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Biomedical subjects

P H Aguiar

Publications and source records attributed to P H Aguiar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Primary central nervous system lymphomas in immunocompetent patients.

OBJECTIVES: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare pathology and is most often seen in immunodeficient patients. This article presents our casuistic of PCNSL in immunocompetent patients and make a literature review on this issue with focus on recent advances, investigations, and controversies in diagnosis and management of this pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine patients operated in the last years in our clinics are analysed in relation to sex, age, time of symptoms, procedures and adjuvant treatment. Posteriorly the results are compared with those in the preview literature. RESULTS: The age ranged from 44-68 years (middle of 66 years); 62.5% of the patients were female. The mean time of symptoms, when the diagnostic was made, was 3.2 months (range 1-6 months). The most common symptoms were hemiparesis (present in 75% of the patients) headache (37.5%) seizures (25%) and ataxia (25%). The most common localization was the parietal, frontal and temporal lobe surface with 25% of the patients for each localization. Five patients (50%) were treated with stereotactic biopsy, three with surgery (37.5%) and one (12.5%) with both of them. Five patients (62.5%) were submitted to pos-operative radiotherapy as adjuvant treatment. In relation to the histology, the most common cell type was Diffuse B Cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that complete surgical resection followed by radiotherapy have shown good results. In opposition to the literature, the authors regard chemotherapy as a secondary line treatment and recommend its use only in some selected cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Fibrous dysplasia in combination with aneurysmal bone cyst presenting as a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare tumour, representing 2.5% of all bone tumours and 7% of benign tumours. Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is also an uncommon pathology, usually associated with a secondary vascular lesion consisting of an arteriovenous malformation. In this article, we relate a case report of a young female with a rare combination of FD with aneurysmal bone cyst presenting as a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Despite the possibility of clinical treatment of these lesions, this report demonstrates that symptomatic lesions may be successfully managed by surgical resection. The authors' opinion is that this treatment should be individualised depending on particularities of each case, such as localisation of the lesion, biopsy results and image exams features. We also present a critical literature review of diagnostic methods and therapeutical options for both ABC and FD, with emphasis on controversial topics surrounding these issues.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Aggressive management of orbital meningeal melanocytoma.

OBJECTIVE: Meningeal melanocytoma generally occurs in the posterior fossa. Orbital manifestation is rarely encountered. METHODS: A thirty-five year-old man presented with progressive proptosis of his right eye. Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain showed an expansive intraconal mass lesion occupying the superior orbital compartment, the entire orbital apex, and the optic foramen. Histological analysis and Immunohistochemical staining for S-100 and HMB-45 monoclonal antibodies confirmed melanocytoma. FINDINGS: Microsurgical removal was accomplished through a fronto-orbital craniotomy. Chemotherapy and irradiation followed the initial intervention. The patient returned for follow up two years after surgery, complaining of headache and right visual loss. A subfrontal tumor with massive edema was found on follow up CT scan. INTERPRETATION: Meningeal melanocytomas are rare benign pigmented tumors of the central nervous system. They are predominant in the posterior fossa and spinal cord and frequently mistaken for melanomas, especially on frozen sections. Orbital presentation is rare. The natural history is poorly defined.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Unusual brain metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Brain metastases from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland are unusual. No consensus regarding management has yet been reached. We report a case, review the current literature, and explain our approach on the basis of clinical, pathological, and radiological data. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old woman presented with signs of intracranial hypertension. The diagnostic evaluation included chest tomography, head computed tomography, brain magnetic resonance imaging with and without contrast enhancement, total-body scanning, and cerebral scintigraphy. Multiple supratentorial lesions and one right cerebellopontine angle lesion were observed. Histopathological analysis of the surgical specimen confirmed papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland. INTERVENTION: A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed and a right suboccipital craniotomy was performed, with complete removal of the cerebellopontine angle tumor. Total-brain irradiation with 40 Gy/lesion followed the initial operation. One year after surgery, the patient presented with signs of increased intracranial pressure. A new left frontal lobe lesion with massive peritumoral edema was identified on magnetic resonance imaging scans. The edema was treated clinically and a left frontal craniotomy was performed, with complete resection of the tumor. The patient is currently faring well, with residual expressive aphasia. CONCLUSION: Surgery followed by radiotherapy seems to be a good alternative for the treatment of this specific type of metastasis. Thorough clinical and radiological evaluation, followed by genetic analysis of the surgical specimen, particularly with respect to the potential for tumor invasion under specific conditions, is recommended. The information obtained contributes to better management and better overall long-term outcomes for these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Surgical management of Guyon's canal syndrome, an ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist: report of two cases.

