Purtscher's retinopathy associated with mandibular fracture: a case report

Efficacy of Purtscher's Retinopathy Treatments: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of available Purtscher's Retinopathy treatments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to collect single-case reports, electronic searches were conducted in several databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, SinoMed, VIP, and WanFang in the Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. In VIP and Wanfang, we also traced the references of included articles. Risk of bias was evaluated using a tool adapted from the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS19.0. Evidence was evaluated and graded with GRADE system.

RESULTS

In total, 76 studies were included involving 88 cases and 139 eyes. Serious bias existed in 90% of the included studies. Current treatments for Purtscher's retinopathy included glucocorticoid therapy (63.29%), traditional Chinese medicine therapy (10.13%), glucocorticoid integrative medicine therapy (7.60%), and integrative medicine therapy (6.33%). Patients' eyesight with (56.83%) or without (43.17%) treatment both improved in the follow-up within 1-3 months, 4-6 months, and more than 6 months; however, conditions without treatment became better compared to the treatment groups in after 4-6 months and more than 6 months. All results were "very low" in the GRADE system. None of the studies reported adverse reactions in any patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Both treatment and no treatment improve vision in Purtscher's retinopathy patients, but the difference between no treatment and glucocorticoid therapy had no statistical significance. The evidence quality for this conclusion was "very low" and had large bias. Further research is required to understand the safety of Purtscher's retinopathy treatment.

[Prognosis and differential diagnosis of Purtscher's retinopathy]

BACKGROUND

Purtscher's retinopathy is accompanied by a distinct loss of vision as a result of severe trauma to the chest or skull. Reports on visual prognosis in the literature are not uniform.

PATIENTS

The data of 10 patients with Purtscher's retinopathy from the department of Ophthalmology in Freiburg, published data from 55 patients with Purtscher's retinopathy and 20 patients with traumatic retinal hemorrhages taken from the literature were evaluated.

RESULTS

The average visual acuity of the 10 patients from Freiburg was 0.3 within a short period after the accident and the final average visual acuity was 0.46. The average visual acuity of the 55 patients with Purtscher's retinopathy was 0.21 within a short period after the accident with an average final visual acuity of 0.61. The average visual acuity of the 20 patients with traumatic retinal hemorrhages from the literature was 0.45 within a short period after the accident with an average final visual acuity of 0.74. Therefore the initial and the final visual acuity were better in patients with traumatic retinal hemorrhages compared to patients with Purtscher's retinopathy.

CONCLUSION

In spite of severe initial retinal findings, the visual prognosis is usually not disappointing. Prognosis of visual acuity was better in patients with traumatic retinal hemorrhages compared to patients with Purtscher's retinopathy.

[From fat emboli to fat embolism syndrome]

The occurrence of a fat embolism syndrome (FES) can be explained by two hypothetic mechanisms. In the mechanical hypothesis, bone marrow enters into the cardiovascular system during an intramedullary peak pressure. This peak could occur during either long bone fracture and/or intramedullary nailing or cemented or noncemented arthroplasty. According to the biochemical hypothesis, the FES could occur in nontraumatic conditions such as lipid emulsion infusion or sickle cell disease. The C-reactive protein is a possible factor for destabilizing plasma fat (chylomicrons or Intralipid liposomes). Treatment with heparin has been reported to interfere with lipid metabolism through a "creaming" phenomenon. Plasma fatty acids increase lipid peroxidation, with potential severe oxidative stress of lung. Vascular lung injury is increased by granulocytes and the clotting cascade is activated by neutral fat. After a symptom-free period, the full clinical picture is characterized by pulmonary insufficiency with hypoxaemia, neurological impairment, pyrexia and petechial haemorrhages. The accurate incidence cannot be assessed as many subclinical forms remain unrecognized. Transoesophageal echocardiography with color-flow Doppler allows considerable insight into the sequence of embolic events and patent foramen ovale (PFO). A PFO induces an increase in right-to-left shunt in case of an elevated intrapulmonary pressure. PFO might elicit systemic manifestations of the FES, particularly with neurological impairment. Carotid ultrasonography helps to visualize embolism. Magnetic resonance imaging of cerebral fat emboli is a better diagnostic tool for detecting brain embolism than computerized tomography. Quantification of cells containing fat droplets in bronchoalveolar lavage material could also be helpful. Pulmonary microvascular cytology analysis of capillary blood samples obtained through a pulmonary artery catheter in combination with blood gas changes are of value for earlier stage FES. Prophylactic and therapeutic measures are aimed to counteract the various mechanisms leading to FES. The decrease in time delay of fracture management is probably the most effective prophylactic means. A reaming procedure can be noxious, particularly in a patient with a severe thoracic trauma. The insertion without reaming of a small diameter nail, plating or external fixation have several advantages. Albumin infusion is recommended for restoration of blood volume and binding of fatty acids. Among pharmacologic measures, only corticosteroids have a proven benefit, not only for prophylaxis but also for therapy. Aprotinin and heparin are beneficial in counteracting blood cell aggregation. A prophylactic use of vena cava filters has been advocated. Prevention or early treatment of hypovolaemia and hypoxaemia are essential.