Introduction Otosclerosis is a disease that causes bone resorption and deposition in the auditory structures, leading to deafness. Many studies have evaluated the histopathology of the stapes footplate in this disease (osteoblasts, osteoclasts, vascular proliferation, fibroblasts, and histiocytes), but we found no studies in the literature involving the histology of the superstructure of the stapes. Objectives To perform an analysis under optical microscopy of histopathologic findings of the superstructure of the stapes from patients with otosclerosis. Methods A contemporary cross-sectional cohort study of pathology analysis of superstructures of the stapes of patients with otosclerosis. Results Fifteen superstructures of stapes in patients with otosclerosis operated in our service and four stapes of cadavers used for dissection (controls) were evaluated. No areas of bone resorption or deposition or presence of osteoclasts and osteoblasts in the superstructure of the stapes were found. However, we found in themore distal portions of the crura areas with prominent cementitious lines and woven bone, which was different than the mature trabecular bone found in the head of the stapes or in the controls. Conclusion There were histologic changes in the superstructure of the stapes in patients with otosclerosis operated in our service.

RACIONAL: A excisão total do mesorreto é considerada a operação padrão no tratamento dos tumores do reto, apesar de não existir comprovação científica de que ela deva ser usada para todos os estádios da doença. Tem sido demonstrado que em casos escolhidos de tumores retais, resultados promissores podem ser conseguidos com tratamento local por microcirurgia endoscópica transanal. Tais tumores, denominados de câncer retal precoce, são tumores T1 - menores do que 4 cm -, bem diferenciados sem invasão angiolinfática pT1 Sm1. Como o risco de comprometimento linfonodal nesses tumores é de aproximadamente 3%, a ressecção local teria grande chance de ser curativa. OBJETIVO: Apresentar os resultados de uma série prospectiva não randômica de pacientes portadores de câncer retal precoce submetidos ao tratamento local por microcirurgia endoscópica transanal. MÉTODOS: Entre 2002 e 2010, 38 pacientes avaliados por protocolo pré-operatório como portadores câncer retal precoce foram submetidos à ressecção local endoscópica microcirúrgica de toda a parede retal com o tumor quando localizado entre 2 e 8 cm da linha pectínea. A avaliação pré-operatória consistiu de toque retal, retossigmoidoscopia rígida para macrobiópsias, enema opaco e/ou colonoscopia, ultrassonografia endoretal e abdominal, tomografia axial computadorizada do abdome, radiografia do tórax e dosagem sérica do CEA. Realizou-se seguimento pós-operatório endoscópico e ultrassonográfico endoretal a cada três meses nos dois primeiros anos, e a cada seis nos próximos três anos, além de dosagem do CEA a cada seis meses nesse mesmo período de cinco anos. Avaliou-se a recidiva tumoral, morbidade e mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Após avaliação anatomopatológica da lesão, 29 cânceres retais precoces foram categorizados como de baixo risco e nove sendo de alto. O seguimento na série variou de um a sete anos. Recidiva tumoral foi confirmada em dois casos dos 38 (5,26%), uma lesão considerada de alto e a outra de baixo risco. CONCLUSÃO: Microcirurgia endoscópica transanal, associada ou não à quimioradioterapia, pode ser considerada atualmente o padrão-ouro na ressecção retal local, apresentando resultados animadores em casos escolhidos de tumores retais precoces de baixo risco.

BACKGROUND: The total mesorectal excision is considered the standard operation in the treatment of rectal tumors, although there is no scientific proof that it should be used for all stages of the disease. It has been demonstrated that in selected cases of rectal tumors, promising results can be achieved with local treatment by transanal endoscopic microsurgery. These tumors, called early rectal cancer, T1 tumors, are less than 4 cm, well differentiated without angiolymphatic invasion - pT1 SM1. As the risk of lymph node involvement in these tumors is approximately 3%, local resection would have a great chance to be curative. AIM: To present the results of a non-random prospective series of patients with early rectal cancer treated by transanal endoscopic microsurgery. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2010, 38 patients evaluated by preoperative protocol as patients with early rectal cancer underwent endoscopic microsurgical resection of the entire rectal wall including the tumor when located between 2 and 8 cm from the dentate line. The preoperative evaluation consisted of digital rectal examination, rigid sigmoidoscopy macrobiopsies, barium enema and/or colonoscopy, endorectal ultrasound and abdominal computed tomography of the abdomen, chest radiography and serum CEA. Was conducted follow-up with endoscopy and endorectal ultrasound every three months during the first two years, and every six in the next three years, and CEA every six months during the same period of five years. Was evaluated the tumor recurrence, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Pathologic evaluation considered 29 categorized as low risk and nine being high. The follow-up in the series ranged from one to seven years. Tumor recurrence was confirmed in two of the 38 cases (5.26%), in one the lesion was considered high and another low risk. CONCLUSION: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery associated or not to adjuvant therapy, may be, currently, considered the gold standard in local rectal resection, with encouraging results in cases chosen with early rectal tumors at low risk.