Geographic clustering of leishmaniasis in northeastern Brazil.

To determine whether disease outcomes and clades of Leishmania braziliensis genotypes are associated, we studied geographic clustering of clades and most severe disease outcomes for leishmaniasis during 1999-2003 in Corte de Pedra in northeastern Brazil. Highly significant differences were observed in distribution of mucosal leishmaniasis versus disseminated leishmaniasis (DL) (p<0.0001). Concordance was observed between distribution of these disease forms and clades of L. braziliensis genotypes shown to be associated with these disease forms. We also detected spread of DL over this region and an inverse correlation between frequency of recent DL diagnoses and distance to a previous DL case. These findings indicate that leishmaniasis outcomes are distributed differently within transmission foci and show that DL is rapidly spreading in northeastern Brazil.

Oral pentoxifylline combined with pentavalent antimony: a randomized trial for mucosal leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal leishmaniasis is associated with intense tissue damage and high tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. Therapeutic failure occurs in up to 42% of cases; patients who experience treatment failure will require >1 pentavalent antimony (Sb(v)) course or alternative drugs to achieve a cure. We previously showed that an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (pentoxifylline) combined with Sb(v) cured 90% patients refractory to monotherapy with Sb(v). METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 23 patients with mucosal leishmaniasis evaluated the efficacy of pentoxifylline when administered in association with Sb(v), compared with Sb(v) treatment alone. Eleven patients were randomized to receive Sb(v) plus oral pentoxifylline for 30 days, and 12 patients received Sb(v) plus oral placebo. The criterion for cure was a complete healing of lesions. RESULTS: All patients in the pentoxifylline group experienced a cure with 1 course of Sb(v), whereas 5 (41.6%) of 12 patients in the placebo group required a second course of Sb(v) (P=.037). The healing time +/- standard deviation in the pentoxifylline group was 83+/-36 days, compared with 145+/-99 days in the placebo group (P=.049). No relapses were documented in either group at the 2-year follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of pentoxifylline to Sb(v) in mucosal leishmaniasis reduces the healing time significantly and prevents the need for further courses of Sb(v).

Mucosal leishmaniasis: epidemiological and clinical aspects.

UNLABELLED: Leishmaniasis has been documented in several countries, with an estimated prevalence of 12 million people and an incidence at around 400,000 new cases per year. Leishmaniasis in the New World is one the major endemic diseases in Brazil and Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to add to the current knowledge on mucosal leishmaniasis, bringing the experience of the Immunology and Otolaryngology Departments in the Professor Edgar Santos University Hospital of the Federal University of Bahia. CONCLUSION: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of New World Leishmaniasis; mucosal legions may occur simultaneously or after years of disease. Mucosal leishmaniasis is caused mainly by L. braziliensis braziliensis; although the nasal mucosa is the most affected area, lesions may be found on the lips, mouth, pharynx and larynx. In addition to parasite-related factors, the host immune response may be involved in the pathogenicity of lesions in mucosal leishmaniasis.

Familial aggregation of mucosal leishmaniasis in northeast Brazil.

To evaluate whether familial clustering occurs in mucosal leishmaniasis (ML), patients with ML (index cases) were randomly selected from medical records at a health post in an endemic area for Leishmania braziliensis infection. Control individuals (index controls) matched by age, gender, and place of residence to index cases were selected. Family members of index cases and controls were compared with respect to environmental factors and the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and ML. Delayed type hypersensitivity test (DTH) to Leishmania antigen was tested in selected families. Among 289 members of 46 families enrolled, significant differences were found in the frequencies of CL (37% versus 20%) and ML (5% versus 0) in case versus control families, respectively. Families with 2 cases of ML had a higher frequency (29.6%) of DTH-positive individuals than control families (9.4%). These data demonstrate familial clustering of CL, ML, and positive DTH skin tests in an area endemic for L. braziliensis infection.

Removing nasal packing in epistaxis: what to do in the case of an undeflatable foley catheter balloon.

