MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING PERFUSION TECHNIQUE IN THE EVALUATION OF ACHILLES TENDON INJURY IN RABBITS.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in the experimental model of Achilles tendon injury. METHODS: Twelve white male adults New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups, a group with resection of the central portion of the Achilles tendon (n = 8) and a control group (n = 4). Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) was performed 4 weeks after the surgical procedure, followed by histological analysis of the tendons. RESULTS: The main finding of this study was the difference (p < 0.001) in peak contrast enhancement on DCE-MRI, which demonstrated that the operated group had greater contrast uptake. The operated tendons showed histological disruption of their architecture, and cluttered appearance of tendinous fibers, with vascular and fibroblast proliferations. CONCLUSION: DCE-MRI is a technique with a potential to demonstrate changes in the vascularity pattern of the Achilles tendon before and after operation. DCE-MRI has a potential to be used in studies of tendinosis diagnosis and surgical follow-up. Level of evidence II, Experimental Study .

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a captação do gadolínio (Gd) à ressonância magnética (DCRM) em modelo experimental de lesão do tendão de Aquiles. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 12 coelhos machos, adultos e brancos da raça Nova Zelândia, distribuídos em dois grupos: operados (n = 8), com ressecção da porção central do tendão de Aquiles; e o grupo controle (n=4). Após quatro semanas, realizou-se ressonância magnética com técnica de avaliação dinâmica do meio de contraste, seguido de analise histológica dos tendões. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença (p <0,001) do pico máximo de realce de contraste, na DCRM dinâmica do tendão de Aquiles entre os grupos operado e controle, sendo evidenciada maior captação de contraste no grupo operado. À histologia, os tendões operados apresentaram desorganização de sua arquitetura, fibras tendíneas de aspecto desordenado, com neoformação vascular e proliferação de fibroblastos. CONCLUSÃO: A DCRM apresentou potencial de demonstrar alterações do padrão de vascularização do tendão de Aquiles no pré e pós-operatório. A DCRM apresenta potencial para ser usada em estudos para controle de tratamento e diagnóstico da tendinose. Nível de evidência II, Estudo Experimental .

PRE-OPERATIVE GASTRIC GIST DOWNSIZING: THE IMPORTANCE OF NEOADJUVANT THERAPY.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric gastrointestinal tumors (GIST) are a rare and usually asymptomatic neoplasm that can present as abdominal mass in more advanced scenarios. Since surgical resection is the main aspect of the treatment, locally advanced tumors require multivisceral resection and, therefore, higher postoperative morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To perform a review the literature on the topic, with emphasis on the neoadjuvant therapy. METHODS: Literature review on the Medline database using the following descriptors: gastrointestinal stromal tumors, neoadjuvant therapy, imatinib mesylate and molecular targeted therapy. RESULTS: Surgical resection remains the cornerstone for the treatment of GISTs; however, tyrosine kinase inhibitors have improved survival as an adjuvant therapy. More recently, neoadjuvant therapy have been described in the treatment of locally advanced tumors in order to avoid multivisceral resection. CONCLUSION: Despite surgical resection remains as the most important aspect of the treatment of GISTs, adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown to both improve survival and resectability, respectively.

Magnetic resonance imaging perfusion technique in the evaluation of achilles tendon injury in rabbits / Técnica de perfusão à rm na avaliação da lesão do tendão de aquiles em coelhos

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in the experimental model of Achilles tendon injury. Methods: Twelve white male adults New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups, a group with resection of the central portion of the Achilles tendon (n = 8) and a control group (n = 4). Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) was performed 4 weeks after the surgical procedure, followed by histological analysis of the tendons. Results: The main finding of this study was the difference (p < 0.001) in peak contrast enhancement on DCE-MRI, which demonstrated that the operated group had greater contrast uptake. The operated tendons showed histological disruption of their architecture, and cluttered appearance of tendinous fibers, with vascular and fibroblast proliferations. Conclusion: DCE-MRI is a technique with a potential to demonstrate changes in the vascularity pattern of the Achilles tendon before and after operation. DCE-MRI has a potential to be used in studies of tendinosis diagnosis and surgical follow-up. Level of evidence II, Experimental Study.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar a captação do gadolínio (Gd) à ressonância magnética (DCRM) em modelo experimental de lesão do tendão de Aquiles. Métodos: Foram utilizados 12 coelhos machos, adultos e brancos da raça Nova Zelândia, distribuídos em dois grupos: operados (n = 8), com ressecção da porção central do tendão de Aquiles; e o grupo controle (n=4). Após quatro semanas, realizou-se ressonância magnética com técnica de avaliação dinâmica do meio de contraste, seguido de analise histológica dos tendões. Resultados: Houve diferença (p <0,001) do pico máximo de realce de contraste, na DCRM dinâmica do tendão de Aquiles entre os grupos operado e controle, sendo evidenciada maior captação de contraste no grupo operado. À histologia, os tendões operados apresentaram desorganização de sua arquitetura, fibras tendíneas de aspecto desordenado, com neoformação vascular e proliferação de fibroblastos. Conclusão: A DCRM apresentou potencial de demonstrar alterações do padrão de vascularização do tendão de Aquiles no pré e pós-operatório. A DCRM apresenta potencial para ser usada em estudos para controle de tratamento e diagnóstico da tendinose. Nível de evidência II, Estudo Experimental.

