Francisco Tustumi

Anti-ribosomal P protein: a novel antibody in autoimmune hepatitis.

Autoantibodies to ribosomal P proteins (anti‐rib P) are specific serological markers for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and are associated with liver involvement in this disease. The similarity in autoimmune background between autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and SLE‐associated hepatitis raises the possibility that anti‐rib P antibodies might also have relevance in AIH.

An image correction protocol to reduce distortion for 3-T stereotactic MRI.

BACKGROUND Image distortion limits application of direct 3-T magnetic resonance imaging for stereotactic functional neurosurgery. OBJECTIVE To test the application of a method to correct and curtail image distortion of 3-T magnetic resonance images. METHODS We used a phantom head model mounted on a platform with the dimensions and features of a stereotactic frame. The phantom was scanned within the head coil of a Philips Achieva 3T X series (Philips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, the Netherlands). For each scan, 2 images were obtained-the normal and the reversed images. We applied the inverted gradient correction protocol to produce a corrected x, y, and z coordinates. We applied the Cronbach test or coefficient of reliability to assess the internal consistency of the data. RESULTS For all analyzed data, the P value was >.05, indicating that the differences among the observers were not statistically significant. Moreover, the data rectification proved to be effective, as the average distortion after correction was 1.05 mm. The distortion varied between 0.7 mm and 3.7 mm, depending on the target location. CONCLUSION This study examined a rectifying technique for correcting geometric distortion encountered in magnetic resonance images related to static field inhomogeneities (resonance offsets), and the technique proved to be highly successful in producing consistently accurate stereotactic target registration. The technique is applicable to all routinely used spin-echo MRI.

Sensory testing in patients with hemodialysis-associated carpal tunnel syndrome submitted to surgical decompression.

BackgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compression neuropathy of the upper limb. Close to 5% of patients with chronic renal failure who need hemodialysis present CTS. Clinical history and physical examination remain the most adequate tools for diagnosis, and there is still controversy regarding the most reliable test to complement it. Evaluation of sensory thresholds using Pressure-Specified Sensory Device (PSSD) has become an important instrumental test. MethodThis study aimed to determine the values of pressure sensory thresholds using the PSSD before and after treatment of CTS in a special group of patients who underwent chronic hemodialysis. The PSSD incorporates a pressure transducer linked to a computer capable of measuring the cutaneous pressure thresholds referred by the patient. Two groups were compared as follows: group 1, patients with hemodialysis-related CTS; and group 2, CTS in non–hemodialysis patients. The following measurements were assessed: static one point, moving one point, static two points, and moving two points. ResultsThere was improvement (lower thresholds) in the postoperative measurements in all parameters assessed in group 1, and improvements in all parameters except the moving one point test in group 2. ConclusionsNerve decompression, as expected, can be considered a good treatment of CTS even in more severe cases as in those patients under hemodialysis. The PSSD tests were reliable to confirm the diagnosis and thus to indicate the decompression. It is even more beneficial to provide a comparison between preoperative and postoperative data and different causes of CTS.

Esophageal achalasia: a risk factor for carcinoma. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Achalasia of the cardia is associated with an increased risk of esophageal carcinoma. The real burden of achalasia at the malignancy genesis is still a controversial issue. Therefore, there are no generally accepted recommendations on follow-up evaluation for achalasia patients. This study aims to estimate the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in achalasia patients. We searched for association between carcinoma and esophageal achalasia in databases up to January 2017 to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 1,046 studies were identified from search strategy, of which 40 were selected for meta-analysis. A cumulative number of 11,978 esophageal achalasia patients were evaluated. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma was 312.4 (StDev 429.16) cases per 100,000 patient-years at risk. The incidence of adenocarcinoma was 21.23 (StDev 31.6) cases per 100,000 patient-years at risk. The prevalence for esophageal carcinoma was 28 carcinoma cases in 1,000 esophageal achalasia patients (CI 95% 2, 39). The prevalence for squamous cell carcinoma was 26 cases in 1,000 achalasia patients (CI 95% 18, 39) and for adenocarcinoma was 4 cases in 1,000 achalasia patients (CI 95% 3, 6).The absolute risk increase for squamous cell carcinoma was 308.1 and for adenocarcinoma was 18.03 cases per 100,000 patients per year. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis estimating the burden of achalasia as an esophageal cancer risk factor. The high increased risk rate for cancer in achalasia patients points to a strict endoscopic surveillance for these patients. Also, the increased risk for developing adenocarcinoma in achalasia patients suggests fundoplication after myotomy, to avoid esophageal reflux and Barret esophagus, a known risk factor for adenocarcinoma.

