Diagnostic and Imaging Findings in Inflammatory Opacifications of the Middle Ear: A Review of the Literature

Opacification in the middle ear and mastoid region can stem from a wide range of factors. In terms of diagnostic imaging, CT is the primary tool due to its exceptional spatial resolution, particularly for examining the temporal bone and ossicles. MRI complements this by offering detailed soft tissue lesion characterization and assessing involvement in the inner ear and cranial nerves. This study focuses on inflammatory causes of opacification in the middle ear and mastoid, with an emphasis on the utility of CT and MRI. This comprehensive review aimed to provide a practical framework for considering potential differential diagnoses.

Effect of photobiomodulation therapy on headache, and fatigue in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: a randomized controlled study

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a debilitating disease that resists medical treatment. Photobiomodulation therapy is one of the promising treatment modalities for CRS. The purpose is to investigate the effect of photobiomodulation therapy on headache, fatigue, sinus opacification, and ostiomeatal complex obstruction in patients with CRS. Thirty-one patients with CRS were randomly divided into photobiomodulation therapy and control groups. The photobiomodulation therapy group received photobiomodulation therapy (2.5 J, frequency 9.12 Hz, and 904 nm for 10 min for 12 sessions) on eight rhinosinusitis sites, and the control group received a sham laser. Headache, fatigue, and sinus opacification outcomes were measured before and after treatment. There was a significant improvement in headache, fatigue, and sinus opacification in the photobiomodulation therapy group in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Photobiomodulation therapy is an effective physical therapy treatment modality for the management of CRS.Clinical trial registry: NCT05861817.

[Hydrophobic surface properties of hydrophilic acrylic lenses do not protect against calcification]

BACKGROUND

Opacification through calcification of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses is a serious complication of cataract surgery, which usually results in explantation of the lens. In the process of calcification, the intraocular lens material plays a crucial role: calcification only occurs in hydrophilic acrylic lenses. Hydrophobic acrylic lenses show no crystal formation within the polymer. Hydrophilic acrylic lenses from some manufacturers have hydrophobic surface properties. The question arises as to what influence these surface properties have on the risk of calcification.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated whether the hydrophobic surface properties of hydrophilic acrylic lenses can prevent calcification.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using an electrophoretic in vitro model of calcification, two hydrophilic lenses with hydrophobic surface properties were compared to two hydrophilic lenses and a hydrophobic negative control to determine the risk of calcification. The lenses were then analyzed by optical microscopy, Alizarin Red and Von Kossa staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‑ray spectroscopy (EDX).

RESULTS

All four hydrophilic lens models showed calcification within the polymer. No difference was found between the hydrophilic lenses and the hydrophilic lenses with hydrophobic surface properties in terms of crystal formation. The hydrophobic negative control showed no calcification.

CONCLUSION

The investigation conducted in this study under standardized conditions could show that hydrophobic surface properties of hydrophilic acrylic lenses do not protect against calcium phosphate crystal formation within the polymer. There also is a risk of calcification in these lens models.

Diagnostic Value of Computed Tomography Angiography in Confirmation of Brain Death

BACKGROUND

Accurate and on-time confirmation of brain death (BD) is necessary to prevent unnecessary treatment and allow for well-timed organ harvest for transplantation. Although the clinical criteria for BD are legally reliable in some countries, others might prefer complementary ancillary tests to assess the brain's electrical activity and/or blood circulation. The present study aims to define the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography angiography using 4-, 7-, and 10-point tests compared with the clinical criteria and electroencephalographic findings in patients with BD.

METHODS

A total of 32 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BD according to their clinical criteria (cases) and 18 patients with a Glasgow coma scale score of 3 and absent brain stem and papillary reflexes who had spontaneous respiration (controls) were included in the present study. All the patients had blood pressure >90 mm Hg, diuresis >100 mL/hour, and central venous pressure >6-8 mm Hg, and undergone computed tomography angiography (CTA). The 4-, 6-, and 10-point criteria were used to determine the opacity and lack of opacity of the brain vessels in the CTA evaluation scales for the diagnosis of BD.

