-Context -Intestinal parasites induce detectable histopathological changes, which have been studied in groups with known diagnosis of parasitic disease. There is no available study with a larger base without previous diagnosis. Objective -To describe clinical and histopathological findings of parasitosis diagnosed by endoscopic biopsy in patients submitted to upper digestive endoscopy.Methods -Recorded biopsies archive at "Complexo Hospitalar Professor Edgar Santos", a general teaching Hospital in the state of Bahia, Northeast Brazil, from January 1995 to January 2009, were reviewed. One thousand ten duodenal biopsy reports were found. Reports positive for parasites had their specimens reviewed and photographed. All blocks of biopsy selected as case were retrieved and reviewed by an experienced pathologist. Clinical, laboratorial and endoscopic data were collected. Results -Eleven biopsies showed parasites, including cases of Cryptosporidium sp. and Strongyloides stercoralis. Vomiting (91%), abdominal pain (78%), diarrhea (78%) and weight loss (78%) were usual symptoms. Seventy-five percent had duodenal mucosa changes on endoscopy, while 25% have no changes. Anemia and low serum albumin were important laboratorial data. HIV infection association was observed. Villus atrophy and reactive epithelium were usual in Strongyloides cases. Conclusions -No endoscopic or histopathologic finding was pathognomonic. One percent of duodenal endoscopic biopsies showed parasites.

Atherosclerotic disease of the extracranial carotid arteries can cause complications with high morbidity and mortality rates. The contrast imaging examinations used in preoperative evaluation are associated with complications such as parotitis, in addition to well-known allergic reactions and renal dysfunction. A high carotid bifurcation or atherosclerotic disease that extends distally are often limiting factors for conventional surgical treatment. However, when iodinated contrast is contraindicated or endovascular treatment is not feasible, knowledge of surgical techniques that allow safe endarterectomy is required. Subluxation of the mandible has proven to be a safe and effective adjuvant technique that is easy to perform and reproducible, providing access to high carotid bifurcations with good exposure of the surgical field and allowing endarterectomy to be performed with a standard technique. We present the case of a patient with a high carotid bifurcation and limitations for use of iodinated contrast who underwent carotid endarterectomy after subluxation of the mandible.Keywords: carotid artery diseases; parotitis; endarterectomy; angioplasty; jaw fixation techniques; mandible. ResumoA doença aterosclerótica das carótidas extracranianas pode resultar em complicações com alta morbidade e mortalidade. A avaliação pré-operatória com exames contrastados de imagem é associada a complicações como a parotidite, além das já bem conhecidas reações alérgicas e da disfunção renal. A bifurcação carotídea alta e a doença aterosclerótica de extensão cranial costumam ser fatores limitantes para o tratamento cirúrgico convencional. Entretanto, quando há contraindicação ao uso de contraste iodado ou impossibilidade do tratamento endovascular, há a necessidade do conhecimento de técnicas cirúrgicas que permitam a realização da endarterectomia com segurança. A subluxação da mandíbula se mostrou uma técnica adjuvante segura e efetiva, de fácil execução e reprodutibilidade, possibilitando o acesso a bifurcações carotídeas altas com boa exposição do campo cirúrgico e permitindo a realização da endarterectomia conforme a técnica padrão. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente com bifurcação carotídea alta e com limitações para uso do contraste iodado que foi submetida a endarterectomia carotídea após subluxação de mandíbula.