RESUMO Objetivo: determinar, em pacientes pediátricos portadores de neoplasias malignas, as características de nódulos pulmonares identificados à tomografia computadorizada, capazes de diferenciar nódulos benignos de metástases. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo de pacientes submetidos a ressecções pulmonares de nódulos diagnosticados como metástases em um período de sete anos. Achados de tomografia e da cirurgia, assim como resultados dos exames anatomopatológicos foram comparados. Resultados: nove pacientes, submetidos a 11 intervenções cirúrgicas, foram estudados. Entre as variáveis estudadas, apenas o tamanho do nódulo, maior do que 12,5mm provou ser estatisticamente significante para predizer malignidade. Conclusão: esse estudo sugere que, entre as características tomográficas de nódulos pulmonares de crianças portadoras de neoplasias malignas, apenas o tamanho da lesão foi preditor de malignidade.

ABSTRACT Objective: to determine, in pediatric patients with malignant neoplasms, the characteristics of pulmonary nodules identified on computed tomography, as well as the possibility of differentiating benign lesions from metastases. Methods: we conducted a retrospective study of patients submitted to pulmonary resections of nodules diagnosed as metastases in a period of seven years. We compared computed tomography and surgery findings, as well as results of anatomopathological examinations. Results: we studied nine patients submitted to 11 surgical interventions. Among the studied variables, only nodule size greater than 12.5mm proved to be statistically significant to predict malignancy. Conclusion: among the tomographic characteristics of pulmonary nodules in children with malignant neoplasms, only the size of the lesion was a predictor of malignancy.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To compare the measurement of the testicular volume of Wistar rats using a caliper and ultrasonography. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups. A tensile force of 1.6 Newton (N) and 1.0 N was applied to the right spermatic cord in group I and group II, respectively. Group III was the sham group, and group IV served as a control. The initial and final testicular volumes were measured using a caliper and ultrasonography and compared. A significance level of 5% was used. RESULTS: The Kappa coefficient was equal to 0.292 (p = 0.006). The Pearson correlation coefficient obtained for the percent reduction in the right testicular volume using ultrasonography and a caliper was equal to 0.696 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was reasonable agreement and a significant positive correlation between the percent reduction in the right testicular volume using ultrasonography and a caliper.

PURPOSE: To determine whether tension in the spermatic cord of rats causes lesions in the testis, epididymis or vas deferens.METHODS:Forty Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups. A traction force of 1.6 Newton (N) in group I and 1 N in group II was applied to the right spermatic cord. Group III was the sham, and group IV served as the control.RESULTS: Testicular lesions occurred on the right side in 66.7% of the rats and on the left side in 46.1% of the rats. The testes showed a decreased number of Sertoli cells, necrosis and a decreased number of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules. Anatomopathological changes in the vas deferens were not identified. There was no decrease in the thickness of the muscle wall of the vas deferens. In the right epididymis, 71.8% of the animals showed a reduction and 5% showed an absence of intraluminal sperm. In the left epididymis, 37.5% of the rats showed a reduction. The volume and the final testicular weight of the right side in group IV was different from those in the other groups.CONCLUSIONS: Anatomopathological lesions were found in the testis and epididymis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the testicular tissue of young male rats.METHODS: Male Wistar rats were assigned to groups (10 rats/group).Control Group received subcutaneous saline solution; Group 1 received hCG 50UI/Kg/dose; and Group 2 received hCG 100UI/Kg/dose, daily for 15 days. Half was submitted to bilateral orchiectomy on the 16th day and the other half 45 days after the beginning of the hormone application. Testicles were weighed, measured and has their volumes determined. The diameter of the tubules and the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium were measured.RESULTS: Control Group presented the highest values of testicles volume and weight. Rats in the Control presented normal histology. In G1 and G2 atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, apoptosis of germ cells and multinucleated giant cells were observed. Comparing groups, in the first operation Control rats had higher diameter values. In the second operation, the Control was only different from G1. As for thickness, Control had higher values in both operations. Comparing the time of operation, the diameter values were higher in G1 and G2 in the second operation. For all groups, the thickness of the epithelium was higher in the second operation.CONCLUSIONS: Human chorionic gonadotropin is gonadotoxic in rats. This effect was temporary and can affect reproductive potential. The total recovery of testicular damage in the studied range could not be proved, and the effects were not dose-dependent.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of decompression fasciotomy on testes undergoing torsion of the spermatic cord. METHODS: Spermatic cord torsion was induced in 40 Wistar testes for six and 12 hours. At the time of distortion, decompression fasciotomy was performed on half of the animals. After 42 days, the testicles were examined both macroscopically and microscopically. A non-parametric Mann- Whitney U- test was used for statistical analysis. The results were considered significant at p≤0.05. RESULTS: Testicular weight; volume and degree of histological alterations were evaluated. When the groups without and with fasciotomy were compared, a 12-hour torsion subgroup in the fasciotomy group was noted to present larger volume, heavier weight and superior histological classification when compared with the 12-hour subgroup in the without fasciotomy group. No differences between the two groups after six hours of torsion were found. No significant changes were noticed in the contralateral testis. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular fasciotomy (decompression) benefited the macroscopic and histological aspects of the testicles undergoing cord torsion for a 12-hour period. These results demonstrate the role played by compartment syndrome in the pathophysiology of spermatic cord torsion and the need for decompression.

