Does the histopathological subtype of primary basal cell carcinoma predict the subtype of secondary tumours? What role do genetic mutations play?

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. The frequency of histopathological subtypes and the distribution on the body of BCC has been well documented. Less has been written on the nature of secondary tumours. The genetics of BCC is starting to be understood, particularly with the advent of newer medical treatments (hedgehog inhibitors). Objectives: To determine if primary basal cell carcinoma histopathological subtype predicts secondary tumour subtype, as well as their anatomical distribution. Methods: A retrospective case series of patients over the age of 18 was performed from 2009 to 2014, with at least two separate diagnoses of BCC. Results: In 394 identified patients, a total of 1355 BCCs arose in the cohort over the 6-year study period. The number of secondary BCCs per patient ranged from 2 to 19 tumours. Nodular BCC was the most likely to reoccur in secondary tumours (53.3%), followed by mixed subtypes (45.7%). Conclusions: Within our study, we did find a predisposition for secondary BCCs to be of the same histopathological subtype as the primary, particularly with respect to nodular and mixed tumours. Furthermore, we found that secondary tumours were also more likely to occur on the same anatomical site as the primary tumour. We are only just beginning to under the genetic mutations involved in subtype formation.

ENDOGENOUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA: A Sixteen-Year Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To review the clinical features, microbiology spectrum, management, and outcomes of patients with endogenous endophthalmitis in Western Australia over a 16-year period. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of all patients with endogenous endophthalmitis who presented to all tertiary ophthalmology departments between 2000 and 2015 in Western Australia. RESULTS: Sixty-six eyes of 57 patients with endogenous endophthalmitis were identified, and follow-up data were available for a mean of 554 days. The average frequency was 1.6 per 1,000,000 population per year. Diabetes mellitus (33%) and intravenous drug use (30%) were the most common risk factors. Concurrent systemic infections included urinary tract infection (28%), pneumonia (23%), and endocarditis (21%). Among culture-positive cases (93%), 57% were bacterial and 43% were fungal. Visual acuity improved in 33 (50%) and declined in 15 eyes (22.7%). Baseline visual acuity and the presence of Gram-negative or filamentous fungi were the only predictors of final visual acuity (P = 0.023 and P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The population frequency of endogenous endophthalmitis has not changed over 16 years despite the changing profile of pathogen and risk factors. Similar to previous studies in Asian and Western countries, visual and anatomical prognosis depends on initial visual acuity and isolated pathogen. Gram-negative and filamentous fungi culture predicted a worse visual outcome.

A fishy eyelid injury.

A 9-year-old girl was reviewed by a tertiary ophthalmology service after being hit in her right upper eyelid by a fish whilst swimming. Initial wound exploration demonstrated fish scales in the wound. She was first treated conservatively with washout of the 5-mm wound and was discharged with oral ciprofloxacin. Five days later, the patient re-presented with a worsened ptosis due to periorbital swelling. Ultrasound of the upper lid demonstrated a foreign body in the upper lid. The patient was taken to theatre and, with the assistance of intraoperative ultrasound, the jaws of a needle fish were removed from the upper lid. The case highlights the importance of ultrasound and its intraoperative utility in cases of trauma and a suspicion of retained foreign bodies as well as the potential danger of fish injuries off the West Australian coast.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma masquerading as pyogenic granuloma.

A 68-year-old gentleman presented with a lesion that resembled a pyogenic granuloma in his inferior fornix. The lesion was excised and biopsy demonstrated a proliferation of malignant spindle cells. Three weeks following initial excision, the lesion recurred and was removed via wedge excision of the eyelid. Definitive clearance was achieved through Mohs micrographic surgery. The patient received adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy and remains disease-free. This case demonstrates the need to consider sinister pathology in the setting of recurrent periocular lesions.