Abstract Objectives: The authors aim to evaluate the ‘‘point-of-care’’ transfontanellar ultrasound (TU) as an extension to pediatric physical examination and suggest a TU teaching protocol. Methods: The students were randomly divided into two groups, group A (12 participants) and group B (15 participants). The first group only received theoretical training, while the second group received theoretical and practical training. A third group, group C, included 15 pediatricians and interns who also received theoretical and practical training. All the participants underwent multiple-choice testing before and after a four-hour short course on TU. Six months later, another evaluation was performed to analyze the retained knowledge. Furthermore, a questionnaire based on the Likert scale was administered to evaluate satisfaction. Results: The cognitive evaluation (maximum score = 10 points) before and after training increased in group A from 4,0 ± 1,04 to 7,5 ± 1,2 (p < 0.001) and, 6 months later, to 6,5 ± 1,16 (p < 0.003); in group B from 3,8 ± 1,24 to 8,8 ± 1,01 (p < 0.001) and, 6 months later, to 8,46 ± 0,91 (p < 0.001); and in group C from 6,0 ± 0,75 to 9,0 ± 0,75 (p < 0.001) and, 6 months later, to 8,8 ± 0,77 (p < 0.001). The average satisfaction estimated by the Likert scale was over 80% for all questions. Conclusion: Cognitive assessment before and after classes and training reveals progress in learning, with knowledge retention in 6 months. Theoretical-practical courses are well accepted.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Free intra-abdominal fluid describes an accumulation of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity. It has different etiologies, but it frequently constitutes a meaningful clinical sign. In this study, the authors interrogate whether abdominal ultrasound augments the medical students’ ability to identify free intra-abdominal fluid. METHODS: Thirty-one medical students without any previous formal ultrasound training were subjected to cognitive assessment before and after four and a half-hour of theoretical lecture and hands-on course about the diagnosis of free intra-abdominal fluid by physical examination and abdominal ultrasound. The hands-on sessions were done in healthy volunteers with a simulated peritoneal catheter and in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis with different amounts of dialysate in their cavity. RESULTS: The cognitive assessment before and after the course increased from 6.7±2.3 to 11.6±1.1 points (p<0.0001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the diagnosis of free intra-abdominal fluid were higher when students used abdominal ultrasound. The students agree with the inclusion of abdominal ultrasound in the diagnose of free intra-abdominal fluid in the undergraduate curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that incorporating abdominal ultrasound is feasible and improves medical students’ short-time competency in performing and interpreting the findings diagnostic of free intra-abdominal fluid.

RESUMO A Dissecção da Artéria Vertebral (DAV) é quadro raro que pode ser causado por movimentação de grande amplitude do pescoço, que lesiona a parede desse vaso, podendo provocar isquemia no cerebelo. Apresentamos um homem de 37 anos, com hérnia de disco e rinossinusite alérgica que lhe causava crises de espirros em salva (CE). Após uma dessas crises com ricocheteamento da cabeça, apresentou desalinhamento de C3 com dor local. Vinte e um dias depois, acometido por nova crise, apresentou cefaleia temporal esquerda, nistagmo e vertigem. Decorridos 3 dias, o paciente foi submetido a Ressoânncia Magnética (RM), que identificou 2 regiões de isquemia cerebelar e enchimento comprometido da artéria vertebral direita. Após 2 dias, foram feitos Angiotomografia Computadorizada (Angio TC), que constatou DAV direita com trombo local, sem sinais aneurismáticos, e Doppler Transcraniano, que não indicou aumento do fluxo sanguíneo dessa artéria. O tratamento sugerido envolvia administração de anticoagulante Apixabana 5mg, 12/12h, por 3 meses, até que o quadro fosse reavaliado com novas Angio TC e RM. Foi recomendado que o paciente ficasse afastado do trabalho por 1 mês e de exercícios físicos intensos por 3 meses, porém devido a contratempos, esses prazos foram prorrogados até nova consulta, 4 meses após a primeira. Os novos exames não apresentaram alterações, indicando que o quadro estava estável. Esse caso tem como objetivo indicar as possíveis investigações do diagnóstico e opções terapêuticas da rara associação entre DAV com infarto cerebelar em caso bem documentado.

SUMMARY Vertebral Artery Dissection (VAD) is a rare condition that can be caused by a wide amplitude of neck movement, which injures the vessel wall and can cause ischemia in the cerebellum. We present a 37-year-old man with herniated lumbar disc and allergic rhinosinusitis, which caused sneezing spells. After one of these bouts with a ricochet of the head, he presented C3 misalignment with local pain. Twenty-one days later, affected by a new crisis, he presented left temporal headache, nystagmus, and vertigo. After 3 days, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) identified 2 regions of cerebellar ischemia and filling failure of the right vertebral artery. After 2 days, Computed Angiotomography (CT Angiography) was performed and showed right VAD with a local thrombus, without aneurysmal signs. Transcranial Doppler did not indicate an increase in blood flow from this artery. The suggested treatment involved administration of anticoagulant Apixabana 5mg, 12/12h, for 3 months, until the condition was reevaluated with new Angio CT and MRI. It was recommended that the patient was released from work for 1 month and forbidden from doing intense physical exercises for 3 months; however, due to setbacks, these deadlines were extended until a new appointment, 4 months after the first visit. The new tests showed no changes, indicating that the condition was stable. This case aims to indicate the possible investigations of the diagnosis and therapeutic options of the rare association between VAD with cerebellar infarction in a well-documented case.