Guyon's canal syndrome, an ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist, is a well-recognized entity. The most common causes that involve the ulnar nerve at the wrist are compression from a ganglion, occupational traumatic neuritis, a musculotendinous arch and disease of the ulnar artery. We describe two cases of Guyon's canal syndrome and discuss the anatomy, aetiology, clinical features, anatomical classification, diagnostic criteria and treatment. It is emphasized that the knowledge of both the surgical technique and anatomy is very important for a satisfactory surgical result.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Causes and treatment of intracranial haemorrhage complicating shunting for paediatric hydrocephalus.

Intracranial haematomas are a well-known complication of shunting procedures for hydrocephalic patients. Most are subdural haematomas, and epidural haematomas are much less common in this setting. Their aetiology is thought to be due to an overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid and a rapid lowering of intracranial pressure, leading to the development of these haematomas. Since the advent of modern neuroimaging techniques, prompt diagnosis of postshunting intracranial haematoma has been possible even in asymptomatic patients. The choice between surgical and nonsurgical management of postshunting intracranial haematoma is a difficult and controversial issue, especially in asymptomatic patients. Several therapeutic options have been proposed for the treatment of postshunting intracranial haematoma. Evacuation of the haematoma by conventional neurosurgical methods with the implantation of a higher pressure valve system is the most common option adopted. Intraventricular haemorrhage is occasionally reported, chiefly in children with hydrocephalus associated with vein of Galen malformation.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
PubMed2000

Traumatic acute giant epidural hematoma in a hydrocephalic shunted child.

Extradural hematoma (EDH) is considered to be a rare complication of head trauma in children, and represents a serious and urgent pathology from which complete recovery can be expected if specialized treatment is instituted in time. In this article, the authors report the potential danger to a hydrocephalic shunted child who was apparently asymptomatic at the time of hospital admission with a mild head injury and developed an EDH of venous origin. This child had a rapid (time interval from injury to decerebrate posture of about 2 h), atypical (remained asymptomatic most of the time until abruptly deterioration) and fatal course, stressing the importance of early diagnosis and rapid therapy in order to avoid the death of the patient. The authors discuss the role of the ventriculoperitoneal shunting system in the lack of clinical symptoms associated with the presence of a giant EDH and a rapid and fatal course, and stress the importance of computed tomographic (CT) scanning in these patients, even if they are asymptomatic. If a skull fracture is suspected, a CT scan must be performed without delay.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2000

[Unusual cause for bilateral trigeminal neuralgia: unilateral racemous cysticercus of cerebellopontine angle. Case report].

We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with a racemous cystecercus in the right cerebellopontine angle (CPA), who presented with bilateral trigeminal neuralgia. The parasite was completly removed via a right suboccipital craniotomy. On the first postoperative day, the patient indicated that the pain disappeared. The neuralgia was caused by two probable mechanisms: a distortion of the brain stem and compression of the nerve against an arterial loop at the entry zone or arachnoiditis caused by the parasite in the both CPA cisternae. This case demonstrates the advisability of obtaining imaging studies in all patients with trigeminal neuralgia before starting any management. We must always remind that the cysticercus may be a differential diagnosis of CPA lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Recovery from Duret hemorrhage: a rare complication after craniotomy--case report.

A 44-year-old female presented with Duret hemorrhage due to transtentorial herniation by extradural hematoma as a complication after craniotomy for treatment of spontaneous middle cranial fossa cerebrospinal fluid leakage through the oval window. Brain computed tomography revealed linear hemorrhage in the midbrain and the rostral pons. She awoke after 2 weeks in a coma, despite showing ocular bobbing and bilateral intranuclear ophthalmoplegia. She was discharged from the hospital with minimal neurological defects. Duret hemorrhage is usually fatal, but this case shows that early surgical decompression is the most important factor to avoid the worst sequelae.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Spontaneous epidural hematoma following a shunt in an infant with congenital factor X deficiency. Case report and literature review.

The authors describe a case of an infant with congenital factor X deficiency. The patient presented with a central nervous system hemorrhage followed by hydrocephalus. He underwent a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and, during the postoperative period, developed a spontaneous epidural hematoma, which was evacuated. The clinical and pathophysiological aspects of this case are discussed based on a literature review.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Malignant ectomesenchymoma. Case report and review of the literature.

Malignant ectomesenchymoma is an uncommon neoplasm composed of neuroectodermal elements and one or more mesenchymal neoplastic elements. It is believed to arise from remnants of migratory neural crest cells (ectomesenchyme). The authors report the clinical and pathological findings of a 3-year-old girl with malignant ectomesenchymoma of the CNS. Embryogenesis of this tumor is discussed, and a review of the literature with 39 other cases is done.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Medulloblastoma in adults: analysis of a casuistics and surgical results].

