Anophthalmic Sockets in Retinoblastoma: A Single Center Experience

PURPOSE

To evaluate outcomes of anophthalmic sockets in retinoblastoma at a tertiary care center in Singapore.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

METHODS

Patients who underwent enucleation as sole/part of treatment for retinoblastoma were reviewed at our center from 2005-2017. Details including demographics, grouping and staging, adjuvant therapy, surgery, implant, and complications were collected.

RESULTS

Of 42 patients with retinoblastoma managed over the period, the anophthalmic sockets of 31 patients who underwent enucleation were analyzed. Mean age at enucleation was 2 years. Twenty-three enucleations were performed at our institution and 8 enucleations had been performed elsewhere. Seventeen patients (52%) had porous polypropylene, 9 patients (27%) had polymethylmethacrylate, 1 patient (3%) had glass implant, and 3 (9%) had dermis fat graft. The sizes of implants varied from 10 to 20 mm. Twelve patients had attempts at globe salvation before enucleation. Out of 28 patients with primary orbital implants, 3 had implant exposure. The rates of repeat surgery among patients with and without primary implant were 66.67% (2 out of 3) and 10.7% (3 out of 28), respectively. One patient had postenucleation socket syndrome with stock eye. Five patients referred for enucleation were conservatively managed.

CONCLUSIONS

Anophthalmic sockets in retinoblastoma have long-term implications if the primary procedure is not performed well. While the majority had good outcomes (structural and esthetic), a minority had complications requiring intervention. Ophthalmologists managing retinoblastoma must be aware of these. Primary implant had favorable outcome with minimal complications.

A case series of anophthalmic socket cysts excised utilising fibrin sealant

Anophthalmic socket cysts are challenging to remove and incomplete excision has been shown to increase the risk of recurrence. This case series describes a novel technique utilising the fibrin sealant Tisseel (Baxter AG, Vienna, Austria) to retain the socket cyst integrity during surgical removal to facilitate its complete excision. Five patients were included and followed up for a minimum of 1 year, and there were no signs of recurrence in any of the cases. The surgical technique is described and illustrated. This technique is a safe way of simplifying challenging socket cyst surgery.

Primary Intraocular Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor Without Extrascleral Compromise

Primary intraocular malignant rhabdoid tumor is classified as a malignant extrarenal rhabdoid tumor. It is extremely rare, highly aggressive, and, so far, only one case (in a newborn) has been described in the medical literature. The authors report a second case of primary intraocular malignant rhabdoid tumor, this time without extrascleral involvement and in a teenager, and describe its histological, immunohistochemical, and radiological characteristics along with clinical correlations. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol. 2018;55:e7-e9.].

Simultaneous Bilateral Primary Choroidal Melanoma

A case of bilateral primary choroidal melanoma is described. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in Spain. On admission of a 70-year-old man for a choroidal melanoma in the right eye, an asymptomatic tumor was detected in the periphery of his left eye. A-scan ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography and diascleral transillumination supported the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma in both eyes. The right eye was enucleated. Histology confirmed a choroidal melanoma of the mixed type. The left eye was treated with laser photocoagulation and an episcleral plaque of ruthenium-106. Careful systemic evaluation produced no evidence of a primary tumor or metastatic disease elsewhere in the body. Because of the impossibility, in most cases, of obtaining histological confirmation in both eyes, and the tendency of choroidal melanomas to metastatize late, we suggest that the criteria of independent origin (two separate cell types and tumors separated in time) are not necessary in cases of presumed bilateral choroidal melanoma.

Macular Hole in a Case of Choroidal Melanoma

BACKGROUND

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with intraocular tumors has been described in a small number of cases. We describe a patient with choroidal melanoma associated with a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and a macular hole.

METHODS

A 71-year-old man underwent enucleation for a bulky pigmented tumor overying the macula.

RESULTS

Hystopathological examination revealed moderate cystoid macular edema with a full-thickness macular hole and a mixed-cell type choroidal melanoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationships between choroidal melanoma, macular hole and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment are discussed.