Introduction Undeflatable Foley catheter balloons adapted for use as nasal packing in epistaxis represent a possible complication. Case Reports We report on three cases in which Foley catheter balloons adapted for use as posterior nasal packing in epistaxis failed to deflate. In one patient, deflation was achieved by simply using the fingertips to massage the segment of the catheter collapsed by the fixation device. In the second case, the Foley balloon was removed by the oral route after sectioning the catheter. In the third patient, the Foley catheter was successfully deflated after sectioning. Discussion The probable causes of the undeflatable balloons in these cases were a blockage or lumen collapse of the balloon or a malfunction in the valve system. Although no definitive method has been established for dealing with this complication, the options proposed are the following: manipulation to restore the permeability of the segment of the catheter collapsed by the fixation device, if this is the case; sectioning the catheter or inserting a stiletto catheter; bursting the balloon; or removing it by the oral route. The latter option is apparently the most appropriate for the otolaryngologist in cases unrelated to simple collapse caused by the fixation device.

A proposed new clinical staging system for patients with mucosal leishmaniasis.

Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) occurs mainly in areas where Leishmania braziliensis is transmitted. It affects predominantly the nasal mucosa and, in more severe forms, can lead to significant tissue destruction. There is no standard method for grading the severity of disease. We categorised 50 patients with ML according to a proposed new clinical staging system. Their age ranged from 10 to 86 y (mean ± SD: 36 ± 16 y) and 43 (86%) patients were male. The different degrees of evolution of mucosal disease, from the initial stage to the more severe long-term cases, enabled ML to be graded into five stages. Stage I is characterised by nodular lesions of the mucosa without ulceration. Stage II is represented by superficial mucosal ulcerations with concomitant fine granular lesions. Stage III is characterised by deep mucosal ulcerations with granular tissue formation. In stage IV there are irreversible lesions leading to perforation of the cartilaginous nasal septum with necrosis. In stage V the nasal pyramid is compromised with alterations of facial features as a consequence of severe tissue destruction. These stages may be useful in characterising the severity of the lesion and optimising therapeutic outcome.

Chronic rhinitis in HTLV-1 carriers: a histopathologic study.

UNLABELLED: The nasal histopathology of HTLV-1 carriers with chronic rhinitis is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To describe the histopathological features of HTLV-1 carriers with chronic rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsies of nasal mucosa of ten HTLV-1 carriers with chronic rhinitis (eight patients with allergic rhinitis and two patients with non-allergic rhinitis) were studied using a light microscope. Samples from ten patients with allergic rhinitis not infected with HTLV-1 were used as controls. RESULTS: Subepithelial fibrosis was more pronounced in patients with allergic rhinitis infected with HTLV-1 (p=0.01), while the basement membrane thickness was greater in controls (p=0.03). There was a trend towards less eosinophilia and edema among those infected with HTLV-1, without statistical significance (p=0.2). For the lymphocytic infiltrate, there was no difference between infected and not infected patients with allergic rhinitis (p=1.0). Subepithelial fibrosis associated to moderate or small number of lymphocytes were found in the two HTLV-1 carriers with non-allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests HTLV-1 may modify the histopathology of allergic rhinitis, especially by promoting subepithelial fibrosis, and may be related to chronic non-allergic rhinitis with lymphocytic infiltrate.

Removing Nasal Packing in Epistaxis: What to Do in the Case of an Undeflatable Foley Catheter Balloon

Introduction: Undeflatable Foley catheter balloons adapted for use as nasal packing in epistaxis represent a possible complication. Case Reports:  We report on three cases in which Foley catheter balloons adapted for use as posterior nasal packing in epistaxis failed to deflate. In one patient, deflation was achieved by simply using the fingertips to massage the segment of the catheter collapsed by the fixation device. In the second case, the Foley balloon was removed by the oral route after sectioning the catheter. In the third patient, the Foley catheter was successfully deflated after sectioning. Discussion: The probable causes of the undeflatable balloons in these cases were a blockage or lumen collapse of the balloon or a malfunction in the valve system. Although no definitive method has been established for dealing with this complication, the options proposed are the following: manipulation to restore the permeability of the segment of the catheter collapsed by the fixation device, if this is the case; sectioning the catheter or inserting a stiletto catheter; bursting the balloon; or removing it by the oral route. The latter option is apparently the most appropriate for the otolaryngologist in cases unrelated to simple collapse caused by the fixation device...