PROGNOSTIC FACTORS AND SURVIVAL ANALYSIS IN ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA

ABSTRACT Background: Despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, esophageal cancer still has high mortality. Prognostic factors associated with patient and with disease itself are multiple and poorly explored. Aim: Assess prognostic variables in esophageal cancer patients. Methods: Retrospective review of all patients with esophageal cancer in an oncology referral center. They were divided according to histological diagnosis (444 squamous cell carcinoma patients and 105 adenocarcinoma), and their demographic, pathological and clinical characteristics were analyzed and compared to clinical stage and overall survival. Results: No difference was noted between squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma overall survival curves. Squamous cell carcinoma presented 22.8% survival after five years against 20.2% for adenocarcinoma. When considering only patients treated with curative intent resection, after five years squamous cell carcinoma survival rate was 56.6 and adenocarcinoma, 58%. In patients with squamous cell carcinoma, poor differentiation histology and tumor size were associated with worse oncology stage, but this was not evidenced in adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: Weight loss (kg), BMI variation (kg/m²) and percentage of weight loss are factors that predict worse stage at diagnosis in the squamous cell carcinoma. In adenocarcinoma, these findings were not statistically significant.

Distortion Correction Protocol For 3-T Stereotactic Mri: A Clinical Study

BACKGROUND With application of 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to functional neurosurgery procedures and given the inherent requirement of millimetric precision, the need to develop a method for correction of geometric image distortion emerged. The aim of this study was to demonstrate clinical safety and practical viability of a correction protocol in patients scheduled to undergo stereotactic procedures using 3T MRI. METHODS This prospective study comprised 20 patients scheduled to undergo computed tomography (CT) stereotactic functional procedures or encephalic brain lesion biopsies. The CT images were references for MRI geometric accuracy calculations. For each scan, 2 images were obtained: normal and reversed images. Eight distinct points on CT and MRI were selected summing 152 points that were based on a power analysis calculation value >0.999. One patient was excluded because of the inability to find reliable common landmark points on CT and MRI. RESULTS The distortion range was 0-5.6 mm and increased proportionally with stereotactic isocenter distance, meaning the distortion was greater in the periphery. After correction, the minimum and maximum distortion found was 0 mm and 3.5 mm, respectively. There was no significant difference between CT and MRI corrected x-coordinates (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The proposed method can satisfactorily correct geometric distortions in clinical 3T MRI studies. Clinical use of the technique can be practical and efficient after software automation of the process. The method can be applied to all spin-echo MRI sequences.

Cholecystectomy in Patients Submitted to Bariatric Procedure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Weight loss following bariatric surgery increases risk for biliary stones. This study performed a meta-analysis evaluating cholecystectomy risks in bariatric patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. We evaluated the incidence rate for biliary complications in patients followed after bariatric surgery. We compared the risks for mortality, complications, and in hospital stay among patient submitted to cholecystectomy before, concomitantly with or after bariatric surgery, as well as patients submitted to bariatric surgery and cholecystectomy, and patients submitted only to bariatric surgery in order to evaluate when to perform cholecystectomy in morbidly obese patients. The incidence rate of biliary complications was 5.54 cases/1000 patient year. The addition of cholecystectomy to bariatric surgery resulted in an increased risk for complications (RD = 0.02). The risk for complications (RD = − 0.09) and reoperation (RD = − 0.02) was lower when performed concomitantly with bariatric surgery compared to post-bariatric procedure. Prophylactic cholecystectomy may be avoided. Patients submitted to bariatric surgery have low incidence rate of biliary complications, and concomitant cholecystectomy increases the risk for postoperative complications and operative time. If cholecystectomy is not indicated, patients should be carefully followed with attention for biliary complications, once cholecystectomy performed post-bariatric surgery is at higher risk for complications and reoperations.