RESULTS

The 2 groups were homogeneous in terms of age, gender distribution, and coma etiology. All 18 patients in the control group received a score of 0 in the 4-, 7-, and 10-point scores. In contrast, the average values for the 4-, 7-, and 10-point scores for the patients with confirmed BD were 3.75 ± 0.67, 6.4 ± 1.36, and 9.06 ± 2.2, respectively. Of the patients with BD, 28 (87.5%), 26 (81.25%), and 25 (78.12%) received the full score for the 4-point, 7-point, and 10-point tests. The sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values for all 3 scores were 100%. Also, the sensitivity for the various cerebral vessels were as follows: internal cerebral vein, 100%; great cerebral vein, 96.9%; posterior 2, 90.6%, middle 4, 87.5%; basilar artery, 84.4%; and anterior 3, 84.4%. Finally, the specificity for the lack of opacification in all these vessels for the diagnosis of BD was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our findings, the CTA-based 4-point scoring system with 100% specificity can be used with the clinical examination findings to confirm BD.

Glistening on intraocular lenses: A review

The glistening in intraocular lenses (IOLs) is a phenomenon in which tiny water-filled microvacuoles (MVs) form within the IOL material, causing light to scatter and create a sparkling or shimmering effect. The presence of glistening is common in many types of IOL materials and models and has been extensively studied in recent years to determine its incidence, risk factors, evolution, and possible clinical relevance. Classically, it has been studied in vitro in the laboratory or by means of photography obtained with a slit lamp, but these were techniques that required either specific technology or an expert explorer, complex image processing, and required a lot of time. In recent years, proposals based on the Scheimpflug camera and optical coherence tomography have emerged to try to simplify the analysis of glistening in IOLs. It has been described that the manufacturing process, the hydrophobic acrylic material, or the time since surgery are risk factors for the appearance of glistening. In addition, many issues related to this phenomenon are still unknown, such as not knowing from what number of points or their size they may have relevance to visual function since different optical phenomena related to glistening have been described on the IOLs.

Explantation of a sutureless scleral fixated Carlevale intraocular lens due to calcification: a clinical and laboratory report

BACKGROUND

Hydrophilic intraocular lens opacification is a rare complication due to calcification. With current new surgical techniques, including lamellar endothelial keratoplasty and vitrectomies, this irreversible complication is becoming more common. In this case study, we present clinical and laboratory features of a case of Carlevale hydrophilic acrylic IOL calcification.

CASE PRESENTATION

Observational case report of a single incident case. An 83-year-old man was referred to our ophthalmic department complaining of right eye vision blurring for six months. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed IOL opacification. Deposits of calcium phosphate were found both on the IOL's surface and inside it, according to thorough investigation using optical, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to describe the laboratory evidence of Carlevale hydrophilic IOL calcification, suggesting possible explanation mechanisms based on underlying pathology and surgical technique. It reminds us that these findings suggest that physicians should be aware of possible hydrophilic IOL calcification.

Late postoperative opacification of a new type hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens

Background

To report the clinical consequences and laboratory characteristics of late postoperative opacification of a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (US-860UV IOL) as well as the prognosis of IOL replacement.

Methods

Forty medical records (42 eyes) of patients with US-860UV IOL opacification reporting decreased or lost vision who underwent IOL explantation between 2017 and 2019 were reviewed. Explanted IOLs were analyzed by slit-lamp examination, confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) at the Shandong Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.

Results

The mean age of the 40 patients was 74.83 ​± ​7.57 (63-92) years. The mean interval between cataract surgery and diagnosis of opacification was 32.38 ​± ​8.76 (17-48) months. Systemic diseases were found without statistical correlations, the most frequent being arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes mellitus. Visual acuity improved from 1.42 ​± ​1.03 to 0.31 ​± ​0.16 (logMAR) after IOL replacement. SEM, EDS and alizarin red staining showed uniformly distributed, diffuse, milk-white opacification, with calcium and phosphorus deposits on the optic and haptic surfaces that could be dissolved in 1% HCl.

