RESUMO

Soccer players are at risk of suffering cranial injuries in the short and long term. There is growing concern that this may lead to traumatic brain injury in soccer players. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is an analytical method that enables the measurement of changes in brain metabolites that usually occur before significant structural changes. This study aimed to use MRS to compare variations in brain metabolite levels between retired soccer players and a control group. Twenty retired professional soccer players and 22 controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging, including MRS sequences and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Metabolite analysis was conducted based on absolute concentration and relative ratios. N-acetyl-aspartate, choline, glutamate, glutamine, and myoinositol were the metabolites of interest for the statistical analysis. Retired soccer players had an average age of 57.8 years, whereas the control group had an average age of 63.2 years. Median cognitive evaluation score, assessed using the MMSE, was 28 [26-29] for athletes and 29 [28-30] for controls (p = 0.01). Uni- and multi-variate analyses of the absolute concentration of metabolites (mM) between former athletes and controls did not yield any statistically significant results. Comparison of metabolites to creatine ratio concentrations did not yield any statistically significant results. There were no changes in concentrations of brain metabolites that indicated brain metabolic changes in retired soccer players compared with controls.

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess whether the change of gloves is associated with reduced surgical site complications of elective cesarean sections in low-risk pregnancies. METHODS: A prospective and observational study was conducted, with 169 patients selected for elective cesarean sections, and divided into two groups: group 1 (N.=100) (no change of gloves); and group 2 (N.=94) (gloves changed during surgery). Fisher's Exact Test was used to test hypotheses and existence of associations between variables. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to determine the best value of surgical time to identify complications in the surgical site. RESULTS: There was significant effect on surgical time (group 1: 72.6 vs. group 2: 65.1 min, P=0.006). There was no association between changing gloves and the presence of complications of the surgical site. Approximately 22.5% of patients had at least one complication up to 60 days after cesarean section, with no association between the change of gloves and the presence of comorbidities during prenatal follow-up (P>0.999). Surgical time >70 min was able to correctly identify 59.1% of cases of surgical site complications up to 60 days after cesarean section with a false positive rate of 34% (area under ROC curve: 0.627, P=0.0126, 95% CI: 0.554-0.695). CONCLUSIONS: In low-risk patients submitted to elective cesarean sections, change of gloves did not reduce the incidence of complications of the surgical site. Surgical time was an independent predictor for the presence of complications of the surgical site up to 60 days after cesarean section.