A abordagem cirúrgica das pacientes com hiperplasia adrenal congênita (HAC) é um desafio e envolve controvérsias. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os resultados da correção da genitália em 10 crianças 46 XX com HAC, pela técnica de mobilização total do seio urogenital (MUT), em tempo único. A idade, por ocasião do tratamento cirúrgico, variou de 11 a 78 meses (média= 32 meses) e o seguimento pós-operatório de 15 a 36 meses (média= 26 meses). O aspecto estético foi considerado bom em 7, com uretra e vagina bem exteriorizados no vestíbulo, e satisfatório em 3. Após o acompanhamento médio de 26 meses, a técnica de MUT, por via perineal, sem divisão do reto, se mostrou eficaz para o tratamento da genitália ambígua em crianças com HAC.

The surgical approach to patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) has been a challenge and it is still controversial. The aim of this study was to review 10 children with 46,XX CAH who underwent one-stage total urogenital sinus mobilization (TUM). Age at operation ranged from 11 to 78 months (mean= 32) and the follow-up from 15 to 36 months (mean= 26). Cosmetic results were good in 7 patients and satisfactory in 3. After a mean follow-up of 26 months, our results showed that TUM was a good option to repair ambiguous genitalia in children with CAH.

OBJETIVO: Descrever o curso clínico e a evolução ultra-sonográfica de pacientes com rim displásico multicístico tratados conservadoramente. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídas no estudo 53 crianças com rim displásico multicístico unilateral diagnosticado pela ultra-sonografia fetal entre 1989 e 2004. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a protocolo sistemático, incluindo tratamento conservador e exames clínicos, laboratoriais e ultra-sonográficos periódicos. Os exames foram realizados com periodicidade de 6 meses, nos 2 primeiros anos, e anualmente, após esse período. No curso clínico, foram avaliados: pressão arterial, infecção do trato urinário, função renal e crescimento dos pacientes. Na evolução ecográfica, foram avaliados a involução do rim displásico multicístico e o crescimento do rim contralateral. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 68 meses. Dois pacientes apresentaram hipertensão arterial no seguimento. Cinco tiveram infecção urinária (apenas um com episódios repetidos). Não houve degeneração maligna do rim displásico multicístico. Foram realizados 334 exames ultra-sonográficos seriados. Houve involução do rim displásico multicístico em 90% dos casos, sendo que nove (17%) desapareceram. O ritmo de involução foi maior nos 30 primeiros meses de vida. Houve progressiva hipertrofia compensatória do rim contralateral, sendo o ritmo mais intenso nos 2 primeiros anos de vida. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados do acompanhamento prospectivo de crianças portadoras de rim displásico multicístico tratadas conservadoramente sugerem que a conduta clínica é segura, a incidência de complicações é mínima e há uma nítida tendência de involução ultra-sonográfica da unidade renal afetada. Os dados sugerem, ainda, que o ritmo de involução do rim displásico multicístico, assim como da hipertrofia compensatória do rim contralateral, sejam maiores nos 2 primeiros anos de vida.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to describe the clinical course and ultrasound outcome of prenatally detected multicystic dysplastic kidney. METHODS: Fifty-three children with unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney detected by prenatal ultrasound between 1989 and 2004 were included in the analysis. All children were submitted to conservative management with follow-up visits every six months. Follow-up ultrasound examinations were performed at six-month intervals during the first two years of life and yearly thereafter. The following clinical parameters were evaluated: blood pressure, urinary tract infection, renal function, and growth. The following ultrasound parameters were evaluated: involution of multicystic dysplastic kidney and contralateral renal growth. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 68 months. Two children presented hypertension during follow-up and five had urinary tract infection (only one with recurrent episodes). There was no malignant degeneration of multicystic dysplastic kidney. A total of 334 ultrasound scans were analyzed. US scan demonstrated involution of the multicystic dysplastic kidney in 48 (90%) cases, including complete involution in nine (17%). The involution rate was faster in the first 30 months of life. There was progressive compensatory renal hypertrophy of the contralateral renal unit; the rate of growth was greater in the first 24 months of life. CONCLUSION: The results of prolonged follow-up of children with conservatively managed multicystic dysplastic kidney suggest that clinical approach is safe, the incidence of complications is small, and that there is a clear tendency for multicystic dysplastic kidney to decrease in size. Our data also suggest that the involution rate of multicystic dysplastic kidney as well as the growth of the contralateral kidney is greater in the first 24 months of life.