RESUMEN: El schwanoma es un tumor neural que se origina en las células de Schwann presentes en la vaina nerviosa cuya localización más frecuente a nivel oral es el dorso de lengua, siendo mucho más frecuente en adultos. En población pediátrica la presentación es muy rara siendo lengua su ubicación más frecuente, mientras que a nivel palatino solo se conocen 11 reportes en menores de 16 años. El objetivo de este reporte es presentar un caso clínico inusual de schwanoma palatino en un niño chileno de 12 años de edad, quien fue derivado con diagnóstico clínico presuntivo de carcinoma mucoepidermoide. El caso se complementó con radiografía panorámica, Conebeam, y luego biopsia incisional. Finalmente, se diagnosticó schwanoma palatino variedad sólida. Es importante considerar al schwanoma como diagnóstico diferencial en casos de tumores palatinos, en especial en casos pediátricos ya que se pueden presentar similares características clínicas a tumores de glándula salival.

ABSTRACT: The Schwannoma or neurilemmoma tumor originates from Schwann cells present in nerve sheaths. At oral level, its most frequent location is at the back of the tongue, being much more frequent in adults. In the pediatric population, this occurrence is rare and most frequently found in the tongue. At palatal level, only 11 reports are known in children under 16 years of age. The aim of this report is to present an unusual clinical case of palatal schwannoma in a 12-year-old Chilean boy, referred with a clinical diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The case was complemented with panoramic radiography and Cone beam, for its subsequent incisional biopsy. Finally, a solid palatal schwannoma was diagnosed. It is important to consider schwannoma as a differential diagnosis in cases of palatal tumors, especially in pediatric cases, since they can present similar clinical characteristics to salivary gland tumors.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estágio atual da cirurgia refrativa na América Latina. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Questionário analisando aspectos demográficos de cada país, técnicas realizadas, custo de equipamentos e preços cobrados por serviços são estudados. Também são analisadas as sugestões e críticas ao estado atual da cirurgia refrativa em diferentes regiões. Os questionários foram respondidos pelos representantes da International Society of Refractive Surgery. A data de término da pesquisa foi 30/03/97. RESULTADOS: Duas centenas de Excimer Lasers funcionam na América Latina. Os preços dos serviços variam de 200 a 2200 USD com variações regionais. Queixas como comportamento antiético, alto preço dos equipamentos e baixo preço dos serviços se constituem nos maiores problemas na região. CONCLUSÃO: Tecnologia e equipamentos de alto custo se contrapõem aos baixos preços cobrados pelos serviços, aquém da expectativa inicial. Desvios no comportamento ético dos profissionais exigem um programa de atualização técnica e ética. Apesar dos problemas a perspectiva futura é considerada como boa.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the present situation of refractive surgery in Latin America. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Questionnaire analyzing demographics for each country, techniques used, cost of equipment and prices charged for services. Suggestions and criticisms to the present situation of refractive surgery were also studied. The questionnaires were answered by representatives from the International Society of Refractive Surgery. The research was concluded on 03/30197. RESULTS: Two hundred equipment are in use in Latin America. The prices charged for services vary between US$ 200 and 2200, with regional variations. Complaints regarding unethical behavior, high price for equipment and low price for services constitute the main problems in the region. CONCLUSION: Technology and high cost for equipment as opposed to the low prices charged for services, below the initial expectation. A deviation from the ethic behavior on the part of professionals demand a program to update the technique and ethics. Despite these problems the future prospective is considered good.