Os profissionais da área de saúde estão expostos a vários tipos de riscos ocupacionais, sendo o de maior impacto o risco biológico, devido ao contato direto com material orgânico potencialmente contaminado. A manutenção da situação vacinal atualizada é uma das ferramentas que devem ser empregadas neste contexto, além da adoção de medidas universais de biossegurança, sendo a educação fundamental neste processo. Avaliamos a situação vacinal e a percepção sobre risco biológico dos discentes da Faculdade de Medicina da UFJF em estudo observacional transversal (n = 136 alunos). Oitenta e nove alunos (65,4%) referiram estar com o cartão vacinal atualizado. Noventa e sete alunos (71,3%) receberam o esquema da hepatite B, e 99 (72,8%) o do tétano. Oitenta e seis 86 alunos (63,2%) declararam ter recebido orientação sobre imunização durante o curso. Setenta e três alunos (53,7%) já foram expostos a material potencialmente contaminado em suas atividades acadêmicas, e 97 deles (71,3%) usam equipamentos de proteção individual (EPI) nestas. Identificamos falhas na imunização (hepatite B e tétano), expondo os discentes a riscos desnecessários. A orientação relativa à imunização se mostrou insuficiente. A significativa taxa de exposição a risco biológico e o insatisfatório uso de EPIs verificados demandam maior atenção, a fim de prevenir acidentes.

Health professionals are exposed to various occupational risks, with the greatest impact from biological hazards due to direct contact with potentially contaminated organic materials. Besides adopting universal biosafety measures, adequate immunization coverage must be achieved in this context, with educational initiatives playing a crucial role in the process. This was a cross-sectional observational study of undergraduates (n = 136) at the Medical School of the Federal University in Juiz de Fora to assess their immunization status and biological risk perceptions. Eighty-nine students (65.4%) reported a complete vaccination schedule. Ninety-seven (71.3%) had received full immunization against hepatitis B and 99 (72.8%) against tetanus. Eighty-six (63.2%) reported having received immunization advice during the course. Seventy-three (53.7%) had already been exposed to potentially contaminated material during their academic activities, and 97 (71.3%) used personal protective equipment (PPE) in these contexts. We identified missed immunization doses against hepatitis B and tetanus, a situation that exposes medical students to unnecessary risks. Immunization advice was insufficient. The significant rate of exposure to biological hazards and the unsatisfactory use of PPE call for greater attention to accident prevention.

OBJETIVO: Detectar precocemente deficiência na acuidade visual de escolares e verificar sua associação com o rendimento escolar. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado em amostra de escolares do terceiro ano do Ensino Fundamental da rede pública do município de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. Foram realizados o exame de acuidade visual (AV) com o uso da Escala de Snellen e a análise do histórico escolar, bem como foi utilizado questionário autoaplicável, previamente validado. A baixa acuidade visual foi considerada quando o índice obtido pela escala foi menor ou igual a 0,7 e o baixo rendimento escolar quando as médias das notas do último ano letivo não alcançaram 60 pontos. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 222 estudantes provenientes de cinco escolas públicas. Em relação à acuidade visual, 31% alunos apresentaram AV alterada no olho direito e 29,8% alunos apresentaram AV alterada no olho esquerdo. Na amostra estudada, 15,5% dos alunos apresentaram rendimento escolar regular ou insatisfatório. Entre os alunos com AV dentro da normalidade, 89,5% apresentaram rendimento escolar considerado satisfatório, enquanto que, entre aqueles com AV alterada, apenas 75% apresentaram tal rendimento (p=0,015). CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo sugere a existência de associação entre baixa acuidade visual e baixo rendimento escolar na amostra avaliada.

OBJECTIVE: To detect early visual acuity deficiency of school children and its association with school performance METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample from the third year of elementary schools in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. The examination of visual acuity (VA) was carried out using Snellen Scale, an analysis of transcripts was made and a self-administered questionnaire, previously validated was used. Visual acuity loss was considered when the index obtained by the scale was less than or equal to 0.7 and poor academic performance when the average scores of the last school year did not reach 60 points. RESULTS: We analyzed 222 students from five public schools. Regarding visual acuity, 31% of students had a change in the right eye and 29.8% had a change in the left eye. In this sample, 15.5% of the students had unsatisfactory or poor school performance. Among the students with normal VA , 89.5% had satisfactory school performance, while among those with VA changes, only 75% had such a performance (p-value: 0.015). CONCLUSION: This study suggests an association between low visual acuity and poor school performance in the sample analyzed.