A 12-Month Randomized Clinical Trial of 38% SDF vs. Restorative Treatment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this 2-arm, parallel-group, 12-mo randomized clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of semiannual application of 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) versus restorative treatment (RT) to manage cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth in a diverse population of children in Michigan. METHODS: Children aged 2 to 10 y with at least 1 soft cavitated lesion (International Caries Detection and Assessment System 5 or 6) with no pain or signs/symptoms of irreversible pulpitis were recruited and randomly assigned to 2 intervention groups. One random lesion per child received 38% SDF (twice, at a 6-mo interval) or RT. All interventions and assessments were done by calibrated dentists. Primary outcome measures were clinical failure rates: minor (e.g., reversible pulpitis, active/soft lesion or progression, restoration loss or need for replacement/repair, secondary caries) and major (e.g., irreversible pulpitis, abscess, extraction). Parent, child, and provider acceptability was also assessed. RESULTS: Ninety-eight children were enrolled and randomized, with a mean (SD) age of 4.8 y (1.8); 46% were female and their mean dmft + DMFT was 6.3 (3.9). Sixty-nine children were assessed at 12 mo (sample was within the planned 30% attrition rate). There were significantly more teeth with minor failures (SDF = 65%, RT = 23%, P ≤ 0.001) and major failures (SDF = 13%, RT = 3%, P ≤ 0.001) in the SDF group than the RT group; 74% of SDF-treated lesions were hard at 12 mo vs. 57% at 6 mo. Providers stated that SDF was easier, faster, and more preferable than RT (P ≤ 0.001). No significant differences were found in parental satisfaction and acceptability. At 12 mo, children in the RT arm felt significantly (P < 0.05) happier with their tooth appearance and stated that their visit to the dentist hurt less. CONCLUSION: At 12 mo, SDF-treated lesions had significantly more minor and major failures than RT, suggesting that SDF-treated teeth need to be closely monitored in a population at high caries risk (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02601833). KNOWLEDGE OF TRANSFER STATEMENT: The results of this study can be used by clinicians when deciding whether to restore or apply silver diamine fluoride to cavitated lesions in primary teeth. Information on treatment outcomes and parent, child, and provider acceptability can help guide appropriate treatment decisions and need for monitoring.

Subtotal reconstruction of the upper eyelid. A one-stage procedure eliminating temporary lid closure.

Subtotal reconstruction of the upper eyelid may be achieved by using a semicircular flap at the lateral canthus combined with a medial sliding tarsal flap covered with a skin graft. This is a single-stage procedure that does not necessitate prolonged closure of the lids postoperatively.

Sebaceous adenocarcinoma of the eyelid. Definition of surgical margins.

Carcinoma of the sebaceous glands of the eyelid carries a serious prognosis. Although uncommon, the diagnosis must be frequently considered owing to the similarity of the early signs of adenocarcinoma to those of chalazion. Three cases with proved sebaceous adenocarcinoma of the eyelid are reviewed to relate subtle evidence of clinical and histopathological malignancy to surgical management.

Acute dacryocystic retention.

Acute dacryocystic retention is a disease of adults under 50 years old due to a noninfective foreign body blocking the nasolacrimal duct. It is characterized by the sudden onset of severe unilateral facial pain without significant localized swelling or erythema. Palpation of the involved lacrimal sac reveals slight induration and marked tenderness. Percutaneous aspiration of lacrimal sac contents, followed by probing of the nasolacrimal duct, is usually curative.

Treatment of intermittent exotropia.

To study the long-range results of surgically treated intermittent exotropia, 100 consecutive patients have been followed up for an average of 6.1 years. In all cases, the initial procedure was bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles. The overall functional cure rate was 78%. To accomplish this result, 27 patients were operated on a second time, 21 for undercorrection and six for overcorrection. A number of patients cooperated very poorly or were lost to follow-up while still under treatment. Had these patients been eliminated from the series, the cure rate would have been greater than 90%. In this study, bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles corrected the distant measurement more than the near measurement only with the divergence excess type of deviation. Also, this procedure was not notably more effective with divergence excess than with basic-type intermittent exotropia.

Primary nonkeratinized epithelial ('conjunctival') orbital cysts.

The types of orbital cysts that are most familiar to ophthalmologists are epidermoid and dermoid cysts, both of which are lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. We studied six patients who had orbital cysts lined by nonkeratinized epithelium that resembled normal conjunctiva. Compared with epidermoid and dermoid cysts, these primary nonkeratinized cysts tend to cause symptoms later in life, occur preferentially in the superonasal aspect of the orbit, and are less likely to be associated with underlying bony changes.

Surgical treatment of eyelid neurofibromas.

The classical surgical treatment of eyelid neurofibromas has been careful dissection of the tumor with preservation of much of the surrounding abnormal lid tissues. The reported outcome has been uniformly unfavorable. These tumors infiltrate extensively and are impossible to dissect out completely. However, the lateral location of lid neurofibromas allows "en bloc" resection of most of the tumor including the adjacent involved lid tissues. Levator function in these cases is potentially good and the lid will elevate well if the levator aponeurosis is joined to the tarsus laterally at the time of surgery. The four cases presented here indicate that this procedure is technically easier and may produce more acceptable results than other forms of treatment.

Ocular findings in Kenny's syndrome.