A Clinical Study of the Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implant

The hydroxyapatite orbital implant has been used in the anophthalmic patient to give good motility of the artificial eye and a cosmetic result which matches that of the natural eye. It is thought to reduce the unacceptable complication rate that has been associated with other implants, as its buried, vascularized state deters extrusion and migration of the implant. Eighty consecutive patients were followed, 33 of whom had been referred for primary enucleation or evisceration, and 47 for secondary implant surgery. Thirteen of the secondary patients already had implants in situ. There were 44 males and 36 females in the study. The age range was 2.5 to 72 years with a mean of 36 years. The follow-up time was 2 to 30 months with a mean of 15 months. Twenty patients had been pegged at the time of review. A standardised operative and post-operative protocol was followed. The patients were assessed for the results of the motility of the artificial eye for both smooth pursuit and saccades, and for the cosmetic result. The amount of upper lid sulcus deformity was assessed to give an indication of volume replacement by the implant. The nature of any complications was noted as well as any further surgical procedures undertaken. The results show the hydroxyapatite orbital implant to give good cosmetic results with good motility of the artificial eye and to be associated with a low rate of complications. Drilling of the implant is simple to perform and also not associated with any significant complications. The hydroxyapatite orbital implant can be used successfully not only as a primary but also as a secondary or exchange implant with very few contraindications.

Malignant Melanoma of the Iris a 25-Year Analysis of Danish Cases

This study examined malignant melanoma of the iris in Denmark over a 25-year period on the basis of the files of the Eye Pathology Institute. From 1961 to 1985 a total of 80 cases were found (41 males, 39 females; median age 53 years, range 8 - 83). This means an average of 3.2 cases/year with an average population of 4.9 million. In contrast to malignant melanoma of the choroid, an increase was observed. The reason is not known, although exposure to actinic rays may be a factor. More than a third of cases were close to the pupil, a little less than a third invaded the chamber angle/ciliary body. Ten cases were ring melanomas. Half of the tumours were spindle-celled, a quarter mixed and a few epithelioid or naevoid in cell morphology. Iridectomy was performed in 28 cases, primary enucleation in 27 and secondary enucleation in ten. Iridocyclectomy was performed in 15 cases. All patients could be traced. At the date of follow-up (Dec. 1, 1991) eight had died with metastases; four of these were patients with ring melanoma and four with tumours invading the ciliary body. After iridocyclectomy, only one metastatic death was recorded –- a case of incomplete resection. The grave prognosis of a ring melanoma is highlighted.

Complications of Hydroxyapatite Pegging: Comparison between Polycarbonate and Titanium Peg System

PURPOSE

Polycarbonate peg has been customarily used for pegging of hydroxyapatite for years. For better movement, tissue tolerance, and to decrease the complications of pegging, titanium peg system has been used. This study compares the two systems.

METHODS

Complications associated with pegging (polycarbonate: Bio-Eye or titanium: Dr-Perry new P-K) were retrospectively reviewed from the charts of 153 patients admitted to the Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran, Iran, for over 5 years from 1997 to 2003.

RESULTS

A total of 153 cases were studied. Ninety-six (62.3%) were male and 57 (37.7%) were female, and the mean age was 27.7 years (6-59 years). In 88 cases pegs were poly-carbonate and sleeve system and in 65 cases pegs were titanium. Forty-one (46%) of cases with polycarbonate and 18 (27%) of cases with titanium had at least one or more complications (p=0.018). The most common complications were granulation tissue, discharge, overgrowth of conjunctiva, and peg falling out in 25%, 23%, 13%, and 8% in polycarbonate peg and 15%, 5%, 1.5%, and 0% in titanium peg group. The prevalence of the last three complications was statistically lower in titanium peg compared with polycarbonate. Twenty-five cases (35%) with polycarbonate peg and 5 cases (7.5%) with titanium peg had two or more complications (p=0.03). Peg removal was done in 11 cases of polycarbonate but only two cases of titanium peg in order to treat the complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Both pegging systems had some complications, although these were less severe and prevalent in titanium peg. More studies on complications due to titanium pegs are recommended.