Assuntos

RESUMO

By the peak of COVID-19 restrictions on April 8, 2020, up to 1.5 billion students across 188 countries were affected by the suspension of physical attendance in schools. Schools were among the first services to reopen as vaccination campaigns advanced. With the emergence of new variants and infection waves, the question now is to find safe protocols for the continuation of school activities. We need to understand how reliable these protocols are under different levels of vaccination coverage, as many countries have a meager fraction of their population vaccinated, including Uganda where the coverage is about 8%. We investigate the impact of face-to-face classes under different protocols and quantify the surplus number of infected individuals in a city. Using the infection transmission when schools were closed as a baseline, we assess the impact of physical school attendance in classrooms with poor air circulation. We find that (i) resuming school activities with people only wearing low-quality masks leads to a near fivefold city-wide increase in the number of cases even if all staff is vaccinated, (ii) resuming activities with students wearing good-quality masks and staff wearing N95s leads to about a threefold increase, (iii) combining high-quality masks and active monitoring, activities may be carried out safely even with low vaccination coverage. These results highlight the effectiveness of good mask-wearing. Compared to ICU costs, high-quality masks are inexpensive and can help curb the spreading. Classes can be carried out safely, provided the correct set of measures are implemented.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), which was thought to be a rare disorder, is being increasingly recognized as an important cause of neurological morbidity, thanks to new advances in neuroimaging. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the main etiologies of stroke due to arteriopathy in children. METHODS: Using a series of cases from our institution, we addressed its epidemiological aspects, physiopathology, imaging findings from CT, MR angiography, MR conventional sequences and MR DWI, and nuclear medicine findings. RESULTS: Through discussion of the most recent classification for childhood AIS (Childhood AIS Standardized Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation, CASCADE), we propose a modified classification based on the anatomical site of disease, which includes vasculitis, varicella, arterial dissection, moyamoya, fibromuscular dysplasia, Takayasu's arteritis and genetic causes (such as ACTA-2 mutation, PHACE syndrome and ADA-2 deficiency). We have detailed each of these separately. Conclusions: Prompt recognition of AIS and thorough investigation for potential risk factors are crucial for a better outcome. In this scenario, neurovascular imaging plays an important role in diagnosing AIS and identifying children at high risk of recurrent stroke.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Primary pediatric brain tumors comprise a broad group of neoplasm subtypes that can be categorized based on their histological and molecular features according to the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The majority of the pediatric brain tumors demonstrate a singular preference for this age group and have a unique molecular profile. The separation of certain tumor entities, including different types of embryonal tumors, low-grade gliomas, and high-grade gliomas, may have a significant impact by guiding appropriate treatment for these children and potentially changing their outcomes. Currently, the focus of the imaging diagnostic studies is to follow the molecular updates, searching for potential imaging patterns that translate this information in molecular profile results, therefore helping the final diagnosis. Due to the high impact of accurate diagnosis in this context, the scientific community has presented extensive research on imaging pediatric tumors in recent years. This article summarizes the key characteristics of the imaging features of the most common primary childhood brain tumors, categorizing them according to the recent WHO classification update, which is based on each of their molecular profiles. The purpose of this review article is to familiarize radiologists with their key imaging features and thereby improve diagnostic accuracy.

RESUMO

ABSTRACT Background: Pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), which was thought to be a rare disorder, is being increasingly recognized as an important cause of neurological morbidity, thanks to new advances in neuroimaging. Objective: The aim of this study was to review the main etiologies of stroke due to arteriopathy in children. Methods: Using a series of cases from our institution, we addressed its epidemiological aspects, physiopathology, imaging findings from CT, MR angiography, MR conventional sequences and MR DWI, and nuclear medicine findings. Results: Through discussion of the most recent classification for childhood AIS (Childhood AIS Standardized Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation, CASCADE), we propose a modified classification based on the anatomical site of disease, which includes vasculitis, varicella, arterial dissection, moyamoya, fibromuscular dysplasia, Takayasu's arteritis and genetic causes (such as ACTA-2 mutation, PHACE syndrome and ADA-2 deficiency). We have detailed each of these separately. Conclusions: Prompt recognition of AIS and thorough investigation for potential risk factors are crucial for a better outcome. In this scenario, neurovascular imaging plays an important role in diagnosing AIS and identifying children at high risk of recurrent stroke.

RESUMO Introdução: O acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) pediátrico, considerado um distúrbio raro, está sendo cada vez mais reconhecido como importante causa de morbidade neurológica, graças aos novos avanços na neuroimagem. Objetivo: Revisar as principais etiologias do AVC por arteriopatia em crianças. Métodos: Utilizando-se de uma série de casos de nossa instituição, abordamos seus aspectos epidemiológicos, fisiopatológicos e de imagem na angiotomografia computadorizada e angiorressonância magnética, sequências convencionais e avançadas de ressonância magnética e medicina nuclear. Resultados: Com base na classificação mais recente de AVC na infância (Classificação Padronizada e Avaliação Diagnóstica do AVC na Infância - CASCADE) propusemos uma classificação modificada com base no local anatômico da doença, que inclui vasculite, varicela, dissecção arterial, Moyamoya, displasia fibromuscular, arterite de Takayasu e causas genéticas (como mutação ACTA-2, síndrome PHACE e deficiência de ADA-2), detalhando cada uma separadamente. Conclusões: O reconhecimento imediato do AVC na infância e a investigação minuciosa de possíveis fatores de risco são cruciais para um melhor resultado. Nesse cenário, a imagem neurovascular desempenha papel importante no diagnóstico de AVC e na identificação de crianças com alto risco de recorrência.

