Using computed tomography colonography in patients at high risk of colorectal cancer - a prospective study in a university hospital in South America

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to report the results of the implementation of computed tomography colonography in a university hospital setting serving a Brazilian population at high risk of colorectal cancer. METHODS: After creating a computed tomography colonography service in our institution, 85 patients at high risk of colorectal cancer underwent computed tomography colonography followed by a same-day optical colonoscopy from September 2010 to May 2012. The overall accuracy of computed tomography colonography in the detection of lesions ≥6 mm was compared to that of optical colonoscopy (direct comparison). All colonic segments were evaluated using quality imaging (amount of liquid and solid residual feces and luminal distension). To assess patient acceptance and preference, a questionnaire was completed before and after the computed tomography colonography and optical colonoscopy. Fisher's exact test was used to measure the correlations between colonic distension, discomfort during the exam, exam preference and interpretation confidence. RESULTS: Thirteen carcinomas and twenty-two lesions ≥6 mm were characterized. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of computed tomography colonography were 100%, 98.2% and 98.6%, respectively. Computed tomography colonography was the preferred method of investigation for 85% of patients. The preparation was reported to cause only mild discomfort for 97.6% of patients. According to the questionnaires, there was no significant relationship between colonic distension and discomfort (p>;0.05). Most patients (89%) achieved excellent bowel preparation. There was a statistically significant correlation between the confidence perceived in reading the computed tomography colonography and the quality of the preparation in each colonic segment (p≤0.001). The average effective radiation dose per exam was 7.8 mSv. CONCLUSION: It was possible to institute an efficient computed tomography colonography service at a university hospital that primarily assists patients from the public health system, with high accuracy, good acceptance and effective radiation doses. Our results seem to be comparable to other centers of excellence and fall within acceptable published guidelines, showing that a successful computed tomography colonography program can be reproduced in a South American population screened in a university hospital

Using computed tomography colonography in patients at high risk of colorectal cancer - a prospective study in a university hospital in South America

OBJECTIVES: the purpose of our study was to report the results of the implementation of computed tomography colonography in a university hospital setting serving a Brazilian population at high risk of colorectal cancer.METHODS: After creating a computed tomography colonography service in our institution, 85 patients at high risk of colorectal cancer underwent computed tomography colonography followed by a same-day optical colonoscopy from September 2010 to May 2012. the overall accuracy of computed tomography colonography in the detection of lesions >= 6 mm was compared to that of optical colonoscopy (direct comparison). All colonic segments were evaluated using quality imaging (amount of liquid and solid residual feces and luminal distension). To assess patient acceptance and preference, a questionnaire was completed before and after the computed tomography colonography and optical colonoscopy. Fisher's exact test was used to measure the correlations between colonic distension, discomfort during the exam, exam preference and interpretation confidence.RESULTS: Thirteen carcinomas and twenty-two lesions >= 6 mm were characterized. the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of computed tomography colonography were 100%, 98.2% and 98.6%, respectively. Computed tomography colonography was the preferred method of investigation for 85% of patients. the preparation was reported to cause only mild discomfort for 97.6% of patients. According to the questionnaires, there was no significant relationship between colonic distension and discomfort (p>0.05). Most patients (89%) achieved excellent bowel preparation. There was a statistically significant correlation between the confidence perceived in reading the computed tomography colonography and the quality of the preparation in each colonic segment (p <= 0.001). the average effective radiation dose per exam was 7.8 mSv.CONCLUSION: It was possible to institute an efficient computed tomography colonography service at a university hospital that primarily assists patients from the public health system, with high accuracy, good acceptance and effective radiation doses. Our results seem to be comparable to other centers of excellence and fall within acceptable published guidelines, showing that a successful computed tomography colonography program can be reproduced in a South American population screened in a university hospital.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Diagnost Imaging, Div Abdominal Imaging, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Surg, Sect Colon & Rectum Surg,Div Gastroenterol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Diagnost Imaging, Div Abdominal Imaging, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Surg, Sect Colon & Rectum Surg,Div Gastroenterol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Reflexões sobre a terminalidade da vida na formação e no cotidiano do profissional medico / Reflections on terminality of live in the training and in the daily life of the medical professional

A morte e o morrer são temas pertinentes ao cotidiano de profissionais de saúde e ao processo de aprendizagem de acadêmicos de medicina. Nesse sentido, diante das poucas oportunidades de se questionar os sentimentos e a compreensão destes profissionais com relação ao morrer dos pacientes durante a graduação e durante o cotidiano profissional, o objetivo deste trabalho foi o de conhecer as percepções de médicos, incluindo docentes em curso de medicina, sobre situações que envolvam a terminalidade da vida. O presente estudo resulta de uma pesquisa qualitativa e descritiva do tipo corte transversal, com diretriz metodológica do discurso do sujeito coletivo, realizado por meio da aplicação de questionários em profissionais médicos atuantes nos Hospital das Clínicas Samuel Libânio da cidade de Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais.

O valor da espessura cortical renal em predizer a função renal em pacientes renais crônicos

Objetivo: determinar se existe relação linear entre a espessura do córtex renal, comprimento bipolar e a espessura do parênquima renal em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica que apresentam diferentes taxas de filtração glomerular (TFGs) e avaliar a reprodutibilidade dessas medidas. Materiais e métodos: exames ultrassonográficos foram realizados em 54 pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica, por dois radiologistas, de modo independente e duplo-cego. A estimativa da TFG foi calculada pela equação de Cockcroft-Gault. A concordância interobservador e o coeficiente de correlação linear (r) foram calculados para estabelecer se existe relação entre medidas renais e a TFG. Resultados: a espessura do córtex renal apresentou moderada correlação com a TFG (r = 0,478; p < 0,001). O comprimento bipolar e a espessura do parênquima apresentaram fraca correlação, com valores de r = 0,380 (p = 0,004) e r = 0,277 (p = 0,116), respectivamente. A concordância interobservador foi excelente para a espessura cortical (0,754) e comprimento bipolar (0,833) e satisfatória para a espessura do parênquima (0,523). Conclusão: a reprodutibilidade das medidas obtidas entre os radiologistas foi boa. A relação entre a TFG estimada com a espessura do córtex renal apresentou moderada correlação e o comprimento bipolar e a espessura do parênquima renal apresentaram fraca correlação.Objective: to determine the presence of linear relationship between renal cortical thickness, bipolar length, and parenchymal thickness in chronic kidney disease patients presenting with different estimated glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) and to assess the reproducibility of these measurements using ultrasonography. Materials and methods: ultrasonography was performed in 54 chronic renal failure patients. The scans were performed by two independent and blinded radiologists. The estimated GFR was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Interobserver agreement was calculated and a linear correlation coefficient (r) was determined in order to establish the relationship between the different renal measurements and estimated GFR. Results: the correlation between GFR and measurements of renal cortical thickness, bipolar length, and parenchymal thickness was, respectively, moderate (r = 0.478; p < 0.001), poor (r = 0.380; p = 0.004), and poor (r = 0.277; p = 0.116). The interobserver agreement was considered excellent (0.754) for measurements of cortical thickness and bipolar length (0.833), and satisfactory for parenchymal thickness (0.523). Conclusion: the interobserver reproducibility for renal measurements obtained was good. A moderate correlation was observed between estimated GFR and cortical thickness, but bipolar length and parenchymal thickness were poorly correlated