Chronic postsurgical pain after emergency cervical fusion with iliac crest graft - a multimodal approach to a multifactorial problem. Case report / Dor crônica pós-operatória após artrodese cervical emergencial com enxerto de crista ilíaca - abordagem multimodal para um problema multifatorial. Relato de caso

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic postsurgical pain is a major surgical complication with an impact on quality of life. Persistent pain following cervical fusion with iliac crest graft can be due to patient positioning, cervical surgical technique or nerve injury during iliac crest harvesting. Treatment options for chronic postsurgical pain overlap with those recommended for neuropathic pain. However, other pain mechanisms may be present in these patients. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 51-year-old, with persistent pain five years after emergency cervical arthrodesis with an iliac crest graft. The patient was referred to the chronic pain department (CPD) for management of meralgia paresthetica. However, other significant pain etiologies were found and treated such as nociceptive neck pain, myofascial lumbar pain, and inguinal neuropathic postsurgical pain. The therapeutic approach included multimodal pharmacotherapy with anticonvulsants, antidepressants, weak opioids, topical capsaicin 8% patch, as well as nerve blocks. After almost two years of follow-up, CPD discharge was possible, with minimal pain and return to baseline activity. CONCLUSION: Although the patient had a long course of undertreated postsurgical pain, a multimodal approach targeting different pain etiologies allowed the achievement of satisfactory pain control and return to baseline physical activity.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor crônica pós-operatória é uma importante complicação cirúrgica com impacto na qualidade de vida. A dor persistente após artrodese cervical pode ser secundária ao posicionamento do paciente, abordagem cirúrgica cervical ou lesão nervosa durante colheita de enxerto ilíaco. As opções terapêuticas para dor crônica pós-operatória têm alguma sobreposição com o tratamento da dor neuropática. No entanto, outros mecanismos de dor podem estar presentes nestes pacientes. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 51 anos, que se apresentou com dor persistente cinco anos após artrodese cervical emergencial, com enxerto de crista ilíaca. Foi encaminhado para a unidade de dor crônica (UDC) para abordagem de meralgia parestésica. No entanto, foram encontradas e tratadas outras etiologias de dor: dor cervical nociceptiva; dor lombar miofascial e dor neuropática pós-operatória inguinal. A abordagem terapêutica utilizada incluiu farmacoterapia com anticonvulsivantes, antidepressivos e opioides fracos, adesivo de capsaicina a 8% e bloqueios regionais. Após quase dois anos de seguimento, foi possível oferecer alta da UDC com queixas álgicas mínimas e retorno da atividade física basal. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de o paciente ter passado por um longo período sob tratamento insuficiente de dor pós-operatória, uma abordagem multimodal tendo como alvo diferentes etiologias de dor permitiu obter um controle álgico satisfatório e o retorno à atividade física basal.

[High frequency jet ventilator - a new approach in the management of anesthesia for pediatric cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: case series]. / Ventilação a jato de alta frequência ­ uma nova abordagem no manejo da anestesia para ressonância magnética em cardiologia pediátrica: série de casos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a technique used for evaluation of children with congenital heart diseases. General anesthesia ensures immobility, particularly in uncooperative patients. However, chest wall movements can limit good quality scans. Prolonged apnea may be necessary to decrease respiratory motion artefacts, potentially leading to hypoxemia and other adverse events. The use of a high frequency jet ventilator may be a solution avoiding chest wall movements. CASE REPORT: We report four cases of pediatric patients, ASA II, aged between 4 and 15 years-old, scheduled for cardiac MRI. General anesthesia was proposed and parental informed consent was obtained. After general anesthesia was induced, an uncuffed endotracheal tube was inserted. Then, a 7Fr×40 cm catheter was placed through the endotracheal tube. The proximal outlet of the catheter was attached through a connecting tube to a high frequency jet ventilator (Monsoon III®, Acutronic Medical Systems). Good quality MRI images were obtained. At the end of the procedures, we observed increased salivation and increased end-tidal CO2 (60-70 mmHg), in all patients. The patients were extubated after normocapnia was achieved and neuromuscular blockade reversed. Following appropriate recovery time, the four children were discharged home the same day. CONCLUSIONS: This case series demonstrates that the use of a high frequency jet ventilator for cardiac MRI was feasible, safe, providing good quality cardiac imaging and avoiding anesthesia personnel to be inside the hazardous environment of MRI room. Future studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficiency in pediatric patients.

