OBJECTIVE: Prevention is the best treatment for cerebrovascular disease, which is why early diagnosis and the immediate treatment of carotid stenosis contribute significantly to reducing the incidence of stroke. Given its silent nature, 80% of stroke cases occur in asymptomatic individuals, emphasizing the importance of screening individuals with carotid stenosis and identifying high-risk groups for the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the most frequent risk factors for carotid stenosis. METHODS: A transversal study was conducted in the form of a stroke prevention campaign held on three nonconsecutive Saturdays. During the sessions, carotid stenosis diagnostic procedures were performed for 500 individuals aged 60 years or older who had systemic arterial hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus and/or coronary heart disease and/or a family history of stroke. RESULTS: The prevalence of carotid stenosis in the population studied was 7.4%, and the most frequent risk factors identified were mean age of 70 years, carotid bruit, peripheral obstructive arterial disease, coronary insufficiency and smoking. Independent predictive factors of carotid stenosis include the presence of carotid bruit or peripheral obstructive heart disease and/or coronary insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The population with peripheral obstructive heart disease and carotid bruit should undergo routine screening for carotid stenosis.

OBJETIVO: Demonstrar a eficácia e os resultados práticos da alcoolização percutânea de pacientes com cistos renais simples sintomáticos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram revistos os resultados obtidos em dez pacientes com cistos renais simples sintomáticos (oito homens e duas mulheres), com idade entre 28 e 72 anos (média de 55 anos), submetidos a pelo menos duas alcoolizações percutâneas. A indicação do procedimento foi dor no flanco refratária nos dez pacientes, sete deles com algum grau de hidronefrose pela localização parapiélica do cisto. O volume aspirado variou entre 20 e 1.300 ml (média de 200 ml). O tempo médio de seguimento após o procedimento foi de sete meses. O procedimento foi dirigido por ultrassonografia em dois casos e por tomografia computadorizada em oito. O tempo de internação variou entre 24 e 72 horas. Foi considerado sucesso completo do tratamento o desaparecimento do cisto, e parcial a redução maior que 50%. RESULTADOS: Durante o seguimento houve redução completa do cisto em sete pacientes e redução parcial em três. Em nenhum caso foram registradas complicações e os pacientes toleraram bem o procedimento. CONCLUSÃO: A alcoolização percutânea de cistos renais sintomáticos é um procedimento seguro, efetivo e pouco invasivo e com resultados semelhantes aos obtidos por outros autores.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effectiveness and practical outcomes of percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy in patients with symptomatic simple renal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the outcomes of ten patients (eight men and two women) in the age range between 28 and 72 years (mean, 55 years) submitted to at least two procedures of percutaneous sclerotherapy for symptomatic simple renal cysts. Main presentation was refractory flank pain in all patients, seven of them with some degree of hydronephrosis because of the parapyelic localization of the cyst. The aspirated volume ranged from 20 to 1300 ml (mean, 200 ml). The mean follow-up period following the procedure was of seven months. Two patients had ultrasoud-guided sclerotherapy, and eight, computed tomography-guided sclerotherapy. The hospital stay period ranged between 24 and 72 hours. Complete success corresponded to total cyst regression, and partial success corresponded to recurrence of less than half the original cyst volume. RESULTS: Complete cyst ablation was achieved in seven patients and partial resolution in three. No complication was observed and the therapy was well tolerated by all of the patients. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy of symptomatic simple renal cysts is a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure, with results similar to the ones reported by other studies.

OBJETIVO: Descrever as principais características de imagem do linfoma não-Hodgkin apresentando-se como massa hepática única. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Realizamos estudo retrospectivo mediante análise de casos de pacientes com massa hepática única aos exames de ultrassonografia, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética, com diagnóstico histológico de linfoma não-Hodgkin. Esses exames foram analisados por dois examinadores em consenso. RESULTADOS: Identificamos três pacientes, todos do sexo masculino, na quinta década de vida, com quadro clínico inespecífico e que apresentavam massa hepática única e com diagnóstico de linfoma não-Hodgkin. Na ultrassonografia a lesão hepática apresentava-se como massa com aspecto "em alvo" nos três casos estudados. Na tomografia computadorizada observou-se massa hipodensa e heterogênea, com realce anelar em todos os casos. Na ressonância magnética as lesões apresentavam-se heterogêneas, hipointensas em T1 e hiperintensas em T2, e também com realce anelar após a injeção do contraste. Nenhum paciente apresentava linfonodomegalia ou comprometimento de outras vísceras sólidas no momento do diagnóstico. CONCLUSÃO: Na presença de massa hepática solitária e com aspecto "em alvo" deve-se considerar, entre as hipóteses, o diagnóstico de linfoma.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the main imaging findings of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as a single liver mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was developed with analysis of cases where a single liver mass was observed at ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and histologically diagnosed as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The studies were reviewed by two observers in consensus. RESULTS: Three male patients in the fifth decade of life, with non-specific clinical manifestations and single liver mass diagnosed as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were identified. A hepatic lesion with target sign was observed at ultrasonography in all of the cases. At computed tomography, all the patients presented a heterogeneous, hypodense mass with a ring enhancement. At magnetic resonance imaging, the lesions were heterogeneous and hypointense on T1-weighted and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Additionally, a ring enhancement was observed in all of the cases after contrast injection. At the moment of the diagnosis, none of the patients presented lymphadenomegaly or involvement of other solid viscera. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of hepatic lymphoma should be considered in the presence of a ring-enhanced single liver mass.