Intraocular Astrocytoma without Phacomatosis

PURPOSE

Astrocytic tumors occur in the retina or in the optic disc usually as a part of tuberous sclerosis complex or other phacomatosis and their isolated occurrence is rare. The authors present two adult patients in whom the diagnosis of intraocular astrocytoma was established but no signs of phacomatosis were revealed.

Comparison of primary and secondary enucleation for uveal melanoma

We investigated operative course and post-operative findings of patients undergoing primary enucleation for uveal melanoma versus those requiring secondary enucleation after brachytherapy. A retrospective chart review was performed with IRB approval on patients receiving treatment for uveal melanoma. Patients with enucleation as initial treatment and patients enucleated after plaque brachytherapy were analyzed for demographic data, operative course, and post-enucleation outcome. Further cause analysis for secondary enucleations was investigated. No significant difference was seen in age, laterality, or gender between the primarily enucleated (n = 54) and secondarily enucleated (n = 34) groups. Greater difficulty with surgery was noted in 28/32 (87.5%) of secondary enucleations compared to 1/54 (1.8%) of primary enucleations (p < 0.0001). Operative time was >2 hours in 3/51 (6%) of primary enucleations (vs. 8 of 32, 25%, p = 0.02). Average implant size was similar in the 2 groups (20.6 mm), however 2/34 (6%) of secondary enucleations required dermis fat grafting. Post-enucleation anophthalmic ptosis occurred after 8/49 (16%) of primary cases (vs. 13/30, 43%, p = 0.02) and prosthetic enophthalmos after none (0%) of primary cases (vs. 5/30, 17%, p = 0.006). Class 2 gene expression profile was found in 6/8 (60%) of eyes enucleated for treatment failure. Secondary enucleation performed after plaque brachytherapy was technically more difficult, and had more anophthalmic socket and eyelid complications compared to primary enucleation for uveal melanoma. Primary enucleation may avoid additional surgery and morbidity in a subset of patients with contraindications to plaque brachytherapy.

[THE BRAF MUTATION AND THE POSSIBILITIES OF UVEAL MELANOMA METASTASING PROGNOSTIC MARKERS IDENTIFICATION]

AIM

The aim is to assess the BRAF gene mutations in patients with posterior uveal melanoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the group of patients with malignant melanoma of the uvea, who were indicated to enucleation between 1.1 2015 to 1.3.2016. We analyzed stage of uveal melanoma, volume, cell type and BRAF gene mutations.

RESULTS

In clinical study of 20 patients after enucleation due to uveal melanoma at the Department of Ophthalmology in Bratislava, patient age was ranged from 22 to 89 years with a median of 62 years. In 14 patients (70 %) enucleation was the primary treatment and in 6 patients (30 %) enucleation was after irradiation (brachytherapy, Leksell gama knife, linear accelerator). In 17 cases (85 %) the mutation of the BRAF gene was negative and in 3 cases the sample was not assessable for the BRAF mutation.

CONCLUSION

BRAF gene mutation is confirmed by several studies found in malignant melanoma of the skin. The histopathology findings in our group did not confirmed our theory, that since the uveal melanoma itself has the similar origin as skin melanoma, should also contain a BRAF mutation.Key words: malignant melanoma of the uvea, mutation of the BRAF gene, chromosomal abnormalities as a prognostic factor.

Bruch´s membrane thickness in relationship to axial length

PURPOSE

To assess a potential role of Bruch´s membrane (BM) in the biomechanics of the eye, we measured its thickness and the density of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in various ocular regions in eyes of varying axial length.

METHODS

Human globes, enucleated because of an ocular tumor or end-stage glaucoma were prepared for histological examination. Using light microscopy, the histological slides were histomorphometrically examined applying a digitized image analysis system.

RESULTS

The study included 104 eyes with a mean axial length of 27.9±3.2 mm (range:22.6mm-36.5mm). In eyes without congenital glaucoma, BM was significantly thickest (P<0.001) at the ora serrata, followed by the posterior pole, the midpoint between equator and posterior pole (MBEPP), and finally the equator. BM thickness was not significantly correlated with axial length (ora serrata: P = 0.93; equator:P = 0.31; MBEPP:P = 0.15; posterior pole:P = 0.35). RPE cell density in the pre-equatorial region (P = 0.02; regression coefficient r = -0.24) and in the retro-equatorial region (P = 0.03; r = -0.22) decreased with longer axial length, while RPE cell density at the ora serrata (P = 0.35), the MBEPP (P = 0.06; r = -0.19) and the posterior pole (P = 0.38) was not significantly correlated with axial length. Highly myopic eyes with congenital glaucoma showed a tendency towards lower BM thickness and lower RPE cell density at all locations.

