Interferon alpha-2a for proliferative diabetic retinopathy after complete laser panretinal photocoagulation treatment

Role of interferons in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major causes of visual impairment and irreversible blindness in developed regions. Aside from abnormal angiogenesis, inflammation is the most specific and might be the initiating factor of DR. As a key participant in inflammation, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) can be detected in different parts of the eye and is responsible for the breakdown of the blood-retina barrier and activation of inflammatory cells and other cytokines, which accelerate neovascularization and neuroglial degeneration. In addition, IFN-γ is involved in other vascular complications of diabetes mellitus and angiogenesis-dependent diseases, such as diabetic nephropathy, cerebral microbleeds, and age-related macular degeneration. Traditional treatments, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, vitrectomy, and laser photocoagulation therapy, are more effective for angiogenesis and not tolerable for every patient. Many ongoing clinical trials are exploring effective drugs that target inflammation. For instance, IFN-α acts against viruses and angiogenesis and is commonly used to treat malignant tumors. Moreover, IFN-α has been shown to contribute to alleviating the progression of DR and other ocular diseases. In this review, we emphasize the roles that IFNs play in the pathogenesis of DR and discuss potential clinical applications of IFNs in DR, such as diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic treatment.

Clinical features and management of posttraumatic subperiosteal hematoma of the orbit

Traumatic subperiosteal hematoma (SpH) usually presents late, after the initial trauma. It is generally seen in young males. Computed tomography is the best mode of imaging and helps to rule out orbital fracture or associated subdural hematoma. We present the clinical features and management of four patients seen at the orbit clinic with SpH. Management is based on time of presentation, visual acuity and any communicating bleed. The prognosis of traumatic SpH is excellent if treated with an individualized patient approach.

Ossified cephalhematoma

Ossified cephalhematoma is a rare clinical entity and a pathological curiosity. Even though cephalhematoma is frequently encountered, ossified cephalhematoma is seen only sporadically and is restricted to only few case reports in the literature. Its pathogenesis is unclear, and the clinical course is different in neonates and juveniles. The risk factors are known, but why it gets ossified in some cases is not understood. We report a case of ossified cephalhematoma which developed in a 10-week-old male child in the right parietal region and discuss its possible pathogenesis.

Late Subperiosteal Hematomata Associated with Craniofacial Surgery

Hematomata are well-recognized complications of surgery. Subperiosteal hematomata occur rarely and have not been well documented after craniofacial surgery. It is possible that craniofacial surgery increases the likelihood of subperiosteal hematomata occurring after minor trauma, even long after surgery, with a risk of subsequent ossification. Over a period of 7 years, 12 patients were identified as having possible subperiosteal hematomata. A number of these patients displayed distinct ossification in the area of the subperiosteal hematoma, resulting in an obvious contour defect. This can be prevented if the patients present early enough and if the hematoma is evacuated. Prompt evacuation of the hematoma is therefore suggested in any case with a history suggestive of a subperiosteal hematoma.