OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of lung lesions is a simple, safe and reproducible procedure. Currently, it is widely used to diagnose lung lesions. However, different factors can influence the success rates of this procedure. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of radiological and procedural characteristics in predicting the success rates of computed tomography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of lung lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was developed and involved 340 patients who were submitted to a consecutive series of 362 computed tomography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsies of lung lesions, between July 1996 and June 2004, using 22-gauge needles (Chiba). Variables such as the radiological characteristics of the lesions, secondary pulmonary radiological findings, and procedural techniques were studied. RESULTS: For this study, 304 (84%) fine needle aspiration biopsies of lung lesions provided sufficient material for cytological evaluation. The variables that predicted sufficient material for cytological evaluation were lesions larger than 40 mm (p=0.02), lesions on the superior lung lobes (p=0.02), and suspicion of primary lung malignancy (p=0.03). From the multivariate analysis, the only predictive variable for success of the biopsies was localization on the superior lobes (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of lung lesions showed greater rates of success in biopsies performed in patients with suspicion of primary lung malignancy, with lesions located in the superior lobes, and that have diameters equal to and larger than 40 mm.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a sintomatologia de pacientes obesos com diagnóstico polissonográfico de Síndrome da Apnéia/Hipopnéia Obstrutiva do Sono (SAHOS). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados todos os pacientes obesos (IMC > 30 kg/m²) que realizaram polissonografia em dois laboratórios de sono da cidade de Salvador, BA, no período de julho a dezembro de 2004 e apresentaram Índice de Apnéia/Hipopnéia (IAH) > 5 ev/h/sono. Os sintomas considerados foram sonolência excessiva diurna, despertares noturnos, sensação de engasgos e/ou sufocamentos durante o sono. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 73 pacientes, sendo 57,5% do sexo masculino com média de idade e IMC de, respectivamente, 45,2 anos e 38,0 kg/m². A maioria (49,3%) foi classificada como SAHOS grave (IAH > 30). Os dados revelaram que 19,2% destes pacientes não apresentavam nenhum dos sintomas pesquisados, 28,8%, apenas um sintoma, 30,1%, dois e 21,9%, três. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante em relação à gravidade da doença entre os indivíduos com e sem sintomas. Houve uma maior freqüência de pacientes assintomáticos entre os pacientes com obesidade severa (30,8% versus 5,9%; p = 0,007). CONCLUSÕES: A polissonografia parece ser um exame fundamental na avaliação de pacientes obesos devido à alta taxa de indivíduos assintomáticos com índices polissonográficos alterados neste grupo, em especial nos obesos graves.

AIM: To evaluate the symptoms of obese patients with polysomnographic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: All obese patients (BMI > 30 kg/m²) that accomplished overnight polysomnography in two sleep laboratories in the city of Salvador, BA, Brazil, in the period of July to December of 2004, and had an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) > 5. The considered symptoms were excessive daytime sleepiness, awakenings during the night and nocturnal choking or gasping. RESULTS: 73 patients were included, being 57.5% male, with mean age and BMI of 45.2 years old and 38.0 kg/m², respectively. The majority (49.3%) was classified as having severe OSA (AHI > 30). Data revealed that 19.2% of the patients did not have any symptoms, while 28.8% had one symptom, 30.1% had two and 21.9% had three. There was no statistically significant difference in the severity of OSA between the subjects with and without symptoms. There was a higher prevalence of asymptomatic patients in the subgroup with severe obesity - BMI > 35kg/m² (30.8% vs. 5.9%; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The polysomnography seems to be a fundamental exam in the evaluation of obese patients due to the elevated prevalence of asymptomatic individuals with OSA in this group, especially the severe obese.