CONCLUSIONS

BM thickness, in contrast to scleral and choroidal thickness, was independent of axial length in eyes without congenital glaucoma. In association with an axial elongation associated decrease in the RPE cell density in the midperiphery, the findings support the notion of a biomechanical role BM may play in the process of emmetropization/myopization.

Self-inflicted enucleations: Clinical features of seven cases

We report the clinical presentation, radiography, and management outcomes of autoenucleations (AE). Charts of 7 patients evaluated at 4 institutions with AE were reviewed. Four males and three females had a mean age of 50 years (range 26-72 years). The etiologies were psychosis secondary to underlying mental illness (6, 88%) and substance use (1, 12%), and the mechanism was largely blunt digital injury (6, 88%). Three (43%) AE patients suffered bilateral enucleations. Common concomitant injuries included eyelid lacerations (5, 71%) and optic nerve avulsion (3, 43%). Radiography was utilized for all of the study patients with computed tomography as the most common (5, 71%), followed by ultrasound (1, 14%), and magnetic resonance imaging with CT angiography (1, 14). Orbital exploration was performed in the management of all patients. Orbital implants were placed in 4 (57%) patients. Patients were followed for a mean of 1.9 months (range 1-4 months). Autoenucleation affects both genders and is commonly associated with eyelid lacerations, optic nerve avulsion, and intracranial hemorrhage. The association with intracranial hemorrhage is consistent with prior reports of internal carotid artery injury following shearing of the optic nerve. Autoenucleation cases were seen secondary to mental or substance induced psychosis, and these patients may be at risk for future injuries such as AE of the contralateral globe. The common causes for psychosis reported our patient group include schizophrenia, depression, schizoaffective disorder, and methamphetamine-induced psychosis, which corroborates with similar cases in the literature. Two of three cases of bilateral AE suffered sequential AE where the contralateral globe was enucleated days apart. All patients suffering AE should have full medical, psychiatric, neurologic, and radiologic evaluation and monitoring while under care. When evaluating patients with obvious ocular injury, accompanying intracranial injuries should be ruled out in a timely fashion before pursuing surgical intervention.

Treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma with adoptive transfer of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes: a single-centre, two-stage, single-arm, phase 2 study

BACKGROUND

Uveal melanoma is a rare tumour with no established treatments once metastases develop. Although a variety of immune-based therapies have shown efficacy in metastatic cutaneous melanoma, their use in ocular variants has been disappointing. Recently, adoptive T-cell therapy has shown salvage responses in multiple refractory solid tumours. Thus, we sought to determine if adoptive transfer of autologous tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) could mediate regression of metastatic uveal melanoma.

METHODS

In this ongoing single-centre, two-stage, phase 2, single-arm trial, patients (aged ≥16 years) with histologically confirmed metastatic ocular melanoma were enrolled. Key eligibility criteria were an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, progressive metastatic disease, and adequate haematological, renal, and hepatic function. Metastasectomies were done to procure tumour tissue to generate autologous TIL cultures, which then underwent large scale ex-vivo expansion. Patients were treated with lymphodepleting conditioning chemotherapy (intravenous cyclophosphamide [60 mg/kg] daily for 2 days followed by fludarabine [25 mg/m2] daily for 5 days, followed by a single intravenous infusion of autologous TILs and high-dose interleukin-2 [720 000 IU/kg] every 8 h). The primary endpoint was objective tumour response in evaluable patients per protocol using Response to Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.0. An interim analysis of this trial is reported here. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01814046.