Pre-operative gastric gist downsizing: the importance of neoadjuvant therapy / Redução tumoral pré-operatória do gist gástrico: a importância da terapia neoadjuvante

ABSTRACT Introduction: Gastric gastrointestinal tumors (GIST) are a rare and usually asymptomatic neoplasm that can present as abdominal mass in more advanced scenarios. Since surgical resection is the main aspect of the treatment, locally advanced tumors require multivisceral resection and, therefore, higher postoperative morbidity and mortality. Objective: To perform a review the literature on the topic, with emphasis on the neoadjuvant therapy. Methods: Literature review on the Medline database using the following descriptors: gastrointestinal stromal tumors, neoadjuvant therapy, imatinib mesylate and molecular targeted therapy. Results: Surgical resection remains the cornerstone for the treatment of GISTs; however, tyrosine kinase inhibitors have improved survival as an adjuvant therapy. More recently, neoadjuvant therapy have been described in the treatment of locally advanced tumors in order to avoid multivisceral resection. Conclusion: Despite surgical resection remains as the most important aspect of the treatment of GISTs, adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown to both improve survival and resectability, respectively.

RESUMO Introdução: O tumor estromal gastrintestinal (GIST) gástrico é neoplasia que cursa, por vezes, com apresentação assintomática, se manifestando como massa abdominal, relacionada a casos mais avançados. Esses, por sua vez, exigem tratamento com operações maiores e que cursam com mais alta morbimortalidade. Objetivo: Revisar e atualizar o tratamento do GIST gástrico, com enfoque na relevância do tratamento neoadjuvante. Método: Revisão da literatura utilizando a base de dados Medline/PubMed. Utilizaram-se os seguintes descritores: gastrointestinal stromal tumors, neoadjuvant therapy, imatinib mesylate e molecular targeted therapy. Dos artigos selecionados, 20 foram incluídos. Resultados: O tratamento cirúrgico é pilar fundamental para a cura do GIST. Entretanto, após a introdução do mesilato de imatinibe, classicamente utilizado como terapia adjuvante, houve mudança no manejo do GIST, permitindo aumento da sobrevida e diminuição da recorrência. A aplicação como terapia neoadjuvante é mais recente, e visa evitar procedimentos maiores sem, no entanto, prejudicar o resultado oncológico. Conclusão: A ressecção cirúrgica possui papel bem estabelecido no tratamento do GIST, inclusive com abordagem laparoscópica. O tratamento adjuvante com mesilato de imatinib, durante os primeiros três anos após a operação, mostra-se como opção segura para casos com elevado risco de recidiva. A terapia neoadjuvante é opção promissora para casos de tumor localmente avançado, permitindo ressecções menores e com menor morbimortalidade operatória.

Immunohistochemical Coexpression of Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule and Alpha-Fetoprotein in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background and Aim: The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) has been proposed as a marker for cancer stem cells in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as in the development of novel target therapies. This study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of EpCAM and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in HCC patients and their association with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: This study included Child-Pugh A HCC patients undergoing curative surgical resection. Results: A significant difference was observed in the ratio between the different phenotypes (p = 0.002), identifying 12 (29.3%) EPCAM positive tumors and 29 (70.7%) negative tumors. EpCAM+ expression was associated with AFP + (OR = 12.5, 95% CI, 1.9-84.1, p<0.001). In univariate analysis, a significant association was observed between AFP+ and EPCAM+ and the serum AFP level. A diameter of ≤ 5 cm was associated with EPCAM+, while angiolymphatic invasion was associated with APF+. In a multivariate analysis, only tumors of ≤ 5 cm were significantly associated with EpCAM+ (OR = 8.7; 95%CI, 1.27-100.0; p = 0.022). The overall survival rate was 74.9%, 69.4%, 69.4%, and 53.5% at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively. Conclusion: A considerable number of patients with EpCAM+ HCC would benefit from a specific target therapy.

