Microvascular decompression using autologous muscle graft for trigeminal neuralgia: a case series and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to describe a case series of patients diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) who were submitted to microvascular decompression (MVD) using autologous muscle graft (AMG) and perform a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Forty-four adult patients who underwent MVD using AMG between 2012 and 2022 were studied retrospectively. Demographic, clinical, and surgical factors were assessed. We systematically reviewed PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to May 2023. We used random-effects model for all outcomes. Heterogeneity was assessed with I2. We used R software 4.3.1 for all statistical analyses. RESULTS: Among patients in the case series, the mean age was 52 ± 12.9 years, and the proportion of females was 65.9%. Forty-one patients (93.2%) presented complete pain relief after a mean follow-up of 7.7 years. The pooled analysis of immediate pain relief was 91.3% (95% CI 82-96%; I2=78%). The good pain relief during follow-up was 88.2% (95% CI 78-94%; I2=80%) at follow-up. The recurrence rates at 6, 12, 36 months, and during follow-up were 6.2%, 10.5%, 10.3%, and 11%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this case series and meta-analysis of over 440 patients, our findings suggest that the practice of MVD using AMG may be an efficient option in the short term as surgical treatment for TN. Further trials should compare AMG with other materials and its effectiveness in a long-term follow-up.

Chondrosarcoma secondary to hereditary multiple osteochondromas with spinal cord compression: A case report and systematic review.

Background: Hereditary multiple osteochondromas (HMOs) are a rare genetic disorder characterized by the formation of multiple benign osteochondromas that can undergo malignant transformation into chondrosarcoma. Case Description: A 24-year-old male with a history of HMO and osteochondroma surgery 4 years ago, presented with back pain and paresthesias. The magnetic resonance showed a right paravertebral infiltrating mass at the T12-L1 level causing spinal cord compression. Following en bloc resection of the tumor, the patient's symptoms/ signs resolved. The final pathological diagnosis was consistent with a chondrosarcoma. Conclusion: Chondrosarcomas secondary to HMO with spinal cord compression are rare. These patients often presenting with significant myelopathy/cord compression should undergo gross total resection where feasible to achieve the best outcomes.

Rete Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report and Systematic Review.

Background Middle cerebral artery (MCA) anomalies are a rare finding and may be associated with vascular changes, such as intracranial aneurysms. Among them, the rete MCA aneurysm is very rare, with only 22 cases reported to date. Case Description A 50-year-old woman presented with subarachnoid, intraventricular, and intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured aneurysm of rete MCA from an anomalous collateral artery of the anterior cerebral artery, treated successfully by microsurgical clipping. She presented a good recovery after a 2-year follow-up. Conclusion A systematic review of rete MCA aneurysms is presented, comparing aneurysms originating from twig-like MCA, with 16 reports, and twig-like networks of an anomalous collateral artery, with 6 reports including ours. Several factors influence the treatment decision-making, though microsurgical clipping is the main procedure. A wider use of coiling is requested for a better comparison of the treatment approaches.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in Latin America: A critical review of risk factors, clinical and radiological characteristics.

Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare disease that frequently occurs in young women of childbearing age, with variable clinical presentation in regions with limited access to diagnostic imaging or specialized neurological care. In the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of studies on CVT in Latin America, which may contribute to a better epidemiological description of the disease in this region and, consequently, its early diagnosis. Objectives: Our study aims to review the risk factors, clinical and radiological characteristics of CVT in Latin America, being critically compared with data from world literature. Methods: PubMed, ScienceDirect, BVS, and Scopus were searched to identify studies reporting CVT in Latin American countries published up to July 2022. We excluded case reports and case series reporting <5 patients later in the final analysis. Results: We identified a total of 3714 studies and 26 qualified for the quantitative analysis, which described 1486 cases of CVT. Headache was the most frequent symptom (82.1%) and the use of oral contraceptives in women was the main risk factor (46.7%). The transverse sinus was the most frequent location of the thrombus (52%). The treatment used most in the acute phase was heparin (88.5%) and oral anticoagulation was widely used at hospital discharge (67.8%). The mortality was low (6.5%), and most patients achieved complete recovery (75.3%). Conclusion: Despite considerable dissimilarities in studies between countries, particularities were identified in the risk factors of CVT in Latin America compared to other regions of the world.

Eight-and-a-Half Syndrome Secondary to Neurotoxoplasmosis: A Rare Case Report.

