conclusions: This study demonstrated lymphatic vessels in the human orbit, more precisely, in the lacrimal gland, dura mater of the optic nerve, adipose tissue, and extrinsic oculomotor muscles via light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.(AU)

RESUMO Objetivos: Identificar vasos linfáticos em espécimes orbitários de cadáveres humanos através de microscopia óptica e análise imunohistoquímica. Métodos: Um estudo postmortem incluiu dez espécimes orbitários provenientes de dez cadáveres humanos. Todos os espécimes orbitários foram obtidos até 12 horas após a morte com uma técnica cirúrgica de exenteração orbitária e dissecados em glândula lacrimal, nervo óptico, gordura órbitária e músculos extraoculares. Para classificar como um vaso linfático, os critérios histológicos incluíram vasos endoteliais de parede única sem membrana basal bem desenvolvida, irregulares e lúmen sem hemácias, e os critérios imunohistoquímicos incluíram vasos endoteliais de parede única, com formato irregular e lúmen sem hemácias e reagentes a podoplanina D2-40. Resultados: As lâminas histológicas de glândula lacrimal, nervo óptico, tecido adiposo e músculos extraoculares reagiram positivamente a podoplanina D2-40. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstrou vasos linfáticos na órbita humana, mais exatamente, na glândula lacrimal, no nervo óptico, na gordura orbitária e nos músculos extrínsecos extraoculares via microscopia óptica e imunohistoquímica.(AU)

Orbital lymphatic vessels: immunohistochemical detection in the lacrimal gland, optic nerve, fat tissue, and extrinsic oculomotor muscles.

PURPOSE: To identify the lymphatic vessels in orbital specimens from human cadavers using light microscopy and immunohistochemical analysis. METHODS: A postmortem study included 10 orbital specimens from 10 human cadavers. The orbital specimens were obtained no later than 12 hours after death. The orbital specimens were dissected into lacrimal gland, optic nerve, fat tissue, and oculomotor muscles. The histologic criteria to qualify as a lymphatic vessel were thin-walled channels of endothelium without a well-developed basal membrane and with an erythrocyte-free, irregular lumen. The immunohistochemical criteria were irregularly shaped, thin-walled vessels with an erythrocyte-free, irregular lumen and immunopositivity for podoplanin D2-40. RESULTS: The lacrimal gland, optic nerve, fat tissue, and extraocular muscle sections were positively stained with podoplanin D2-40. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated lymphatic vessels in the human orbit, more precisely, in the lacrimal gland, dura mater of the optic nerve, adipose tissue, and extrinsic oculomotor muscles via light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

Primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland: case report.

A 78-year-old male patient presented with double vision, painless palpable mass under the right superolateral orbital rim, downward displacement and restricted adduction of the right eye. His visual acuity was 20/50 OD and 20/20 OS. Hertel exophthalmometry was 21 mm OD and 17 mm OS. Computed tomographic scans showed an infiltrative orbital mass with ill-defined, irregular margins, involving the lacrimal gland and the lateral rectus muscle. The patient underwent an anterior transcutaneous transseptal orbitotomy with incisional biopsy and surgical debulking. Histopathologic evaluation revealed primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland. Following the metastatic work up, he underwent an eyelid-sparing orbital exenteration. Microscopically, the tumor elements were characterized by large polygonal cells with vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli and amphophilic cytoplasm. The tumor components comprised duct-type structures with papillary and cribriform patterns, surrounded by prominent basement membrane. The tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin-7, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, MMP-13 and proto-oncogene Her-2/neu, but negative for cytokeratin-5, cytokeratin-20, p63, prostate-specific antigen, S-100 protein and thyroid transcription factor. These histopathologic findings were compatible with poorly differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland, T3N0M0. Twenty-four months after orbital exenteration, the patient was diagnosed with ipsilateral parotid gland and cervical lymph node metastases and died of disease.

Primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland: case report / Adenocarcinoma ductal primário da glândula lacrimal: relato de caso

A 78-year-old male patient presented with double vision, painless palpable mass under the right superolateral orbital rim, downward displacement and restricted adduction of the right eye. His visual acuity was 20/50 OD and 20/20 OS. Hertel exophthalmometry was 21 mm OD and 17 mm OS. Computed tomographic scans showed an infiltrative orbital mass with ill-defined, irregular margins, involving the lacrimal gland and the lateral rectus muscle. The patient underwent an anterior transcutaneous transseptal orbitotomy with incisional biopsy and surgical debulking. Histopathologic evaluation revealed primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland. Following the metastatic work up, he underwent an eyelid-sparing orbital exenteration. Microscopically, the tumor elements were characterized by large polygonal cells with vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli and amphophilic cytoplasm. The tumor components comprised duct-type structures with papillary and cribriform patterns, surrounded by prominent basement membrane. The tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin-7, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, MMP-13 and proto-oncogene Her-2/neu, but negative for cytokeratin-5, cytokeratin-20, p63, prostate-specific antigen, S-100 protein and thyroid transcription factor. These histopathologic findings were compatible with poorly differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland, T3N0M0. Twenty-four months after orbital exenteration, the patient was diagnosed with ipsilateral parotid gland and cervical lymph node metastases and died of disease.

Paciente do sexo masculino e com 78 anos de idade apresentou diplopia, massa palpável abaixo da margem orbitária direita, deslocamento inferior do bulbo ocular direito e limitação da adução do olho direito. A acuidade visual foi 20/50 OD e 20/20 OE. A exoftalmometria de Hertel foi 21 mm OD e 17 mm OE. Tomografia computadorizada mostrou uma massa orbitária, infiltrativa e com margens irregulares, envolvendo a glândula lacrimal e o músculo reto lateral. O paciente foi submetido a uma orbitotomia anterior com biópsia incisional. O exame histopatológico revelou adenocarcinoma ductal primário da glândula lacrimal. Em seguida, o paciente foi submetido a uma exenteração orbitária com preservação das pálpebras. Microscopicamente, os elementos tumorais foram caracterizados por células poligonais grandes com citoplasma anfofílico, núcleo vesicular e nucléolo proeminente. Os componentes tumorais incluíram estruturas ductais com padrões cribriforme e papilífero e cercadas por membrana basal proeminente. As células tumorais foram positivas para citoqueratina 7, metaloproteinase 2 da matriz, metaloproteinase 9 da matriz, metaloproteinase 13 da matriz e Her-2/neu, mas negativas para citoqueratina 5, citoqueratina 20, p63, antígeno prostático específico, proteína S-100 e fator de transcrição da tiroide. Estes achados histopatológicos foram compatíveis com o diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma ductal pouco diferenciado da glândula lacrimal, T3N0M0. Vinte e quatro meses após a exenteração orbitária, o paciente foi diagnosticado com metástases nos linfonodos cervicais ipsilaterais e na glândula parótida ipsilateral e faleceu.

Ten-year follow-up of a case series of primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland: clinical features, surgical treatment and histopathological findings.

PURPOSE: To describe and analyze the features of a cases series of patients with primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland, its surgical treatment, and histopathological findings. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of files from patients with primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland in the period from 1997 to 2007. All patients with primary epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland were included in this study. Data on gender, age, clinical features, surgical treatment, histopathological findings and follow-up were collected. The slides with histological sections of the tumors were reviewed by the same pathologist. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 12 patients, 5 (41.7%) with benign tumors, all pleomorphic adenomas (benign mixed tumor) and 7 (58.3%) with malignant neoplasms, thus distributed: four cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma, two of mucoepidermoid carcinoma and one carcinoma expleomorphic adenoma. Globally, patients mean age was 54.1 years-old (ranging from 14 to 70 years-old), with mean age of 52.4 years-old (ranging from 14 to 65 years-old) for benign neoplasms, and 55.3 years-old for malignant neoplasms (ranging from 26 to 70 years-old). Clinical follow-up information, ranging from 2 to 10 years-old, was available for all patients. Three patients developed distant metastasis and died of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland were pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma during the study period. Malignant tumors were more frequent than benign tumors. The histopathological diagnosis and the disease initial stage can play a significant role in patient's survival.

