Renal hydatid cyst: medical treatment.

Introduction: Hydatid disease is a zoonosis caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. It has a worldwide distribution, being endemic in Portugal. Hydatid disease of the urinary tract is rare, occurring in less than 2% of all cases.

[Esophageal perforation in children: a review of one pediatric surgery institution's experience (16 years)].

Introduction: The objective of the study was to evaluate the experience of our service in the treatment of esophageal perforations.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective chart review of the nine cases occurred between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2011. Seven occurred after accidental ingestion of foreign bodies and in two patients were iatrogenic lesions after esophagoscopy with dilation: a peptic stricture in one case and in the other stenosis of the esophageal anastomosis in a child operated for esophageal atresia.

Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide: a marker of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide is secreted mainly in the left ventricle in response to elevated wall tension. Plasma levels of the peptide correlate positively with cardiac filling pressures, making it an excellent marker for the presence of left ventricular dysfunction. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, enhanced production of B-type natriuretic peptide is observed.