Long term follow-up results of surgical management of chronic pancreatitis

Background: Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive loss of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function. Surgical procedures are required in cases of intractable pain, biliary obstruction or intestinal obstruction, complications from pseudocysts, or pancreatic fistulae. Objective: To assess the outcomes after surgical management of chronic pancreatitis, in a long-term follow-up. Methods: Patients that underwent surgical management of chronic pancreatitis,from 2006 to 2017, were reviewed. Demographics and complications of the procedures were recorded. Visual analogue pain scale was used for pain control evaluation. The 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire was used for quality of life assessment. Results: Sixty-five patients were included in the study. Mean follow-up was 60.26 months. Twenty patients underwent lateral pancreatojejunostomy, 22 to Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomy, 7 to transgastric cyst-gastrostomy,1 to Frey procedure, 4 to hepaticojejunostomy, 1 to Frey procedure and hepaticojejunostomy, 1 to lateral pancreatojejunostomy and cyst-gastrostomy, 7 to lateral pancreatojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy and 2 to cystojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy. No cases of perioperative deaths were recorded. A Pancreatic fistula was found in 5 cases, and all of them followed non-operative management. Of the 65 patients included in the study, 39 answered the questionnaires. Mean scores on SF-12, physical and mental scales were respectively 42.72 ± 10.76 and 49.84 ± 11.75. Conclusion: Surgical management of chronic pancreatitis is safe, with low mortality and morbidity rates. These procedures are effective in assuaging pain and in providing good quality of life.

Detection value of free cancer cells in peritoneal washing in gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Intraperitoneal free cancer cells in gastric adenocarcinoma are associated with a poor outcome. However, the true prognostic value of intraperitoneal free cancer cells is still unclear, leading to a lack of consensus in the management of gastric cancer. The aim of the present study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze intraperitoneal free cancer cells-positive patients with regard to tumor oncologic stage, recurrence, grade of cellular differentiation, and survival rates and to analyze the clinical significance of intraperitoneal free cancer cells with regard to prognosis. Databases were searched up to January 2016 for prognostic factors associated with intraperitoneal free cancer cells, including oncologic stage, depth of neoplasm invasion, lymph nodal spread, differentiation grade of the tumor, and recurrence and survival rates. A total of 100 studies were identified. Meta-analysis revealed a clear association between intraperitoneal free cancer cells and a poor prognosis. intraperitoneal free cancer cells -positive patients had higher rates of nodal spread (risk difference: 0.29; p<0.01), serosal invasion (risk difference: 0.43; p<0.01), recurrence (after 60 months of follow-up, risk difference: 0.44; p<0.01), and mortality (after 60 months of follow-up, risk difference: 0.34; p<0.01). Intraperitoneal free cancer cells are associated with a poor outcome in gastric cancer. This surrogate biomarker should be used to guide therapy both prior to and after surgery.

Prospective study on tactile sensitivity in the hands of a brazilian population using the pressure-specified sensory device

Objective: To evaluate the pressure perception thresholds on the pulp of two fingers (index and little fingers), among a Brazilian population with no nerve injury or neuropathy. Methods: We used the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device (a computerized device) to derive static and dynamic normal pressure perception thresholds and two-point discrimination distances. Results: We tested finger sensitivity on 30 volunteers. Significance analyses were performed using the Student t test. The mean values (g/mm2) for static one and two-point pressure thresholds (s1PD, s2PD) and dynamic one and two-point discrimination (m1PD, m2PD) in the dominant index finger were: s1PD = 0.4, m1PD = 0.4, s2PD = 0.48, m2PD = 0.51. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in sensitivity between the dominant and nondominant hands.