Ten-year follow-up of a case series of primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland: clinical features, surgical treatment and histopathological findings / Dez anos de acompanhamento de uma série de casos de neoplasias epiteliais primárias da glândula lacrimal: características clínicas, tratamento cirúrgico e achados histopatológicos

PURPOSE: To describe and analyze the features of a cases series of patients with primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland, its surgical treatment, and histopathological findings. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of files from patients with primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland in the period from 1997 to 2007. All patients with primary epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland were included in this study. Data on gender, age, clinical features, surgical treatment, histopathological findings and follow-up were collected. The slides with histological sections of the tumors were reviewed by the same pathologist. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 12 patients, 5 (41.7 percent) with benign tumors, all pleomorphic adenomas (benign mixed tumor) and 7 (58.3 percent) with malignant neoplasms, thus distributed: four cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma, two of mucoepidermoid carcinoma and one carcinoma expleomorphic adenoma. Globally, patients mean age was 54.1 years-old (ranging from 14 to 70 years-old), with mean age of 52.4 years-old (ranging from 14 to 65 years-old) for benign neoplasms, and 55.3years-old for malignant neoplasms (ranging from 26 to 70 years-old). Clinical follow-up information, ranging from 2 to 10 years-old, was available for all patients. Three patients developed distant metastasis and died of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland were pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma during the study period. Malignant tumors were more frequent than benign tumors. The histopathological diagnosis and the disease initial stage can play a significant role in patient's survival.

OBJETIVO: Descrever e analisar as características de uma série de casos de portadores de neoplasias epiteliais primárias da glândula lacrimal, o tratamento cirúrgico, assim como os achados histopatológicos. MÉTODOS: Avaliação retrospectiva dos arquivos de pacientes com neoplasias epiteliais primárias da glândula lacrimal, no período de 1997 até 2007. Todos os pacientes com tumores epiteliais primários da glândula lacrimal foram incluídos neste estudo. Foram analisados os dados sobre sexo, idade, características clínicas, tratamento cirúrgico, achados histopatológicos e seguimento dos pacientes. As lâminas com secções histológicas dos tumores foram revisadas pelo mesmo patologista. RESULTADOS: No período do estudo, foram encontrados 12 pacientes, sendo 5 (41,7 por cento) portadores de tumores benignos, todos adenomas pleomórficos (tumor benigno misto), e 7 (58,3 por cento) com neoplasias malignas, assim distribuídos: quatro casos de carcinoma adenóide cístico, dois de carcinoma mucoepidermóide e um de carcinoma ex-adenoma pleomórfico. Analisando-se de modo global, a idade média dos portadores foi de 54,1 anos (variando de 14 a 70 anos); com média de idade de 52,4 anos (variando de 14 a 65 anos) para neoplasias benignas, e 55,3 para neoplasias malignas (variando de 26 a 70 anos). Informações do seguimento, variando de 2 a 10 anos, estavam disponíveis para todos os pacientes. Três pacientes desenvolveram metástases distantes e morreram devido à doença. CONCLUSÕES: A maioria das neoplasias epiteliais primárias da glândula lacrimal foi o adenoma pleomórfico e o carcinoma adenóide cístico no período de estudo. Os tumores malignos foram mais frequentes que os benignos. O diagnóstico histopatológico e o estadiamento inicial da doença podem desempenhar uma papel significante na sobrevida do paciente.

[Trachoma: epidemiologic study in students in Alagoas State--Brazil]. / Tracoma: estudo epidemiológico de escolares em Alagoas--Brasil.

