A multi-centre case series of patients with coexistent intracranial hypertension and malignant arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and management of a large cohort of patients with concomitant malignant arterial hypertension and intracranial hypertension. METHODS: Design: Retrospective case series. SUBJECTS: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with bilateral optic disc oedema (ODE), malignant arterial hypertension and intracranial hypertension at five academic institutions. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, diagnostic studies, and management were collected. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (58% female, 63% Black) were included. Median age was 35 years; body mass index (BMI) was 30 kg/m2. Fourteen (74%) patients had pre-existing hypertension. The most common presenting symptom was blurred vision (89%). Median blood pressure (BP) was 220 mmHg systolic (IQR 199-231.5 mmHg) and 130 mmHg diastolic (IQR 116-136 mmHg) mmHg), and median lumbar puncture opening pressure was 36.5 cmH2O. All patients received treatment for arterial hypertension. Seventeen (89%) patients received medical treatment for raised intracranial pressure, while six (30%) patients underwent a surgical intervention. There was significant improvement in ODE, peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, and visual field in the worst eye (p < 0.05). Considering the worst eye, 9 (47%) presented with acuity ≥ 20/25, while 5 (26%) presented with ≤ 20/200. Overall, 7 patients maintained ≥ 20/25 acuity or better, 6 demonstrated improvement, and 5 demonstrated worsening. CONCLUSIONS: Papilloedema and malignant arterial hypertension can occur simultaneously with potentially greater risk for severe visual loss. Clinicians should consider a workup for papilloedema among patients with significantly elevated blood pressure and bilateral optic disc oedema.

Dupilumab-associated ectropion and punctal stenosis treated with tacrolimus ointment (0.03%) in a 15-year-old girl.

A 15-year-old Asian girl with severe atopic dermatitis was referred for dupilumab-associated blepharoconjunctivitis. Medical history was significant for severe atopic dermatitis. She was started on prednisolone acetate 1% ophthalmic suspension three times daily, and dupilumab injections were withheld after the initial visit. The patient was noted to have right lower eyelid ectropion, cicatricial occlusion, and severe punctal stenosis 6 weeks later. She was started on 0.03% tacrolimus ointment to the eyelid margin. Resolution of ectropion and restoration of punctal patency with residual stenosis were observed 4 weeks later. This is the first reported adolescent case of dupilumab-associated ectropion and punctal stenosis successfully treated with topical tacrolimus ointment.

Successful Treatment of Epstein-Barr Virus-Induced Necrotizing Retinitis with Intravitreous Ganciclovir, Foscarnet, and Methotrexate.

This is a report of an immunocompromised 49-year-old renal transplant patient with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced necrotizing retinitis (NR). The patient with NR underwent diagnostic vitrectomy. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of the vitreous fluid was positive for EBV (25,000 IU/mL) and negative for all other organisms. The patient was treated with intravitreous ganciclovir and foscarnet. After only mild clinical improvement in retinitis and an increased quantitative EBV PCR (69,000 IU/mL), intravitreous methotrexate was added to the aforementioned intravitreous antiviral injections. After eight rounds of ganciclovir/foscarnet and three injections of methotrexate, the NR resolved, the quantitative EBV PCR decreased to 29 IU/mL, and the patient's visual acuity improved. To our knowledge, this is only the second case report to demonstrate efficacy of intravitreous methotrexate in an immunocompromised patient with EBV-induced NR. Intravitreous methotrexate combined with ganciclovir and foscarnet may be an effective treatment strategy for patients with PCR-positive EBV-induced NR that does not respond to conventional antiviral therapy.

Gadoxetate Disodium-Enhanced Imaging of Gradenigo Syndrome in End-Stage Renal Disease.

ABSTRACT: A 65-year-old man with end-stage renal disease on peritoneal dialysis was admitted for new onset binocular double vision, failure to thrive, and debilitating right-sided headaches. Medical history was significant for tympanomastoidectomy for polymicrobial mastoiditis and treatment with IV antibiotics. MRI brain without contrast was read by radiology initially as showing expected postsurgical changes; however, given patient's history of mastoiditis infection, there was a high clinical suspicion for Gradenigo syndrome. MRI brain was repeated with gadoxetate contrast to minimize the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in a patient with severe renal disease and this revealed an intracranial empyema involving both the trigeminal and abducens nerves confirming the diagnosis of Gradenigo syndrome. This case presented a diagnostic challenge because of suboptimal visualization on initial nonenhanced MRI. Gadoxetate was chosen because of its unique properties including high hepatobiliary excretion making it a safer form of gadolinium-based contrast agent that may not have the potential to precipitate NSF.

Laparoscopy in pediatric surgery: Implementation in Canada and supporting evidence.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the diffusion of laparoscopy usage in Canadian pediatric centers and the relationship between uptake of laparoscopic surgery and the level of evidence supporting its use. METHODS: National data on four pediatric laparoscopic operations (appendectomy, pyloromyotomy, cholecystectomy, splenectomy) were analyzed using the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Database (2002-2013). The highest level of evidence to support the use of each procedure was identified from Cochrane, Embase, and Pubmed databases. Chi-square test for trend was used to determine significance and time to plateau. RESULTS: There were 28,843 operations (open: 12,048; laparoscopic: 16,795). Use of laparoscopic procedures increased over time (p<0.0001). A plateau was reached for cholecystectomy (2006), splenectomy (2007), and appendectomy (2012), but not for pyloromyotomy. Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy in 2013 remains less diffused than the other procedures (p<0.0001). Laparoscopic appendectomy and pyloromyotomy are supported by level-1a evidence in children, whereas cholecystectomy and splenectomy are supported by level-1a evidence in adults but level-3 in children. CONCLUSIONS: In Canada, it has taken a long time to reach high-level implementation of laparoscopic surgery in children. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy first reached plateau, whereas laparoscopic pyloromyotomy continues to increase but remains low despite high level of evidence in support of its usage compared to open surgery.