Background Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) are at high risk of mortality from SARS-CoV-2 disease 2019 (COVID-19). A better understanding of risk factors for adverse outcomes may improve clinical management in these patients. We therefore studied baseline characteristics of HM patients developing COVID-19 and analyzed predictors of mortality. Methods The survey was supported by the Scientific Working Group Infection in Hematology of the European Hematology Association (EHA). Eligible for the analysis were adult patients with HM and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 observed between March and December 2020. Results The study sample includes 3801 cases, represented by lymphoproliferative (mainly non-Hodgkin lymphoma n = 1084, myeloma n = 684 and chronic lymphoid leukemia n = 474) and myeloproliferative malignancies (mainly acute myeloid leukemia n = 497 and myelodysplastic syndromes n = 279). Severe/critical COVID-19 was observed in 63.8% of patients (n = 2425). Overall, 2778 (73.1%) of the patients were hospitalized, 689 (18.1%) of whom were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Overall, 1185 patients (31.2%) died. The primary cause of death was COVID-19 in 688 patients (58.1%), HM in 173 patients (14.6%), and a combination of both COVID-19 and progressing HM in 155 patients (13.1%). Highest mortality was observed in acute myeloid leukemia (199/497, 40%) and myelodysplastic syndromes (118/279, 42.3%). The mortality rate significantly decreased between the first COVID-19 wave (March–May 2020) and the second wave (October–December 2020) (581/1427, 40.7% vs. 439/1773, 24.8%, p value < 0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, age, active malignancy, chronic cardiac disease, liver disease, renal impairment, smoking history, and ICU stay correlated with mortality. Acute myeloid leukemia was a higher mortality risk than lymphoproliferative diseases. Conclusions This survey confirms that COVID-19 patients with HM are at high risk of lethal complications. However, improved COVID-19 prevention has reduced mortality despite an increase in the number of reported cases.

Hypertension prevalence among Portuguese adults remained stable in the past decade, but proportions of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension improved significantly. Salt intake is still high being almost double the WHO recommendations.

Plain chest radiography remains the initial imaging modality for patients with clinically suspected tracheobronchial aspiration of a foreign body. Nevertheless, in the case of negative chest radiography and a clinical suspicion of foreign-body aspiration, MSCT-possibly integrated with virtual bronchoscopy-should be considered in order to avoid unnecessary bronchoscopy.

Compared with ETV, VPS is a superior method because it had better functional neurological outcomes 12 months after surgery.

-Cerebral hemiatrophy or Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome is a condition characterized by seizures, facial asymmetry, contralateral hemiplegia or hemiparesis, and mental retardation. These findings are due to cerebral injury that may occur early in life or in utero. The radiological features are unilateral loss of cerebral volume and associated compensatory bone alterations in the calvarium, like thickening, hyperpneumatization of the paranasal sinuses and mastoid cells and elevation of the petrous ridge. The authors describe three cases. Classical findings of the syndrome are present in variable degrees according to the extent of the brain injury. Pathogenesis is commented.KEY WORDS: Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome, brain atrophy, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance image.Achados radiológicos na síndrome de Dyke-Davidoff-Masson: relato de três casos e contribuição para patogênese e diagnóstico diferencial RESUMO -Hemiatrofia cerebral ou síndrome de Dyke-Davidoff-Masson é entidade clínica caracterizada por convulsões, assimetria facial , hemiparesia ou hemiplegia contralateral e déficit cognitivo. Estes achados estão relacionados a lesão cerebral ocorrida na infância ou in utero. As características radiológicas são hemiatrofia cerebral e alteracões ósseas no crânio, como espessamento, hiperpneumatização dos seios paranasais e células da mastóide e elevação do ápice da pirâmide petrosa. Descrevemos três casos com achados clássicos da síndrome discutindo aspectos fisiopatológicos. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: síndrome de Dyke-Davidoff-Masson, atrofia cerebral, tomografia computadorizada, ressonância magnética.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a condition characterized by gait disturbance, dementia and/or urinary incontinence without causative disorders, as well as dilation of ventricular system due to disturbance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation with normal CSF pressure and no secondary cause [1][2][3] . It is a differential diagnosis for most of the dementia syndromes and occurs mainly in elderly populations 4 .The known incidence is approximately 6 per 100,000 and it has a prevalence of 22 per 100,000 for suspected iNPH.There are associations with hypertension, cerebrovascular and Alzheimer diseases [1][2][3] .The clinical evolution of iNPH is not clear 5 . Without surgery, most iNPH patients present early clinical deterioration. A small number of patients might improve without shunting; however, the extent of improvement is not clear 3 .Ventricular CSF shunting is the main treatment in the management of iNPH and its results in reducing the caregiver's burden when caring for iNPH patients are well-established 6 . ABSTRACTIdiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is characterized by gait disturbance, dementia and /or urinary incontinence, dilation of the ventricular system and normal opening cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Shunt surgery is the standard treatment of iNHP. Diversions with programmable valves are recommended, once drainage pressure can be changed. However, well-defined protocols still lack guiding the steps to attain proper pressure for each patient. Methods: In our study, we reported the experience of shunting 24 patients with iNPH using Strata ® (Medtronic) valve, following a protocol based on a positive Tap Test. Results: We observed clinical improvement in 20 patients and stability/ worsening in 4 patients. Complications occurred in five patients, including one death. The results display improvement, and complications occurred at a lower rate than reported in other studies. Conclusions: The Strata ® valve used in the proposed protocol represents an efficient and safe tool in the treatment of iNPH.Key words: hydrocephalus, normal pressure, cerebrospinal fluid shunts, treatment. RESUMOA hidrocefalia de pressão normal idiopática (iNPH) é caracterizada por alterações na marcha, demência e/ou incontinência urinária, além de dilatação dos ventrículos com pressão normal de abertura no líquido cefalorraquidiano. A cirurgia de derivação é o principal tratamento da iNHP. São recomendadas válvulas programáveis, pois a pressão de drenagem pode ser alterada. Embora as válvulas programáveis sejam utilizadas, não há protocolos para atingir a pressão adequada de cada paciente. Métodos: Neste estudo, relatamos nossa experiência com 24 pacientes com iNPH que usaram a válvula Strata ® (Medtronic), seguindo protocolo baseado em um Tap test positivo. Resultados: Observamos melhora em 20 pacientes e estabilidade ou piora em 4. Ocorreram complicações em cinco pacientes, tendo um deles falecido. Houve importante melhora clínica, e as complicações ocorreram em taxa mais baixa do que as relatad...

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Guyon's canal syndrome, an ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist, is a well-recognized entity. The most common causes that involve the ulnar nerve at the wrist are compression from a ganglion, occupational traumatic neuritis, a musculotendinous arch and disease of the ulnar artery. We describe two cases of Guyon's canal syndrome and discuss the anatomy, aetiology, clinical features, anatomical classification, diagnostic criteria and treatment. It is emphasized that the knowledge of both the surgical technique and anatomy is very important for a satisfactory surgical result.