Interest in the Endoscopic Endonasal Route as Access to the Parapharyngeal Space for Cervical Sympathetic Chain Schwannoma Resection: A Case Report.

Schwannomas are tumors originating from Schwann cells, about 45% of them are located in the head and neck region, including the parapharyngeal space (PFS). Vagus nerve schwannomas (VS) and cervical sympathetic chain schwannomas (CSCS) are most commonly found in this region. We present a case of CSCS located in the PFS of a middle-aged female patient who had surgery with the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA). There have been no earlier reports of CSCS resection utilizing EEA, according to our literature search. To our knowledge, there is no scientific record of CSCS resection using EEA.

Intramedullary histoplasmosis lesion in children: A case report.

Background: Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease endemic in some regions of the United States of America, Canada, and Latin America. The geographic characteristics, humidity, soil, and climate are responsible for such distribution. In Brazil, there are case reports of histoplasmosis throughout its territory, being considered an endemic region. It is considered an opportunistic disease, affecting mostly immunocompromised patients. To the present date, scientific publications dealing with pediatric cases of histoplasmosis are restricted to case series. Spinal cord injuries caused by histoplasmosis are rare, even in the adult population, being described in few studies. Case Description: The present report deals with a 4-year-old patient, from the southeast region of Brazil, who started a condition of fever, weight loss, cervicobrachialgia, and symmetrical tetraparesis, with evolution over 2 months. In the diagnostic investigation, she was found to have primary immunodeficiency and neuroimaging examinations showed a cervical spinal cord lesion at the level of C4-C6. The anatomopathological diagnosis of histoplasmosis was possible after surgery for decompression and biopsy of the lesion. Conclusion: According to our research, there are no reports in the literature that address the situation of spinal cord compression syndrome due to histoplasmosis in the pediatric population.

Analyzing giant pituitary adenomas: An 8-year review (2012-2020) at a reference center in Brazil.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to review the cases of giant adenomas that were operated on from 2012 to 2020 and to analyze the epidemiological profile, complications, and resection rates using the transseptal/transnasal endoscopy technique. We also compared the results with data from revised literature. METHODS: This is an observational, retrospective study includes a review of the medical records of 26 patients diagnosed with giant adenomas (diameter > 4 cm or volume >10 cm3) who underwent 28 surgical procedures. RESULTS: Of the 57 patients operated for pituitary adenoma, 26 (50.8%) had giant adenomas. The mean volume was 17.28 cm3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.3359-26.2241). Moreover, 64.28% of the patients were graded Knosp 3 (p < 0.0001). Most cases were of nonsecretory adenomas (88.46%). Visual impairment was present in 89.2% of the patients and hormonal deficit and headache affected 53.5% of them. The visual impairment improved in 60% of the patients. The most common surgical complication was cerebrospinal fluid fistula (10.71%). Tumor resection > 90% was achieved in 53.56% of the cases, and the mean resection rate was 78.36% (95% CI, 71.316-87.956). CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic endonasal technique is a good treatment option for giant adenomas, showing satisfactory optic apparatus decompression rates and a low incidence of complications when performed by surgeons with expertise in this approach.

Metástase hipofisária de adenocarcinoma mamário: relato de caso / Pituitary Metastasis of Mammary Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Somente 1% de todas as cirurgias hipofisárias são realizadas para tratar tumores metastáticos desta região. Os focos primários mais comuns são respectivamente mama e pulmão. Neste artigo, descrevemos uma paciente com antecedente de adenocarcinoma mamário, que se apresenta com paralisia oculomotora súbita à direita. O objetivo do trabalho é descrever um caso de metástase mamária para a região selar, evidenciando dados clínicos e radiológicos que tornam tal diagnóstico plausível.

Only 1% of all pituitary surgeries are performed to treat metastatic tumors in this region. The most common primary sites are breast and lung respectively. In this article we describe a patient with previous breast adenocarcinoma presenting with oculomotor palsy sudden right. The objective is to describe a case of breast metastasis to the sellar region, showing clinical and radiological findings that make this plausible diagnosis.