Assuntos

RESUMO

A inversão uterina aguda no pós-parto é uma emergência obstétrica rara e potencialmente fatal, que ocorre nas primeiras 24 horas do puerpério e tem importante associação com hemorragia puerperal. Relata-se um caso de uma primípara de 19 anos, que após indução de parto devido a oligoâmnio, apresentou importante sangramento transvaginal, com instabilidade hemodinâmica. Teve seu reconhecimento e tratamento prontamente realizados, e assim não evoluiu com complicações. O reposicionamento é primeiramente tentado pela manobra de Taxe com uso de relaxantes uterinos, e caso falhe, opta-se por cirurgia. O prognóstico depende justamente da agilidade da intervenção terapêutica, que permite completa recuperação do quadro e ausência de sequelas.

Acute postpartum uterine inversion is a rare, potentially fatal obstetric emergency occurring within the first 24 hours of the puerperium, and which is closely associated with puerperal hemorrhage. In this case report, a 19-year-old primiparous woman had significant transvaginal bleeding, with hemodynamic instability, after induction of labor due to oligoamnios. The case was diagnosed and treated promptly, thus the patient evolved without complications. The standard treatment protocol usually comprises Taxe maneuver (manual uterine replacement) followed by uterine relaxants; only if it fails, surgery is performed. The prognosis depends precisely on prompt therapeutic intervention, which leads to complete recovery of the condition, as well as absence of sequelae.

RESUMO

Abstract Introduction: Septal deviations might cause nasal obstruction and negative impact on the quality of life of individuals. The efficacy of septoplasty for treatment of septal deviation and the predictors of satisfactory surgical outcomes remain controversial. Technical variability, heterogeneity of research samples and absence of a solid tool for clinical evaluation are the main hindrances to the establishment of reliable statistical data regarding the procedure. Objective: To evaluate the clinical improvements in the disease-specific quality-of-life between patients submitted to septoplasty with bilateral outfracture of the inferior turbinate under sedation and local anesthesia in a tertiary hospital and to assess possible clinical-epidemiological variables associated with functional outcome. Methods: Fifty-two patients consecutively submitted to septoplasty with bilateral outfracture of the inferior turbinate for treatment of nasal obstruction filled in forms regarding clinical and epidemiological information during enrollment and had their symptom objectively quantified using the Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale preoperatively and one and three months after the procedure. Statistical analysis aimed to determine overall and stratified surgical outcomes and to investigate correlations between the clinical-epidemiological variables with the scores obtained. Results: Statistically significant improvement in the preoperative NOSE questionnaire compared to the scores obtained three months after surgery was demonstrated (p < 0.001, T-Wilcoxon), with strong correlation between the preoperative score and the postoperative improvement during this period (r = −0.614, p < 0.001, Spearman). After one month, patients reached in average 87.15% of the result obtained at the study termination. Smokers and patients with rhinitis and/or pulmonary comorbidity showed increased average preoperative NOSE scores, although without statistical significance (p > 0.05). Gender, age, history of rhinitis and presence of pulmonary comorbidity did not influence significantly surgical outcomes (p > 0.05). Smokers presented greater reduction in NOSE scores during the study (p = 0.043, U-Mann-Whitney). Conclusion: Septoplasty with bilateral outfracture of the inferior turbinate has proven to significantly improve disease-specific quality-of-life and this favorable outcome seems to occur precociously.