High frequency jet ventilator ‒ a new approach in the management of anesthesia for pediatric cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: case series / Ventilação a jato de alta frequência - uma nova abordagem no manejo da anestesia para ressonância magnética em cardiologia pediátrica: série de casos

Abstract Background and objectives: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a technique used for evaluation of children with congenital heart diseases. General anesthesia ensures immobility, particularly in uncooperative patients. However, chest wall movements can limit good quality scans. Prolonged apnea may be necessary to decrease respiratory motion artefacts, potentially leading to hypoxemia and other adverse events. The use of a high frequency jet ventilator may be a solution avoiding chest wall movements. Case report: We report four cases of pediatric patients, ASA II, aged between 4 and 15 years-old, scheduled for cardiac MRI. General anesthesia was proposed and parental informed consent was obtained. After general anesthesia was induced, an uncuffed endotracheal tube was inserted. Then, a 7Fr × 40 cm catheter was placed through the endotracheal tube. The proximal outlet of the catheter was attached through a connecting tube to a high frequency jet ventilator (Monsoon III®, Acutronic Medical Systems). Good quality MRI images were obtained. At the end of the procedures, we observed increased salivation and increased end-tidal CO2 (60-70 mmHg), in all patients. The patients were extubated after normocapnia was achieved and neuromuscular blockade reversed. Following appropriate recovery time, the four children were discharged home the same day. Conclusions: This case series demonstrates that the use of a high frequency jet ventilator for cardiac MRI was feasible, safe, providing good quality cardiac imaging and avoiding anesthesia personnel to be inside the hazardous environment of MRI room. Future studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficiency in pediatric patients.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A ressonância magnética (RM) cardíaca é uma técnica usada na avaliação de crianças com cardiopatias congênitas. A anestesia geral garante imobilidade, especialmente em pacientes não cooperadores, porém os movimentos da parede torácica podem limitar a boa qualidade dos exames. A apneia prolongada pode ser necessária para diminuir os artefatos do movimento respiratório, potencialmente levando à hipoxemia e outros eventos adversos. O uso de ventilação a jato de alta frequência pode ser uma solução para evitar os movimentos da parede torácica. Relato de caso: Relatamos quatro casos de pacientes pediátricos, ASA II, entre 4-15 anos, programados para ressonância magnética cardíaca. Uma anestesia geral foi proposta e assinaturas em termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido foram obtidas dos pais. Após a indução da anestesia geral, um tubo endotraqueal sem balonete foi inserido. Em seguida, um cateter de 7Fr × 40 cm foi inserido através do tubo endotraqueal. A saída proximal do cateter foi conectada, mediante um tubo conector, a um sistema de ventilação a jato de alta frequência (Monsoon III®, Acutronic Medical Systems). Imagens de ressonância magnética de boa qualidade foram obtidas. No fim dos procedimentos, observamos aumento tanto de salivação quanto de CO2 expirado (60-70 mmHg) em todos os pacientes. Os pacientes foram extubados após a obtenção de normocapnia e reversão do bloqueio neuromuscular. Após o tempo de recuperação apropriado, as quatro crianças receberam alta no mesmo dia. Conclusões: Esta série de casos demonstra que o uso de um sistema de ventilação a jato de alta frequência para ressonância magnética cardíaca é viável e seguro, além de fornecer imagens cardíacas de boa qualidade e evitar a presença da equipe de anestesia dentro do ambiente de risco da sala de ressonância magnética. Estudos futuros são necessários para confirmar sua segurança e eficiência em pacientes pediátricos.

Malignant Small Bowel Tumors: Diagnosis, Management and Prognosis.

