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Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is a rare condition characterized by dermatomyositis skin lesions without clinically apparent muscle involvement. Respiratory involvement is common, occurring in about half of the cases. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (PnM) is a rare, and often fatal, complication of CADM. We report a case of a 61-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-associated CADM and interstitial lung disease. She developed an extensive spontaneous PnM with subcutaneous emphysema. The patient was treated with a conservative approach which was, initially, successful in reducing the size of the PnM. However, the patient died from an eventual nosocomial pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation. This case illustrates that improving the management of CADM associated PnM, remains a major unmet need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is a rare condition characterized by dermatomyositis skin lesions without clinically apparent muscle involvement. Respiratory involvement is common, occurring in about half of the cases. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (PnM) is a rare, and often fatal, complication of CADM. We report a case of a 61-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with anti-melanoma differentiation- associated gene 5 antibody-associated CADM and interstitial lung disease. She developed an extensive spontaneous PnM with subcutaneous emphysema. The patient was treated with a conservative approach which was, initially, successful in reducing the size of the PnM. However, the patient died from an eventual nosocomial pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation. This case illustrates that improving the management of CADM associated PnM, remains a major unmet need.

Objective: To propose a consensus for prevention of vaginal stenosis in patients submitted to pelvic radiotherapy., Method: In this methodological study, Delphi technique was applied for content validation on vaginal stenosis prevention. Data regarding content validation were collected from 32 specialists practicing in the oncology profession. The content validity index of items in the consensus was calculated based on the evaluations by the specialists., Results: In the first round, of the 38 items evaluated, 29 items reached a Content Validity Index (CVI-I) greater than 80%, and 9 items had a CVI lower than 80%. Of the items that did not obtain agreement, 2 items were excluded, and 7 were reformulated and included in the second round. In the second round, all 7 items obtained a CVI-I greater than 80%. The final instrument consisted of 29 items validated in the first round, plus 7 items reformulated and consolidated in the second round. The judges agreed that it is the responsibility of the health professionals to consult the patients undergoing radiation therapy in the area of sexuality to patients. The radiation oncologist should be the first professional to address this issue and the nurse oncologist in the follow-up consultation should pass the guidelines to the patients as comprehensively as possible. Patients should be informed about vaginal dilation, regardless of whether they are sexually active or have a partner. They should also be informed of when they can resume sexual activity. The procedure of vaginal dilation should be individualized. The prescribed vaginal dilators should be used with a lubricant for a duration of at least 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times a week, as per the need of each patient (sexual activity and/or clinical follow-up) for an indefinite time. Patients should seek medical help in case they experience pain, discomfort, or bleeding during dilation., Conclusion: The Brazilian version of the consensus for vaginal stenosis prevention in patients submitted to pelvic radiotherapy was validated with 36 items in 7 categories related to Responsibility; Target population; Rationale; Vaginal dilator; Content instructions; Information provision; and Patient support. In Brazil, the educational practices on vaginal dilation for patients submitted to radiotherapy partly revealed similar difficulties as identified in other studies as well as countries with reference to specific guidelines for the start and duration of vaginal dilation. The final consensus developed in this study could strengthen the guidelines for education of patients in Brazil and provide a future scope to establish a single and safe guideline., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.