Evaluation of RURS elbow guard in the management of thumb-sucking habit in children with and without intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

Digit sucking is a common oral habit among many children, which involves placing the thumb/finger into the mouth, which can cause malocclusion in mixed and permanent dentition.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of the RURS elbow guard in the management of thumb-sucking habits in children with intellectual disabilities and those without in terms of the mean duration of appliance therapy. The secondary objective was to compare the RURS elbow guard with an intraoral crib in healthy children (without intellectual disabilities) to manage the habit of thumb-sucking.

DESIGN

Children with intellectual disabilities and those without between the age of 4 and 16 years were included in the study and categorised into three groups, namely group I (50 normal children; intraoral crib appliance), group II (50 normal children; RURS elbow guard) and group III (50 children with intellectual disabilities; RURS elbow guard).

RESULTS

The mean duration of appliance therapy for groups I, II and III were 200.20 ± 20.43 days, 204.34 ± 20.56 days, and 218.43 ± 15.66 days, respectively (p < 0.001). The differences in the mean duration between group I and group II were statistically non-significant, with statistically significant differences between group I and group III (p < 0.001) and between group II and group III (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The RURS elbow guard was found to be an efficient appliance in treating thumb-sucking among children who had mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. RURS elbow guard was equally efficient as an intraoral crib appliance in managing thumb-sucking habits in children without intellectual disabilities.

Society of Chest Imaging and Interventions Consensus Guidelines for the Interventional Radiology Management of Hemoptysis

The recommendations from the Society of Chest Imaging and Interventions expert group comprehensively cover all the aspects of management of hemoptysis, highlighting the role of diagnostic and interventional radiology. The diversity existing in etiopathology, imaging findings, and management of hemoptysis has been addressed. The management algorithm recommends the options for effective treatment while minimizing the chances of recurrence, based on the best evidence available and opinion from the experts.

Interventional Radiology in Obstetric Emergencies

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the common causes of morbidity as well as mortality among pregnant women. Obstetric hemorrhage embolization (OHE)/uterine artery embolization (UAE) is the preferred treatment for PPH which has failed medical therapy. In cases of placental accreta spectrum (PAS), balloon catheter can be prophylactically placed in internal iliac arteries (IIAs) bilaterally before delivery to enable postpartum control of bleeding. An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter can be placed under fluoroscopy for a pregnant woman with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) for whom anticoagulation is contraindicated or needs to be stopped at the time of labor. Injection of chemical into the gestational sac can be performed under ultrasonography (USG) guidance to treat ectopic pregnancy. Percutaneous or transvaginal drainage of a collection can be done by ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) guidance for puerperal sepsis. Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) is performed for obstructive ureterolithiasis in case of urosepsis or significant stone burden. Sonography should be used for the guidance of interventional radiology (IR) procedures whenever possible. Fluoroscopy must be used only if necessary, giving special attention to radiation-sparing maneuvers.

Controversies in Mediastinal Staging for Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

Mediastinal lymph nodal involvement in nonsmall cell lung cancer plays a crucial role in deciding treatment strategy. Survival falls markedly with increasing involvement of mediastinal nodal stations. Hence, accurate staging of the mediastinum with lowest morbidity is of utmost importance. A wide array of invasive and noninvasive modalities that complement each other in assessing the nodes are available at our disposal. Guidelines recommend noninvasive imaging as the initial step in the staging algorithm for all tumors, followed by invasive staging. No single modality has proven to be the ideal method to stage the mediastinum when used alone. In the present decade, minimally invasive endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) has challenged the position of surgical mediastinoscopy, which has been the gold standard, historically. However, a negative EBUS needs to be confirmed by surgical mediastinoscopy. Video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy has also come to the forefront in last two decades and has shown exceptional results, when performed in experienced centers. This review details the various modalities of mediastinal staging and the controversies surrounding the optimal method of staging, restaging after neoadjuvant therapy, and the most cost-effective strategy.

Percutaneous CT Guided Vertebral Biopsy: Anatomy and Technical Considerations

In this review article, the authors discuss the anatomy and technical aspects of CT-guided biopsy of vertebral lesions. CT guidance is highly useful for vertebral biopsies, as the anatomy of the spine is complex and varies widely across the levels. Prebiopsy imaging should be reviewed and later correlated with the final histopathological diagnosis. The majority of the spine biopsies are performed under local anesthesia, except those in critical locations and pediatric age groups. The biopsy sample is sent for histopathological analysis and/or microbiological analysis depending on the indications. It is preferable to use a coaxial system for biopsies, so multiple cores can be obtained with a single needle puncture, thus minimizing the negative yield and complications. Complications after image-guided percutaneous biopsy are rare and can be managed easily.

Early outcomes of radiofrequency ablation in unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer from a tertiary cancer hospital in India

AIMS

The study was carried out to evaluate the early outcomes using Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for unresectable liver metastases in the management of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) from an area of low endemicity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

60 Patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases had undergone 88 sessions of RFA from January 2007 till December 2013. The results were retrospectively analysed to evaluate the outcomes in terms of efficacy and survival rates.

RESULTS

The median follow up of patients in our series was 24.8months. 35/52 (67.3%) patients had complete response at 3 months while 8 patients were lost to follow up. Of the 17 patients who had recurrence, 4 (23.5%) were at the ablated site while 13 patients (76.4%) progressed elsewhere. Abdominal pain was commonest post procedural symptom (20%). There was no procedure related mortality or any major complications. Mean disease free interval and Progression free survival was 6.7 and 13.1 months. Estimated median survival in patients with liver limited disease and those with small lesion (<3cm) was 3.79 years and 3.45 years respectively. Median survival in patients with lesion size 3-5 cms was 1.5 years. Annual survival rates would be 94.5%, 55.2% and 26.2% for 1, 3 and 5 years.

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency ablation of unresectable liver metastases is effective in treatment of mCRC. Estimated survival rates and Annual survival rates at our institute from the low endemic region also follow the global trend. Size of the lesion was an important predictor of efficacy of RFA. Presence of extrahepatic disease and lesion size >3 cm was associated with decreased survival.

CT-guided radiofrequency ablation in osteoid osteoma: Result from a tertiary cancer centre in India

AIMS

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation as a minimally invasive therapy for osteoid osteoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained data of 43 symptomatic osteoid osteoma patients who were treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Forty out of 43 patients were naive cases and underwent primary treatment for osteoid osteoma with RFA, whereas 3 patients included in the study underwent RFA for local recurrence after having undergone surgical treatment. Diagnosis was based on clinical and characteristic imaging findings, and biopsy was done for cases with atypical presentation. Pre and post procedure Visual Analog Score (VAS) was documented in all cases. Monopolar RFA system was used in all patients, and the electrode was placed within the lesion nidus under CT guidance coaxially through 11G introducer needle. Ablation was performed at 90° C for 5 min.

RESULTS

Technical success rate of intranidal placement of electrode was 100%. The primary clinical success in our study was 97.7% (42 of 43), and the secondary clinical success was 100%. Pre and postprocedure VAS score in our study group was 7.8 and 0.4, respectively. Mean follow-up period in our study was 48 months (Range: 4-129 months). One patient had recurrence of pain 4 years after treatment and was treated successfully by a second session. Minor complications were seen in 3 patients with two cases of RF pad burns and one case of skin burn at the treatment site, and these were managed conservatively. No patients developed temporary/permanent neurological deficits, and no procedure-related mortality was seen in our study.

CONCLUSION

CT-guided percutaneous RFA is a simple, safe, minimally invasive, and highly effective treatment option for osteoid osteoma with good long-term pain control and potentially low disease recurrence.

Microwave ablation: How we do it?

Minimally invasive techniques such as Image guided thermal ablation are now widely used in the treatment of tumors. Microwave ablation (MWA) is one of the newer modality of thermal ablation and has proven its safety and efficacy in the management of the tumors amenable for ablation for primary and metastatic diseases. It is used in the treatment of primary and secondary liver malignancies, primary and secondary lung malignancies, renal and adrenal tumors and bone metastases. We wanted to share our initial experience with this newer modality. In this article we will describe the mechanism and technique of MWA, comparison done with RFA, advantages and disadvantages of MWA along with pre procedure workup, post procedure follow-up and review of literature.

Profile of osteoarticular tuberculosis in children

OBJECTIVE

To determine clinical profile of osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB) in children.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis from 2007 to 2013. All patients diagnosed with bone TB, spinal TB or TB abscesses were included.

RESULTS

Out of 1318 children with TB, 39 (2.96%) had osteoarticular TB, of which 16 (42%) had osteomyelitis, 8 (20.5%) had spinal involvement, 7 (17.9%) had TB synovitis, 2 (5.1%) had psoas abscess and 6 (15.4%) had abscesses. The mean age of presentation was 7.1 ± 3.5 years (range 2-14 years). Of the 33 cases in which a culture was done, 25 (64%) showed a positive culture. Drug sensitivity tests were done in 21 patients of which 10 (47.6%) tested were drug resistant, of which 4 (36.4%) were multidrug resistant (MDR), 2 (18.2%) were extensively drug resistant (XDR), 3 were pre-XDR (27.3%) and 1 was polyresistant (9.1%). Nine (23.1%) patients had TB in the past with a treatment duration of 8.3 ± 5.3 months. Contact with a TB patient had occurred in 10 (25.6%) cases. Associated pulmonary TB were seen in 6 (15.39%) and TB meningitis were seen in 1 (2.6%) patients. Surgical intervention was needed in 11 (28.2%) patients of which 5 (45.5%) underwent curettage, drainage was done in 1 (9.1%), arthrotomy in 4 (36.4%) and spinal surgery in 1 (9.1%) patient.

CONCLUSION

Drug resistant osteoarticular TB is an emerging problem in children.

Outcome of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in "locally advanced/borderline resectable" gallbladder cancer: the need to define indications

BACKGROUND

Studies evaluating neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) exclusively in gallbladder cancer (GBC) are few and there are no randomized trials on the subject. Locally advanced GBC and indications for NACT in GBC are not yet clearly defined.

METHODS

We analysed 160 consecutive GBC patients who received NACT based on clinico-radiologic criteria suggesting high-risk disease (TMH Criteria) from January 2010 to February 2016.

RESULTS

On initial assessment, 140 (87.5%) patients had T3/T4 disease and 105 (65%) patients were node positive. Response rate and clinical benefit rate was 52.5% and 70% respectively. Sixty six (41.2%) patients could undergo curative intent resection. With a median follow-up of 33 months, the median OS and EFS of the entire cohort were 13 and 8 months respectively. Patient undergoing curative surgery had a statistically superior OS (49 vs. 7 months; p = 0.0001) and EFS (25 months vs. 5 months; p = 0.0001) compared to those who did not.

CONCLUSION

Locally advanced GBC remains a disease with poor prognosis. Chemotherapy with neoadjuvant intent in locally advanced/borderline resectable GBC showed good response rates. This resulted in curative surgical resection or disease stabilisation in significant proportion of patients. Patients who undergo definitive surgery after favourable response to NACT experience good survival.

Percutaneous repair of iatrogenic subclavian artery injury by suture-mediated closure device

Central venous catheterization through internal jugular vein is done routinely in intensive care units. It is generally safe, more so when the procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance. However, there could be inadvertent puncture of other vessels in the neck when the procedure is not performed under real-time sonographic guidance. Closure of this vessel opening can pose a challenge if it is an artery, in a location difficult to compress, and is further complicated by deranged coagulation profile. Here, we discuss the removal of an inadvertently placed catheter from subclavian artery with closure of arteriotomy percutaneously using arterial suture-mediated closure device.

Radiofrequency ablation, an effective modality of treatment in tumor-induced osteomalacia: a case series of three patients

CONTEXT

Tumor-induced osteomalacia is curable if the tumors can be totally excised. However, when the tumors are present in locations that make surgery disproportionately risky, the need for less invasive strategies like radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is realized.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We describe three patients with suspected tumor-induced osteomalacia who were treated in our department between 2006 and 2013 with tumors in surgically difficult locations and were subjected to single or multiple sessions of RFA. The response was documented in terms of symptomatic improvement, phosphorus normalization, and follow-up (99m)Technitium-labelled hydrazinonicotinyl-Tyr3-octreotide ((99m)Tc HYNIC TOC) scan.

RESULTS

Two of the three individuals, patient A (with a 1.5 × 1.2-cm lesion in the head of the right femur) and patient B (with a 1.3 × 1.2-cm lesion on the endosteal surface of the shaft of the left femur), achieved complete remission with single sessions of RFA. Three months after the procedure, (99m)Tc HYNIC TOC scans revealed the absence of uptake at the previous sites, corroborating with the clinical improvement and phosphorus normalization. Patient C had a large 5.6 × 6.5-cm complex lesion in the lower end of the left femur with irregular margins, loculations, and bone grafts placed in previous surgery. He failed to achieve remission after multiple sessions of RFA due to the complex nature of the lesion, although the tumor burden was reduced significantly as documented on serial (99m)Tc HYNIC TOC scans.

CONCLUSIONS

Although surgery remains the treatment of choice, RFA could be an effective, less invasive, and safe modality of treatment in judiciously selected patients.

The role of squash cytology in rapid on-site adequacy checking and rapid diagnosis in image-guided gun biopsy at a tertiary cancer center

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of squash cytology in rapid on-site adequacy checking (ROSAC) of image-guided gun biopsy and to determine its diagnostic accuracy at a tertiary cancer center.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective study on 183 patients undergoing image-guided biopsy. Squash smears were prepared from biopsy cores and checked for adequacy by cytotechnologists. When adequate, more cores were sampled from the same area for histopathology. If inadequate, the procedure was repeated at the same sitting on a different area. The squash smears were reported by cytopathologists within 4 h after staining with conventional Papanicoloau stain. The results were compared with the final histopathology report.

RESULTS

The sampling was representative in 95.6% cases with concordance for adequacy in 97.3% cases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of squash cytology for diagnosis of the lesion were 99.4, 92.7, 97.7 and 97.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Squash cytology is an ideal and cost-effective technique for ROSAC of image-guided biopsies, which ensures adequacy, avoids repeat procedures and prevents delay in diagnosis. It can be effectively performed by trained cytotechnologists in radiology clinics. Squash cytology is also a cost-effective tool offering rapid diagnosis which expedites planning of treatment.

Pictorial essay: Vascular interventions in extra cranial head and neck

Medicine is an ever changing field and interventional radiology (IR) procedures are becoming increasingly popular because of high efficacy and its minimally invasive nature of the procedure. Management of disease processes in the extra cranial head and neck (ECHN) has always been a challenge due to the complex anatomy of the region. Cross sectional imaging of the ECHN has grown and evolved tremendously and occupies a pivotal and integral position in the clinical management of variety of head and neck pathologies. Advances in angiographic technologies including flat panel detector systems, biplane, and 3-dimensional rotational angiography have consolidated and expanded the role of IR in the management of various ECHN pathologies. The ECHN is at cross roads between the origins of great vessels and the cerebral vasculature. Thorough knowledge of functional and technical aspects of neuroangiography is essential before embarking on head and neck vascular interventions. The vessels of the head and neck can be involved by infectious and inflammatory conditions, get irradiated during radiotherapy and injured due to trauma or iatrogenic cause. The ECHN is also a common site for various hypervascular neoplasms and vascular malformations, which can be treated with endovascular and percutaneous embolization. This pictorial essay provides a review of variety of ECHN pathologies which were managed by various IR procedures using different approaches.

Hemifacial mass with extensive intralesional ossification and fat

The imaging appearance of neurofibromas is well described; however, macroscopic fat in a neurofibroma has been sparsely reported and intralesional ossification has only been documented twice in the literature. We describe a diffuse neurofibroma presenting as a hemifacial mass, atypical for the presence of extensive intralesional ossification and fat; the diagnosis was suggested on identification of other associated radiological features of neurofibromatosis.

Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injection: A simple in-office technique to improve tracheoesophageal speech in postlaryngectomy patients

BACKGROUND

Pharyngoesophageal spasm is a known entity to cause hypertonic/failed tracheoesophageal speech and is successfully treated by botulinum toxin A injection. However, success of botulinum toxin treatment is based on the accurate localization of the pharyngoesophageal segment.

METHODS

A 65-year-old man who had a laryngectomy using voice prosthesis with hypertonic speech underwent ultrasonographic localization of the hypertonic pharyngoesophageal segment. The ultrasound findings were confirmed using videofluoroscopy. Under ultrasound guidance, botulinum toxin was injected into the hypertonic pharyngoesophageal segment and subsequently voice outcomes were evaluated by a speech language pathologist and the pharyngoesophageal segment was assessed by using an ultrasound scan.

RESULTS

The patient had improvement in his postinjection tracheoesophageal puncture speech. Ultrasound scan assessment of the pharyngoesophageal segment showed adequate dilation as compared to the pre-botulinum toxin injection treatment.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonographic localization of the hypertonic pharyngoesophageal segment and ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injection is a simple, quick, and relatively cheap method to be used in routine practice.

Visual outcome after discontinuation of corticosteroids in atypical severe central serous chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE

To elucidate the effect of discontinuation of corticosteroids in patients with atypical severe central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) on retinal reattachment, resolution of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) leaks, and improvement in visual acuity (VA).

DESIGN

Prospective, noncomparative, observational case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-four eyes of 17 patients who were being treated with corticosteroids for atypical severe CSC. Of these 17 patients, 16 were treated inappropriately with corticosteroids for their ocular condition; presumably, these patients' conditions were misdiagnosed, and they were thought to have choroiditis, Harada's syndrome, or similar entities, and not central serous chorioretinopathy.

INTERVENTION

Observation or laser photocoagulation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Reattachment of the retina, obliteration of RPE leaks on fundus fluorescein angiography, and improvement in Snellen VA.

RESULTS

Discontinuation of corticosteroids resulted in reattachment of the retina in 21 eyes (87.5%), with median time to reattachment of 49 days (range, 32-400); only 3 eyes required laser photocoagulation. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed obliteration of RPE leaks at a median period of 75 days (range, 32-400) in the observed eyes; the median VA improved from 20/80 to 20/30. The mean follow-up was 16.5 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Discontinuation of corticosteroids in atypical CSC helped in obliteration of RPE leaks and retinal reattachment in 87.5% of the eyes without laser treatment, and improvement in VA was observed.

Indocyanine green dye-enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy of classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of indocyanine green dye-enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy for the treatment of classic subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) with differing etiologies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nine eyes of 9 patients with classic subfoveal CNVM with different etiologies that was treated with indocyanine green dye-enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy were prospectively studied. All patients underwent pretreatment fluorescein angiography. Three minutes after dye injection (25 mg of indocyanine green), transpupillary thermotherapy was delivered using a modified diode laser at 810 nm, with a variable spot size of 0.8 to 2 mm depending on the size of the CNVM. A power range between 100 and 800 mW was used and treatment was initiated in one spot for 60 seconds; the end point was a barely detectable light gray appearance of the lesion. The outcome measures were assessed by Snellen visual acuity chart and obliteration of the CNVM by fluorescein angiography. Mean follow-up was 16 months.

RESULTS

Obliteration of the CNVM was seen in all patients during the last visit. Visual acuity improved in one eye and remained stable (+/-2 line change on Snellen chart) in three eyes. Three eyes revealed a moderate visual loss of 3 to 4 lines and two eyes had a severe decline (> 5 lines) in vision. None of the eyes exhibited recurrence of the CNVM during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Indocyanine green dye-enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy was highly effective in closing classic CNVM in all cases without any recurrence. Visual acuity was either stabilized or improved in 4 of 9 eyes (44.5%).

Endophthalmitis caused by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. A profile

PURPOSE

To report the clinical and microbiological profile of endophthalmitis caused by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus.

METHODS

A retrospective study of case series of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus endophthalmitis. Outcome measures included ability to sterilise the eye, anatomical result (clear media and attached retina) and visual recovery (visual acuity > 6/60).

RESULTS

Of the 20 cases studied, 10 were cases of postoperative endophthalmitis, 3 were posttraumatic, 6 were endogenous and one was bleb-related endophthalmitis. Specific features of interest observed were relative chronicity of presentation and absence of any obvious predisposing factor in endogenous endophthalmitis cases. All cases could be sterilised except one, which needed evisceration. Cases with postoperative endophthalmitis had better anatomical outcome (7/10 with attached retina and clear media) and visual outcome (4/10 regained vision > 6/18). Higher smear positivity was seen in vitreous samples (72.2%) compared to aqueous samples (37.5%). Culture positivity was higher from the vitreous cavity compared to aqueous. The organism was sensitive to ciprofloxacin in a high percentage (88.9%) of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Visual recovery in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus endophthalmitis is modest. Ciprofloxacin is the antibiotic of choice.

SCLERAL BUCKLING

PURPOSE

To compare the implant and explant techniques of scleral buckling.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized clinical study compared the two techniques of scleral buckling. Variables such as size and extent of the buckle, duration of the surgery, complications, and anatomical and visual outcome were studied. The height of the buckle as measured by ultrasonography was also studied.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found between the two groups for total duration of the surgery, complications, anatomical results, visual outcome, and buckle height. For the 1- to 2-quadrant buckles, duration of the surgery up to initiation of subretinal fluid drainage was found to be significantly shorter for the explant group. Serial ultrasonography showed significant reduction in buckle height over 6 months in both groups to an equal degree.

CONCLUSIONS

Scleral buckling seems to be equally effective whether performed as an implant or explant.

Intraocular cysticercosis: clinical characteristics and visual outcome after vitreoretinal surgery

PURPOSE

To report the clinical characteristics of, discuss the surgical options for, and analyze the factors affecting the anatomic and visual outcome of intraocular cysticercosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-five eyes of 44 Indian patients with posterior segment intraocular cysticercosis.

METHODS

The charts of 45 eyes, in which intraocular cysticercosis was removed by vitreoretinal surgery (either transscleral or transvitreal), were reviewed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

These included the postoperative retinal status and the best-corrected Snellen visual acuity.

RESULTS

Intraocular cysticercosis was present in the vitreous cavity of 27 eyes (60%) and in the subretinal space of 18 eyes (40%). Anterior segment inflammation was seen in 13 eyes (28.8%) and vitreous inflammation in 38 eyes (84.4%). Retinal detachment was observed in 22 eyes (48.8%), with proliferative vitreoretinopathy in 13 eyes (59.09%). Subretinal cysts anterior to the equator (4 eyes) were removed transsclerally, whereas subretinal cysts posterior to the equator and intravitreal cysts (41 eyes) were removed transvitreally. The mean follow-up was 10.5 months. At the last follow-up, the retina was attached in 39 eyes (86.6%); visual acuity of >/=5/200 was achieved in 67.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Current vitreoretinal surgical techniques enable removal of intraocular cysticercosis in all cases, with reattachment of the retina in 86.6% and recovery of ambulatory vision in approximately 67% of cases.

Retinal detachment in Marfan syndrome: clinical characteristics and surgical outcome

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical characteristics of retinal detachments in patients with Marfan syndrome and report the surgical outcome of vitreoretinal surgery.

METHODS

Records relating to 53 eyes of 45 patients with Marfan syndrome who underwent surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were reviewed. Of the 53 eyes, 24 (45.3%) underwent scleral buckling as the first procedure and 29 (54.7%) underwent vitrectomy surgery with scleral buckle as the first procedure. Main outcome measures included clinical characteristics of retinal detachment, reattachment rates, and functional improvement in vision.

RESULTS

Characteristic findings included total retinal detachment in 40 (75.5%) eyes, atrophic holes in 24 (45.3%) eyes, more than four retinal breaks in 21 eyes (39.6%), preequatorial and postequatorial breaks in 20 (37.7%) eyes, giant retinal tears in six (11.3%) eyes, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (posterior, anterior, or both) in nine (17%) eyes. In 30 (56.6%) eyes, retinal breaks were located only in the temporal half of the retina. Of the 24 eyes with myopia, 13 (54.2%) had a myopic correction greater than 7 diopters. At the median follow-up of 10.7 months, complete retinal reattachment was obtained in 87.6% and 86.2% of patients undergoing scleral buckling (including additional procedures such as vitrectomy) and vitrectomy surgery, respectively. In eyes with reattached retinas, a final visual acuity of 20/200 or better was obtained in 81% of the patients after scleral buckling and in 56% of the patients after vitrectomy surgery (P = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Retinal detachment in Marfan syndrome is complete in 75% of the eyes. More than half (56%) the eyes had a retinal break only in the temporal half of the retina, and 83% had at least a break in the temporal half of the retina. Currently available vitreoretinal surgical techniques result in successful reattachment of the retina in approximately 86% of the eyes.

Results of vitrectomy in Terson syndrome

BACKGROUND

To report visual results of vitrectomy in Terson syndrome

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 11 patients, 15 eyes underwent vitreous surgery for Terson syndrome. The mean follow up was 18.3 months.

RESULTS

An incomplete posterior vitreous separation was noted in 10 eyes (66.7%). An epiretinal membrane was present in 4 eyes (26.7%), and in 3 eyes, a retinal fold along the arcade was noticed. Significant visual improvement occurred in all eyes; visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 14 eyes (93.3%). Only 3 eyes developed lens opacity after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Vitrectomy in Terson syndrome provides excellent visual recovery. The complication rate, including the development of cataract, is low.

Congenital retinoschisis: successful collapse with photocoagulation

We report a case of progressive congenital retinoschis is where the schisis cavity collapsed following argon laser photocoagulation. Despite reports to the contrary, we feel that in the absence of significant vitreous or inner layer traction, photocoagulation applied as light burns in the schisis cavity may be beneficial in collapsing the cavity. Whether or not this collapse of the schisis cavity reduces the risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is unclear.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy of sclerotomy sites after pars plana vitrectomy for diabetic vitreous hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed at assessing changes at the sclerotomy site using the ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM) in eyes that underwent primary pars plana vitrectomy for complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-six eyes of 84 patients with vitreous hemorrhage caused by proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

INTERVENTION

Three-port pars plana vitrectomy followed by UBM evaluation of all sclerotomy sites between 6 and 8 weeks after surgery. Correlation with intraoperative findings done in case of reoperations. Forty-one eyes had repeat UBM at 6 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The changes at the sclerotomy site were classified into six groups: well healed, gape, plaque, vitreous incarceration, fibrovascular proliferation, and anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation (AHFVP). The UBM characteristics of each of the groups were defined. The findings at 6 months were compared with those at 6 to 8 weeks.

RESULTS

At 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, most sclerotomies were well healed or had either moderate to high reflective plaques bridging the site. Wound gape was seen in 22.1% of active ports, 32.6% of light ports, and 25.6% of infusion ports. Vitreous incarceration was seen most often at the infusion port (18. 6% of eyes). Fibrovascular proliferation was seen in 9.3% of active ports, 12.8% of light ports, and 15.1% of infusion ports. Thirteen eyes had recurrent vitreous hemorrhage 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Cases with rebleeding and no fibrovascular proliferation at the sclerotomy on UBM did well with outpatient fluid-air exchange (two eyes) or observation only (three eyes). Those with fibrovascular proliferation on UBM (eight eyes) required more extensive surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

UBM is helpful in detecting complications at the sclerotomy sites after pars plana vitrectomy and is an invaluable tool in the assessment of the patient before reoperation.

pH-adjusted periocular anaesthesia for primary vitreoretinal surgery

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of pH-adjusted bupivacaine in conjunction with medial orbital periconal block (periocular anaesthesia).

METHODS

Sixty consecutive patients undergoing primary vitreoretinal surgery were enrolled prospectively.

RESULTS

Adequate anaesthesia and akinesia with no intraoperative supplementation was achieved in 53 eyes (88.3%). Factors influencing intraoperative supplementation were combined vitrectomy with scleral buckling (p = 0.005) and duration of surgery of more than 2 hours (p = 0.001). No ocular or systemic complication resulted.

CONCLUSION

pH-adjusted periocular anaesthesia is safe and effective in patients undergoing primary vitreoretinal surgery.

Posterior scleritis: clinical profile and imaging characteristics

Posterior scleritis is relatively uncommon and is often misdiagnosed due to its protean manifestations. We report eight cases of posterior scleritis to analyse the clinical profile, ultrasonographic and computed tomography (CT) scan features of this rare disorder. Fundus findings included serous retinal detachment, choroidal folds, retinal folds, subretinal mass, choroidal detachment, disc edema, and macular edema. There was associated anterior scleritis and anterior uveitis in the majority of the cases. In all cases ultrasound with or without CT scan confirmed the clinical diagnosis. All patients responded to systemic steroids except one who required immunosuppressive therapy. This paper describes the clinical profile of a series of posterior scleritis cases highlighting varied clinical presentation, and the role of ultrasound and CT scan findings in the diagnosis.

Subretinal fibrosis and nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE

To report the rare occurrence of subretinal fibrosis in patients with multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy and evaluate the role of systemic corticosteroids and the effects of laser photocoagulation on multifocal leaks.

METHODS

A total of 29 patients (mean age, 37.7 years; 89.7% male) treated for subretinal fibrosis and multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy from 1983-1995 were reviewed retrospectively. Mean follow up was 26 months (range, 6.8-81 months).

RESULTS

Retinal detachment involved the macula in 72.4% cases. Fluorescein angiography showed a mean of 6.7 (range, 2-22) central serous chorioretinopathy leaks and a mean of 1.8 (range, 1-5) retinal pigment epithelial detachments. The fundus pictures of 23 patients who were taking systemic corticosteroids showed no improvement. Following laser treatment, however, retinal reattachment was obtained in all eyes, and improvement in visual acuity of > 2 Snellen lines was noted in 68.9% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of subretinal fibrosis with secondary retinal detachment in otherwise healthy young patients, particularly in men, should alert the physician to look for multifocal central serous retinopathy leaks. Systemic corticosteroids did not prove effective in treating these patients, although laser treatment is recommended for each leak identified on an angiogram.

A multivariate analysis of anatomic success of recurrent retinal detachment treated with pneumatic retinopexy

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to determine the success rate of pneumatic retinopexy (PR) after failed scleral buckling and to elucidate the predictors for anatomic failure by multiple logistic regression analysis.

METHODS

Thirty-six eyes with recurrent retinal detachment after failed scleral buckling underwent PR. Intraocular tamponade was attained with SF6 (20 eyes), C3F8 (13 eyes), and air (3 eyes). Median follow-up was 14 months.

RESULTS

Retinal reattachment was obtained in 69.4%. Multivariate analysis identified two risk factors for failure: location of retinal break either on the posterior slope or posterior to buckle (P = 0.01) and extent of retinal detachment greater than two quadrants (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumatic retinopexy is an effective alternative to revision surgical operations if the leaking retinal break is located on the buckle.

Pseudocysts of the mandibular condyle in children

The authors evaluated the panoramic radiographs of 1,193 consecutively treated patients 18 years old and younger for the presence of asymptomatic radiolucencies in the mandibular condyles. The 27 radiographs initially selected were examined by four independent reviewers. Of the 1,193 patients, 18 (1.5 percent [10 female and eight male]) met the criteria for condylar pseudocysts. Follow-up radiographs showed minimal or no change in size of the radiolucencies. Clinicians need to be aware of these anatomic variations so that patients are not subjected to inappropriate treatment.

Recall intervals: effect on treatment needs: a retrospective study

The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the effect of recall intervals on the incidence of dental caries. Data were collected from patient records of a private pediatric dental practice. Variables examined were time of the recall interval, age, race and sex of the patient, and whether the patient lived in a fluoridated area. There were 207 patients who qualified for the study. Of the 207 patients in the study, 173 did not have any teeth with dental caries at the recall visit. A significant difference between increased caries activity and recall interval was not found in this study. There was no significant difference found between the explanatory variables and caries activity.

Craniofacial abnormalities in mice with X-linked hypophosphatemic genes (Hyp or Gy)

X-Linked hypophosphatemia is the most common cause of metabolic rickets in humans and is characterized by a reduced renal TmP/GFR and hypophosphatemia. Clinically, these changes are associated with growth retardation including attenuated craniofacial growth, femoral and tibial bowing, and radiologic and histomorphometric evidence of rickets and osteomalacia. Similar mutations occur in mice at the Hyp and Gy gene loci. Direct craniometric measurements were made on mouse skulls to investigate the pattern of craniofacial growth differences in the Hyp/+, Hyp/Hyp and Gy/+ genotypes and to compare these to littermate normals in the C57BL/6J mouse strain. There was generalized attenuation in craniofacial growth in all mutants. The heterozygous Hyp and Gy mutants showed similar patterns of craniofacial growth with diminished neurocranial length, viscerocranial length, and mandibular height. The Gy/+ was significantly smaller than the Hyp/+ in neurocranial width. The homozygous Hyp mouse was not affected more severely than the heterozygous Hyp except in overall cranial length, nasal bone length, and mandibular length from mandibular foramen to third molar. In summary, the heterozygous Hyp and Gy mutant mice showed similar patterns of craniofacial growth. The homozygous Hyp mouse was not affected more severely than the heterozygous Hyp except in three of the 15 measured variables. Thus, these data demonstrate the almost complete dominance of the Hyp gene. In contrast, the Gy gene is incompletely dominant. The heterozygous Gy females survive, but the hemizygous Gy males do not, on a C57BL/6J background. This suggests that there is a family of closely linked genes on the X chromosome which, while similar in their effects on phosphate homeostasis, have differing mechanisms of action.

Movement of artificial teeth in waxed trial dentures

Movements of artificial teeth during the wax trial denture stage was investigated in three dimensions by means of a traveling microscope. Fixed points of reference were devised for accurate measurements of teeth movements. Porcelain and plastic anterior and posterior teeth set in five wax trial dentures were tested at 2, 4, 7, and 24 hours. Tooth movements in wax trial dentures invariably occurred and lacked correlation in direction and time.