FINDINGS

From the completed first stage and ongoing expansion stage of this trial, a total of 21 consecutive patients with metastatic uveal melanoma were enrolled between June 7, 2013, and Sept 9, 2016, and received TIL therapy. Seven (35%, 95% CI 16-59) of 20 evaluable patients had objective tumour regression. Among the responders, six patients achieved a partial response, two of which are ongoing and have not reached maximum response. One patient achieved complete response of numerous hepatic metastases, currently ongoing at 21 months post therapy. Three of the responders were refractory to previous immune checkpoint blockade. Common grade 3 or worse toxic effects were related to the lymphodepleting chemotherapy regimen and included lymphopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia (21 [100%] patients for each toxicity); anaemia (14 [67%] patients); and infection (six [29%] patients). There was one treatment-related death secondary to sepsis-induced multiorgan failure.

INTERPRETATION

To our knowledge, this is the first report describing adoptive transfer of autologous TILs to mediate objective tumour regression in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. These initial results challenge the belief that metastatic uveal melanoma is immunotherapy resistant and support the further investigation of immune-based therapies for this cancer. Refinement of this T-cell therapy is crucial to improve the frequency of clinical responses and the general applicability of this treatment modality.

FUNDING

Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research.

[Long-term results of the compatibility of a coralline hydroxyapatite implant as eye replacement]

BACKGROUND

Coralline hydroxyapatite has been used since 1983 as volume replacement. Through 2001, a total of 200 hydroxyapatite implants were used in our department.

OBJECTIVE

This prospective study was undertaken to measure the subjective and objective long-term tolerance of this implant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 2012, a total of 20 patients were examined, who were enucleated or eviscerated between 1993 and 2001 (average follow-up 16.2 years) and had an hydroxyapatite implant placed with a scleral sheath. We evaluated the subjective tolerance and measured the motility, the prominence of the globe, lid positions, changes of the conjunctiva and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

The subjective long-term tolerance was reported to be good. All patients had a ptosis; an ectropion was found in 50% of patients. In 40% of the patients additional surgery was performed. The motility was better in primary than in secondary placed implants. Volume replacement was successful in 10 patients, 9 patients had a retraction and 1 patient a prominent prosthesis.

DISCUSSION

Hydroxyapatite implants with sclera sheathing were well tolerated and showed good motility on long-term follow-up over more than 16 years. Lid malpositions such as ptosis or ectropion are common but might be due to mechanical stress through the prosthesis and atrophy of the orbital fat.

Histopathologic Analysis of Transvitreal Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Needle Tracts for Uveal Melanoma

PURPOSE

Perform the first in vivo examination of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) scleral tracts to determine the incidence of iatrogenic extension of tumor cells.

DESIGN

A prospective, consecutive, observational case series.

METHODS

This study was performed in a clinical/surgical setting at Retina Consultants of Houston and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, and included 10 patients who were scheduled for enucleation as primary treatment for uveal melanoma. Treatment included FNAB, enucleation, and histopathologic analysis. The primary outcomes were tumor location and dimension as identified by B-scans and histopathologic analysis. Tumor type was classified by gene expression profile and American Joint Committee on Cancer staging. Twenty-five- or 27-gauge needles were used for FNAB under direct visualization. Cell blocks of acquired specimens were examined using hematoxylin-eosin stain and double immunostain using HMB45 with red chromogen and Ki67 with brown 3,3'-diaminobenzidine chromogen.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up after enucleation was 20.4 months (range 9.9-31.7). All biopsy specimens had adequate yields for genomic analysis. No enucleation specimen contained tumor cells within sclera, pars plana, or pars plicata. One specimen contained a small collection of tumor cells within the anterior vitreous in the quadrant of the biopsy site. No patient developed an orbital recurrence. Four patients developed nonorbital metastatic uveal melanoma during the study period. Three of them died, and 1 is alive with hepatic metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

No iatrogenic extension of tumor was reported. FNAB is a safe procedure that produces a high cellular yield for cytologic and genomic analyses with minimal risk of extraocular dissemination.

