Recently, horse breeding has achieved greater prominence in the Brazilian society and now it started to appear as a part of the Brazilian agribusiness. The state of Minas Gerais stands out as the main producer of equidae in Brazil. The aim of this work was to characterize the breeding of equidae in this State in order to support future researches in this sector. By the evaluation of records from 1990 to 2009 provided by the "Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics" (IBGE) and also 967 interviews with breeders of equidae, it was possible to characterize some important points. It was observed that equidae breeding in this State moves over R$1,500,000,000 per year and employs 86,000 people. The main investments of the properties are made in purchasing saddles, accessories and commercial feeds. The main goal of equidae breeders in Minas Gerais has been the work in rural properties (49.49%) complementing many farming activities, especially the work with cows. Although Minas Gerais holds the main herd of equidae in the country, the number of animals has decreased. On the one hand, the equidae breeding sector has demonstrated its social and economic importance in agribusiness; on the other, hand further researches are needed to develop public policies to improve the breeding of equidae in Minas Gerais.

The present study aimed to compare the morphometric measurements of Mangalarga Marchador horses of batida and picada marcha. Twenty-two linear and eight angular measurements of 222 males (130 of batida marcha and 92 of picada marcha) and 266 females (168 of batida marcha and 98 picada marcha) were compared in a completely randomized design, consisting of two treatments: horses of batida and picada marcha. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by Fisher test (P<0.05). It was concluded that most of the measures of Mangalarga Marchador horses of batida and picada marcha have similar values, however, there are differences between some angles of members.

Background: the aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors in brain abscess (AB) and influence of management with antibiotic prescribing protocols (APP). Patients and Methods: observational study of a cohort of non-paediatric patients with BA admitted at a 944-bed hospital (1976-2005). Data collection from clinical records has been done according to a standard protocol. We analysed epidemiological, clinical, radiological, microbiological and laboratory data associated with mortality. From 1976 to 1983 (Period I), antibiotic treatment was not done according to any internal APP; from 1983 (Period II), antibiotic management was done according to a APP designed by infectious diseases specialists and neurosurgeons. Predictors of mortality were identified by univariate analysis. The influence of the use of APP in outcome was assessed. Results: 104 patients with BA were included (mean age 45 years; range 12-86); presumed primary pathogenic mechanism of BA was identified in 89%; microbiologic diagnosis was made in 76%. Overall mortality was 16.3%. Factors statistically associated with higher mortality were: age > 40 years, ultimately fatal underlying disease, acute severe clinical condition at the onset of BA, altered mental status and inadequate empirical treatment; 33 patients were treated in Period I and 71 in Period II; no statistically significant differences were found between epidemiological, clinical, radiological or microbiological characteristics of the groups except for mean age (> 40 years in 36% and 62% respectively in Period I and II). Rates of resolution of BA were 60 vs. 77.4% (p < 0.05); relapses 21 vs. 7% (p < 0.05) and mortality 18 vs. 15.4% (p > 0.05), in Period I and II respectively. Conclusions: main prognostic factors associated with mortality in patients with BA are age, rapidly fatal underlying disease, acute severe clinical condition at the onset of BA, altered mental status and inadequate empirical treatment. Empiric treatment according to APP was associated with greater resolution and lower relapse rates.

Objetivos: Analizamos los factores pronósticos asociados a mortalidad en pacientes con absceso cerebral (AC) y la influencia del tratamiento antibiótico protocolizado (PA). Pacientes y Métodos: estudio observacional en un hospital universitario (1975-2005). El tratamiento antibiótico empírico se realizó sin PA (Periodo I -PI-, 1975-1983; n = 33) y de acuerdo a PA diseñado por los Servicios de MI-Infecciosas y Neurocirugía a partir de 1983 (Periodo II -PII-; n = 71); valoramos la influencia del Protocolo Terapéutico en la curación de los enfermos. Resultados: se evaluaron 104 pacientes (edad media 45 años; rango 12-86); el origen del AC se identificó en 89% y en 76% hubo confirmación microbiológica. Mortalidad, 16,3% (17/104); se asociaron de forma estadísticamente significativa a mayor mortalidad: edad > 40 años, enfermedad de base últimamente fatal, situación clínica inicial crítica-mala, presencia de alteración del estado de conciencia y tratamiento empírico no adecuado. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, radiológicas o microbiológicas de los pacientes correspondientes al PI y al PII, excepto en edad (> 40 años, 36% en PI y 62% en PII); si hubo diferencias en curaciones, 60% vs 77% (p < 0,05); recidivas 21 vs. 7% (p < 0,05) y mortalidad 18 vs. 15,4% (p > 0,05) en PI y PII, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La edad, enfermedad de base últimamente fatal, gravedad clínica inicial, presencia de alteración del nivel de conciencia y el tratamiento antibiótico empírico inadecuado son los principales factores pronósticos asociados a mayor mortalidad en pacientes con AC. La prescripción del tratamiento empírico de acuerdo con un PA consensuado se asoció con mayor porcentaje de curaciones y menor número de recidivas.