Eight-and-a-half syndrome (EHS) is a neuro-ophthalmological condition characterised by horizontal gaze palsy, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, and ipsilateral facial palsy. Albeit rare, EHS is a well reported condition in the literature, with several reports presenting multiple aetiologies. Infarcts are the cause in more than half the cases. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related cases are rare, and are probably underreported in low- and middle-income countries. In this report, we describe EHS secondary to neurotoxoplasmosis in a 40-year-old HIV-positive Brazilian man. EHS secondary to neurotoxoplasmosis is a challenging diagnosis, with important differential diagnoses, notably for HIV patients.

Intraparenchymal pericatheter cyst as an indicator of ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction: A case-based update.

Background: Intraparenchymal pericatheter cysts (IPCs) are a rare ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) complication, with only a few cases recorded in the literature. Case Description: We report a 22-year-old woman admitted with headache, papilledema, vision loss, and a history of leukemia. Lumbar puncture revealed idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Three months after VPS implantation, she was readmitted with headache and worsening of visual impairment. CT evidenced a IPC with perilesional edema. Intraoperatively, a shunt revision and cyst drainage were opted for. We present a discussion and literature review on this unique complication of VPS, with emphasis on management. Conclusion: It is important to understand and consider IPCs as complications of VPS surgery, including in adult patients and IIH cases.

Metabolic and Inflammatory Profiles of Post-Bariatric Patients with Weight Recidivism.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery promotes expressive weight loss, improving the metabolic and inflammatory profiles. The behavior of these indicators in bariatric patients with weight recidivism is unknown. We aimed to investigate both profiles in bariatric patients with high ratio of weight regain (RWR), comparing them with nonsurgical patients with obesity. METHODS: Forty patients with obesity subjected to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with high RWR composed the bariatric group, and 40 controls matched for BMI, age, and gender were recruited as nonsurgical group. Between-group comparisons were performed for clinical history, physical examination, biochemical, metabolic, and inflammatory profiles. RESULTS: Bariatric group was composed of a group with an excess weight loss of 85.9 ± 16.8%, a RWR of 56.5 ± 19.7%, and a time since surgery of 10.7 ± 4.3 years. We noticed a lower proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia (P ≤ 0.05) and lower neck and waist circumferences (P ≤ 0.05) in this group. No differences between groups were observed concerning hip circumference, blood pressure, heart rate, total cholesterol, LDL-c, acid uric, creatinine, ALT, ASP, interferon-γ (INF-γ), interferon gamma-induced protein-10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), TNF-α, interleukin-1ß (IL-1 ß), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Of note, fasting glucose; HbA1c; triglycerides; and, surprisingly, IL-6 levels were lower (P ≤ 0.05) in the bariatric group than nonsurgical one while HDL-c level was higher (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Expressive post-bariatric weight loss, even in patients with high RWR, suggests a possible metabolic benefit/protection in the long term. Probably decreased circulating levels of IL-6 are involved in it. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04193397.

Corrigendum: Cerebral venous thrombosis in Latin America: A critical review of risk factors, clinical and radiological characteristics.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1017565.].

Multiple extradural spinal arachnoid cysts: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Extradural spinal arachnoid cysts (SACs) rarely cause neural compression and disability. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 38-year-old female presented with a history of two episodes of falling due to transient weakness in the lower limbs. The neurological examination showed normal motor and sensory function, but hyperreflexia. The thoracic magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple extradural SACs between the T3-L1 levels. Following complete surgical resection of the most symptomatic cyst, she did well. The histopathological examination confirmed a Type I extradural SAC. CONCLUSION: Here, we discussed one case and reviewed the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of multiple extradural SACs.

Advances in diagnosis, classification, pathophysiology, and management of trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a very painful neurological condition with severe, stimulus-evoked, short-lasting stabbing pain attacks in the face. The past decade has offered new insights into trigeminal neuralgia symptomatology, pathophysiology, and treatment, leading to a change in the classification of the condition. An accurate diagnosis is crucial because neuroimaging interpretation and clinical management differ among the various forms of facial pain. MRI using specific sequences should be a part of the diagnostic workup to detect a possible neurovascular contact and exclude secondary causes. Demonstration of a neurovascular contact should not be used to confirm a diagnosis but rather to facilitate surgical decision making. Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are drugs of first choice for long-term treatment, whereas microvascular decompression is the first-line surgery in medically refractory patients. Advances in neuroimaging techniques and animal models will provide further insight into the causes of trigeminal neuralgia and its pathophysiology. Development of more efficacious treatment options is highly warranted.

