Resumo O tumor fibroso solitário (TFS) é um tumor benigno raro de células fusiformes de natureza mesenquimatosa que geralmente ocorre na pleura, mas pode existir noutras localizações, nomeadamente na região da cabeça e pescoço, podendo envolver a órbita, a cavidade oral e os seios perinasais. Na literatura apenas existem três casos reportados de TFS do canal auditivo externo. Descreve-se o quarto caso e realiza-se uma revisão da literatura. Uma doente de 27 anos apresentou-se com uma neoformação na parede posterior do canal auditivo externo, condicionando hipoacusia de condução de grau ligeiro e episódios de otorreia. O estudo imagiológico revelou margens regulares e ausência de invasão dos tecidos adjacentes. Foi realizada a excisão cirúrgica completa da lesão. Histologicamente era composta por células fusiformes, com áreas de hipo e hipercelularidade, tendo a análise revelado positividade para CD34, vimentina, CD99, BCL2 e STAT-6. Aos seis meses de seguimento, não apresentava sinais de recidiva.

Abstract A solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) is a rare benign spindle-cell neoplasm of mesenchymal origin that commonly arises in the pleura but can occur in other locations such as head and neck, in particular in the orbit, oral cavity and paranasal sinuses. In the literature, there are only three reported cases of SFT in the external auditory canal. We present the fourth case and review the literature. A 27-year-old female presented with a neoplasm on the posterior wall of the external auditory canal with mild conductive hearing loss and ear discharge episodes. Imaging studies revealed regular margins and no invasion of the surrounding tissues. A complete surgical excision was made. Histologically, the mass comprised spindle cells with areas of hypo and hypercellularity, and immunohistochemically, there was a positive reaction for CD34, vimentin, CD99, BCL2 and STAT-6. After 6 months of follow-up, there were no signs of recurrence.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate and model the hygroscopic equilibrium and isosteric heat curves of pericarp and endosperm tissues of arabica (Coffea arabica) coffee fruit, in different temperature and relative humidity conditions. Sorption isotherms were drawn under temperatures from 20°C to 70°C and relative humidity ranging between 10% and 90% until the product reached the equilibrium water content with the environment. The experiment was set up in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme (four relative humidity of the drying air and three tissues of the coffee cherry pericarp + endosperm [1: exocarp + part of the mesocarp, 2: mesocarp, 3: endocarp, 4: endosperm]), in a completely randomized design, with three repetitions. The results were examined by analysis of variance and regression using the STATISTICA 5.0 statistical software. Among the analyzed models, the ones that best fit the experimental data were modified GAB, for exocarp + part of mesocarp and mesocarp, modified Henderson, for endocarp, and Sabbab for endosperm. It was observed that, for all treatments, the lower water contents required a higher amount of energy to reach the equilibrium water content, and the integral isosteric heat decreased with the increasing equilibrium water content.

INTRODUÇÃO: A traqueotomia é um dos procedimentos cirúrgicos mais frequentes em doentes críticos internados em unidades de terapia intensiva. O seu timing ideal é ainda, apesar de décadas de experiência, uma questão controversa. OBJETIVOS: Determinar o impacto da realização de traqueotomias precoces em doentes críticos na duração da ventilação mecânica, do internamento na unidade de terapia intensiva, do internamento hospitalar, e mortalidade e morbidade. MÉTODO: Estudo observacional retrospectivo dos casos submetidos à traqueotomia eletiva em uma das unidades de terapia intensiva do nosso hospital durante 5 anos consecutivos. Os doentes foram divididos em dois grupos, tendo sido submetidos a traqueotomias precoces (até o 7º dia de ventilação mecânica, inclusive) ou tardias (após o 7º dia de ventilação mecânica), e os resultados foram comparados. RESULTADOS: Nos doentes submetidos a uma traqueotomia precoce verificou-se uma redução estatisticamente significativa na duração da ventilação mecânica (6 dias vs. 19 dias; p < 0,001), na duração do internamento na unidade de terapia intensiva (10 dias vs. 28 dias; p = 0,001) e na incidência de pneumonia associada ao ventilador (1 caso vs. 44 casos; p = 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A traqueotomia precoce tem um impacto positivo estatisticamente significativo nos doentes críticos. Os resultados suportam a tendência de equilibrar o risco-benefício em favor da traqueotomia precoce.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheotomy is one of the most frequent surgical procedures performed in critically ill patients hospitalized at intensive care units. The ideal timing for a tracheotomy is still controversial, despite decades of experience. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of performing early tracheotomies in critically ill patients on duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, overall hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality. METHODS: Retrospective and observational study of cases subjected to elective tracheotomy at one of the intensive care units of this hospital during five consecutive years. The patients were stratified into two groups: early tracheotomy group (tracheotomy performed from day one up to and including day seven of mechanical ventilation) and late tracheotomy group (tracheotomy performed after day seven). The outcomes of the groups were compared. RESULTS: In the early tracheotomy group, there was a statistically significant reduction in duration of mechanical ventilation (6 days vs. 19 days; p < 0.001), duration of intensive care unit stay (10 days vs. 28 days; p = 0.001), and incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (1 case vs. 44 cases; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Early tracheotomy has a significant positive impact on critically ill patients hospitalized at this intensive care unit. These results support the tendency to balance the risk-benefit analysis in favor of early tracheotomy.