Rinite crônica em portadores do HTLV-1: estudo histopatológico / Chronic rhinitis in HTLV-1 carriers: a histopathologic study

A histopatologia nasal de portadores do HTLV-1 com rinite crônica é desconhecida. OBJETIVO: Descrever aspectos histopatológicos de portadores do HTLV-1 com rinite crônica. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Amostras de mucosa nasal de 10 portadores do HTLV-1 com rinite crônica, sendo oito com rinite alérgica e dois com rinite não alérgica, foram estudadas por microscopia de luz. Amostras de 10 pacientes com rinite alérgica não infectados pelo HTLV-1 serviram como controle. RESULTADOS: Fibrose subepitelial foi maior nos pacientes com rinite alérgica infectados pelo HTLV-1 (p=0,01), enquanto o espessamento da membrana basal foi maior nos controles (p=0,03). Houve tendência a menor eosinofilia e edema entre os infectados pelo HTLV-1, sem significância estatística (p=0,2). Para o infiltrado linfocítico, não houve diferença entre os pacientes com rinite alérgica infectados e não infectados (p=1,0). Fibrose subepitelial com infiltrado linfocítico de intensidade leve a moderada foram os achados encontrados nos dois portadores do HTLV-1 com rinite não alérgica. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo sugere que a infecção pelo HTLV-1 pode modificar a histopatologia da rinite alérgica, sobretudo por maior fibrose, e pode estar relacionada a uma rinite crônica não alérgica com infiltrado linfocítico.

The nasal histopathology of HTLV-1 carriers with chronic rhinitis is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To describe the histopathological features of HTLV-1 carriers with chronic rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsies of nasal mucosa of ten HTLV-1 carriers with chronic rhinitis (eight patients with allergic rhinitis and two patients with non-allergic rhinitis) were studied using a light microscope. Samples from ten patients with allergic rhinitis not infected with HTLV-1 were used as controls. RESULTS: Subepithelial fibrosis was more pronounced in patients with allergic rhinitis infected with HTLV-1 (p=0.01), while the basement membrane thickness was greater in controls (p=0.03). There was a trend towards less eosinophilia and edema among those infected with HTLV-1, without statistical significance (p=0.2). For the lymphocytic infiltrate, there was no difference between infected and not infected patients with allergic rhinitis (p=1.0). Subepithelial fibrosis associated to moderate or small number of lymphocytes were found in the two HTLV-1 carriers with non-allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests HTLV-1 may modify the histopathology of allergic rhinitis, especially by promoting subepithelial fibrosis, and may be related to chronic non-allergic rhinitis with lymphocytic infiltrate.

Evolução clínica e tomográfica da osteomielite frontal: relato de caso / Clinical and tomography evolution of frontal osteomyelitis: case report

INTRODUÇÃO: A osteomielite frontal é uma complicação de rinossinusite que pode ter evolução aguda ou crônica. Há reação inflamatória com aumento da pressão intra-óssea, isquemia e necrose local, levando à formação de abscesso ósseo. Não havendo drenagem, ocorrerá descolamento do periósteo, invasão de partes moles e piora da isquemia com posterior sequestro ósseo. MÉTODO: Relato de caso de um paciente internado em serviço de emergência de outra instituição por complicação de rinossinusite que foi encaminhado para o Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos da Universidade Federal da Bahia. RELATO DE CASO: Paciente masculino, 16 anos, apresentou-se ao serviço de emergência de outra instituição com cefaleia, vômitos e febre que evoluiu com edema periorbitário e frontal à esquerda, cursando com flutuação palpebral e frontal.Submetido à drenagem de abscesso palpebral e frontal, com antibioticoterapia de amplo espectro sem melhora. Encaminhado para o nosso serviço mantendo edema e flutuação em região frontal e edema leve em região periorbitária esquerda. A endoscopia nasal evidenciou edema em meato médio à esquerda e a tomografia computadorizada mostrou sinusite fronto-etmoidal à esquerda e sinais de osteomielite frontal com sequestro ósseo e empiema epidural.Submetido à cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal, acesso externo para exérese do osso frontal acometido e drenagem do empiema epidural. Evoluiu com remissão da doença. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: A falência no diagnóstico e no tratamento das complicações da rinossinusite pode levar a sequelas e complicações fatais.O diagnóstico de osteomielite frontal é firmado pela suspeita clinica e confirmado por exames radiológicos.A cirurgia está indicada quando a evolução for insidiosa, havendo sequestro ósseo ou complicações intracranianas.