Ocular Salvage and Vision Preservation Using a Topotecan-Based Regimen for Advanced Intraocular Retinoblastoma

Purpose To evaluate topotecan-based therapy for advanced intraocular retinoblastoma. Patients and Methods Twenty-seven patients with bilateral retinoblastoma (male patients, n = 14; median age, 8.4 months) received chemotherapy: two courses of topotecan plus vincristine followed by three alternating administrations of carboplatin and vincristine for two courses and topotecan plus vincristine for one course, with optional periocular carboplatin. Focal therapy was applied after cycle 2. Event-free survival was defined as avoidance of external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and enucleation. Results Of 54 eyes, 42 were Reese-Ellsworth group IV to V, and 37 were International Classification of Retinoblastoma group C to E. Eleven eyes were enucleated: one at diagnosis, nine with progressive disease including three eyes treated with EBRT, and one that developed neovascular glaucoma after completion of therapy. One patient was removed from protocol with prolonged infection in course 1; 26 patients (51 eyes) were analyzed. At 10 years, cumulative incidence of EBRT was 5.9% (SE ± 3), and event-free survival was 69.2% (SE ± 27.2). Ocular survival for Reese-Ellsworth group IV to V eyes was 77.5% (SE ± 21.2); it was 74.3% (SE ≥ 18.8) for International Classification group C to E eyes. Vision testing (median age, 7 years; range, 5 to 10 years) documented 20/70 vision or better in one eye of 23 patients; 19 (76%) of 25 patients demonstrated 20/40 vision or better in one eye. All patients experienced thrombocytopenia (41 episodes in 275 courses; 15%). There were 29 episodes of febrile neutropenia (10%). Grade 3 diarrhea was present in nine of 27 patients, and one patient had an allergic reaction to carboplatin. All patients are alive at median follow-up 7.4 years (range, 2.7 to 10 years). Conclusion Topotecan combined with vincristine, carboplatin, and aggressive focal therapies is an effective regimen for the treatment of advanced retinoblastoma and results in globe salvage with vision. Toxicities were anticipated and managed with appropriate supportive care.

Choroidal Infiltration by Retinoblastoma: Predictive Clinical Features and Outcome

PURPOSE

To identify the clinical features predictive of choroidal infiltration by retinoblastoma on histopathology and to report the outcome in these patients.

METHODS

Retrospective study.

RESULTS

Of the 403 patients who underwent primary enucleation for retinoblastoma, 113 patients had choroidal tumor infiltration and 290 patients had no choroidal tumor infiltration. There was a higher incidence of metastasis and related death in the choroidal tumor infiltration group compared to the no choroidal tumor infiltration group (4% vs 1%; P = .02). On multivariate analysis, the clinical features predictive of histopathologic massive choroidal infiltration included prolonged duration of symptoms for more than 6 months (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.04; P = .001) and secondary glaucoma (HR = 2.24; P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the patients with retinoblastoma with prolonged duration of symptoms (> 6 months) had a three-fold greater risk and those with secondary glaucoma at presentation had a two-fold greater risk of massive choroidal tumor infiltration. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2016;53(6):349-356.].

Indications of enucleations and eviscerations performed at a tertiary eye care unit: A case series

The retrospective study was planned to look at the indications of eye enucleations and eviscerations, and comprised all such procedures done at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2006 to December 2015. Data was collected regarding age at the time of procedure, gender, procedure type, indication for enucleation or evisceration, type of implant if used and complications. Of the 66 eyes of 65 individuals, 47 (71.2%) underwent evisceration and 19 (28.8%) enucleation. The mean age at the time of the procedures was 37.86±23.09 years. The indication for enucleation or evisceration were keratitis 14(21.2%), introcular tumours 13(19.7%), trauma 10(15.2%), endophthalmitis 10(15.2%), cosmesis 10(15.2%) and painful blind eye 9(13.6%). Only 5(7.5%) procedures had postoperative complications such as wound dehiscence, infected socket, loose suture, or stich abscess. Most of causes of enucleation and evisceration in this case series could have prevented through the application of evidence-based safety practices.