Perfil da cirurgia de aumento de mama no Brasil / Profile of breast augmentation surgery in Brazil

Introdução: A última pesquisa da Sociedade Internacional de Cirurgia Estética (ISAPS) mostrou que 2.524.115 cirurgias plásticas foram realizadas no Brasil em 2017. O aumento de mama tem sido um dos procedimentos plásticos mais comumente realizados no Brasil, totalizando mais de 200.000 cirurgias no ano de 2016. O objetivo é avaliar as práticas e tendências atuais em aumento de mama no Brasil. Métodos: Um questionário de 31 itens foi construído e enviado para 6.200 membros ativos da Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica (SBCP). A pesquisa abordou algumas tendências atuais e práticas controversas considerando cinco áreas: controvérsias atuais, novas tecnologias, implantes mamários, considerações técnicas em procedimentos secundários e aspectos demográficos. O questionário foi desenhado para delinear o perfil das práticas, procedimentos e crenças entre os cirurgiões plásticos sobre o uso dos implantes mamários no Brasil. Resultados: Foram coletadas 505 respostas, representando uma taxa de resposta em torno de 10%, bem acima da taxa média de resposta de um questionário da SBCP. Os resultados foram distribuídos em 5 tabelas de acordo com as áreas de interesse. Conclusão: Nesta pesquisa, as práticas mais comuns incluíram o uso de implantes redondos de microtextura e silicone revestido com poliuretano no procedimento primário, poket subglandular, incisões inframamárias, dimensionamento pré-operatório com amostras de implante redondas, antibióticos intravenosos e orais, irrigação com duplo antibiótico, implante faixa de tamanho geralmente menos 325cc e sem drenagem. Não há consenso sobre a lipotransferência mamária e o manejo da contratura capsular e da deformidade da bolha dupla.

Introduction: The latest research by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) showed that 2,524,115 plastic surgeries were performed in Brazil in 2017. Breast augmentation has been one of the most commonly-performed plastic procedures in Brazil, totaling more than 200,000 surgeries in 2016. The objective is to evaluate the current practices and trends in breast augmentation in Brazil. Methods: A 31- item questionnaire was constructed and sent to 6,200 active members of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP). The research addressed some current trends and controversial practices in five areas: current controversies, new technologies, breast implants, technical considerations in secondary procedures, and demographic aspects. The questionnaire was designed to profile practices, procedures, and beliefs among plastic surgeons regarding the use of breast implants in Brazil. Results: A total of 505 responses were collected, representing a response rate around 10%, which is well above the average response rate for Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP) questionnaires. The results were distributed in five tables by area of interest. Conclusion: In this study, the most common practices included the use of microtexture round implants and polyurethane-coated silicone as the primary procedure, a subglandular pocket, inframammary incisions, preoperative sizing with round implant samples, intravenous and oral antibiotics, double irrigation antibiotics, an implant size that was generally less than 325 cc, and without drainage. There is no consensus on breast lip balancing and the management of capsular contracture and double bubble deformity.

Diffusion tensor imaging abnormalities of the trigeminal nerve root in patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia: a pre- and postoperative comparative study 4 years after microvascular decompression.

BACKGROUND: As diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is able to assess tissue integrity, authors used diffusion to detect abnormalities in trigeminal nerves (TGN) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) caused by neurovascular compression (NVC) who had undergone microvascular decompression (MVD). The authors also studied anatomical TGN parameters (cross-sectional area [CSA] and volume [V]). The study compared pre- and postoperative findings. METHODS: Using DTI sequencing on a 3-T MRI scanner, we measured the fraction of anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the TGN in 10 patients who had undergone MVD for TN and in 6 normal subjects. We compared data between affected and unaffected nerves in patients and both nerves in normal subjects (controls). We then correlated these data with CSA and V. Data from the affected side and the unaffected side before and 4 years after MVD were compared. RESULTS: Before MVD, the FA of the affected side (0.37 ± 0.03) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to the unaffected side in patients (0.48 ± 0.03) and controls (0.52 ± 0.02), and the ADC in the affected side (5.6 ± 0.34 mm2/s) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the unaffected side in patients (4.26 ± 0.25 mm2/s) and controls (3.84 ± 0.18 mm2/s). Affected nerves had smaller V and CSA compared to unaffected nerves and controls (p < 0.05). After MVD, the FA in the affected side (0.41 ± 0.02) remained significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to the unaffected side (0.51 ± 0.02), but the ADC in the affected side (4.24 ± 0.34 mm2/s) had become similar (p > 0.05) to the unaffected side (4.01 ± 0.33 mm2/s). CONCLUSIONS: DTI revealed a loss of anisotropy and an increase in diffusivity in affected nerves before surgery. Diffusion alterations correlated with atrophic changes in patients with TN caused by NVC. After removal of the compression, the loss of FA remained, but ADC normalized in the affected nerves, suggesting improvement in the diffusion of the trigeminal root.

