OBJECTIVE: To compare the responses of plasmatic ACTH to CRH or combined CRH/desmopressin stimulation in patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome submitted to simultaneous, bilateral inferior petrosal sinuses sampling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The procedure was performed in 21 patients - 14 women and 7 men - diagnosed with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome in the period between January 1998 and December 2003. Upon catheterization of both inferior petrosal sinuses, blood samples for ACTH test were simultaneously collected from the petrosal sinuses and peripheral vein, both in the basal state and three to five minutes after injection of human CRH (100 mg) (six patients), or combined CRH/desmopressin (100 mg + 10 mg) (15 patients). RESULTS: After three minutes, both groups presented increased ACTH levels: CRH (257.77 ± 240.36 in the right petrosal sinus, and 718.78 ± 1358.82 in the left petrosal sinus [mean ± standard error]); combined CRH/desmopressin (1263.35 ± 1842.91 in the right petrosal sinus [p = 0.06], and 583.93 ± 1020.03 in the left petrosal sinus [p = 0.83]). After five minutes, the ACTH levels decreased in the group with CRH (181.07 ± 217.39 in the right petrosal sinus, and 188.25 ± 270.15 in the left petrosal sinus), and presented a progressive increase in the group with combined CRH/desmopressin (1365.29 ± 1832.31 in the right petrosal sinus [p = 0.03], and 866.43 ± 1431.72 in the left petrosal sinus [p = 0.11]). Gradient was absent in the three patients with ectopic secretion. CONCLUSION: Combined CRH/desmopressin stimulation induced a higher production of ACTH in cases of corticotroph adenomas as compared with CRH stimulation, which can improve the diagnostic sensibility of this procedure.

Keywords: Cushing's syndrome, CRH, Desmopressin, Petrosal sinus sampling

OBJECTIVE: Central venous access is an increasingly frequent procedure and intravenous catheter fractures and fragments embolization, although being rare, correspond to the most common intravascular foreign bodies. This study purpose is to show our experience in the removal of these foreign bodies, employing endovascular techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of ten consecutive cases in the last five years, including patients with ages ranging from 9 months to 67 years. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed in all the cases by means of different techniques and with no complication. Most common fragments lodgement sites were: right atrium, superior vena cava and left pulmonary artery. The retrieval of these foreign bodies by means of endovascular techniques is a relatively simple procedure when compared to the surgical alternative, and has been safely and successfully performed in countless patients. The available devices have proven quite effective and, among them, the loop snare is the most versatile. CONCLUSION: The high success rate with few complications reported, even in children, allows us to say that, whenever possible, percutaneous extraction of intravascular foreign objects should be performed. Notwithstanding, familiarization with the several techniques available is essential, allowing combinations and modifications according to each situation.

Keywords: Vascular access ports, Foreign bodies, Embolism