No abstract

Laryngeal papillomatosis is one of the first diseases where interferon (IFN) was found to be effective. In 1983, a programme for the treatment of all such cases started in Cuba. Up to December 1991, 125 patients (92 children, 33 adults) have been treated: 102 with leucocyte IFN-α, 12 with recombinant IFN-α-2b, and 11 have received both preparations. Case management consisted of surgical removal of the lesions followed by an IFN schedule starting with 105 IU/kg of weight in children or 6 × 106 IU in adults, i.m. daily. The dose was progressively reduced, as long as no relapses occurred. At the end of the one-year schedule the doses were reduced to 5 × 104 IU/kg in children or 3 × 106 IU in adults, weekly. If there was a relapse, it was removed surgically and the patient returned to a higher dose level. Most cases (89; 71 per cent) have not relapsed after the treatment; 60 of them have been followed for more than three years. In those with relapses, the frequency of recurrence decreased in all but four patients. The treatment seemed to be more effective if initiated less than three months after the disease onset. The tracheostomy could be removed in five out of seven patients who needed it before the IFN treatment and was necessary in only three new cases during IFN treatment. In two of these, decannulation was possible later on. In a total of 14 patients relapses persisted after several cycles of IFN treatment. They were considered resistant to such treatment. No severe side effects were reported. The most frequent ones were fever, drowsiness, increased bronchial secretion, chills and headache. The establishment of this programme has maintained the disease under control in Cuba.

RESUMOIntrodução: A melhoria da acuidade diagnóstica do enfarte do omento resultou num incremento da atitude conservadora no seu tratamento. Com o objectivo de avaliar a eficácia e segurança da abordagem não-operatória, analisámos os casos de enfarte do omento tratados num hospital terciário. Material e Métodos: Incluímos os casos de enfarte do omento primários tratados entre 2004 e 2011. Os enfartes do omento diagnosticados por imagiologia foram submetidos a tratamento conservador que constou de analgésicos e antibioterapia intravenosa. Avaliámos os dados demográficos, apresentação clínica, dados laboratoriais, imagiologia e resultado. Resultados: Ocorreram nove casos de enfarte do omento. Oito pacientes (4 rapazes), com uma idade mediana de 8,5 anos, apresentaram-se na fase inicial da doença por dor abdominal à direita; a contagem leucocitária era normal ou ligeiramente elevada. Seis casos, diagnosticados por TC após ecografia suspeita de enfarte do omento em quatro, foram trados conservadoramente sem complicações, tendo alta ao terceiro dia (mediana). Dois doentes foram apenas diagnosticados durante a intervenção cirúrgica por suposta apendicite. O nono caso apresentou-se com uma obstrução intestinal devida a hérnia interna que foi resolvida por laparoscopia. Discussão: A imagiologia foi diagnóstica na maioria dos casos de enfarte do omento, permitindo a adoção de uma abordagem conservadora. O tratamento não-operatório foi eficaz e sem complicações em todos os doentes que se apresentaram na fase inicial da doença. Um doente apresentou-se com uma complicação grave que requereu intervenção cirúrgica. Conclusão: Na ausência de um tratamento consensual para o enfarte do omento, a abordagem não-operatória é uma alternativa não invasiva e eficaz, mas requer uma vigilância clínica ativa. Palavras-chave: Enfarte; Omento.ABSTRACT Introduction: Accurate recognition of omental infarction has resulted in increasing supporters of non-operative approach. In order to assess the efficacy and safety of conservative management, we surveyed the cases of omental infarction treated at a single institution. Material and Methods: Primary omental infarction treated between 2004 and 2011 were reviewed. Cases recognized by imaging studies were submitted to conservative treatment that consisted of intravenous analgesics and antibiotics. Demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, imaging diagnosis and outcome were analyzed.Results: There were 9 cases of omental infarction. Eight patients (4 males; median age, 8.5 years) presented at initial course of disease; all had right-sided abdominal pain and a normal or lightly increased leukocyte count. Six cases, diagnosed by CT scan after US suspicion in four, were managed conservatively, recovered uneventfully, and were discharged after a median hospital stay of 3 days. Two patients were only recognized at surgery. An additional case presented with intestinal obstruction due to an internal hernia and was successfully resolved by laparoscopy. Discussion: Imaging techniques were d...

Abnormalities of the CNS, such as arhinencephaly or holoprosencephaly, are common findings in trisomy 13 syndrome. However, neural tube defects (NTDs) are rarely reported. A review of 267 patients in the literature on reported CNS developmental defects in trisomy 13 syndrome showed only 6 patients with lumbosacral NTDs. No case of encephalocele or anencephaly was found. We report on 3 patients with spina bifida from the records of 34 necropsies of karyotyped trisomy 13 syndrome, which were found among 403,710 births.