Anestesia para craniotomia em paciente acordado: relato de caso / Anesthesia for awake craniotomy: case report / Anestesia para craneotomía en paciente despierto: relato de caso

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Alguns procedimentos intracranianos são possíveis com pacientes acordados e os desafios vão da cooperação do paciente até a homeostasia. O objetivo é apresentar um caso de cirurgia intracraniana para exérese de tumor em lobo parietal esquerdo com o paciente em estado vígil. RELATO DE CASO: Após seleção do paciente e preparo psicológico, foi esclarecida e aceita a proposta de exérese de lesão parietal esquerda em estado vígil. Administraram-se propofol e remifentanil em perfusão contínua para manter o escore de Ramsay entre 2-3. Foi feito um bloqueio bilateral do escalpo com ropivacaína. Foi instalado o fixador de Mayfield e os campos cirúrgicos foram ajustados para manter vias aéreas e olhos acessíveis para o mapeamento com eletroestimulação e exérese da lesão. Para incisão da dura-máter foi aplicada uma compressa com lidocaína 2% por três minutos. A cirurgia transcorreu sem intercorrências. O paciente recebeu alta hospitalar no sétimo dia de internação sem apresentar complicação. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de ser um desafio manter analgesia e estabilidade hemodinâmica com o paciente acordado, a infusão alvo-controlada do propofol estabeleceu o nível de consciência desejado; a do remifentanil titulou a analgesia e a sedação sem o acúmulo da droga e o bloqueio com a ropivacaína, uma analgesia satisfatória. Concluímos que a técnica anestésica foi satisfatória para nosso paciente.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Some intracranial procedures are achievable with patients awake, however, there are challenges ranging from patient compliance to homeostasis. The aim of this study is to present a case of intracranial surgery for removal of a tumor in the left parietal lobe with the patient awake during the procedure. CASE REPORT: After patient selection and psychological preparation, the proposed excision of the left parietal lobe lesion in the waking state was clarified and accepted. Continuous infusion of propofol and remifentanil was administered to maintain a Ramsay score of 2-3. The bilateral scalp blockade was performed with ropivacaine. The Mayfield head fixation device was installed and drapes adjusted to maintain the airway and eyes accessible for mapping with electrical stimulation and tumor excision. For dura mater incision, a pad with 2% lidocaine was applied for 3 minutes. The surgery was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the seventh day of hospitalization without presenting complication. CONCLUSION: Although the maintenance of analgesia and hemodynamic stability was a challenge with the patient awake, the target-controlled infusion of propofol provided the desired level of consciousness, remifentanil titrated analgesia and sedation without drug accumulation, and the blockade with ropivacaine provided satisfactory analgesia. We conclude that the anesthetic technique was satisfactory for our patient.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Algunos procedimientos intracraneales se pueden hacer con pacientes despiertos y los retos van desde la cooperación del paciente hasta la homeostasia. El objetivo aquí, es presentar un caso de cirugía intracraneal para la exéresis de tumor en el lobo parietal izquierdo con el paciente en estado de vigilia. RELATO DE CASO: Después de la selección del paciente y dela preparación psicológica, se aclaró y aceptó la propuesta de exéresis de lesión parietal izquierda en estado de vigilia. Se administraron propofol y remifentanilo en perfusión continua para mantener la puntuación de Ramsay entre 2-3. Se hizo un bloqueo bilateral del escalpo con ropivacaína. Se instaló el fijador de Mayfield y los campos quirúrgicos se ajustaron para mantener las vías aéreas y los ojos accesibles para el mapeo con la electroestimulación y la exéresis de la lesión. Para la incisión de la dura madre se aplicó una compresa con lidocaína al 2% durante tres minutos. La cirugía transcurrió sin intercurrencias. El paciente recibió alta hospitalaria al séptimo día del ingreso sin presentar complicaciones. CONCLUSIONES: A pesar de ser un reto mantener la analgesia y la estabilidad hemodinámica con el paciente despierto, la infusión objeto controlada del propofol estableció el nivel de consciencia deseado; la del remifentanilo tituló la analgesia y la sedación sin la acumulación de la droga y el bloqueo con la ropivacaína, una analgesia satisfactoria. Concluimos por tanto, que la técnica anestésica fue satisfactoria para nuestro paciente.

Anesthesia for awake craniotomy: case report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Some intracranial procedures are achievable with patients awake, however, there are challenges ranging from patient compliance to homeostasis. The aim of this study is to present a case of intracranial surgery for removal of a tumor in the left parietal lobe with the patient awake during the procedure. CASE REPORT: After patient selection and psychological preparation, the proposed excision of the left parietal lobe lesion in the waking state was clarified and accepted. Continuous infusion of propofol and remifentanil was administered to maintain a Ramsay score of 2-3. The bilateral scalp blockade was performed with ropivacaine. The Mayfield head fixation device was installed and drapes adjusted to maintain the airway and eyes accessible for mapping with electrical stimulation and tumor excision. For dura mater incision, a pad with 2% lidocaine was applied for 3 minutes. The surgery was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the seventh day of hospitalization without presenting complication. CONCLUSION: Although the maintenance of analgesia and hemodynamic stability was a challenge with the patient awake, the target-controlled infusion of propofol provided the desired level of consciousness, remifentanil titrated analgesia and sedation without drug accumulation, and the blockade with ropivacaine provided satisfactory analgesia. We conclude that the anesthetic technique was satisfactory for our patient.