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in cholangiocarcinomas: predictive factors and survival.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the expression of the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) by immunohistochemistry, and to verify its association with prognostic factors and survival of patients operated by cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: we verified the immunohistochemical expression of EGFR in 35 surgical specimens of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We obtained survival curves with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: we found significant EGFR expression in ten (28.6%) of the 35 CCAs, eight with score 3 and two with score 2. Advanced stages (III and IV) presented higher EGFR expression (p=0.07). The clinical characteristics that were most associated with positive EGFR expression were female gender (p=0.06) and absence of comorbidities (p=0.06). Overall survival at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months was 100%, 82.5%, 59% and 44.2%, respectively. The survival of EGFR positive patients at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months was 100%, 75%, 50% and 0%, whereas for negative EGFR patients it was 100%, 87.5%, 65.6% and 65.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: EGFR expression occurred in 28.6% of the cases studied and was associated with lower survival.

Immunohistochemical Predictors for Intestinal and Pancreatobiliary Types of Adenocarcinoma of The Ampulla of Vater.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate immunohistochemical predictors for intestinal and pancreatobiliary types of adenocarcinoma of ampulla of Vater and identify clinicopathological characteristics associated with the histological types and patient survival. METHODS: Immunohistochemical markers included MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, CDX2, CK7, and CK20. The data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate methods. The two-step cluster method was used to determine the best immunohistochemical markers to discriminate the intestinal from the pancreatobiliary type. RESULTS: This study identified 9 (33.3%) intestinal and 21 (66.7%) pancreatobiliary tumors. CK7 and CDX2 achieved the highest value (= 1) as predictor markers, while CK20, MUC1, and MUC2 showed degrees of importance equal to 0.77, 0.71, and 0.68, respectively. MUC5AC did not reach 0.50 of importance. In the univariate analysis, lymph node involvement, staging (TNM), and angiolymphatic and perineural invasions were associated with histological types. The independent clinicopathological variable in the multivariate model to predict the histological type was angiolymphatic invasion (p = 0.005), OR = 17 (95% CI 2.33 to 123.83). The final model showed positive nodes (N1) associated with shorter survival (HR = 9.5; p = 0.006). Overall survival at 12, 36, and 60 months was 88.5, 67.0, and 47.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CDX2 and CK7 were the immunohistochemical markers that best discriminated the intestinal from the pancreatobiliary type. Lymph node involvement had a high impact on survival and proved to be more frequent in the pancreatobiliary type.

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in cholangiocarcinomas: predictive factors and survival / Expressão do receptor do fator de crescimento epitelial (EGFR) em colangiocarcinomas: fatores preditivos e sobrevida

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the expression of the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) by immunohistochemistry, and to verify its association with prognostic factors and survival of patients operated by cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: we verified the immunohistochemical expression of EGFR in 35 surgical specimens of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We obtained survival curves with the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: we found significant EGFR expression in ten (28.6%) of the 35 CCAs, eight with score 3 and two with score 2. Advanced stages (III and IV) presented higher EGFR expression (p=0.07). The clinical characteristics that were most associated with positive EGFR expression were female gender (p=0.06) and absence of comorbidities (p=0.06). Overall survival at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months was 100%, 82.5%, 59% and 44.2%, respectively. The survival of EGFR positive patients at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months was 100%, 75%, 50% and 0%, whereas for negative EGFR patients it was 100%, 87.5%, 65.6% and 65.6%, respectively. Conclusion: EGFR expression occurred in 28.6% of the cases studied and was associated with lower survival.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a expressão do receptor do fator de crescimento epitelial (EGFR) por meio de imuno-histoquímica, e verificar sua associação com fatores prognósticos e com a sobrevida dos pacientes operados por colangiocarcinoma. Métodos: a expressão imuno-histoquímica de EGFR foi verificada em 35 peças cirúrgicas de colangiocarcinomas (CCA). Curvas de sobrevida foram obtidas pelo método de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: expressão significativa de EGFR foi encontrada em dez (28,6%) de 35 CCA, oito com escore 3 e dois com escore 2. Estágios avançados (III e IV) apresentaram maior expressão de EGFR (p=0,07). As características clínicas que mais estiveram associadas com a expressão positiva de EGFR foram o sexo feminino (p=0,06) e ausência de comorbidades (p=0,06). A sobrevida global aos 12, 24, 36 e 48 meses foi de 100%, 82,5%, 59% e 44,2%, respectivamente. A sobrevida de pacientes EGFR positivos aos 12, 24, 36 e 48 meses foi de 100%, 75%, 50% e 0%, enquanto que para EGFR negativos foi de 100%, 87,5%, 65,6% e 65,6%, respectivamente. Conclusão: a expressão do EGFR ocorreu em 28,6% dos casos estudados e esteve associada a menor sobrevida.