Recurrent inverted papilloma of paranasal sinus presenting as acute proptosis

Objective. To describe the course of events that followed from the time of the diagnosis to the management of a rare case of recurrent inverted papilloma presenting as an acute proptosis. Methods. A seventy-year-old diabetic female patient presented with a painful left eye proptosis for 15 days. She had a history of resection of inverted papilloma of paranasal sinus followed by radiotherapy for eight years before. The examination revealed a 23 mm proptosis, with restricted ocular movements, corneal oedema, funnel shaped anterior chamber, and total retinal detachment with a complete visual loss. The lobulated fixed hard mass was palpable circumferentially but more in the inferior orbital compartment. The transconjunctival incisional biopsy showed features of highly undifferentiated cytology. The lid sparing exenteration was done under general anesthesia with cosmetic reconstruction. Results. Immunohistochemistry of exenterated mass was doubtfully suggestive of a small cell tumor. However, histopathology confirmed features of rhabdomyosarcoma. Conclusion. The present case study revealed rhabdomyosarcoma cytology presenting as an association-inverted papilloma. Abbreviations : IP = Inverted papilloma, PNS = Paranasal sinus, SCC = Squamous cell carcinoma, IOP = Intraocular pressure, CT = Computed tomography.

Congenital Anophthalmia and Binocular Neonatal Enucleation Differently Affect the Proteome of Primary and Secondary Visual Cortices in Mice

In blind individuals, visually deprived occipital areas are activated by non-visual stimuli. The extent of this cross-modal activation depends on the age at onset of blindness. Cross-modal inputs have access to several anatomical pathways to reactivate deprived visual areas. Ectopic cross-modal subcortical connections have been shown in anophthalmic animals but not in animals deprived of sight at a later age. Direct and indirect cross-modal cortical connections toward visual areas could also be involved, yet the number of neurons implicated is similar between blind mice and sighted controls. Changes at the axon terminal, dendritic spine or synaptic level are therefore expected upon loss of visual inputs. Here, the proteome of V1, V2M and V2L from P0-enucleated, anophthalmic and sighted mice, sharing a common genetic background (C57BL/6J x ZRDCT/An), was investigated by 2-D DIGE and Western analyses to identify molecular adaptations to enucleation and/or anophthalmia. Few proteins were differentially expressed in enucleated or anophthalmic mice in comparison to sighted mice. The loss of sight affected three pathways: metabolism, synaptic transmission and morphogenesis. Most changes were detected in V1, followed by V2M. Overall, cross-modal adaptations could be promoted in both models of early blindness but not through the exact same molecular strategy. A lower metabolic activity observed in visual areas of blind mice suggests that even if cross-modal inputs reactivate visual areas, they could remain suboptimally processed.

Correlation of Insurance, Race, and Ethnicity with Pathologic Risk in a Controlled Retinoblastoma Cohort: A Children's Oncology Group Study

PURPOSE

To determine whether insurance status, race, and ethnicity correlate with increased retinoblastoma invasiveness as a marker of both risk and time to diagnosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study.

PARTICIPANTS

All 203 patients from the United States enrolled in the Children's Oncology Group (COG) trial ARET0332, a study of patients with unilateral retinoblastoma requiring enucleation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All surgical specimens underwent pathologic review to determine the presence of well-defined histopathologic features correlating with a higher risk of disease progression. Insurance status, race, and ethnicity were compiled from the study record for each patient.

RESULTS

On institutional pathologic review, nonprivate insurance, nonwhite race, and Hispanic ethnicity all correlated significantly with a greater rate of high-risk pathologic findings. Hispanic ethnicity remained a significant predictor on multivariate analysis. On central pathologic review, these correlations remained but did not reach statistical significance. The differences in results from institutional versus central pathologic reviews appeared to be due to a higher likelihood of patients in minority groups of being misclassified as high risk by institutional pathologists.

CONCLUSIONS

In this controlled study population of patients with retinoblastoma who had central pathologic review, our findings suggest a higher rate of more advanced disease associated with nonprivate insurance, nonwhite race, and Hispanic ethnicity; these findings may be due to delays in diagnosis for these groups. Future work should use direct methods to study the impact of other variables, including English-language proficiency and socioeconomic status. Further effort also should focus on where in the diagnostic process potential delays exist, so that interventions can be designed to overcome barriers to care for these groups. In addition, potential systematic differences in pathologic reads based on demographic variables deserve further study.