[Influence of circadian and temperature variations on the ischemic stroke]. / Influência das variações circadianas e de temperatura no AVEi.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke (IS) ranks third as cause of death and annual costs. Literature shows a greater number of cases in the first hours of the morning and on colder days, allowing for better prevention at these times. The objectives were to identify risk factors, evaluate the influence of circadian and temperature variations on prevalence of IS. METHODS: Onset time was analyzed during four periods and obtained from the patient or family. Weather temperature was obtained from the INMET. The IS were classified according to subtypes established by the TOAST project. RESULTS: Hypertension was the main risk factor in 66% of the patients. There was a predominance of cases between 06:00 AM and 11:59 AM (p < 0. 0001) and after a negative variation of temperature (p < 0. 0001). CONCLUSIONS: A strong relationship was found between prevalence of IS and negative variation of temperature. Events were more frequent between 6:00 AM and 11:59 AM. It was not possible to evaluate the variations for each subtype of IS because the number of cases did not allow for significant statistic evaluation.

Influência das variações circadianas e de temperatura no AVEi / Influence of circadian and temperature variations on the ischemic stroke

OBJETIVOS: Acidente vascular encefálico isquêmico (AVEi) representa a terceira maior causa de morte e gastos anuais. A literatura demonstra maior ocorrência no período da manhã e em épocas mais frias, podendo ter uma maior prevenção nestes momentos. Portanto, os objetivos foram identificar os fatores de risco, avaliar a influência das variações circadianas e de temperatura na prevalência do AVEi. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 100 pacientes com o diagnóstico de AVEi. O horário de instalação foi analisado em quatro períodos, sendo obtido do paciente ou dos familiares. A temperatura climática foi obtida do INMET. RESULTADOS: O AVEi foi classificado de acordo com os subtipos estabelecidos pelo projeto TOAST. Dos pacientes, 66 por cento tinham hipertensão arterial como principal fator de risco. Houve um predomínio de casos no período das 6h00 às 11h59 (p< 0.0001) e após variação negativa da temperatura (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: Encontrou-se uma forte relação entre a prevalência de eventos encefálicos isquêmicos e variação negativa de temperatura e que o horário de maior frequência foi entre 6h00 e 11h59. Não foi possível avaliar as variações de temperatura e circadianas para cada subtipo de AVEi, pois o número de casos estudados não permitiu avaliação estatística significante.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke (IS) ranks third as cause of death and annual costs. Literature shows a greater number of cases in the first hours of the morning and on colder days, allowing for better prevention at these times. The objectives were to identify risk factors, evaluate the influence of circadian and temperature variations on prevalence of IS. METHODS: Onset time was analyzed during four periods and obtained from the patient or family. Weather temperature was obtained from the INMET. The IS were classified according to subtypes established by the TOAST project. RESULTS: Hypertension was the main risk factor in 66 percent of the patients. There was a predominance of cases between 06:00 AM and 11:59 AM (p < 0. 0001) and after a negative variation of temperature (p < 0. 0001). CONCLUSIONS: A strong relationship was found between prevalence of IS and negative variation of temperature. Events were more frequent between 6:00 AM and 11:59 AM. It was not possible to evaluate the variations for each subtype of IS because the number of cases did not allow for significant statistic evaluation.

Clinical application of magnetic resonance in acute traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI): to identify the type, quantity, severity; and improvement clinical-radiological correlation. METHOD: Assessment of 55 patients who were imaged using CT and MRI, 34 (61.8%) males and 21 (38.2%) females, with acute (0 to 5 days) and closed TBI. RESULTS: Statistical significant differences (McNemar test): ocurred fractures were detected by CT in 29.1% and by MRI in 3.6% of the patients; subdural hematoma by CT in 10.9% and MRI in 36.4 %; diffuse axonal injury (DAI) by CT in 1.8% and MRI in 50.9%; cortical contusions by CT in 9.1% and MRI in 41.8%; subarachnoid hemorrhage by CT in 18.2% and MRI in 41.8%. CONCLUSION: MRI was superior to the CT in the identification of DAI, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cortical contusions, and acute subdural hematoma; however it was inferior in diagnosing fractures. The detection of DAI was associated with the severity of acute TBI.

