[The role of distance education in continuing medical education: a critical review].

This paper reviews findings of recent literature which have systematically evaluated outcomes of continuing medical education programs worldwide, methods for measuring especific demands in medical areas, and quality and reliability of contents related to such programs. Particular features of the Brazilian health context and internet technologies are described, as well as possible directions towards life-long medical education development in Brazil for the next few years.

[Gelastic epilepsy and precocious puberty in hamartoma of the hypothalamus].

Four cases of hypothalamic hamartoma leading to gelastic epilepsy, precocious puberty and behavioural disorders are reported. Cerebral neuroradiologic examinations revealed a tumor-like mass attached to the hypothalamus in the region of the mamillary bodies in all cases. Precocious puberty developed in the two girls at 4 and 13 months but in neither of the two boys, who both suffered behaviour disturbances in the form of aggressive outbursts.