PURPOSE: Despite being rare entities, the incidence of malignant small bowel tumors seems to be rising. The development of capsule endoscopy and balloon assisted enteroscopy provided an advance in the assessment of small bowel lesions. We aim to describe the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with small bowel cancer and ascertain what roles these endoscopic techniques currently have. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with small bowel cancer, from January 2010 to October 2014, was performed. The data was submitted to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 28 diagnosed patients, 54% were female. The mean age at diagnosis was 61 years. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent tumor (n = 11), followed by sarcoma (n = 6), lymphoma (n = 6) and neuroendocrine tumors (n = 3). The main form of presentation was related to blood loss or intestinal obstruction. By the time of diagnosis, 46% of patients had distant metastasis/ unresectable cancer. Most of the tumors were diagnosed by endoscopic (41%) or imaging techniques (35%). In the first year after diagnosis, 29% of patients died. In multivariate analysis, adenocarcinoma remained an independent factor for worse survival. DISCUSSION: Patients with adenocarcinoma presented at late stages and with unresectable tumors, contributing to a worse outcome. A high degree of clinical suspicion for the diagnosis of small bowel cancer is necessary. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the patients were generally consistent with those described in the literature. Capsule endoscopy and balloon assisted enteroscopy are useful in the diagnosis, management and surveillance of small bowel cancer.

Introdução: Apesar de entidades raras, a incidência dos tumores malignos do intestino delgado parece estar a aumentar. O desenvolvimento da cápsula endoscópica e da enteroscopia assistida por balão permitiram um avanço na avaliação das lesões do intestino delgado. Temos como objetivo descrever as características clínicas e patológicas dos doentes com cancro do intestino delgado e averiguar o papel que estas técnicas endoscópicas assumem atualmente. Material e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospetivo dos doentes diagnosticados com cancro do intestino delgado, desde janeiro de 2010 até outubro de 2014. Os dados foram submetidos a análise estatística. Resultados: Dos 28 doentes diagnosticados, 54% eram do sexo feminino. A idade média ao diagnóstico foi de 61 anos. O tumor mais frequente foi o adenocarcinoma (n = 11), seguido do sarcoma (n = 6), linfoma (n = 6) e tumores neuroendócrinos (n = 3). A principal forma de apresentação esteve relacionada com perdas hemáticas ou obstrução intestinal. Ao diagnóstico, 46% dos doentes tinhammetástases distantes/tumor irressecável. A maioria dos tumores foi diagnosticada por técnicas endoscópicas (41%) ou imagiológicas (35%). No primeiro ano após o diagnóstico, 29% dos doentes faleceram. Na análise multivariada, o adenocarcinoma permaneceu fator independente para pior sobrevida. Discussão: Os doentes com adenocarcinoma apresentaram-se em estádios tardios e com tumores irressecáveis, contribuindo para um pior prognóstico. Ã necessário um elevado grau de suspeita clínica para o diagnóstico de cancro do intestino delgado. Conclusão: As características dos doentes foram globalmente consistentes com o descrito na literatura. A cápsula endoscópica e a enteroscopia assistida por balão são úteis no diagnóstico, gestão e vigilância do cancro do intestino delgado.

Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute basilar occlusion using stent retrievers.

BACKGROUND: Early arterial recanalisation with stent retrievers (SR) has been recently demonstrated to improve clinical outcome of patients with large-vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation. However, the benefit of SR thrombectomy in the setting of acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) has not been proven yet. This study evaluated a series of consecutive patients with BAO treated with SR, focusing on the efficacy, safety and clinical results. METHODS: We analysed 24 consecutive patients with acute BAO who were treated with SR mechanical thrombectomy. Good clinical outcome at three months was defined as mRS ≤ 2. Data from patients with good outcome were compared to that from patients with poor outcome. RESULTS: Sufficient recanalisation (TICI 2 b or 3) was achieved in 63% (15/24) of patients. At three months, 33% (8/24) of patients had died; good clinical outcome was obtained in 21% (5/24). Age (46 vs. 60 years old, p = 0.05) and time from symptoms onset to recanalisation (370 vs. 521 minutes, p = 0.048) was significantly lower in patients with good outcome as compared to patients with poor outcome. There were three cases (12.5%) of periprocedural complications, all of them related to arterial wall dissection/perforation. CONCLUSIONS: SR thrombectomy might be an efficient and safe treatment for patients with acute BAO occlusion and might help improve outcome.