Quality of life in patients submitted to surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality of life, using the SF-36, in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who un-derwent surgery for deformity correction, comparing the results in the pre-and post-operative period.METHODS: We evaluated 29 patients, 24 female, mean age 14.5 years, all patients had measurement of Cobb angle greater than 50º, and responded to the SF-36 questionnaire preope-ratively and on average two years after surgery.RESULTS: There was improvement in all eight domains studied by the SF-36 after surgical treatment, with statistically significant improvement of the domains functional capacity physical aspects, pain and general state. Vitality and mental heal-th were those with the lowest percentage of improvement postoperatively.CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of defor-mity in all AIS improved the functional aspects assessed by the SF-36, representing, in practice, better quality of life for these patients. Evidence Level II, Prospective Study.

Melanotic schwannoma of the lumbar spine: a case report and literature review / Schwannoma melanocítico da coluna lombar: relato de caso e revisão de literatura / Schwannoma melanótico de la columna lumbar: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura

Schwannomas are benign tumors, usually solitary, encapsulated, slow-growing, which have their origin in differentiated neoplastic Schwann cells with extramedullary intradural usual development related to nerve roots. The melanotic schwannoma is a variant of these tumors whose location in almost one third of cases is on the posterior spinal nerve root, with a nonspecific clinical presentation. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most widely used test for the diagnosis, revealing hyperintense T1-weighted sequences and hypointense T2-weighted sequences. Diagnostic confirmation is obtained by histological and immunohistochemical studies, in which there is intense cytoplasmatic pigmentation. There are two distinct types of melanotic schwannomas: sporadic and psammomatous, the latter related to the called Carney complex, a form of multiple endocrine neoplasm with familiar character. In literature we found few cases of these neoplasms, the largest series consisting of five cases. The objective of this study is to report a rare case of melanotic schwannoma of the lumbar spine of the sporadic type of extramedullary location. We also present a brief review of the literature containing the main characteristics of the tumor, including its different forms, differential diagnoses, data from histological and immunohistochemical studies as well as the currently recommended approach in order to contribute to a better understanding of this neoplasm.

Os schwannomas são tumores benignos, geralmente solitários, encapsulados e de crescimento lento, que têm sua origem nas células de Schwann neoplásicas diferenciadas, com desenvolvimento habitual extramedular intradural relacionado com as raízes nervosas. O schwannoma melanocítico é uma variante dessas neoplasias cuja localização em quase um terço dos casos está na raiz nervosa posterior, com apresentação clínica inespecífica. A ressonância magnética é o exame de imagem mais utilizado no diagnóstico, revelando imagens hiperintensas em T1 e hipointensas em T2. A confirmação diagnóstica é obtida através do estudo histológico e imuno-histoquímico, em que se observa intensa pigmentação citoplasmática. Existem dois tipos distintos de schwannomas melanocíticos: o esporádico e o psamomatoso, este último relacionado ao chamado complexo de Carney, uma forma de neoplasia endócrina múltipla de caráter familiar. Na literatura, encontramos poucos casos dessas neoplasias, sendo a maior série composta por cinco casos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é relatar um raro caso de schwannoma melanocítico da coluna lombar do tipo esporádico de localização extramedular. Apresentamos ainda uma breve revisão de literatura contendo as principais características do tumor, incluindo suas diferentes formas, diagnósticos diferenciais, dados do estudo histológico e imuno-histoquímico, bem como a abordagem atualmente preconizada, a fim de colaborar para o melhor entendimento desta neoplasia.