A prevalência de cefaleia e fatores psicossociais associados em estudantes de medicina no Ceará / The prevalence of headache and psychosocial factors associated among medical students in a university of northeast Brazil

Introdução: A cefaleia é uma afecção que impacta negativamente a qualidade de vida da pessoa. O curso de medicina é reconhecidamente um gerador de esgotamento e, de acordo com a literatura, fatores estressantes são mais comuns em alunos de medicina que na população em geral, podendo desencadear a cefaleia. Esses fatores estressores podem ser intensificados em períodos que antecedem as provas devido a mudanças nos hábitos de sono e de estudo, havendo uma possível relação com o surgimento de cefaleias primárias. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de cefaleia primária nos estudantes de medicina (EM) em períodos de provas e relacionar com fatores psicossociais. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, baseado na aplicação de dois questionários a uma amostra de 219 EM do 1º ao 8º semestre de uma universidade no interior do Ceará. Um questionário relacionou a cefaleia com fatores psicossociais em períodos de provas. O segundo questionário: HSQ-DV, foi utilizado para o diagnóstico de enxaqueca e cefaleia do tipo tensional (CTT). Resultados: 98% dos EM relataram já ter sentido cefaleia. A prevalência de CTT e enxaqueca encontradas foi de 61,9% e 18,1%, respectivamente, dados maiores que a média para a população geral. Estudantes com enxaqueca têm mais crises antes de provas, se automedicam mais, ingerem mais psicoestimulantes, são mais ansiosos, mais depressivos, mais sedentários, mais estressados e dormem menos que aqueles com CTT. Conclusão: De fato, os EM são um grupo de risco para o desenvolvimento de cefaleias, merecendo, portanto, uma maior ênfase de pesquisas científicas sobre as cefaleias primárias neste grupo.

Introduction: Headache is a condition that impacts negatively the patients' quality of life. The medical course is a known generator of exhaustion and, according to the literature, stressors are more common in medical students (MS) than in the general population, which can trigger a headache. These stressors can be intensified in periods that precede the tests due to changes in sleep and in study habits, with a possible relation with the appearance of primary headache. Objective: To associate the presence of primary headache in MS during periods of tests and to relate to psychosocial factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on the application of two questionnaires to a sample of 219 MS from the 1st to the 8th semester of a university in Northeast Brazil. The first questionnaire related headache with psychosocial factors in periods of tests. The second questionnaire: HSQ-DV, was used for the diagnosis of migraine and tension-type headache (TTH). Results: 98% of MS reported having experienced headache. The prevalence of TTH and migraine was 61.9% and 18.1%, respectively, higher than the average for the general population. Students with migraine have more attacks before tests, self-medicate more, ingest more psychostimulants, are more anxious, more depressed, more sedentary, more stressed, and sleep less than those with TTH. Conclusion: In fact, MS are a risk group for the development of headache, thus deserving a greater emphasis of scientific research on primary headaches in this group