INTRODUCTION: The frontal osteomyelitis is a complication of rhinosinusitis which can evolve to acute or chronicle. There is inflammatory reaction by the increasing of intraosseous pressure, ischemia and local necrosis, leading to bone abscess formation. There is no drainage, it will occur detachment of the periosteum, soft tissue invasion and worsening of ischemia with subsequent bone sequestration. METHOD: Case report of an inpatient in an emergency service of another institution by the complication of rhinosinusitis who was referred to the Otorhinolaryngology Service of University Hospital Professor Edgard Santos of Federal University of Bahia. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 16 years-old, presented himself to the ER of another institution with cephalea, vomits and fever which evolved to periorbital edema and frontal to the left, moving to palpebral fluctuation and frontal. Subjected to frontal and palpebral abscess drainage, with broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy with no improvement. He was referred to our service keeping edema and fluctuation in region frontal and light edema in left periorbital region. The nasal endoscopy showed edema in meatus to the left and the computerized tomography showed fronto-ethmoid sinusitis to the left and signs of frontal osteomyelitis with bone sequestration and epidural empyema. Subjected to sinasal endoscopy surgery, external Access or removal of the frontal one affected and epidural empyema drainage. Evolved to the remission of the disease. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Failure in the diagnosis and rhinosinusitis complication treatment can lead to sequalae and fatal complications. The diagnosis of the frontal osteomyelitis is confirmed by the clinical suspicion and confirmed by radiological examination. The surgery is indicated when the evolution is insidious, there is bone sequestration and intracranial complications.

Complicação orbital e intracraniana devido à rinossinusite aguda: relato de caso / Orbital and intracranial complication resulting from acute rhinosinusitis: case report

Introdução: Dentre as complicações da rinossinusite, as orbitárias são as mais frequentes, e estas, ocorrem na maioria dos casos entre jovens e crianças. Complicações simultâneas envolvendo a órbita e o espaço intracraniano são extremamente raras, mas devem ser tratadas agressivamente pois oferecem alta taxa de morbidade e mortalidade. Relato do Caso: Neste trabalho, os autores relatam um caso de um paciente que se apresentou com celulite pré-septal e abscesso epidural, como complicações simultâneas de uma rinossinusite aguda. No paciente deste estudo, optou-se pelo tratamento clínico associado à cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal e drenagem neurocirúrgica do abscesso intracraniano. A TC foi suficiente no caso apresentado para a realização do diagnóstico. Comentários Finais: Recomenda-se entretanto, que nos casos de pacientes com complicações da rinossinusite, a investigação da extensão intracraniana seja aprofundada, mesmo quando esta, a princípio não seja tão evidente. Dada a natureza polimicrobiana dessas infecções, uma antibioticoterapia agressiva guiada por cultura e um acompanhamento por equipe multidisciplinar, aumentam consideravelmente as chances de sucesso.

Introduction: Among the rhinosinusitis complications, the orbital are the most frequent ones, occurring mostly in the youngsters and children. Simultaneous complications involving the intracranial orbit and space are extremely rare, but they must be severely treated for they have a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Case report: In this work, the authors report a case of a patient who appeared to have preseptal cellulites and epidural abscess, in the form of simultaneous complications of an acute rhinosinusitis. In the patient of this case, choice was made for a clinic treatment associated with a nasosinusal endoscopic surgery and neurosurgical drainage of the intracranial abscess. CT was enough to achieve the diagnosis of this case. Final commentaries: However, it is recommended that, in cases where patients have rhinosinusitis complications, an extensive intracranial investigation needs to be deepened even when this is not so evident in the beginning. Given the polymicrobial nature of these infections, an aggressive culture-guided antibiotic therapy and a multidisciplinary follow-up significantly increase the likelihood of success.