Background. Some reports have documented posterior fossa cysts resulting in syringomyelic obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow caused by cyst displacement within the foramen magnum. Rarely the syringomyelia is caused by acquired Chiari malformation due to a retrocerebellar arachnoid cyst. Objective. To report the case of a 38-year-old man with hydrocephalus and syringomyelia, who was found to have a Chiari malformation secondary to a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst. After endoscopic third ventriculostomy, the patient was submitted to foramen magnum decompression and arachnoid cyst removal that were followed by resolution of both the Chiari malformation and the syringomyelia. Discussion. In most published cases the syringomye lia has been attributed to obstruction of CSF flow at theforamen magnum by the arachnoid cyst itself. There is only one previous report of a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst producing tonsillar descent and syringomyelia. Conclusions. Posterior fossa arachnoid cysts can result in acquired Chiari malformation and syringomyelia. In our view, the management of these patients should be directed at decompressing the foramen magnum and include the removal of the walls of the coexistent arachnoid cyst as it seems to be the crucial factor that accounts for the development of the syringomyelia that these patients present.

Antecedentes. Algunos trabajos han descrito la existencia de quistes aracnoideos de fosa posterior que producían siringomielia al obstruir la circulación de liquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) por bloqueo del agujero magno ocasionado por el propio quiste. Rara vez la siringomielia asociada a quiste aracnoideo de fosa posterior es producida por malformación de Chiari adquirida. Objetivos. Publicar el caso de un hombre de 38 años con hidrocefalia y siringomielia, en el que se encontró descenso de las amígdalas cerebelosas por la presión ejercida por un quiste aracnoideo retrocerebeloso. Tras tratar primero la hidrocefalia mediante ventriculostomía neuroendoscópica, el paciente fue operado de descompresión del agujero magno y extirpación de las membranas del quiste que con dujeron a la resolución tanto del Chiari como de la siringomielia. Discusión. En la mayoría de los casos publicados la siringomielia se debía a la obstrucción de LCR en el agujero magno ocasionada por el propio quiste aracnoideo. Hemos encontrado solamente un caso previo en el que el quiste de fosa posterior era causante del descenso de las amígdalas cerebelosas y éste, a su vez, producía la siringomielia. Conclusiones. Los quistes aracnoideos de fosa posterior pueden producir descenso de las amígdalas y siringomielia. En nuestra opinión, el manejo de estos pacientes debe de encaminarse no sólo a descomprimir el agujero magno, sino también a comunicar las paredes del quiste ya que éste parece ser el principal responsable del complejo cuadro de siringomielia en estos casos.

A 4.5 year-old-girl was submitted to subtotal removal of a benign astrocytoma of the left temporal lobe with basal ganglia extension and given radiotherapy. At age 27, she was found to harbor a right posterior frontal meningioma that was totally removed. A recurrence of the right convexity meningioma was again excised after a 4-year interval. The authors report this case to illustrate the possibility of the appearance of radiationinduced meningiomas after an interval of 22 years and briefly discuss 16 previous reports on this occurrence in benign astrocytomas.

Se presenta el caso de una niña de 4 años y medio que recibió radioterapia local tras la resección casi total de un astrocitoma benigno temporal izquierdo con extensión a ganglios basales. A los 27 años fue operada con extirpación macroscópica total de un meningioma frontal posterior derecho, que recidivó y fue reoperado 4 años más tarde. El propósito de la comunicación es comentar la posibilidad de la aparición de un meningioma radioinducido 22 años después de la radioterapia y revisar brevemente 16 casos similares de meningioma tras la radioterapia en astrocitomas benignos.

Thyroid-associated orbitopathy is a debilitating disease of the visual system that is characterized by changes in the softtissues of the orbit and periorbita as a result of an inflammatory process, or as a consequence of this, and related to systemic disorders of the thyroid gland. Apart from the aesthetic changes that arise, patients may also present persistent keratitis due to exposure, diplopia, retrobulbar pain, compression of the optic nerve and even blindness. Surgery represents the definitive treatment for exophthalmos in Graves’ orbitopathy as improvements are shown in proptosis and vision. A decrease is also experienced in ocular symptomatology and there is minimal morbidity. We present the case of severe exophthalmos that was surgically operated on with an advancement osteotomy of the supero-, lateral- and infraorbital rim, with partial removal of two of the orbital walls with lipectomy. The aesthetic results and the relief of the ocular symptoms were satisfactory.

La orbitopatía tiroidea es una enfermedad debilitante del sistema visual caracterizada por presentar cambios en los tejidos blandos orbitarios y periorbitarios debidos a un proceso inflamatorio, o a la consecuencia del mismo, y que se relaciona con alteraciones sistémicas de la glándula tiroides. Aparte de las alteraciones estéticas que ocasiona, los pacientes pueden presentar queratitis de repetición por exposición, diplopia, dolor retrobulbar, compresión del nervio óptico e incluso ceguera. La cirugía constituye el tratamiento definitivo del exoftalmos en la orbitopatía de Graves, mejorando la proptosis y la visión, así como diminuyendo la sintomatología ocular, con una morbilidad mínima. Presentamos un caso de exoftalmos severo que fue intervenido mediante osteotomía y avance del marco orbitario superior, lateral e inferior, remoción parcial de dos paredes orbitarias y lipectomía. Los resultados estéticos y el alivio de la sintomatología ocular resultaron satisfactorios.