Atrophic changes in the trigeminal nerves of patients with trigeminal neuralgia due to neurovascular compression and their association with the severity of compression and clinical outcomes.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate atrophic changes in trigeminal nerves (TGNs) using measurements of volume (V) and cross-sectional area (CSA) from high-resolution 3-T MR images obtained in patients with unilateral trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and to correlate these data with patient and neurovascular compression (NVC) characteristics and with clinical outcomes. METHODS: Anatomical TGN parameters (V and CSA) were obtained in 50 patients (30 women and 20 men; mean age 56.42 years, range 22-79 years) with classic TN before treatment with microvascular decompression (MVD). Parameters were compared between the symptomatic (ipsilateralTN) and asymptomatic (contralateralTN) sides of the face. Twenty normal control subjects were also included. Two independent observers blinded to the side of pain separately analyzed the images. Measurements of V (from the pons to the entrance of the nerve into Meckel's cave) and CSA (at 5 mm from the entry of the TGN into the pons) for each TGN were performed using imaging software and axial and coronal projections, respectively. These data were correlated with patient characteristics (age, duration of symptoms before MVD, side of pain, sex, and area of pain distribution), NVC characteristics (type of vessel involved in NVC, location of compression along the nerve, site of compression around the circumference of the root, and degree of compression), and clinical outcomes at the 2-year follow-up after surgery. Comparisons were made using Bonferroni's test. Interobserver variability was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean V of the TGN on the ipsilateralTN (60.35 ± 21.74 mm(3)) was significantly smaller (p < 0.05) than those for the contralateralTN and controls (78.62 ± 24.62 mm(3) and 89.09 ± 14.72 mm(3), respectively). The mean CSA of the TGN on the ipsilateralTN (4.17 ± 1.74 mm(2)) was significantly smaller than those for the contralateralTN and controls (5.41 ± 1.89 mm(2) and 5.64 ± 0.85 mm(2), respectively). The ipsilateralTN with NVC Grade III (marked indentation) had a significantly smaller mean V than the ipsilateralTN with NVC Grade I (mere contact), although it was not significantly smaller than that of the ipsilateralTN with NVC Grade II (displacement or distortion of root). The ipsilateralTN with NVC Grade III had a significantly smaller mean CSA than the ipsilateralTN with NVC Grades I and II (p < 0.05). The TGN on the ipsilateralTN in cured patients had a smaller mean CSA than that on the ipsilateralTN of patients with partial pain relief or treatment failure (p < 0.05). The same finding was almost found in relation to measurements of V, but the p value was slightly higher at 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that TGN atrophy in patients with TN can be demonstrated by high-resolution imaging. These data suggest that atrophic changes in TGNs, which significantly correlated with the severity of compression and clinical outcomes, may help to predict long-term prognosis after vascular decompression.

Breast reconstruction with a turbocharged transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap on the contralateral perforator.

Seventeen patients were submitted to delayed unilateral breast reconstruction using pedicled, muscle-sparing turbocharged transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap based on the contralateral perforator vessels. The lateral portion of the rectus abdominis muscle on the pedicled side was preserved in 12 patients. Zones II and IV were included in the flap in all cases. Mean duration of surgery was 7 hours and 15 minutes. Four complications developed in the abdominal donor site: contralateral abdominal bulging (n=1), minor suture dehiscence (n=2), and epidermolysis at the border of the abdominal flap and umbilical scar (n=1). Three partial losses (10%-30%) occurred in the reconstructed breast (17.64% of cases), whereas 2 cases of fat necrosis were associated with partial losses. One patient developed deep vein thrombosis with pulmonary embolism; however, outcome was favorable. This proved a viable alternative for breast reconstruction, with satisfactory results in most patients and acceptable morbidity and surgical time.

Retalho de Martin modificado / Modified Martin flap

O retalho submentoniano é versátil e útil em reconstruções dedefeitos intra-orais, trato aero- digestivo e 1/3 inferior da face.Relato de caso: Apresentamos o retalho de Martin modificadopara defeito extenso de mucosa jugal á esquerda até palato,associado a retalho Karapandizix e nasogeniano para terço dolábio superior esquerdo e dois terços do lábio inferior. O retalhode Martin modificado é uma variação segura, útil, com bom arcode rotação, cor e textura similar a da face.

Reconstrução de extremidades com retalho livre de fíbula após ressecções oncológicas / Extremity reconstruction using a free fibula flap after oncological resection

INTRODUÇÃO: O tumor primário de ossos longos é raro, correspondendo de 0,2% a 1% dos tumores malignos. No passado, a amputação era o tratamento padrão, ocasionando grande impacto na morbidade e na mortalidade desses pacientes. Com o avanço das técnicas cirúrgicas e o envolvimento multidisciplinar, a cirurgia conservadora dos membros tornou-se o tratamento de escolha, sendo a reconstrução com retalho microcirúrgico de fíbula a mais utilizada. Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar a experiência do Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) nas reconstruções de membros com retalho microcirúrgico de fíbula após ressecções de tumores de ossos longos. MÉTODO: Foi realizada análise retrospectiva de 7 casos de retalho livre de fíbula operados no INCA, no período de 1997 a 2009, para reconstrução de defeitos de extremidades após ressecções de tumores ósseos. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: sexo, idade, diagnóstico, localização do tumor, tipo e tamanho da ressecção, tipo e tamanho da reconstrução, vasos utilizados para anastomose, complicações pós-operatórias, estado da doença na última consulta, seguimento e tempo até deambulação. RESULTADOS: No total, 7 pacientes com média de idade de 11,8 anos (variando de 5 anos a 14 anos) foram submetidos a reconstrução de extremidades com retalho livre de fíbula, com 100% de viabilidade e consolidação óssea. As lesões eram localizadas em fêmur, tíbia ou úmero. O tumor mais comum foi o osteossarcoma. O tempo médio de retorno à deambulação foi de 14,7 meses. CONCLUSÕES: O uso do retalho livre de fíbula é uma excelente alternativa para reconstrução de membros, apresentando alta taxa de consolidação óssea, deambulação precoce, boa funcionalidade e baixa taxa de complicações.