We report on 15 cases of medulloblastoma of adult onset (8 male and 7 female) operated upon posterior fossa approach from February 1988 to October 1995. Tumors were localized in cerebellar hemisphere in 7 cases (one with extension to supratentorial notch and another case reaching the cerebello-pontine angle cistern), in vermis and hemisphere in four, only in vermis in another four. Resection was total in seven patients, subtotal in other seven, and partial in one. There was no operative mortality. Aspects regarding biological behavior, diagnosis, pathological findings, surgery and survival are discussed as well as prognostic factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Supratentorial meningiomas. Diagnosis, surgical results and complications].

Meningiomas are benign tumors arisising from arachnoid cells and represent the commonest asymptomatic intracranial tumors. We analysed 69 supratentorial meningiomas managed by the Neurosurgical Tumor Group of the Clinics Hospital of Medicine School of São Paulo University (September 1995 to September 1997). Age, sex, edema degree, tumor site, surgical complications and mortality were studied. Edema degree was defined by radiological methods (CT and MRI). Forty-seven patients were women and average age was 58 years. Type II of edema degree was predominant (38.7%). Twenty-nine patients had parasagital meningiomas and 40 presented convexity tumors. Simpson I resection was obtained in 48 procedures, II in 18 and III in two surgical removals. Nine cases complicated (transitory deficits, 6; permanent deficit, 1; and infection, 2). Death occurred in two patients. Morbity and mortality had relation with age, falx tumors and attempt of radical surgical removal. Edema degree did not modify mortality and morbidity rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

MR and CT imaging in the Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome. Report of three cases and contribution to pathogenesis and differential diagnosis.

Cerebral hemiatrophy or Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome is a condition characterized by seizures, facial asymmetry, contralateral hemiplegia or hemiparesis, and mental retardation. These findings are due to cerebral injury that may occur early in life or in utero. The radiological features are unilateral loss of cerebral volume and associated compensatory bone alterations in the calvarium, like thickening, hyperpneumatization of the paranasal sinuses and mastoid cells and elevation of the petrous ridge. The authors describe three cases. Classical findings of the syndrome are present in variable degrees according to the extent of the brain injury. Pathogenesis is commented.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Prevalence of antibodies to bluetongue, bovine herpesvirus 1 and bovine viral diarrhea/mucosal disease viruses in water buffaloes in Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

A serological survey to detect water buffaloes with antibodies to bluetongue virus (BTV), bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV 1) and bovine viral diarrhea/mucosal disease virus (BVD/MDV) was performed in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Precipitating antibodies against BTV were detected by the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) in 54.4% of the serum samples tested. Microplate serum-neutralization tests revealed that 14.7% and 52.7% of the water buffaloes had antibodies to BHV 1 and BVD/MDV, respectively. The prevalence of antibodies to BTV in water buffaloes under two years old was significantly lower than in adults.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Transient mutism following a posterior fossa approach to cerebellar tumors in children: a critical review of the literature.

Transient mutism has been known as a rare complication following a posterior fossa approach to cerebellar tumors and its cause has not been clearly elucidated. The cerebellar mutism is not accompanied by cranial nerve deficits and disorders of consciousness. Since 1985 only 23 cases of mutism following removal of a cerebellar tumor in children have been reported in the literature. Two additional cases have been operated upon in our department. Extensive injury to the vermian and paravermian cerebellar area, involving the hemispheric cortex, cerebellar peduncles, fibers from the dentato-thalamocortical pathway, and dentate and interpositum nuclei may be the most important anatomical substrate of mutism. The mechanism of such transient mutism seems to be a complex of two or more factors (vascular disturbances due to manipulation or retraction of the cerebellar region around the IV ventricle and emotional factors). On the basis of these 25 cases the major features of the cerebellar mutism are discussed.

Ataxia↗
PubMed1995

Proliferative activity of acoustic neurilemomas without neurofibromatosis determined by monoclonal antibody MIB 1.

Microscopic sections obtained from paraffin blocks of 30 consecutive neurilemomas stored in 1989 were investigated immunohistochemically with the new monoclonal antibody MIB 1 directed against recombinant parts of Ki-67 antigen. The immunohistochemical staining was carried out on dewaxed microwave-oven-processed paraffin sections of formalin-fixed tumour tissues. The labelling index (LI) obtained was below 1% in 21 cases, 1-3% in 7 cases and more than 3% in 2 cases. There was no correlation between the LI and the age of the patients or the tumour size. The major advantage of MIB 1 over previous immunohistochemical methods is its usefulness in long preserved sections which are ideal for retrospective studies.

Adult↗