OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between different types of child maltreatment and the presence of psychiatric disorders in highly vulnerable children and adolescents served by a multidisciplinary program. METHODS: In total, 351 patients with a mean age of 12.47, of whom 68.7% were male and 82.1% lived in shelters, underwent psychiatric evaluations based on the Kiddie-Sads-Present and Lifetime Version. Two different methods were used to evaluate maltreatment: medical records were reviewed to identify previous diagnoses related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was used to obtain a structured history of trauma. Bivariate associations were evaluated between psychiatric disorders and evidence of each type and the frequency of abuse. RESULTS: The most frequent psychiatric diagnoses were substance use disorders, affective disorders and specific disorders of early childhood, whereas 13.67% of the sample had no psychiatric diagnosis. All patients suffered neglect, and 58.4% experienced physical or sexual abuse. The presence of a history of multiple traumas was only associated with a diagnosis of substance use disorder. Mental retardation showed a strong positive association with reported physical abuse and emotional neglect. However, a negative correlation was found when we analyzed the presence of a history of multiple traumas and mental retardation. CONCLUSION: All children living in adverse conditions deserve careful assistance, but we found that physical abuse and emotional neglect were most strongly associated with mental retardation and multiple traumas with substance abuse.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to present a surgical technique used to treat epiphora secondary to difficult cases of lacrimal pathway obstruction after fractures, previous surgery or anatomic abnormalities. Methods: From January 2001 to December 2002 we treated 27 patients with complicated lacrimal pathway obstruction secondary to fractures (10 cases), previous nasal surgery (4 cases), failure of a previous ipsilateral dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR; 6 cases), or failure of a previous contralateral DCR (7 cases). A DCR through an external approach was performed by placing a double concentric intubation in the lacrimal sac and nasal fossa, with the additional introduction of an interpositional silicone structure within a third hollow tube anchored to the sac entrance. Results: The results were evaluated according to the absence of tearing, the emptiness of the lacrimal meniscus, and the permeability of the lacrimal system after forced liquid infusion. Globally, the technique was effective in 85 percent of cases. The results were satisfactory in 90% of cases of postraumatic epiphora, in 75% of patients with previous surgery, in 83% of patients with previous ipsilateral DCR, and in 71% of patients with failed DCR in the contralateral eye. Conclusions: The double intubation technique is a good option in lower lacrimal system obstructions when conventional techniques have a high index of failure.

Objetivo: Presentar un sistema para corregir quirúrgicamente la epífora ante obstrucciones del sistema lagrimal que se presentan de difícil resolución por alteraciones en fosa nasal, traumatismos o cirugía previa. Métodos: Se realiza una dacriocistorrinostomía (DCR) por vía externa, colocando una doble intubación concéntrica a nivel de saco lagrimal y fosa nasal introduciendo un elemento de interposición macizo de silicona en otro cilindro hueco, anclado en la abertura del saco. Se practicó la técnica en 27 casos durante los años 2001 y 2002, en pacientes afectados por traumatismos faciales con fractura ósea que compromete el sistema lagrimal (diez casos), con cirugía nasal previa (cuatro casos), con DCR fallida previa en el mismo lado (seis casos), y con DCR previa fallida en ojo contralateral (siete casos). Resultados: Son valorados según la ausencia de lagrimeo, el vaciamiento del menisco lagrimal, y la permeabilidad objetivable del sistema lagrimal mediante paso forzado de líquido. Los Resultados globales indican una tasa de eficacia de la técnica de un 85%. El análisis por grupos refleja una eficacia del 90% en pacientes con traumatismo facial previo, del 75% en pacientes sometidos a cirugía nasal previa, del 83% en operados de DCR previa en el mismo ojo, y del 71% en operados de DCR con mal resultado en el ojo contralateral. Conclusiones: El método presentado nos parece una buena solución en los casos de obstrucciones bajas del sistema lagrimal de pacientes con patología previa, en los que sospechamos un fracaso al enfrentarnos a la cirugía convencional de repermeabilización.

Case report: Patient with a recurrent carcinoma of the nasal fossae affecting the internal orbital wall. The intraorbital content was not affected. The orbital wall was reconstructed with a prolene double mesh anchored to the periosteum. Discussion: Prolene mesh as a substitute of the orbital wall. Good stability and isolation of the intraorbital structures were observed. Ocular motility was completely normal after surgery without prolene mesh displacements. The prolene double mesh is a good surgical option to replace missing bone in the reconstruction of the internal orbital wall.