Resumo Introdução: Os desvios septais podem causar obstrução nasal e impacto negativo na qualidade de vida dos indivíduos. A eficácia da septoplastia para o tratamento do desvio septal e os preditores de resultados cirúrgicos satisfatórios continuam controversos. A variabilidade técnica, a heterogeneidade das amostras de estudo e a ausência de uma ferramenta sólida para avaliação clínica são os principais obstáculos ao estabelecimento de dados estatísticos confiáveis sobre o procedimento. Objetivo: Avaliar a melhora clínica na qualidade de vida específica da doença entre pacientes submetidos a septoplastia e fratura bilateral da concha inferior sob sedação e anestesia local em um hospital terciário e possíveis variáveis clínico-epidemiológicas associadas ao desfecho funcional. Método: Cinquenta e dois pacientes consecutivamente submetidos a septoplastia e fratura bilateral da concha inferior para o tratamento da obstrução nasal preencheram formulários com informações clínicas e epidemiológicas durante a inclusão no estudo e tiveram seus sintomas quantificados objetivamente utilizando a escala de Avaliação de Sintomas de Obstrução Nasal (Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation - NOSE) no pré-operatório e um e três meses após o procedimento. A análise estatística objetivou determinar resultados cirúrgicos globais e estratificados e investigar correlações entre as variáveis clínico-epidemiológicas e os escores obtidos. Resultados: Foi demonstrada uma melhora estatisticamente significativa nos escores obtidos no questionário NOSE três meses após a cirurgia (p < 0,001, T-Wilcoxon), quando comparado com os escores obtidos no pré-operatório, com uma forte correlação entre o escore pré-operatório e a melhora pós-operatória durante esse período (r = -0,614, p < 0,001, Spearman). Após um mês, os pacientes atingiram em média 87,15% do resultado obtido ao término do estudo. Fumantes e pacientes com rinite e/ou comorbidade pulmonar apresentaram valores médios pré-operatórios do escore NOSE aumentados, embora sem significância estatística (p > 0,05). Sexo, idade, história de rinite e presença de comorbidade pulmonar não influenciaram significativamente os resultados cirúrgicos (p > 0,05). Os fumantes apresentaram maior redução nos escores de NOSE (p = 0,043, U-Mann-Whitney). Conclusão: A septoplastia e a fratura bilateral da concha inferior demonstraram melhorar significativamente a qualidade de vida específica da doença e este resultado favorável parece ocorrer de forma precoce.

Assuntos

Assuntos

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: Septal deviations might cause nasal obstruction and negative impact on the quality of life of individuals. The efficacy of septoplasty for treatment of septal deviation and the predictors of satisfactory surgical outcomes remain controversial. Technical variability, heterogeneity of research samples and absence of a solid tool for clinical evaluation are the main hindrances to the establishment of reliable statistical data regarding the procedure. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical improvements in the disease-specific quality-of-life between patients submitted to septoplasty with bilateral outfracture of the inferior turbinate under sedation and local anesthesia in a tertiary hospital and to assess possible clinical-epidemiological variables associated with functional outcome. METHODS: Fifty-two patients consecutively submitted to septoplasty with bilateral outfracture of the inferior turbinate for treatment of nasal obstruction filled in forms regarding clinical and epidemiological information during enrollment and had their symptom objectively quantified using the Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale preoperatively and one and three months after the procedure. Statistical analysis aimed to determine overall and stratified surgical outcomes and to investigate correlations between the clinical-epidemiological variables with the scores obtained. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvement in the preoperative NOSE questionnaire compared to the scores obtained three months after surgery was demonstrated (p<0.001, T-Wilcoxon), with strong correlation between the preoperative score and the postoperative improvement during this period (r=-0.614, p<0.001, Spearman). After one month, patients reached in average 87.15% of the result obtained at the study termination. Smokers and patients with rhinitis and/or pulmonary comorbidity showed increased average preoperative NOSE scores, although without statistical significance (p>0.05). Gender, age, history of rhinitis and presence of pulmonary comorbidity did not influence significantly surgical outcomes (p>0.05). Smokers presented greater reduction in NOSE scores during the study (p=0.043, U-Mann-Whitney). CONCLUSION: Septoplasty with bilateral outfracture of the inferior turbinate has proven to significantly improve disease-specific quality-of-life and this favorable outcome seems to occur precociously.

Assuntos