In 1966, Kenny described two patients with an unusual congenital syndrome including dwarfism, thickened long bone cortex, transient hypocalcemia, and normal intelligence. These and other patients previously were incorrectly described as "myopic". Ocular findings in four subjects ranged from uncomplicated nanophthalmos with hyperopia to extreme pseudopapilledema, vascular tortuosity, and mucular crowding. Postmortem findings from one patient showed calcium deposits demonstrable only by special histochemical stains that were distributed uniquely in the cornea. This distribution differed greatly from the pattern seen in band keratopathy. Retinal calcification was also an unusual feature. Because one patient exhibited a pseudodoubling of the optic papilla, the literature was reviewed. We conclude that no convincing case of true doubling of the optic nerve has been described. Ophthalmologists should be alert for undiagnosed electrolyte abnormalities, especially hypocalcemia, in patients with Kenney's syndrome.

Malignant Merkel cell neoplasm of the eyelid.

Malignant Merkel cell neoplasms of the eyelid are most commonly found in elderly patients. They occur most frequently on the upper eyelid and are seen as large, nontender , red or violaceous masses with intact overlying skin. Differential diagnosis includes lymphoma and oat cell carcinoma. Conventional light microscopic features are usually distinctive, but tissue should be saved for electron microscopy and immunocytochemical studies, since the presence of dense-core neurosecretory granules and perinuclear microfilaments on electron microscopic examination and positive staining for neuron-specific enolase, are strongly suggestive of malignant Merkel cell neoplasm. Because of the diffuse infiltrative growth pattern and early lymphatic spread of this tumor, treatment requires careful examination of regional lymph nodes and wide surgical excision of the tumor with frozen-section control of margins.

Bilateral microphthalmos without microcornea associated with unusual papillomacular retinal folds and high hyperopia.

A 23-year-old man had bilateral microphthalmos without microcornea. The eyes measured about 15 mm in length by ultrasound while the corneas were 11 mm in diameter. A distinctive, elevated, funnel-shaped retinal fold stretching between the disk and the macula was present bilaterally. Other unusual aspects were the deep anterior chambers and uncompromised chamber angles. This combination of anomalies is believed to be the result of a failure of growth of the posterior outer coats of the eye. These were of insufficient size to accommodate the excess sensory retina which folded to conform to its outer structural shell. Other cases of high hyperopia may in some instances be cases of microphthalmos, unrecognized because of normal-sized corneas.

Eye banking: techniques for eye preservation in selected neoplasms encroaching on the globe.

Removal of the globe and associated structures has been advocated for tumors invading the periorbital bone and periosteum, orbital fat, or extraocular muscles. In some patients with cancerous tumors encroaching on the globe, however, it may be possible to remove the tumor and save the eye. Tenon's fascia is a firm fibrous sheath surrounding the entire globe except the cornea. If the neoplasm spreads along fascial planes rather than through them, and if this layer remains free of tumor involvement, preservation of the globe can be considered. Oculoplastic reconstructive techniques may limit exposure and diplopia, allowing the eye to be "banked" in vivo, and saved as a spare for the future. Six patients with malignant tumors encroaching on the globe have had definitive surgical extirpation with preservation of the eye. Three patients have had the globe uncovered successfully. Five of six patients remain disease-free, with followup from 6 months to 6 years. No globes have been removed. These techniques appear to be therapeutically sound, preserve function and appearance, and improve patient morale. The indications and limitations of this approach to certain cases of periorbital cancer are discussed.

Hypoplastic optic nerves studied with B-scan ultrasonography and axial tomography of the optic canals.

Radiologic studies of the optic foramina in cases of optic nerve hypoplasia have been inconsistent, some authors reporting normal foramina, others finding small foramina. The technique of axial tomography of the optic canals has been found more useful in this regard than plain foramen views, and has demonstrated small canals in cases of optic nerve hypoplasia. A case of bilateral hypoplasia is presented in which the discs were one half normal size, the optic nerves measured 2 mm in diameter on B-scan ultrasonography, and the optic canals were about 4 mm in diameter radiographically on the axial tomograms. These measurements are compared with normals of 4 to 4.5 mm for scans of the optic nerve, and a reported average optic canal width of 5.5 mm. A second case of less severe hypoplasia also presented a small ultrasonic nerve pattern of 3.5 mm. With the techniques of ultrasonography and axial tomography, the course of hypoplasic nerves can be followed from the level of the retina to the optic chiasm posteriorly. It is suggested that the optic canal dimensions correspond closely to the size of the optic nerve in cases of hypoplasia. When the nerve is only slightly hypoplastic the radiographic change in foramen or canal dimensions may not be detectable. Reasonably accurate measurements of the nerve may be more easily obtained with ultrasound.

Role of dacryocystectomy in the management of failed dacryocystorhinostomy associated with chronic dacryocystitis.

Three patients had recurrent chronic dacryocystitis but no epiphora associated with failed dacryocystorhinostomies. Dacryocystectomy was performed on all three patients. These patients were cured of dacryocystitis following dacryocystectomy and none had epiphora postoperatively. There may be a group of patients with dry eyes and chronic dacryocystitis in whom dacryocystorhinostomy is likely to fail. Such patients may respond favorably to dacryocystectomy.

Semicircle flap reconstruction "plus".

The semicircle flap is an excellent method for reconstructing upper and lower eyelid defects. The procedure may be combined with recognized techniques such as skin grafts, tarsal flaps, and other surgical manipulations. Five such additions to the semicircle flap are described. These combined techniques can expand the range of the procedure, increase its versatility, and improve the results.