Clinical application of magnetic resonance in acute traumatic brain injury

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI): to identify the type, quantity, severity; and improvement clinical-radiological correlation. METHOD: Assessment of 55 patients who were imaged using CT and MRI, 34 (61.8 percent) males and 21 (38.2 percent) females, with acute (0 to 5 days) and closed TBI. RESULTS: Statistical significant differences (McNemar test): ocurred fractures were detected by CT in 29.1 percent and by MRI in 3.6 percent of the patients; subdural hematoma by CT in 10.9 percent and MRI in 36.4 percent; diffuse axonal injury (DAI) by CT in 1.8 percent and MRI in 50.9 percent; cortical contusions by CT in 9.1 percent and MRI in 41.8 percent; subarachnoid hemorrhage by CT in 18.2 percent and MRI in 41.8 percent. CONCLUSION: MRI was superior to the CT in the identification of DAI, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cortical contusions, and acute subdural hematoma; however it was inferior in diagnosing fractures. The detection of DAI was associated with the severity of acute TBI.

PROPÓSITO: Avaliar a aplicação clínica da ressonância magnética (RM) em pacientes vítimas de traumatismo craniencefálico (TCE) agudo, na identificação do tipo, número, gravidade e correlação clínica-radiológica. MÉTODO: Foram estudados prospectivamente 55 pacientes vítimas de TCE agudo fechado (0-5 dias), por TC e RM, sendo 34 do sexo masculino e 21 do feminino. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatisticamente significante (teste McNemar): fraturas de crânio foram detectadas em 29,1 por cento pacientes na TC e 3,6 por cento pela RM; hematoma subdural 10,9 por cento na TC e 36,4 por cento pela RM; lesão axonal difusa (LAD) 1,8 por cento pela TC e 50,9 por cento na RM; contusões corticais 9,1 por cento na TC e 41,8 por cento pela RM, hemorragia subaracnóidea 18,2 por cento na TC e 41,8 por cento pela RM. CONCLUSÃO: A RM foi superior à TC na identificação da LAD, hemorragia subaracnóidea, contusões corticais e hematoma subdural agudo, porém inferior no diagnóstico de fraturas. A detecção de LAD pela RM foi associada com maior gravidade do TCE agudo.

Prevalência e fatores associados à bacteremia nos portadores de colecistite aguda litiásica / Bacteremia - prevalence and associated factors in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de bacteremia e os fatores associados no período pré-operatório em portadores de colecistite aguda litiásica e analisar comparativamente as complicações e mortalidade nos pacientes com e sem bacteremia, que foram submetidos a colecistectomia de urgência. MÉTDODOS: Foram estudados, prospectivamente, 51 pacientes com diagnóstico histopatológico de colecistite aguda litiásica. O sistema Bactec foi o método utilizado para a detecção de bacteremia. As médias dos grupos foram analisadas quanto às variáveis clínicas e laboratoriais, relacionando-as com a bacteremia. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de bacteremia no pré-operatório foi de 15,68 por cento, e a idade (p=0,024), a freqüência cardíaca (p=0,026), a freqüência respiratória (p=0,028), a creatinina (p=0,028) e a presença da SIRS (Síndrome da Resposta Inflamatória Sistêmica, p=0,016) associaram-se positivamente com a bacteremia. Nos portadores de bacteremia verificou-se um óbito, maior número de complicações gerais (p=0,045) e infecciosas (p=0,039) e maior tempo de internação (p<0,005). CONCLUSAO: Nessa amostra, utilizando-se o sistema Bactec, a prevalência de bacteremia foi considerável. Fatores clínicos e laboratoriais estão associados à bacteremia e a sua presença associa-se à maior gravidade dos pacientes e pior prognóstico em relação às complicações no pós-operatório nos portadores de colecistite aguda litiásica.

[Bacteremia -- prevalence and associated factors in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis]. / Prevalência e fatores associados à bacteremia nos portadores de colecistite aguda litiásica.

BACKGROUND: Bacteremia seems to increase the morbidity and mortality in clinical and surgical conditions, however the importance and factors associated with it during acute calculous cholecystitis are not well established. The purpose of this study was to determine pre-operative prevalence, associated factors and prognosis of bacteremia in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis submitted to an emergency cholecystectomy. METHODS: A prospective study of 51 patients with histological diagnosis of acute calculous cholecystitis was designed. The Bactec System was used to detect bacteremia. Mean results of clinical and laboratory analyses were related to the presence of bacteremia. RESULTS: The pre-operative prevalence of bacteremia was of 15.68%. Age (P=0.024), heart rate (P=0.026), respiratory rate (P=0.028), serum creatinine (P=0.028) and presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (P=0.016) were positively associated with bacteremia. Bacteremic patients had statistically higher overall (P=0.045) and infectious (P=0.039) complication rates and longer hospitalization (P<0.005) including one death. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute calculous cholecystitis have a considerable prevalence of bacteremia in the pre-operative period. It is associated with old age, heart rate, respiratory rate, serum creatinine and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. In patients with acute calculous cholecystitis, presence of bacteremia may be associated to severity of the condition and poor outcome related to pos-operative complications.