Acesso endoscópico para tratamento do papiloma nasossinusal: um estudo clínico retrospectivo / Endoscopic treatment of sinonasal papilloma: a retrospective clinical study

Introdução: Papiloma nasossinusal é um tumor benigno com origem no epitélio schneideriano da parede nasal lateral. Sua incidência é rara e de acordo com a literatura responde por 0,5 a 4% de todos os tumores nasais. Objetivo: Reportar a experiência da nossa instituição no tratamento do papiloma nasossinusal invertido utilizando acesso endoscópico e comparar os resultados obtidos com os relatos da literatura. Método: Estudo retrospectivo de todos os pacientes com papiloma nasossinusal que realizaram tratamento cirúrgico puramente endoscópico no ambulatório de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), no período de janeiro de 2004 a maio de 2010. Resultados: Um total de 12 pacientes foi incluído neste estudo. O seguimento médio foi de 23 meses. Houve 1 caso de recidiva. Não ocorreu transformação maligna nestes casos. Conclusão: O tratamento do papiloma nasossinusal tem sido amplamente beneficiado com o avanço das técnicas endoscópicas, com taxas de recorrência equivalentes àquelas reportadas por acesso externo. Exames de imagem são fundamentais no planejamento pré-operatório e na decisão da técnica cirúrgica. Um seguimento regular e de longo prazo é essencial para um bom acompanhamento da evolução desta patologia.

Introduction: Sinonasal Papilloma is a benign tumor originating from the epithelium schneiderian lateral nasal wall. Its incidence is rare and according to literature accounts for 0.5 to 4% of all nasal tumors. Objective: To report our institution's experience in the treatment of sinonasal inverted papilloma using endoscopic approach and compare the results with the literature. Methods: A retrospective study of all patients with sinonasal papillomas who underwent a purely endoscopic surgery in the Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), from January 2004 to May 2010. Results: A total of 12 patients were included in this study. The median follow-up was 23 months. There was one case of recurrence. Malignant transformation has not occurred in these cases. Conclusion: The treatment of sinonasal papilloma has been largely benefited from the advances in endoscopic techniques, with recurrence rates equivalent to those reported for external access. Imaging exams are essential in preoperative planning and the decision of surgical technique. A regular follow-up and long term is essential for a good monitoring of the evolution of this pathology.

Decreased in situ expression of interleukin-10 receptor is correlated with the exacerbated inflammatory and cytotoxic responses observed in mucosal leishmaniasis.

Human infection with Leishmania braziliensis can lead to cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) or mucosal leishmaniasis (ML). We hypothesize that the intense tissue destruction observed in ML is a consequence of an uncontrolled exacerbated inflammatory immune response, with cytotoxic activity. For the first time, this work identifies the cellular sources of inflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines, the expression of effector molecules, and the expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) receptor in ML and CL lesions by using confocal microscopy. ML lesions displayed a higher number of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-producing cells than did CL lesions. In both ML and CL, CD4+ cells represented the majority of IFN-gamma-producing cells, followed by CD8+ cells and CD4- CD8- cells. The numbers of tumor necrosis factor alpha-positive cells, as well as those of IL-10-producing cells, were similar in ML and CL lesions. The effector molecule granzyme A showed greater expression in ML than in CL lesions, while inducible nitric oxide synthase did not. Finally, the expression of IL-10 receptor was lower in ML than in CL lesions. Thus, our data identified distinct cytokine and cell population profiles for CL versus ML patients and provide a possible mechanism for the development of ML disease through the demonstration that low expression of IL-10 receptor is present in conjunction with a cytotoxic and inflammatory profile in ML.

Up-regulation of Th1-type responses in mucosal leishmaniasis patients.

The cytokine profile produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in response to leishmania antigens and the ability of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) to modulate the immune response were evaluated in 21 mucosal leishmaniasis patients. Patients with mucosal disease exhibited increased gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion and decreased IL-10 secretion compared to patients with classical cutaneous leishmaniasis. CD4(+) Th1 cells were the main source of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production in mucosal leishmaniasis patients. Evaluation of cytokine gene expression in PBMC of these patients showed that there was strong up-regulation of IFN-gamma transcripts upon stimulation with leishmania antigen, in contrast to the baseline levels of IL-10 mRNA. IL-10 suppressed IFN-gamma production by 48% in cell cultures from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients and by 86% in cell cultures from healthy subjects stimulated with purified protein derivative, whereas in similar conditions IL-10 suppressed IFN-gamma production by 19% in cell cultures from mucosal leishmaniasis patients stimulated with leishmania antigen. TGF-beta suppressed IFN-gamma levels to a greater extent in healthy subjects than in mucosal leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. These data indicate that a poorly modulated T-cell response in mucosal leishmaniasis patients leads to production of high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, as well as a decreased ability of IL-10 and TGF-beta to modulate this response. These abnormalities may be the basis for the pathological findings observed in this disease.