Conclusions

Calcium and phosphorus deposition was the main cause of hydrophilic acrylic US-860UV IOL opacification. IOL replacement can safely and effectively improve the visual acuity of patients.

Toric Lentis Mplus intraocular lens opacification: A case report

Purpose

To present the case of a patient with Toric Lentis Mplus intraocular lens (IOL) (Oculentis, Berlin, Germany) opacification after vitrectomy and his follow-up.

Observations

A 44-year-old man with high myopia and right optic neuritis history complained of visual impairment due to cataract in the right eye. We performed uneventful phacoemulsification and implanted a Toric Lentis Mplus IOL in his right eye. Six months later, he came to us with a retinal detachment in the nasal area of the right eye. We performed a 25-gauge vitrectomy with gas tamponade and endolaser treatment. Ten months after the vitrectomy, he complained of blurred vision in the right eye again. On slit-lamp examination, we observed a wide opacification localized to the anterior surface of the IOL. We explanted the IOL from the right eye and replaced it with a Clareon IOL (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX). The explanted IOL was examined under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Conclusions and importance

We described a case of postoperative opacification of Toric Lentis Mplus IOL after vitrectomy. We found calcium aggregate deposits on the anterior surface of the IOL. Given the higher frequency of fundus disease observed in patients with high myopia, hydrophilic acrylic IOLs should be used with caution in patients with high myopia and in young patients. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Toric Lentis Mplus IOL opacification after the 2017 Field Safety Notice by Oculentis in response to the Food and Drug Administration's recall.

Opacification of Akreos Hydrophilic Acrylic Lens After Retinal Detachment Repair with Silicone Oil Tamponade: A Case Report

We report localized opacification of a sclera-fixated Akreos^® hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens after successful repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with silicone oil tamponade in a nondiabetic patient. No intraoperative lens opacification during air-fluid exchange or lens dislocation was encountered. Granular opacities within the optic were noted at 5 months after surgery, and did not relent to scrubbing with a vitrector during oil removal. Akreos lens opacification under silicone oil is not well documented in the literature. Surgeons must be aware of this potential complication, which is known to occur with various types of hydrophilic acrylic lenses after exposure to air or gas.

Transient intraocular lens opacification during phacoemulsification surgery

Purpose

To report an interesting case of intraoperative opacification of intraocular lens (IOL).

Methods

This study is a report of a 61-year-old male patient who suffered from nuclear sclerosis cataract and had undergone phacoemulsification surgery. During surgery, intraoperative opacification of IOL (Cristal, Cristalens), which was a foldable, 13 mm, one piece, square edge and hydrophilic acrylic IOL, occurred. This phenomenon caused a surprise and a decision to explant the IOL, but the surgeon decided to keep the IOL in place. After a day, it was completely clear.

Results

The surgery was completed successfully without any complications, and the IOL was completely clear the day after surgery.

Conclusion

Acute, transient IOL opacification with unproven etiology may occur during cataract surgery.

Acute clouding of trifocal lens during implantation: a case report

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative IOLs clouding of several kinds of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) have been reported due to temperature changes. This phenomenon reported previously occurred in cold countries and during the winter months. However, no clinical case was reported about trifocal IOL opacification during operation. We report a case in which acute opacification of the optical region occurred simultaneously when AT LISA tri 839mp(Carl Zeiss) was implanted into the eye.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 79-year-old woman with a cortex and nucleus cataract was scheduled to undergo right eye phacoemulsification assisted by femtosecond technique. The trifocal lens (AT LISA tri 839mp), which is made of hydrophilic acrylic (25%) with hydrophobic surface properties, was chosen for implantation. As the IOL was implanted into the eye, it became cloudy immediately. Then it was replaced by another AT LISA tri 839mp, which was transferred from lens company outside, the same phenomenon was observed. These two lenses underwent the same temperature fluctuation from cold outside to operating room. Finally, a ZCB00 (Allergan) was implanted.

CONCLUSIONS

The acute intraoperative clouding of trifocal lens(AT LISA tri 839mp) results from fluctuation of temperature should be noticed.