PURPOSE: To define the detection rate of trachoma in scholars from Alagoas--Brazil. METHODS: The sample included 6,424 children and adolescents. Scholar's clinical evaluation was performed by medical students under the supervision of professors of the Department of Ophthalmology, according to the World Health Organization guidelines. The clinical evaluation was characterized by eyelashes, eyelids, conjunctiva and cornea examination in both eyes. The scholars were cataloged and data of name, sex, age, clinical forms diagnosis and city were recorded. Regarding the age, the students were divided into three groups: group A (<10 years old), group B (10-14 years old) and group C (>14 years old). RESULTS: The detection rate of trachoma was 4.5%. From 3,280 male scholars, 161 (4.9%) cases were confirmed; from 3,144 female scholars, 131 (4.2%) cases were considered confirmed. From the total scholars in group A, B and C; respectively 175 (5.3%), 113 (8.0%) and 4 (1.6%) were considered confirmed cases. CONCLUSION: In this region, it seems that trachoma has not been eradicated and, therefore, must remain as a differential diagnosis of chronic follicular conjunctivitis in children and adolescents from this region.

Tracoma: estudo epidemiológico de escolares em Alagoas - Brasil / Trachoma: epidemiologic study of scholars from Alagoas State - Brazil

OBJETIVOS: Definir a taxa de detecção de tracoma em escolares do Estado de Alagoas - Brasil. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi constituída de 6.424 crianças e adolescentes. A avaliação clínica dos escolares foi realizada por graduandos da Faculdade de Medicina sob supervisão de professores do Departamento de Oftalmologia, seguindo os critérios da Organização Mundial de Saúde. A avaliação clínica foi caracterizada por exame dos cílios, das pálpebras, da conjuntiva e da córnea de ambos os olhos. Os estudantes foram catalogados, anotando-se nome, sexo, idade, diagnóstico da forma clínica e município. Quanto à idade, os escolares foram divididos em três grupos: grupo A (<10 anos), grupo B (10-14 anos) e grupo C (>14 anos). RESULTADOS: A taxa de detecção de tracoma foi de 4,5 por cento. Dos 3.280 estudantes do sexo masculino, 161 (4,9 por cento) casos foram considerados confirmados, e dos 3.144 estudantes do sexo feminino, 131 (4,2 por cento) casos foram considerados confirmados. Do total de escolares do grupo A, B e C, respectivamente 175 (5,3 por cento), 113 (8,0 por cento) e 4 (1,6 por cento), foram considerados casos confirmados. CONCLUSÃO: Nesta região, o tracoma parece não ter sido erradicado e, portanto, deve permanecer como diagnóstico diferencial de conjuntivite folicular crônica em crianças e adolescentes advindos dela.

PURPOSE: To define the detection rate of trachoma in scholars from Alagoas - Brazil. METHODS: The sample included 6,424 children and adolescents. Scholar's clinical evaluation was performed by medical students under the supervision of professors of the Department of Ophthalmology, according to the World Health Organization guidelines. The clinical evaluation was characterized by eyelashes, eyelids, conjunctiva and cornea examination in both eyes. The scholars were cataloged and data of name, sex, age, clinical forms diagnosis and city were recorded. Regarding the age, the students were divided into three groups: group A (<10 years old), group B (10-14 years old) and group C (>14 years old). RESULTS: The detection rate of trachoma was 4.5 percent. From 3,280 male scholars, 161 (4.9 percent) cases were confirmed; from 3,144 female scholars, 131 (4.2 percent) cases were considered confirmed. From the total scholars in group A, B and C; respectively 175 (5.3 percent), 113 (8.0 percent) and 4 (1.6 percent) were considered confirmed cases. CONCLUSION: In this region, it seems that trachoma has not been eradicated and, therefore, must remain as a differential diagnosis of chronic follicular conjunctivitis in children and adolescents from this region.

Plasmacytoma of the orbit involving lacrimal gland with secondary transformation into multiple myeloma: case report.

The authors present a rare case of plasmacytoma of the orbit involving lacrimal gland with secondary transformation into multiple myeloma in a 42-year-old woman. The lesion was surgically removed and analyzed. Histopathological examination with immunostaining revealed it to be positive for immunoglobulin G and Kappa chains, demonstrating monoclonality. However, no abnormality was observed on serum electrophoresis, skeletal survey and bone marrow aspiration. Therefore, the tumor was diagnosed solitary plasmacytoma of bone. The patient was treated with external beam radiotherapy and has remained disease free for 5 years and 6 months until 2007, when she presented a pathological fracture due to multiple myeloma. Extensive medical work-up to rule out multiple myeloma or other malignant lymphoproliferative conditions involving orbit or ocular adnexa is needed when the diagnosis of solitary plasmacytoma of bone is suspected because treatment and prognosis are very different.

