[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the eyelid]

Fibrous histiocytomas, mostly benign, have often been reported in the orbit, but only four lesions have been described on the eyelids, with only one malignant. The authors present a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the eyelid in a 76-year-old woman with a difficult histological diagnosis. Characteristics of this pathology are explained from data in the literature.

[Retinal vein occlusion and carotid Doppler imaging]

PURPOSE

To investigate retinal vein occlusion with B-mode ultrasonography carotid and color Doppler imaging.

METHODS

In 223 patients (225 eyes) presenting with retinal vein occlusion, we retrospectively investigated vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular history, smoking, and glaucoma), standard laboratory tests, and color Doppler imaging of the carotid artery.

RESULTS

The data from 106 women (47.54%) and 117 men (52.46%), with a mean age of 65 years, were studied, with 169 patients presenting a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and 56 a branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Thirteen patients (6%) had significant carotid artery stenosis (>=70%), which was the single etiology. Forty patients (18%) had nonsignificant carotid artery stenosis (<70%) with a risk of embolism production. Such carotid artery lesions found in color Doppler imaging in the RVO investigations were significantly more frequent in older patients (>65 years) who presented at least two RVO risk factors (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study has shown the the advantages of carotid Doppler imaging in retinal vein occlusion.

[Factors of recurrence of basal cell carcinomas of the eyelid]

Basal cell carcinomas of the eyelids can recur, although these recurrences are uncommon. In this retrospective study, all basal cell carcinomas treated at Reims Regional Hospital since 1985 were studied to determine the frequency of recurrence and the factors for recurrence.

MATERIAL

and methods: All basal cell carcinomas treated at Reims Regional Hospital since 1985 were studied. A total of more than 200 patients had been operated on for basal cell carcinoma during this period. Those with orbital extension or a location on 2 eyelids were excluded. Epidemiological factors such as sex, age, tumor location, tumor size, and treatment were noted. Recurrences were uncommon, presenting in ten patients. These recurrences were studied in relation to the existing epidemiological data and the treatment provided, particularly the histological results.

DISCUSSION

Basal cell carcinomas located on only 1 eyelid or 1 canthus can usually be treated with one surgical intervention. Extemporaneous histological study can preclude a local recurrence in most cases, but in some cases the condition may recur some years later. Factors favoring recurrence are difficult to determine.

CONCLUSION

The authors report the number of recurrences after surgical treatment of basal cell carcinomas of the eyelids. The recurrences are relatively uncommon when the treatment has been done with extemporaneous histological examination of the resected edges. These recurrences arise particularly in relatively young patients with no other obvious risk factor.

[Tarsomarginal graft. Indication and results in palpebral surgery]

A tarsomarginal graft is indicated in eyelid reconstructive surgery particularly after tumor resection. We reported the results of a retrospective study during the past 13 years with 58 grafts. We found a predominance of basal cell carcinomas localised in the lateral third portion of the lid (42%) and in the lower eyelid (76%). The mean size was 14mm for the tumor and 9.81mm for the graft. Grafts were used to cover a defect larger than 5mm. Complications were rare, and mainly involved suture looseness. The Hubner technique gave good results; repairing the eyelid without having to make a tarsorraphy and providing good cosmetic results. The graft must be covered by a skin flap.

[Dermis fat graft. Use of surgical reconstruction of the cavities]

Dermis fat graft is a surgical technique that is nowadays well accepted for the reconstruction of the orbital cavities. The authors report the results and the follow-up of 17 dermis fat grafts carried out at the Reims Hospital between March 1(st), 1987 and December 31(st)1999. They explain the modalities of the technique, its major indications and the possible complications. At Reims, the dermis fat graft is mainly done to resolve intraorbital implant extrusions.

[Tolerance of orbital implants. Retrospective study on 14 years]

The authors report the results of enucleations performed from 1985 to 1998 and the different orbital implants used.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All patients undergoing enucleation from 1985 to 1998 were studied.

RESULTS

68 men and 32 women had an enucleation. The main indication was tumoral diseases, principally choroidal melanomas and ciliary melanomas (respectively, 26 and 8). More rarely the indication was orbital metastasis or eyelid carcinoma. The follow indications were traumatisms and neovascular glaucomas. The orbital implants used were mainly Allen implants, silicone implants and hydroxyapatite implants. The main complication was the expulsion of the implant, which occurred in about 20% of the cases, for the most part in the group of silicone and tunnel implants patient. These expulsions were found less with hydroyxapatite implants. For the hydroxyapatite implants we also noticed the some conjunctival erosion. The expulsion of the implant occurred most often before 2 years.

CONCLUSION

The authors report on the survey of orbital implants used for 14 years. They noticed the high frequency of expulsions when they used tunnel or silicone implants and better results with hydroxyapatite implant.

[Unilateral exophthalmos revealing agenesia of the greater wing of the sphenoid]

We present the case of a 3-year-old child who had painless pulsatory left exophthalmos which revealed sphenoidal agenesis. The radiological investigations including CT scan, MRI, and scintigraphy confirmed the diagnosis and excluded other bone abnormalities. Therepeutic behavior in this case was limited to simple inspection.

[Main semeiologic characteristics of ptosis]

BACKGROUND

We report the main characteristics of blepharoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All cases of blepharoptosis treated at the Reims University Hospital from 1992 to 1997 were reviewed. Ptosis, levator function, palpebral aperture, and the position of the upper crease were recorded as well as results of the epinephrine test, acetylcholine esterase inhibitor antibodies and computed tomography findings.

RESULTS

There were 96 unilateral and 34 cases of bilateral blepharoptosis (164 cases). The cases of congenital blepharoptosis (36 cases) were usually unilateral with severe ptosis and poor levator function. In cases with Claude Bernard Horner syndrome, the blepharoptosis was unilateral with minimal ptosis and a positive response to neosynephrine. In cases with oculomotor nerve palsy (31 cases) the ptosis was moderate to severe and levator function was poor. In those with myasthenia, the prostigmine test was positive. Levator aponeurotic disinsertion was observed in 16 cases with severe ptosis, positive response to neosynephrine and a high upper crease. There were three cases of trauma-induced ptosis, 5 cases of myopathy and 26 cases of idiopathic ptosis.

DISCUSSION

The clinical presentation of blepharoptosis is usually related to the etiology. Bilateral blepharoptosis is most often observed in congenital forms, levator disinsertion or idiopathic cases. Male sex predominates in congenital ptosis and oculomotor palsy, and female sex in Claude Bernard Horner syndrome. Moderate to severe ptosis is observed in congenital ptosis or oculomotor palsy. The upper crease is absent in many cases of congenital blepharoptosis and is high in case of levator disinsertion. The response to neosynephrine is positive in Claude Bernard Horner syndrome and aponeurotic disinsertion. The response to prostigmine is positive in case of myasthenia.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical aspects of blepharoptosis are related to etiology. The different features guide surgical or medical treatment of blepharoptosis.

[Dermoid cysts. Epidemiology, clinical and anatomo-pathologic aspects, therapeutic management]

We retrospectively analyzed a series of 17 tumors suggestive of dermoid cysts operated on from January 1, 1991, through November 30, 1997. Mean patient age was 3.68 years. The periorbital localization predominated. Two cases of intraorbital localizations required lateral and medial orbitotomy. Surgical treatment was given in all other cases. We observed no complication nor recurrence.