Incidence of acute onset endophthalmitis following intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injection.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of acute endophthalmitis as a complication of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) (IVB) injection in a tertiary vitreoretinal group practice. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 5,233 consecutive eyes that underwent IVB injection at Retina Consultants of Alabama (RCA) from October 1, 2005, to August 31, 2007, was performed to identify cases of acute endophthalmitis. RESULTS: During the 23-month study interval, the overall incidence rate of postinjection endophthalmitis was 0.019% (1/5,233). In the single case of acute endophthalmitis, bacterial cultures revealed coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) species. Visual acuity after treatment for endophthalmitis was improved (baseline 4/400) to 20/400 at two months after the initial IVB injection. CONCLUSIONS: Acute endophthalmitis is a rare potential complication of IVB. Prophylaxis with topical povidone-iodine and adherence to aseptic technique minimizes the risk of postinjection infection. SUMMARY STATEMENT: A retrospective review of 5,233 consecutive intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin) revealed only a single case of acute endophthalmitis. Adherence to aseptic technique and the use of povidone-iodine prophylaxis minimizes the risk of postinjection intraocular infection.

Quantification of sedimented triamcinolone for intravitreal injection.

PURPOSE: To develop a practical method to concentrate triamcinolone acetonide for intravitreal injection. METHODS: A protocol using sedimentation was developed to increase the concentration of triamcinolone acetonide in a 0.1 mL dose. Two variables were investigated: sedimentation time and initial volume of triamcinolone acetonide. Predetermined volumes (0.2 mL to 1 mL) of triamcinolone acetonide were aspirated into tuberculin syringes. Each syringe was placed in a vertical position for a designated time (0 to 120 minutes). The supernatant was then discarded to reduce the volume to 0.1 mL. High-performance liquid chromatography was then used for quantification of the triamcinolone acetonide. RESULTS: The greatest concentrations of triamcinolone acetonide were seen after 120 minutes of sedimentation. At that time point, the 0.2 mL, 0.3 mL, and 0.5 mL initial volumes resulted in, respectively, 7.4 mg +/- 0.8 mg (mean +/- SE), 9.8 mg +/- 0.2 mg, and 16.4 mg +/- 0.7 mg triamcinolone acetonide in 0.1 mL. The 1.0-mL initial volume resulted in 25.7 mg +/- 0.9 mg triamcinolone acetonide in 0.1 mL; this was the maximum concentration achieved in the experiment. CONCLUSION: The authors have developed a simple protocol to use sedimentation to greatly increase the concentration of triamcinolone acetonide, starting from commercially available triamcinolone acetonide up to a maximum of 25.7 mg per 0.1 mL (257 +/- 9 mg/mL). This study demonstrates a practical and quantifiable method to increase triamcinolone concentration for intravitreal injections.

Intravitreal bevacizumab treatment for radiation macular edema after plaque radiotherapy for choroidal melanoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab treatment on patients with macular edema (ME) due to radiation retinopathy after plaque radiotherapy for choroidal melanoma. METHODS: In this retrospective case series, 10 consecutive patients with ME due to radiation retinopathy after plaque radiotherapy for choroidal melanoma were treated with a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Postinjection best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and mean foveal thickness measured by ocular coherence tomography were the primary outcome measures. RESULTS: The mean BCVA at the time of the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma was 20/25 (range, 20/20 to 20/40). The mean radiation dose to the foveola was 4,323 cGy (range, 1,908-7,975 cGy). Radiation ME developed at a mean of 26 months (range, 17-44 months) after plaque radiotherapy. Choroidal melanoma regressed in all patients, and there were no neovascular sequelae. At the time of radiation ME diagnosis, the mean BCVA was 20/100 (range, 20/40 to 20/200). After bevacizumab injection, the mean BCVA was 20/86 at 6 weeks and 20/95 at 4 months. Mean foveal thickness measured by ocular coherence tomography was 482 microm before injection, 284 microm 6 weeks after injection, and 449 mum 4 months after injection. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection decreases mean foveal thickness while only modestly improving BCVA on a short-term basis in patients with radiation-induced ME.

Solitary orbital infantile myofibroma: a case report and review of the literature.

Infantile myofibromatosis is a benign condition involving the skin, viscera, or bone that presents rarely in the orbit where rapid growth and bony destruction can mimic malignant tumors. Lesions can be solitary or scattered throughout the body. Growth in viscera such as the lungs can lead to death. Herein, we present a case of a solitary orbital myofibroma in a young child.