In vitro antioxidant and anticataractogenic potential of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using an ethanolic extract of Tabernaemontana divaricata leaves

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been found useful in biological systems and in medicine since they possess a large surface area to volume ratio, which confers on them several unique properties. In the present study, AgNPs that had been biosynthesized using an ethanolic extract of Tabernaemontana divaricata leaf were evaluated for putative antioxidant potential and efficacy in preventing experimental in-vitro selenite-induced opacification of the ocular lens (cataractogenesis). The antioxidant potential of the AgNPs was evaluated in-vitro by looking for radical-scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) free radicals as well as by determining reducing power. The anticataractogenic potential of the AgNPs was evaluated in an in-vitro model of selenite-induced cataractogenesis in five groups of Wistar rat lenses cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) for 24h: Group I lenses (negative control) were cultured in DMEM alone; Group II lenses were exposed to sodium selenite alone (100μM); Group III lenses were exposed simultaneously to sodium selenite and the T. divaricata extract (250μg/ml); Group IV lenses were exposed simultaneously to sodium selenite and the biosynthesized AgNPs (125μg/ml); and Group V lenses were exposed to the AgNPs alone. In these lenses, gross morphological changes, as well as activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were determined. In-vitro, the AgNPs (which were spherical in shape with an average diameter ranging from 15 to 50nm) showed potent and concentration-dependent radical-scavenging activity on DPPH and H₂O₂ free radicals as well as reducing power. The gross morphological changes seen in the cultured rat lenses were: all eight control (Group I) lenses remained transparent; dense opacification was noted in all eight selenite-challenged untreated (Group II) lenses; in selenite-challenged, simultaneously T. divaricata extract-treated (Group III) lenses, no opacification occurred in seven of eight (87.5%) lenses and only minimal opacification in one (12.5%) lens; all the eight Group IV (selenite-challenged, simultaneously AgNPs-treated) lenses did not show any opacification; and all the eight Group V lenses (exposed to AgNPs alone) remained as transparent as control lenses. The mean activities of CAT, SOD, GPx and GST, and the mean levels of GSH, were significantly (p<0.05) lower in Group II lenses than those in Groups I, III, IV and V lenses, while the mean MDA level was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Group II lenses than those in Groups I, III, IV and V lenses; oxidative damage possibly occurred in Group II lenses, whereas this appears to have been prevented in Groups III and IV lenses. These observations suggest that the T. divaricata leaf ethanolic extract, and also the AgNPs biosynthesized using the T. divaricata extract, possess effective in-vitro antioxidant activity and the potential to prevent experimental selenite-induced opacification in cultured Wistar rat lenses.

Hydrophilic Acrylic Intraocular Lens Opacification after Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty

Purpose:

To report hydrophilic acylic intraocular lens (IOL) opacification after Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) in an eye with multiple prior intraocular surgeries and iatrogenic aniridia.

Case Report:

A 34-year-old woman with history of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for advanced keratoconus and subsequent Urrets-Zavalia Syndrome (UZS) underwent phacoemulsification and hydrophilic acrylic IOL implantation for her cataract. In order to control post-PKP glaucoma, multiple glaucoma surgeries including two glaucoma drainage implants were performed. As the original corneal graft failed, the patient subsequently underwent re-PKP. Four years later, she underwent DSAEK for treatment of the second graft failure. Ten months after DSAEK, a double semi-circular pattern of IOL opacification was observed on the anterior surface of the IOL. The patient did not report any complaints and we decided not to exchange the IOL.

Conclusion:

In an eye with UZS and iatrogenic aniridia, IOL opacification may result from direct contact between the IOL surface and exogenous air. Aniridia can be a risk factor for development of IOL opacification after DSAEK. Further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.

Akreos Adapt AO Intraocular lens opacification after vitrectomy in a diabetic patient: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Postoperative optic opacification of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) is an uncommon complication leading to IOL explantation. In the past decade, several studies reported that the granular deposits responsible for the opacification were probably calcium and phosphate salts; however, the exact mechanism causing calcification of IOLs is unknown. The aim of this study is to describe clinical and laboratory findings of a case of late postoperative opacification of an aspheric hydrophilic acrylic IOL (Akreos Adapt AO) after vitrectomy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 60-year-old woman diagnosed with cataract and severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) underwent uneventful phacoemulsification and hydrophilic acrylic IOL (Akreos Adapt AO, Bausch & Lomb) implantation in both eyes. Seven months later, the woman came back with a complaint of blurry vision in the left eye. Fundus examination revealed vitreous hemorrhage in the left eye veiling the retinal detail. A 23-gauge vitrectomy with endolaser treatment was performed in the left eye. Ten months after the vitrectomy, the patient complained of decreased visual acuity in the left eye again. On slit-lamp examination, we observed a well circumscribed centrally and paracentrally located opacification within the pupillary area localized to the anterior surface of the IOL. The IOL was explanted from the left eye together with the capsular bag, and an iris-claw lens (Artisan Aphakia OPHTEC) was implanted. The explanted IOL was examined under pathological evaluation (alizarin red method).

CONCLUSIONS

IOL opacification is a rare event. We described a case of postoperative opacification of the Akreos Adapt AO IOL after vitrectomy in a patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and found the deposits on the anterior surface of the IOL consisted of calcium aggregates. Given the higher frequency of postoperative opacification observed in diabetic patients, hydrophilic acrylic IOLs should be used with caution in patients with diabetes.

Incidental findings in MRI of the paranasal sinuses in adults: a population-based study (HUNT MRI)

BACKGROUND

Diagnostic imaging of the head is used with increasing frequency, and often includes the paranasal sinuses, where incidental opacifications are found. To determine the clinical relevance of such findings can be challenging, and for the patient such incidental findings can give rise to concern if they are over-reported. Studies of incidental findings in the paranasal sinuses have been conducted mostly in patients referred for diagnostic imaging, hence the prevalence in the general population is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and size of incidental opacification in the paranasal sinuses in a non-selected adult population using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without medical indication, and to relate the results to sex and season.

METHODS

Randomly and independent of medical history, 982 participants (518 women) with a mean age of 58.5 years (range, 50-66) underwent MRI of the head as part of a large public health survey in Norway. The MRIs included 3D T1 weighted volume data and 2D axial T2 weighted image (WI). Opacifications, indicating mucosal thickenings, polyps, retention cysts, or fluid, were recorded if measuring more than 1 mm.

RESULTS

Opacifications were found in 66% of the participants. Mucosal thickenings were found in 49%, commonly in the maxillary sinuses (29%) where 25% had opacifications that were less than 4 mm in size. Other opacifications occurred in the anterior ethmoid (23%), posterior ethmoid (21%), frontal sinus (9%), and sphenoid (8%). Polyps and retention cysts were also found mainly in the maxillary sinuses in 32%. Fluid was observed in 6% of the MRIs. Mucosal thickening was observed more frequently in men than in women (P <0.05). No seasonal variation was found.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large non-selected sample, incidental opacification in the paranasal sinuses was seen in two out of three participants, and mucosal thickening was seen in one out of two. Fluid was rare. Knowledge of incidental opacification is important because it can affect clinical practice.

Opacification of the optic of an Akreos Adapt intraocular lens

A 60-year-old diabetic patient transferred to our retina clinic for a regular follow-up for diabetic retinopathy. He had uneventful cataract surgery at the time of pars plana vitrectomy in the right eye due to diabetic retinopathy at a private ophthalmologic hospital. Six months after the surgery, neovascular glaucoma with hyphema developed in the right eye and an Ahmed valve was implanted at our hospital. Ten months after cataract surgery, we found opacification of the intraocular lens (IOL) which was causing significant visual disturbance. At the time, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the right eye was hand motion. The IOL was explanted 45 months after the operation. Five months after explantation, the BCVA was 0.06. Unfortunately, pathologic analysis was not performed. Patient-related factors such as an anterior chamber reaction caused by hyphema might have been responsible for the opacification. To our knowledge, there are no previous reports of opacification of the Akreos Adapt IOL.