Plasmacytoma of the orbit involving lacrimal gland with secondary transformation into multiple myeloma: case report / Plasmocitoma da órbita envolvendo glândula lacrimal com transformação secundária para mieloma múltiplo: relato de caso

The authors present a rare case of plasmacytoma of the orbit involving lacrimal gland with secondary transformation into multiple myeloma in a 42-year-old woman. The lesion was surgically removed and analyzed. Histopathological examination with immunostaining revealed it to be positive for immunoglobulin G and Kappa chains, demonstrating monoclonality. However, no abnormality was observed on serum electrophoresis, skeletal survey and bone marrow aspiration. Therefore, the tumor was diagnosed solitary plasmacytoma of bone. The patient was treated with external beam radiotherapy and has remained disease free for 5 years and 6 months until 2007, when she presented a pathological fracture due to multiple myeloma. Extensive medical work-up to rule out multiple myeloma or other malignant lymphoproliferative conditions involving orbit or ocular adnexa is needed when the diagnosis of solitary plasmacytoma of bone is suspected because treatment and prognosis are very different.

Os autores relatam um raro caso de plasmocitoma da órbita envolvendo glândula lacrimal com transformação secundária para mieloma múltiplo em uma paciente de 42 anos. A lesão foi removida cirurgicamente e o exame anatomopatológico, aliado à imuno-histoquímica, revelou positividade para imunoglobulina G e cadeias leve tipo Kappa. Após extensa avaliação sistêmica, nenhuma anormalidade foi observada, sendo feito o diagnóstico de plasmocitoma solitário ósseo. A paciente foi submetida à radioterapia, permanecendo livre da doença por 5 anos e 6 meses até 2007, quando apresentou uma fratura patológica devido à infiltração plasmocitária na coluna lombar, sendo feito diagnóstico de mieloma múltiplo. Uma vez que o plasmocitoma solitário ósseo pode ser a primeira manifestação do mieloma múltiplo, esses pacientes necessitam de adequado diagnóstico e seguimento a longo prazo, pois o tratamento e prognóstico dessas duas condições é diferente.

[Aberrant regeneration of the oculomotor nerve followed by intracranial aneurysm: case report]. / Regeneração aberrante do nervo oculomotor secundária a aneurisma intracraniano: relato de caso.

To report a case of aberrant regeneration followed by acute palsy of the oculomotor nerve caused by intracranial aneurysm. A 59-year-old patient was attended in February 2006 complaining of headache with diplopia and blepharoptosis in the right eye. At the external ocular motility exam. Aduction, supraduction and infraduction defects with blepharoptosis in the right eye were observed. Regarding the internal ocular motility, mydriasis in the right eye. Acute palsy of the oculomotor nerve in the right eye was diagnosed and neurological examination was requested. At the Department of Neurosurgery, after having diagnosed aneurysm of the posterior communicating artery, the patient was submitted to an operation. In December 2006, it improvement of the aduction was observed, supraduction and infraduction defects remained and blepharoptosis improved during aduction of the right eye. In the internal ocular motility, miosis in the affected eye. The diagnosis of the aberrant regeneration of the oculomotor nerve after acute palsy was formulated based on anamnesis and ophthalmological follow-up tests.