Leishmaniose mucosa: aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos: [revisão] / Mucosal leishmaniasis: epidemiological and clinical aspects: [review]

A leishmaniose tem sido documentada em diversos países, sendo estimada uma prevalência mundial de 12 milhões, com 400.000 casos novos de doença por ano. A leishmaniose tegumentar americana encontra-se situada entre as grandes endemias existentes no Brasil e na América Latina. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é complementar o conhecimento sobre leishmaniose mucosa, apresentando a experiência dos Serviços de Imunologia e de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital Universitário Professor Edgar Santos da Universidade Federal da Bahia. COMENTÁRIOS: A leishmaniose cutânea é a forma mais comum de leishmaniose tegumentar americana, contudo, concomitantemente ou após anos de doença cutânea podem ocorrer lesões mucosas. A leishmaniose mucosa é causada principalmente pela L. braziliensis braziliensis e, apesar de a mucosa nasal ser a área principalmente acometida, lesões podem também ser documentadas nos lábios, boca, na faringe e na laringe. Fatores do parasito, bem como da resposta imune do hospedeiro podem estar envolvidos na patogênese da lesão tissular na leishmaniose mucosa.

Leishmaniasis has been documented in several countries, with an estimated prevalence of 12 million people and an incidence at around 400,000 new cases per year. Leishmaniasis in the New World is one the major endemic diseases in Brazil and Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to add to the current knowdlegde on mucosal leishmaniasis, bringing the experience of the Imunology and Otolaryngology Departments in the Professor Edgar Santos University Hospital of the Federal University of Bahia. CONCLUSION: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of New World Leishmaniasis; mucosal legions may occur simultaneously or after years of disease. Mucosal leishmaniasis is caused mainly by L. braziliensis braziliensis; although the nasal mucosa is the most affected area, lesions may be found on the lips, mouth, pharynx and larynx. In addition to parasite-related factors, the host immune response may be involved in the pathogenicity of lesions in mucosal leishmaniasis.

Efeito de lubrificantes sobre a integridade da sonda de Foley e implicações no tamponamento nasal para epistaxe / Effect of lubricants on the integrity of the Foley catheter and their implications in nasal packing for epistaxis

O tamponamento nasal para epistaxe é comumente realizado com gaze lubrificada e sonda de Foley. O balonete de Foley, de látex, pode ser dissolvido pela vaselina ou parafina; entretanto, estes são excipientes de várias pomadas e cremes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito de potenciais lubrificantes sobre a integridade da sonda de Foley. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Experimental. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Balonetes de 80 sondas foram eqüitativamente distribuídos e mantidos sob tração em contato com um dos seguintes produtos: duas pomadas, três cremes, um gel, vaselina e gaze seca, e inspecionados a cada 24 horas por cinco dias. Os lubrificantes foram testados quanto a hidrossolubilidade. RESULTADOS: Vinte balonetes romperam-se, dos grupos vaselina e uma pomada. Os produtos não associados à degeneração da sonda mostraram-se hidrossolúveis, a despeito da presença de petrolato. DISCUSSÃO: Conjectura-se que a gaze do tampão nasal anterior com lubrificante hidrofóbico contendo petrolato, justaposto ao balonete de Foley, pode lesá-lo. CONCLUSÕES: Considerando-se apenas a inocuidade à sonda de Foley, os cremes e a pomada Furacin® poderiam ser indicados para lubrificar a gaze do tampão nasal anterior associado ao balonete de Foley. Nossos resultados sugerem que cremes, pomadas e géis hidrossolúveis preservam a integridade da sonda de Foley, ainda que contenham derivados do petróleo.