São Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy for breast lesions: a comparison between two devices for obtaining cytological samples.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy has been accepted worldwide for breast lesions. However, some questions remain, including the appropriateness of the puncture method. The objective of this work was to compare aspirates obtained by the auto-vacuum device and by the syringe pistol holder. ⋯ The results obtained from the two fine-needle aspiration biopsy methods were equivalent. Therefore, the auto-vacuum device is a good option for obtaining aspirates for cytology.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) immunoassaying versus microscopy: advantages and drawbacks for diagnosing giardiasis.
Giardiasis is common in Brazil. For laboratory diagnosis, the method most utilized is microscopic examination of fecal samples, but the immunoenzymatic method is also available. The aim of this work was to verify the advantages and drawbacks of immunoassaying versus microscopy for diagnosing Giardia lamblia, when a single fecal sample is analyzed. ⋯ The ELISA test is useful when just searching for Giardia lamblia, because of its high sensitivity. For daily practice, we recommend microscopy, which is much cheaper and can also detect other parasites. The low positivity of single samples in this method can be overcome by using three samples, as recommended by most authors.
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Comparative Study
High prevalence of malnutrition among patients with solid non-hematological tumors as found by using skinfold and circumference measurements.
Malnutrition in cancer patients has many causes. Nutritional status is usually assessed from weight/height indices. These present limitations for the nutritional assessment of cancer patients: their weights include tumor mass, and lean mass changes are not reflected in weight/height indices. The objective was to evaluate differences between two anthropometric methods and compare deficits, in non-hematological tumor patients and hematological disease patients. ⋯ Non-hematological tumor patients presented higher malnutrition prevalence than did hematological disease patients. Body composition measurements by TSFT and MUAC detected more patients with malnutrition than did W/H or BMI.
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Liposomal daunorubicin has been used to treat hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM). The goal was to evaluate efficacy, side-effects and toxicity of liposomal daunorubicin and dexamethasone ("DD Protocol"). ⋯ This treatment has mild toxicity and good response rate. It may therefore be feasible before autologous bone marrow transplantation.
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Purtscher-like retinopathy with bilateral loss of vision is a rare and severe complication that may follow acute pancreatitis. ⋯ The case of a 35-year-old patient with acute alcoholic pancreatitis who developed sudden loss of visual acuity is described. The ophthalmoscopic examination revealed diffuse retinal whitening of the posterior pole with confluent cotton-wool spots. Fluorescein angiogram showed retinal arteriolar occlusion. The findings were compatible with Purtscher-like retinopathy. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated enlarged liver and pancreas with edema and inflammation. The pathogenesis of this form of retinopathy still remains uncertain and there is no specific treatment available.