Regeneração aberrante do nervo oculomotor secundária a aneurisma intracraniano: relato de caso / Aberrant regeneration of the oculomotor nerve followed by intracranial aneurysm: case report

Relatar um caso de regeneração aberrante secundária à paralisia aguda do nervo oculomotor causada por aneurisma intracraniano. Paciente atendida em fevereiro de 2006 queixando-se de dor de cabeça acompanhada de visão dupla e queda da pálpebra no olho direito. Na avaliação da motilidade ocular extrínseca, verificou-se incapacidade da adução, da supradução e da infradução associada à blefaroptose no olho direito. Com relação à motilidade intrínseca, midríase paralítica no olho direito. Formulou-se diagnóstico de paralisia aguda de nervo oculomotor no olho direito e solicitou-se avaliação neurológica. No Departamento de Neurocirurgia, após ser diagnosticada presença de aneurisma de artéria comunicante posterior, a paciente foi submetida a tratamento cirúrgico. Em dezembro de 2006, observou-se melhora relativa da adução, mantendo a incapacidade da supradução e da infradução com blefaroptose melhorada à adução do olho direito. Com relação à motilidade intrínseca, miose no olho afetado. O diagnóstico de regeneração aberrante do nervo oculomotor pós-paralisia aguda foi formulado baseando-se na anamnese e nos exames oftalmológicos seqüenciais.

To report a case of aberrant regeneration followed by acute palsy of the oculomotor nerve caused by intracranial aneurysm. A 59-year-old patient was attended in February 2006 complaining of headache with diplopia and blepharoptosis in the right eye. At the external ocular motility exam. Aduction, supraduction and infraduction defects with blepharoptosis in the right eye were observed. Regarding the internal ocular motility, mydriasis in the right eye. Acute palsy of the oculomotor nerve in the right eye was diagnosed and neurological examination was requested. At the Department of Neurosurgery, after having diagnosed aneurysm of the posterior communicating artery, the patient was submitted to an operation. In December 2006, it improvement of the aduction was observed, supraduction and infraduction defects remained and blepharoptosis improved during aduction of the right eye. In the internal ocular motility, miosis in the affected eye. The diagnosis of the aberrant regeneration of the oculomotor nerve after acute palsy was formulated based on anamnesis and ophthalmological follow-up tests.

"Coroa mortal": anatomia e importância nas herniorrafias inguinais / x

OBJETIVO: O presente estudo visa a fornecer dados anatômicos sobre a incidência, a origem, e o trajeto da artéria que transita pela parede posterior do canal inguinal, permitindo evitar acidentes durante as intervenções cirúrgicas na região inguinal. MÉTODO: Os autores realizaram a dissecação de 40 regiões inguinais de cadáveres fixados. RESULTADOS: Em 38 casos (95 por cento) existia uma artéria, às vezes, de calibre insignificante, que estava presente posteriormente ao canal inguinal. Em 27/38 casos (67,5 por cento), esta artéria representava a "coroa mortal", pois era constituída pela origem anômala da artéria obturatória, na artéria epigástrica inferior, ou representava uma anastomose da artéria epigástrica inferior com a artéria obturatória. Nos 11/38 casos restantes (27,5 por cento), existia uma artéria, de reduzido calibre, que tinha origem na artéria epigástrica inferior, e capilarizava-se, após curto trajeto na parede posterior do canal inguinal. CONCLUSÃO: A existência da "coroa mortal", situada posteriormente ao canal inguinal, sempre implica em risco de hemorragias nas herniorrafias inguinais

BACKGROUND:The present study shows the anatomical aspects, the incidence, the origin and the location of the artery that transits through the posterior wall of inguinal canal, allowing the avoidance of accidents during the surgeon interventions in this region. METHODS: The authors performed dissection of 40 inguinal regions in cadavers. RESULTS: In 33 cases (95 percent) there was an artery, occasionaly, of insignificant caliber, that was present in the posterior inguinal canal. In 27/38 cases (67.5 percent), this artery represented the "Mortal Crown", as constituted by an anomalous origin of the obturatory artery emerging from the inferior epigstric artery or because of its anastomosis between the inferior epigastric artery and the obturatory artery. In the remaining 11/38 cases (27.5 percent), there was an artery of a reduced caliber, which emerged from the inferior epigastric artery, with a short tract on the posterior wall of the inguinal canal. CONCLUSION: The existence of the "Mortal Crown", on the posterior wall of the inguinal canal, always implicates risks at the inguinal herniorrhaphy.