Caso clínico: Paciente con carcinoma recidivante de fosa nasal que invade pared orbitaria interna, sin afectar al contenido orbitario. Se emplea, para la reconstrucción, una malla doble de prolene anclada a periostio. Discusión: El prolene es un material adecuado para sustituir la pared orbitaria, proporcionando estabilidad a la órbita sin afectar a su contenido. Tras la cirugía la motilidad ocular es normal y la malla no tiene desplazamiento. Ésta es una buena opción para reemplazar el hueso extirpado en los casos en que sea necesario realizar una reconstrucción de la pared orbitaria interna.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the results of three materials used for frontal muscle suspension in the treatment of palpebral ptosis. Methods: Sixty-six eyes in 46 patients with palpebral ptosis were operated with a modified Fox technique. The suspension was performed with autologous fascia lata in 18 cases (group 1), criopreserved fascia lata in 23 cases (group 2), silicone in 15 cases (group 3), and PTFE in 20 cases (group 4). The results were evaluated according to the height symmetry of the palpebral opening and the improvement in visual capacity. Results: The results were considered satisfactory in 16 patients (88%) in group 1, 19 cases (82%) in group 2, 12 cases (80%) in group 3, and 18 cases (90%) in group 4. Complications included the loss of correction with recurrent palpebral ptosis requiring revision surgery, or foreign body granuloma formation. The highest complication rate occurred in group 4 (40%), and the lowest in group 1 (5%). Two thirds of the patients with recurrent ptosis were included in the group of younger patients. Conclusions: Autologous or homologous fascia lata is superior to silicone or PTFE when used as a suspension material in the treatment of palpebral ptosis.

Objetivo: Realizar un estudio comparativo de los diferentes materiales utilizados en la suspensión al frontal en casos de ptosis palpebral. Métodos: Se intervienen 66 ojos (46 pacientes) mediante la técnica de Fox modificada, en el grupo 1 (18 casos) utilizando fascia lata autóloga, en el grupo 2 (23 casos) utilizando fascia lata criopreservada, en el grupo 3 (15 casos) utilizando silicona y en el grupo 4 (20 casos) utilizando PTFE. Se realiza un seguimiento postoperatorio de al menos dos años, analizando la eficacia del método y las complicaciones. Resultados: La eficacia obtenida, considerando como tal la liberación del eje visual y la simetría en la altura de la hendidura palpebral en el grupo 1 es de un 88% (16 casos), en el grupo 2 de un 82% (19 casos), en el grupo 3 de un 80% (12 casos) y en el grupo 4 de un 90% (18 casos). Las complicaciones, considerando como tales la necesidad de reintervención por descenso de párpado, o la formación de granulomas fue de un 40% (ocho casos) en el grupo 4, de un 33% (cinco casos) en el grupo 3, de un 17% (cuatro casos) en el grupo 2, y del 5% (un caso) en el grupo 1. El 74% de los casos que descendieron pertenecían al grupo de menor edad. Conclusiones: La fascia lata, autóloga o procedente de banco resulta un material superior, para su empleo en la suspensión, a la silicona y al PTFE.

Purpose: To elucidate the possibilities and indications of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the study of the orbit and its contents. Methods: Orbital anatomy was studied in sliced specimens of fifteen fresh frozen cadavers and the results were compared with those obtained in thirty asymptomatic subjects who underwent a magnetic resonance with 1.5 Tesla equipment. The information obtained was used to interpret the findings in twenty-two patients with various orbital diseases. Results: High-resolution MRI allows visualization of structures difficult to assess previously, like the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the optic nerve, the complete intraorbital route and the exit of the third cranial nerve, the ophthalmic artery and the intraorbital relationships of the sixth cranial nerve, which can be clearly differentiated from the lateral rectus muscle. Conclusions: High-resolution MRI is a very useful tool for the study of the orbit and its content. It provides accurate diagnoses through non-invasive procedures and facilitates the planning of the surgical approaches by improving the visualization of pathologic orbital structures.

Objetivo: Conocer las posibilidades de la Resonancia Magnética de alto campo en el estudio de la órbita y su contenido. Métodos: Se han realizado cortes anatómicos en 15 cadáveres a fin de analizar las estructuras orbitarias y vecinas, comparando éstas con los hallazgos obtenidos en 30 sujetos sanos a los que fue realizada una Resonancia Magnética (RM) con equipo dotado de 1.5 TESLA. Asimismo se incorporaron al estudio comparativo un grupo de 22 pacientes portadores de patología orbitaria diversa. Resultados: Se pueden identificar con este tipo de sistema de exploración estructuras hasta ahora difícilmente asequibles, tales como el L.C.R. que acompaña al fascículo óptico, la salida y recorrido completos del III par craneal, la arteria oftálmica y las relaciones del VI par craneal en el interior de la órbita, que con este método puede ser bien diferenciable de la estructura del músculo recto externo. Conclusiones: La Resonancia Magnética de alto campo o de alta resolución es un procedimiento de exploración muy útil para el estudio de la órbita y su contenido, lo cual permite avanzar en el diagnóstico por métodos escasamente invasivos y facilita la preparación de los abordajes quirúrgicos, al mostrar con buena nitidez el estado de las diferentes estructuras orbitarias afectadas por patología.