Persistent socket pain postenucleation and post evisceration: a systematic review

A Case of Supraorbital Hypoesthesia Following Double Orbital Sphere Volume Implant

The patient is a 63-year-old female with past ocular history of end-stage glaucoma in her OD. To maintain symmetry and achieve cosmesis with her right orbit, she chose to proceed with enucleation of the eye with a donor sclera-wrapped 20-mm silicone sphere implant. After 1 year, she developed right enophthalmos due to volume loss. The patient opted for an additional sphere to be placed posterior to the original sphere. A 14-mm silicone sphere was placed through a lateral orbitotomy into the intraconal space. On postoperative day 1, the patient developed numbness along the V1 trigeminal nerve in the supraorbital region, extending past her hairline. The implant was removed 1 week later, and the authors are currently waiting for nerve recovery. This is a rare and challenging postoperative complication, possibly explained by nerve compression, demyelination, or nerve ischemia.

Orbital trochleitis: Literature review

Trochleitis is clinically and/or radiologically evidenced inflammation of the trochlea or orbital pulley. Clinically it is characterized by pain and hypersensitivity in the superomedial orbital angle, which is increased or triggered by direct palpation of the area and/or eye movements. During the REM (rapid eye movements) phase of sleep, patients with trochleitis suffer from nocturnal micro-awakenings that impede their rest, and pain is often associated with visual symptoms (diplopia or Brown's syndrome). The lack of common guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of this disease, its low prevalence and the lack of knowledge of the different entities associated with trochlear pain, leads to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. It is essential to know the characteristics of this pathology and to diagnose it correctly, differentiating it from other trochlear pain entities, in order to be able to carry out an adequate therapeutic and prognostic approach. The lack of consensus on the therapeutic protocol means that various treatments are used, in different order and often with a combination of several without a firm scientific basis. This comprehensive review of previous studies concludes that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) achieve an overall complete cure rate of 77%, although this rate decreases to 30% in case of motility restriction or diplopia. Intratrochlear corticosteroid injection achieves an overall complete cure rate of 86%, even in the worst prognosis trochleitis, being the only effective option in NSAID-refractory trochleitis and currently being questioned as the first treatment option.

Persistent socket pain in a dog after the enucleation of the eye and its clinical management

Persistent socket pain is a condition described in humans after enucleation of the eye. This report aims at describing this condition in dogs. A 10-year-old male-neutered crossbreed was presented to the referral veterinary surgeon for enucleation of the right ocular globe. Anaesthesia and surgery were uneventful although during the postoperative period the dog was reluctant to open the mouth and to be explored by the referral veteterinary surgeon. Despite treatment with meloxicam, paracetamol and tramadol, no improvements were observed. Ten weeks after surgery, the dog was referred to the Dick White referrals for further investigations. Ophthalmic examination was normal, though palpation of the wound triggered an avoidance response. Magnetic resonance imaging showed changes compatible with orbital cellulitis. The area of interest was evaluated with the use of the mechanical Von Frey filaments. A response, characterised by sudden turning of the head and attempts to withdraw it, was evoked with filament 4.93 (8.0 g) during stimulation of the periorbital area. After induction of anaesthesia, an ultrasound-guided injection containing levobupivacaine 0.5% and methylprednisolone was performed within the retrobulbar area. Three hours after recovery from anaesthesia, no discomfort was observed during palpation of the area. Re-evaluation was performed with the Von Frey filaments; no response could be evoked during testing with all 20 filaments (from 2.36 to 6.65) applied on either side of the face. The patient was discharged with a course of gabapentin and, 3 weeks after the intervention, the dog showed no clinical signs of pain. Persistent socket pain is an unpleasant sensation at the level of the enucleated orbit, and it should be regarded as a challenging condition to diagnose and treat. The MRI findings appeared to be essential to select the most appropriate interventional treatment. The injection of local anaesthetic and steroid into the retrobulbar space was useful for both confirming the diagnosis and treating pain by reducing the peripheral signalling and decreasing the residual inflammation.

Anophthalmic Socket Syndrome: Prevalence, Impact and Management Strategies

Anophthalmic socket syndrome determines functional deficits and facial deformities, and may lead to poor psychological outcomes. This review aims to comprehensively evaluate the features of the syndrome, based on literature review and authors’ clinical and surgical experience. An electronic database (PubMed,MEDLINE and Google Scholar) search of all articles written in English and non-English language with abstract translated to English on anophthalmic socket syndrome was performed. Data reviewed included demographics, presentations, investigations, management, complications and outcomes. Different types of orbital implants were evaluated; the management of implant exposure was examined; different orbital volume enhancement procedures such as secondary implantation, subperiosteal implants and the use of fillers in anophthalmic patients were described; the problems related to socket contraction were outlined; the treatment options for chronic anophthalmic socket pain and phantom eye syndrome were assessed; the most recent advances in the management of congenital anophthalmia were described. Current clinical evidence does not support a specific orbital implant; late exposure of porous implants may be due to pegging, which currently is seldom used; filler absorption in the orbit appears to be faster than in the dermis, and repeated treatments could be a potential source of inflammation; socket contraction results in significant functional and psychological disability, and management is challenging. Patients affected by anophthalmic socket pain and phantom eye syndrome need specific counseling. It is auspicable to use a standardized protocol to treat children affected by clinical congenital anophthalmia; dermis fat graft is a suitable option in these patients as it helps continued socket expansion. Dermis fat graft can also address the volume deficit in case of explantation of exposed implants and in contracted sockets in both children and adults. Appropriate clinical care is essential, as adequate prosthesis wearing improves the quality of life of anophthalmic patients.

Phantom eye pain: a multicentric study in 100 patients

PURPOSE

Phantom eye syndrome (PES) is an underestimated complication of eye amputation (EA) characterized by phantom eye pain (PEP), phantom visions and/or phantom sensations. The aim of this study was to assess PEP prevalence, features, risk factors, social and psychological consequences and associated quality of life.

METHODS

A questionnaire study was conducted in three oculoplastic departments between April 2016 and July 2017. Patients >18 years who had undergone EA ≥3 months earlier were included and asked to complete a prestamped questionnaire. Patient's characteristics, preoperative, surgical and postoperative data were collected.

RESULTS

Of the 185 questionnaires given, 115 (62%) were returned for analysis. Hundred patients with a mean age of 65.1 years (29-92; SD = 13.0) were included. Eye amputation (EA) indications were uveal melanoma (n = 24, 24%), trauma (n = 20, 20%), retinal detachment (n = 20, 20%), glaucoma (n = 14, 14%) and endophthalmitis (n = 12, 12%). Forty-seven (47%), 30 (30%) and 38 (38%) patients experienced PEP, phantom visions and phantom sensations, respectively. Anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety Depression scale (HADS) score ≥8 for both] were diagnosed in 34 (34%) and 42 (42%) patients, respectively. The mean EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D visual analogue scale scores were 0.8 (0.06-1; SD = 0.2) and 68 (0-100; SD = 22), respectively. Preoperative eye pain (p = 0.031), glaucoma (p = 0.027), postoperative anxiety with HADS score ≥8 (p = 0.012) and ≥11 (p = 0.014), aesthetic discomfort (p = 0.002) and EQ-5D-3L score <0.8 (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with PEP in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only anxiety (HADS score ≥8) was significantly associated with PEP (p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

Phantom eye pain (PEP) is a common complication of EA strongly associated with postoperative anxiety.

Posteriorly Displaced Orbital Implant Causing Intractable Anophthalmic Socket Pain

Anophthalmic socket pain is a rare complication of enucleation. The authors present a patient presenting with intractable anophthalmic socket pain due to a posteriorly displaced orbital implant. The patient's pain localized to the V1 and V2 orbitofacial dermatomes, and we suspect compression of the frontal and zygomatic branches of the ophthalmic and maxillary nerves, respectively, as the underlying etiology of the patient's pain. Removal of the implant and placement of a dermis fat graft was effective at alleviating the patient's symptoms.

Phantom vision after eye removal: prevalence, features and related risk factors

AIM

Phantom eye syndrome is a poorly understood and underestimated complication of eye removal (ER). Seeing with the amputated eye, referred to as phantom vision (PV), is undoubtedly the most intriguing and confusing complication experienced by anophthalmic patients. The aim of the study was to assess PV prevalence, clinical features and risk factors after ER.

METHODS

A multicentric questionnaire-based study was conducted between April 2016 and July 2017. Patients >18 years who underwent ER >3 months ago had a socket examination before inclusion. Data recorded included patients' demographics, and preoperative, surgical and postoperative features.

RESULTS

One hundred patients (53 men) with a mean age of 65.1 years (29-92; SD=13.0) were included. ER indications were: uveal melanoma (n=24, 24%), trauma (n=20, 20%), retinal detachment (n=20, 20%), glaucoma (n=14, 14%) and endophthalmitis (n=12, 12%). Thirty (30%) patients experienced PV. Elementary and complex visual hallucinations were experienced by 80% and 20% of patients, respectively. PV usually appeared within the first postoperative month and tended to decrease over time. Risk factors for PV were the preoperative use of proton beam therapy (p=0.006), uveal melanoma (p=0.014), enucleation (p=0.015), anxiety with a Hospital and Anxiety Depression (HAD) score ≥8 (p=0.042), depression with a HAD score ≥8 (p=0.030), phantom eye pain (p=0.044) and phantom eye sensations (p=0.002).

CONCLUSION

PV was reported by one-third of our patients. Despite being widely misunderstood, ophthalmologists and neurologists should be aware of this complication to adequately reassure patients.

Cosmetic results of enucleation and/or external beam radiation therapy in 195 retinoblastoma survivors

PURPOSE

To report the cosmetic outcome and late effects of enucleation and/or irradiation for retinoblastoma and to evaluate the role of orbital implants.

METHODS

Patients (age >4 years) enucleated and/or irradiated for retinoblastoma, visiting the hospital for routine follow-up (April 2013 to May 2015), were included in our cross-sectional study. Data were obtained via clinical records, questionnaires, physical measurements and standardized photographs. Two independent observers scored the cosmetic features: upper eyelid position, lower eyelid position, volume deficiency, and prosthesis motility and overall cosmetic appearance.

RESULTS

A total of 195 patients participated. Ptosis was seen in 45 (28.3%) patients, lower lid sagging in 45 (28.3%). Both complications were associated with the orbital implant; ptosis being more common with increasing implant size (5.6% without implant, 16.7% with small implant, 37.1% with medium implant and 76.9% with large implant) and lower lid sagging being more common in patients without implant (20% with implant versus 37.5% without). Volume loss of the superior sulcus was seen in 107 sockets (66.9%), most frequent in additionally irradiated patients (χ² (2) = 42.7, p < 0.001) and in patients without implant (χ² (2) = 11.92, p = 0.003). Prosthesis motility was better in patients with orbital implant, regardless of the size.

CONCLUSION

Minor late and potentially treatable effects were seen in patients with implant. Larger sized implants were associated with a higher incidence of ptosis; implant size did not affect subjective outcome with respect to volume or prosthetic motility. Treatment with EBRT had a less favourable outcome.