Elephantoid oedema of the eyelids

Treatment Options for Lower Eyelid Festoons

Festoons represent a combination of fluid accumulation and soft tissue laxity in the superolateral cheek. They remain a difficult entity to treat. The ideal treatment for festoons would possess minimal invasiveness and recovery time, and predictably improve the condition. No nonsurgical treatment currently meets these criteria, and surgical treatments have significant limitations. Fortunately, a variety of treatment options exist that can benefit each patient and be tailored to their specific needs. Knowledge of the underlying anatomy, clinical characteristics, and clinical evaluation will better equip the treating physician to manage festoons.

Morbihan Syndrome, a UK Case Series

PURPOSE

To describe 10 patients with Morbihan syndrome, a rare condition characterized by the slow appearance of erythema and solid edema on the upper portion of the face, and review the literature.

METHODS

Retrospective case series and review.

RESULTS

The majority of patients were male (80%), and the mean age at presentation was 67 years (range, 48-88 years); 60% had asymmetrical disease (affecting mainly the right side). All subjects underwent a lid biopsy to support the diagnosis of Morbihan syndrome, which showed features of inflammation and vascular dysfunction, highly suggestive of a rosacea histological picture complicated by chronic lymphoedema. A range of medical and surgical treatment were used with variable success. The most effective ones included oral isotretinoin, intralesional triamcinolone injections, and debulking surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Morbihan syndrome is a rare and chronic condition. It can be difficult to treat and may require a range of interventions.

Swiss S1 guideline for the treatment of rosacea

Rosacea (in German sometimes called 'Kupferfinne', in French 'Couperose' and in Italian 'Copparosa') is a chronic and frequently relapsing inflammatory skin disease primarily affecting the central areas of the face. Its geographic prevalence varies from 1% to 22%. The differential diagnosis is wide, and the treatment is sometimes difficult and varies by stage of rosacea. For erythematous lesions and telangiectasia, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and lasers are popular treatment option. In addition, a vasoconstrictor agent, brimonidine, has recently been developed. For papulopustular rosacea, topical antibiotics, topical and systemic retinoids, as well as systemic antibiotics are used. A topical acaricidal agent, ivermectin, has undergone clinical development and is now on the market. In the later stages, hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands develops, resulting in phymatous growths such as the frequently observed bulbous nose or rhinophyma. Ablative laser treatments have largely replaced classical abrasive tools. Here, we reviewed the current evidence on the treatment of rosacea, provide a guideline (S1 level) and discuss the differential diagnosis of rosacea.

Severe cheek and lower eyelid lymphedema after resection of oropharyngeal tumor and radiation

Facial lymphedema, a rare condition with poorly understood pathogenesis, is commonly associated with previous infection, radiation therapy, local tumor growth, or previous surgery in the head and neck region. Few cases of isolated facial lymphedema have been reported in the literature. Surgical excision has emerged as the mainstay of therapy in such cases, although the long-term efficacy and recurrence rate after excision remain unknown. We present a unique case of a patient with severe unilateral facial lymphedema, which manifested many years after extirpation of a floor-of-the-mouth squamous cell carcinoma, bilateral supraomohyoid neck dissections, and radiation therapy. The massive cheek and eyelid lymphedema, which extended from the patient's left lower eyelid to patient's oral commissure measured 11 x 15 cm with a thickened, brawny, lobulated, and bosselated skin surface. This mass interfered with activities of daily life, caused poor oral intake, and contributed to the patient's severe kyphosis. Because the mass did not clinically or radiologically appear to be malignant, we decided to perform a salvage procedure consisting of wide excision of the massive lymphedematous mass and immediate coverage with a split-thickness skin grafting. Temporary tarsorraphy sutures were also used to provide support to the lower eyelid. The patient tolerated the procedure well, with no complications and with full take of the skin graft. Postoperatively, he was very grateful to be relieved of his debilitating symptoms.