BACKGROUND: Primary tumors of the long bones are rare, accounting for 0.2-1% of malignant tumors. In the past, amputation was the standard treatment and had a large impact on patient morbidity and mortality. With advances in surgical techniques and multidisciplinary involvement, conservative surgery of the limbs has become the treatment of choice, and reconstruction using a microsurgical fibula flap is the most commonly used technique. In this study, we aimed to present the experience of the National Cancer Institute (INCA) with limb reconstruction using a microsurgical fibula flap following tumor resection from the long bones. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 7 cases of free fibular flap surgery at the INCA from 1997 to 2009 for the reconstruction of defects of the extremities after bone tumor resection. We evaluated the following parameters: gender, age, diagnosis, tumor location, resection size and type, reconstruction size and type, vessels used for the anastomosis, postoperative complications, disease status at the last visit, follow-up, and time to ambulation. RESULTS: Seven patients with a mean age of 11.8 years (range, 5-14 years) underwent extremity reconstruction with a free fibula flap with 100% bone viability. The lesions were located within the femur, tibia, or humerus. Osteosarcoma was the most common tumor type. The average return to ambulation was 14.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a free fibula flap is an excellent alternative for limb reconstruction and features a high bone healing rate, early ambulation, good functionality, and a low complication rate.

The R337H mutation in TP53 and breast cancer in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Germline mutations in p53 are associated with the Li-Fraumeni Syndrome which is characterized by childhood cancers, including pediatric adrenal cortical carcinomas and early onset breast cancer. The high incidence of adrenal cortical carcinomas in southern Brazil is mostly attributed to the R337H mutation in TP53. The relatively high population frequency of this mutation in southern Brazil, along with the clustering of early onset breast cancer in Li-Frameni families, suggests this mutation may also be a low-penetrance breast cancer susceptibility polymorphism. METHODS: We undertook this study to evaluate the frequency of the R337H mutation in breast cancer patients from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. R337H mutation status was determined in 390 unselected breast cases and 324 controls identified from clinics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil using a PCR-based assay. RESULTS: Two of the breast cancer cases (0.5%) and none of the controls carried the mutation. Both cases had an early age at diagnosis (< 40 years old) and a family history of breast and other cancers. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest genetic screening of young onset breast cancer patients should include testing for the R337H mutation.

Rotina de treinamento laboratorial em microcirurgia do Instituto Nacional do Câncer / Laboratory training program in microsurgery at the National Cancer Institute

A microcirurgia é uma técnica na qual se realiza cirurgia sob magnificação óptica em vasos de diâmetro < 3 mm. Jacobson e Suarez, em 1960, foram os primeiros a utilizar o termo microcirurgia para descrever anastomoses experimentais de vasos com calibre entre 1 mm e 2 mm, sendo a origem da moderna prática microvascular creditada a eles. Desde então, foram desenvolvidos e publicados diversos tipos de transferência microvascular de tecidos para reparo de grandes defeitos corporais e ocorreu intensa modernização do poder óptico e do design dos instrumentos. Apesar dessa evolução, a prática laboratorial é indispensável e permite ao cirurgião alcançar a habilidade necessária à realização da técnica de microanastomoses. Nesse contexto, este artigo apresenta a rotina de treinamento em microcirurgia realizada no Laboratório de Microcirurgia Experimental do Instituto Nacional do Câncer (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil).

Microsurgery is a technique in which the surgery is performed under optical magnification in vessels with a diameter of less than 3 mm. In 1960, Jacobson and Suarez first used the term "microsurgery" to describe the experimental anastomosis of vessels with a caliber between 1 and 2 mm, which is considered as the origin of the modern microvascular practice. Since then, several types of microvascular tissue transfer techniques for the repair of large body defects have been developed and published, accompanied by significant advances in optical imaging technologies and instrument design. Despite this technical progress, laboratory practice is essential and enables the surgeon to acquire the ability to master the microanastomosis technique. The present study describes the microsurgery training program of the Laboratory of Experimental Microsurgery of the National Cancer Institute (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil).