Bleb morphology of glaucoma drainage devices on magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate bleb morphology features of different glaucoma drainage devices (GDD) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study of GDD and bleb morphology in consecutive glaucoma patients implanted with Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV), Paul Glaucoma Implant (PGI), Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant (BGI) and Ahmed ClearPath (ACP) devices. Thirty-six eyes from 30 consecutive patients underwent standardized GDD implantation followed by MRI at least 1 month after surgery. Main outcomes included bleb volume and endplate position relative to the optic nerve. Secondary outcomes included intraocular pressure (IOP), medication and surgical complications during a 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Seven eyes were implanted with the AGV (19%), 5 with BGI (14%), 16 with PGI (44%) and 8 with ACP (22%). MRI scans were obtained 85 ± 66 days after surgery. Mean total bleb volume was 563 ± 390 mm3 . This bleb volume was inversely correlated with early post-operative IOP (day 7; rs = -0.3326, p = 0.0475) but positively correlated with IOP at 12 months (rs = 0.3592, p = 0.0341). No significant difference in total bleb volume was found between GDD types (p = 0.1223). A double-layered bleb was observed in 34 eyes (94%). The inferior bleb volume was significantly larger in PGI devices versus other GDD types (380 ± 205 vs. 193 ± 161 mm3 ; p = 0.0043). Distance from the endplate to the optic nerve was 9.5 ± 4.0 mm, similar across GDDs (p = 0.2519). CONCLUSIONS: Double-layered blebs are a common finding with GDDs. Bleb volume showed different correlations with IOP at distinct timepoints and the PGI device formed larger blebs. A standardized GDD implantation technique ensures a safe distance from the GDD endplate to the optic nerve.

Glaucoma triage system: results of implementing a virtual clinic.

PURPOSE: This study describes the virtual clinic triage system implementation process at Hospital Santa Maria-Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (HSM-CHULN) and analyzes its results regarding healthcare outcomes for the patients and the system. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed, comparing two cohorts (pre-virtual cohort; virtual triage cohort). Outcomes related to waiting time, number of hospital visits, decisions at first contact, and ancillary exam-based decisions were reported. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-two charts were reviewed (pre-virtual cohort: 132; virtual cohort: 160). Mean waiting time between referral and the first medical contact with the glaucoma department decreased on average by 71.3 days (human contact: 286.6 days; virtual triage contact: 215.3 days). Triage system significantly decreased waiting time for glaucoma patients, with an average decrease of 326.8 days between referral and treatment decision. Triage staging allowed to label 107 (66.9; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 59.6%, 74.2%) as non-urgent; 30 (18.8%; 95% CI: 12.7%, 24.9%) as urgent, and 23 (14.3%; 95% CI: 8.9%, 19.7%) as immediate contact, with the scheduling of future appointments reflecting National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines in every patient. Moreover, the number of visits to perform the same exams and obtain the same clinical decisions was reduced by 63.6%. CONCLUSION: Our virtual screening strategy significantly decreased waiting time, number of hospital visits, and increased chances of data-assisted clinical decision. While results can be further improved, this system can add value in an overburdened healthcare system, where triage systems with remote decision-making may be valuable tools in optimizing glaucoma care, even without allocation of extra resources.

ASIA syndrome: Adverse reaction or autoimmunity?

Introduction: Adjuvant-Induced Autoimmune / Auto-inflammatory Syndrome (ASIA) is an immune-mediated condition by the exposure of material previously considered inert, such as silicone, aluminum salts, mineral oils, hyaluronic acid and metallic implants. In addition to a genetic component, there is a risk of development of an undifferentiated connective tissue disease, which varies clinically and laboratorially depending on the adjuvant material used. Patients and methods: This paper addresses two cases reported, in caucasian subjects, born and residents in Madeira Island, Portugal. In this article are described two different histological patterns occurring in ASIA patients, due to mammoplasty with silicone. Conclusion: Although ASIA does not meet the diagnostic requirements for connective tissue disease, there is a close relationship with the development of autoimmune conditions. These cases aim to alert the medical community to the existence of this entity, encourage the notification of situations arising from exposure to adjuvants and investigate the presence of a genetic predisposition and a suggestive histological pattern in excisional biopsies of satellite adenomegalies.

Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C alone or coupled with intracamerular bevacizumab? A 2-year comparative study.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of primary trabeculectomy using either mitomycin C (MMC) alone versus MMC augmented with intracamerular bevacizumab in patients with open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: Retrospective, cohort, two-centre, comparative study. Patients' data were screened between October 2015 and March 2019, with inclusion requiring a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Primary outcome was intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering at 24 months, with surgical success defined with different maximum IOP targets (≤18, ≤16 and ≤14 mm Hg) and at least 30% reduction and higher than 5 mm Hg. Absolute success was achieved if no IOP-lowering medication was needed and a qualified success if otherwise. Safety outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 110 eyes underwent trabeculectomy with MMC, 51 of these combined with intracamerular bevacizumab. Both strategies were effective in terms of IOP lowering (baseline vs 2 years postoperatively: 24.4 (8.0) mm Hg vs 12.1 (5.3) mm Hg in the MMC group; 25.1 (8.7) vs 10.8 (3.8) mm Hg in the MMC+bevacizumab group; p<0.001 in both comparisons). The MMC+bevacizumab group had a significant difference towards higher efficacy on absolute success rates at all targets (IOP≤14 or ≤16 or ≤18 mm Hg; p=0.010, p=0.039 and p=0.007, respectively). The large majority (93%) of the MMC+bevacizumab group was drop-free at 24 months, and 41% had IOP below 10 mm Hg. Complication rates were low and similar between groups, with no systemic adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Intracamerular bevacizumab in MMC-augmented primary trabeculectomy increases the chances of obtaining low IOP outcomes. This strategy may be useful when planning for surgeries aiming at target pressures in the low teens. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN93098069.

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma - a case of benign metastasis.

Leiomyomas are benign tumours of smooth muscle cells that most often affect the female genital tract, but their metastasis to extra-uterine locations represent rare, yet misunderstood phenomena. The authors present a clinical case of a 42-year-old woman, who underwent a hysterectomy 15 years ago due to myomas, admitted with multiple pulmonary nodules and abdominal mass, diagnosed by imaging tests, in the context of haemoptysis. The anatomopathological exams of the pulmonary and abdominal lesions were compatible with the diagnosis of benign metastatic leiomyoma. Benign metastatic leiomyoma is a rare condition that particularly affects women of childbearing age, with a history of hysterectomy for uterine fibroids. Hence, this entity must be considered in the differential diagnosis of women with pulmonary nodules of uncertain aetiology.

Cutaneous manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2: an emerging topic in a pandemic era.

A 70-year-old man was admitted to our COVID-19 ward with thoracalgia, productive mucus cough, fatigue and erythematous-violaceous macules on the inner side of feet and interdigital regions. The patient was started on oxygen and dexamethasone. On the day of discharge, he maintained the skin changes despite the resolution of COVID-19 symptoms. A 57-year-old woman initially presented with diffuse urticarial rash on the cervical and chest region. Oral cetirizine was started, and pruritus improved. Thirty days after the discharge, the patient maintained the rash, but without pruritus. A 49-year-old man was admitted with thoracalgia, shortness of breath, dry cough and urticarial rash on the cervical and chest region. The patient was treated with cetirizine. The pruritus improved, and 5 days after discharge, the urticarial areas completely disappeared.

Heart Dissemination: A Clinical Case of Melanoma.

Introduction. Primitive malignant heart tumours are rare, specific cases. The presence of cardiac metastases, often in the pericardium, besides indicating disseminated oncological disease, represents a diagnostic challenge since they tend to be asymptomatic. Malignant cutaneous melanoma (MCM) is the neoplasm that most often affects the heart. Patients and Methods. The authors describe a case report of a 59-year-old female patient with a history of non-insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and remitting cutaneous malignant melanoma who underwent skin excision, lymphadenectomy, and adjuvant chemotherapy in 1996. In April 2014, she resorted to emergency service due to epigastric pain and progressive tiredness. Due to the persistence of the complaints, abdominal ultrasound was performed, which showed a large pericardial effusion, corroborated later by teleradiography and echocardiography. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis, which isolated neoplastic cells. A computed tomography study of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed bilateral and pericardial pleural effusion, as well as alterations suggestive of pericardial and pulmonary metastasis. Later, fine-needle aspiration puncture of the left posterior cervical nodule confirmed histologically malignant melanoma metastasis. Discussion. Given the natural history of melanoma that when metastasized has an overall survival of 15-20% for 5 years, its metastatic spread may occur several years after its surgical excision. Thus, patients with a history of melanoma and heart failure who develop new cardiac symptoms of unknown aetiology should undergo imaging studies such as echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

High intensity focused ultrasound for glaucoma: 1-year results from a prospective pragmatic study.

BACKGROUND: Ciclo plasty using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology acts through the selective coagulation of the ciliary body. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy profiles of 8-s probe HIFU cyclocoagulation using the EyeOP1 device. METHODS: Prospective pragmatic trial. INCLUSION CRITERIA: adult glaucoma patients with uncontrolled IOP despite optimised medical therapy, and/or intolerant to medical therapy required to achieve target IOP. PRIMARY OUTCOME: surgical success defined as IOP reduction from baseline >20% with final IOP ≤21 mmHg, without adding any IOP-lowering drugs, and without loss of light perception; or decreased use of IOP-lowering drugs with stable/decreased IOP, without loss of light perception. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: mean IOP, intra and postoperative complications, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and number of IOP-lowering drugs at each visit. Outcome data were collected preoperatively and at postoperative day 1, and months 1, 3, 6 and 12. RESULTS: Forty-nine eyes of forty-nine patients (28 male) with a mean age of 70 ± 14 years were enroled. Pre-operative IOP was 26.9 ± 7.4 mmHg under 2.8 ± 0.9 topical medications, decreasing to 17.8 ± 6.4 mmHg under 2.3 ± 1 drugs at 12 months (p < 0.01). One-year surgical success was achieved in 71.4% of patients (IOP-reduction criteria: 59.2%; decreased use of IOP-lowering drugs: 38.8%). Eight patients were ultimately submitted to other glaucoma surgical interventions. Five patients experienced serious adverse events (loss of light perception n = 5; hypotony n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: This innovative non-invasive technology seems to be effective in decreasing IOP and/or the number of administered drops in patients with refractory glaucoma. It seems a valuable tool to delay or preclude the need for filtering procedures in the majority of the patients.

Acute Iatrogenic Agranulocytosis: A Rare and Dire Case of an Adverse Drug Reaction to Be Aware.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic agranulocytosis (IA), by nonchemotherapeutic drugs, is a rare adverse event, resulting in a neutrophil count under 0.5 × 109 cells/L with fever or other suggestive signs of infection. METHODS: This paper discusses the possible mechanisms responsible for agranulocytosis induced by nonchemotherapeutic drugs. It also describes three cases as well as potential ways to handle such iatrogenic situations. CONCLUSION: Neutropenia under 0.1 × 109 cells/L predispose patients to potentially fatal infections. Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic and hematopoietic growth factors may be helpful in shortening hospitalization and prevent further infectious complications. Not all drugs associated with IA require frequent hematological monitoring, except medications such as clozapine, ticlopidine, and antithyroids.

Contribuições da Psicanálise Existencial à Prática Clínica: Indicações Teóricas e Metodológicas / Contributions of Existential Psychoanalysis to Clinical Practice: Theoretical and Methodological Indications / Contribuciones del Psicoanálisis Existencial a la Práctica Clínica: Indicaciones Teóricas y Metodológicas

Tem-se como objetivo desse artigo aportar contribuições teóricas e metodológicas da psicanálise existencial à prática clínica a partir do existencialismo e da fenomenologia de Jean-Paul Sartre. Em um primeiro momento, esboçaremos os contornos principais da psicanálise existencial em comparação com a perspectiva freudiana, focando nos conceitos de desejo, projeto, repressão e situação, sustentando a psicanálise existencial como uma clínica de situações. Em um momento seguinte, nos dedicamos à exposição de um caso clínico, com a finalidade de tornar mais concreta as contribuições metodológicas do método progressivo-regressivo e da reflexão purificadora. Buscaremos mostrar, nesse sentido, a pertinência de uma perspectiva metodológica que alcance o vivido singular, atravessado pelas múltiplas formas de violências do universo social produtoras de situações traumáticas, bem como as possibilidades de metamorfose do projeto existencial. Em nossas considerações finais, destacamos os desafios de uma prática clínica em se ocupar da dialética entre o universo social, no qual recrudescem formas de violência, e a singularidade do projeto existencial em luta contra suas determinações e desejoso por transformar-se. (AU)

The aim of this article is to contribute theoretical and methodological contributions from existential psychoanalysis to clinical practice based on Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialism and phenomenology. At first, we will lay out the main outlines of existential psychoanalysis in comparison with the Freudian perspective, focusing on the concepts of desire, project, repression and situation, supporting existential psychoanalysis as a clinic of situations. Subsequently, we dedicate ourselves to the presentation of a clinical case, in order to make the methodological contributions of the progressive-regressive method and purifying reflection more concrete. We will try to show, in this sense, the pertinence of a methodological perspective that reaches the singular lived, crossed by the multiple forms of violence of the social universe that produce traumatic situations, as well as the possibilities of metamorphosis of the existential project. In our final remarks, we highlight the challenges of a clinical practice in dealing with the dialectic between the social universe, in which forms of violence increase, and the uniqueness of the existential project in the fight against its determinations and eager to transform itself. (AU)

El objetivo de este artículo es aportar contribuciones teóricas y metodológicas desde el psicoanálisis existencial a la práctica clínica a partir del existencialismo y fenomenología de Jean-Paul Sartre. En primer lugar, trazaremos los principales trazos del psicoanálisis existencial en comparación con la perspectiva freudiana, centrándonos en los conceptos de deseo, proyecto, represión y situación, apoyando el psicoanálisis existencial como clínica de situaciones. En un momento siguiente, nos dedicamos a la presentación de un caso clínico, con el fin de concretar los aportes metodológicos del método progresivo-regresivo y la reflexión depuradora. Intentaremos mostrar, en este sentido, la pertinencia de una perspectiva metodológica que llegue a lo singular vivido, atravesado por las múltiples formas de violencia del universo social que producen situaciones traumáticas, así como las posibilidades de metamorfosis del proyecto existencial. En nuestro comentario final, destacamos los desafíos de una práctica clínica en el abordaje de la dialéctica entre el universo social, en el que aumentan las formas de violencia, y la singularidad del proyecto existencial en la lucha contra sus determinaciones y deseoso por transformarse. (AU)

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Syndrome: A Rare Entity to Consider.

INTRODUCTION: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare, benign, necrotizing lymphadenitis of unknown aetiology with good prognosis. It is characterized by cervical lymphadenopathy, nocturnal diaphoresis and fever. Surgical excision of the adenopathy, histopathological study and immunophenotyping are crucial for diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This paper describes five patients with three different histological subtypes of KFD, including an atypical presentation masquerading as pyelonephritis and two other cases where physicians mistakenly started chemotherapy. In one other case cytomegalovirus was identified as the responsible aetiological agent, while in the remaining patient, KFD evolved into an autoimmune condition. DISCUSSION: KFD, although rare, may mimic infectious, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. It also poses a risk for the subsequent development of an autoimmune disorder. LEARNING POINTS: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), although rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with cervical lymphadenopathy and fever of unknown origin.Early recognition of KFD may minimize the use of unnecessary aggressive examinations and therapies.The course of KFD in most patients is self-limiting, but there is a risk of progression to an autoimmune syndrome.

Outcomes of phacoemulsification combined with two iStent inject trabecular microbypass stents with or without endocyclophotocoagulation.

AIM: Comparing outcomes after combined phacoemulsification, two iStents insertion and endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) versus phacoemulsification-iStents alone. METHODS: This is a longitudinal retrospective 12 months study in eyes with ocular hypertension or early-to-moderate open angle glaucoma. Level of disease, intraocular pressure (IOP) and tolerance of glaucoma medication were considered before planning surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA-logMAR), IOP (mm Hg), number of medications were assessed at baseline, week 1, week 5, month 3, 6, 12 postop. MAIN OUTCOME: percentage (%) in IOP reduction at 12 months vs medicated baseline. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: absolute values of IOP/medication reduction, BCVA and postop complications. RESULTS: The ICE2 (two iStents-cataract extraction-ECP) group included 63 eyes and Phaco-iStent group included 46 eyes. Baseline IOP was higher in the ICE2 than phaco-iStent group (19.97±4.31 mm Hg vs 17.63±3.86 mm Hg, p=0.004) and mean deviation was lower (-7.20±2.58 dB vs -4.94±4.51 dB, p=0.037). Number of medications were comparable at baseline: 2.22±1.06 (ICE2) vs 2.07±1.02 (phaco-iStent), p=0.442. At month 12 postop, IOP in the ICE2 group decreased 35% from baseline vs 21% in the phaco-iStent group (p=0.03); absolute IOP reduction was significantly lower than baseline in each group (p<0.001), yet final IOP was lower in the ICE2 group than phaco-iStent group (13.05±2.18 mm Hg vs 14.09±1.86 mm Hg, p=0.01). Similar results were found for glaucoma medication (1.24±1.05 in ICE2 group vs 1.39±1.03 in phaco-iStent group, p=0.01). Final BCVA was 0.11±0.18 (phaco-iStent group) vs 0.08±0.08 (ICE2 group), p=0.309. Safety outcomes were comparable between groups. CONCLUSION: ICE2 procedure offers better results in IOP/medication reduction at 12 months than phacoemulsification-iStents alone.