Los schwannomas son tumores benignos, generalmente solitarios, encapsulados y de crecimiento lento, que tienen su origen en las células de Schwann neoplásicas diferenciadas con desarrollo habitual intradural extramedular relacionado con las raíces nerviosas. El schwannoma melanótico es una variante de estos tumores cuya localización en casi un tercio de los casos se encuentra en la raíz nerviosa posterior, con presentación clínica no específica. La resonancia magnética es el examen más ampliamente utilizado en el diagnóstico, con hiperintensidad en secuencias T1 e hiposeñal en T2. La confirmación del diagnóstico se obtiene por el estudio histológico e inmunohistoquímico, en el que existe una intensa pigmentación citoplásmica. Hay dos tipos distintos de schwannoma melanótico: el esporádico y el psamomatoso, este último relacionado con el llamado complejo de Carney, una forma de neoplasia endocrina múltiple de carácter familiar. En la literatura encontramos pocos casos de estos tumores, la serie más grande consta de cinco casos. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un caso raro de schwannoma melanótico lumbar del tipo esporádico y de localización extramedular. También presentamos una breve revisión de la literatura que contiene las principales características del tumor, incluyendo sus diferentes formas, los diagnósticos diferenciales, los datos del estudio histológico e inmunohistoquímico, así como el tratamiento recomendado actualmente, a fin de contribuir a una mejor comprensión de esta neoplasia.

Schwannoma melanocítico da coluna lombar: relato de caso e revisão de literatura / Melanotic schwannoma of the lumbar spine: a case report and literature review

Os schwannomas são tumores benignos, geralmente solitários, encapsulados e de crescimento lento, que têm sua origem nas células de Schwann neoplásicas diferenciadas, com desenvolvimento habitual extramedular intradural relacionado a raízes nervosas. O schwannoma melanocítico é variante dessas neoplasias cuja localização em quase um terço dos casos está na raiz nervosa posterior, com apresentação clínica inespecífica. A ressonância magnética é o exame de imagem mais utilizado em seu diagnóstico, revelando imagens hiperintensas em T1 e hipointensas em T2. A confirmação diagnóstica é obtida a partir do estudo histológico e imuno-histoquímico, em que se observa intensa pigmentação citoplasmática. Existem dois tipos distintos de schwannomas melanocíticos: o esporádico e o psammomatoso, este último relacionado ao chamadocomplexo de Carney, uma forma de neoplasia endócrina múltipla de caráter familiar. Existem poucos relatos dessas neoplasias, sendo a maior série composta de cinco casos. O objetivo deste relato é descrever um raro caso de schwannoma melanocítico da coluna lombar do tipo esporádico de localização extramedular. Apresenta-se breve revisão de literatura contendo as principais características do tumor, incluindo suasdiferentes formas, diagnósticos diferenciais, estudo histológico e imuno-histoquímico, bem como a abordagem atualmente preconizada, a fim de colaborar para o melhor entendimento dessa neoplasia.

Schwannomas are benign, usually solitary, encapsulated and of slow growth tumors,which have their origin in differentiated neoplastic Schwann cells, with extramedullaryintradural usual development related to nerve roots. The melanocytic schwannomais a variant of these tumors whose location is on the posterior nerve root, witha nonspecific clinical presentation in almost a third of cases. MRI is the most commonlyused imaging test in the diagnosis, revealing hyperintense images in T1 andhypointense in T2. The diagnostic confirmation is obtained from the histological andimmunohistochemical study where intense cytoplasmic pigmentation is observed.There are two distinct types of melanocytic schwannomas: sporadic and psammomatous;the latter related to the called Carney complex, a form of multiple endocrineneoplasias with a familial character. There are few reports of these neoplasms; thegreatest series is composed of five cases. The objective of this report is to describea rare case of melanocytic schwannoma of the lumbar spine of the sporadic typeand extramedullary location. A brief review of the literature containing the maintumor characteristics is presented, including its different forms, differential diagnosis, histological and immunohistochemical study, and thecurrently recommended approach in order to contributeto a better understanding of this neoplasia.

Quality of life in patients submitted to surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.

OBJECTIVE: : To evaluate quality of life, using the SF-36, in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who un-derwent surgery for deformity correction, comparing the results in the pre-and post-operative period. METHODS: : We evaluated 29 patients, 24 female, mean age 14.5 years, all patients had measurement of Cobb angle greater than 50º, and responded to the SF-36 questionnaire preope-ratively and on average two years after surgery. RESULTS: : There was improvement in all eight domains studied by the SF-36 after surgical treatment, with statistically significant improvement of the domains functional capacity physical aspects, pain and general state. Vitality and mental heal-th were those with the lowest percentage of improvement postoperatively. CONCLUSION: : Surgical treatment of defor-mity in all AIS improved the functional aspects assessed by the SF-36, representing, in practice, better quality of life for these patients. Evidence Level II, Prospective Study.