Nodular Fasciitis of the Orbit.

A 13-month-old boy was presented with new onset proptosis of the right eye. CT scan and MRI showed an enhancing mass in the right superior orbit with local bone remodeling and erosion. A craniotomy was performed for biopsy and sub-total resection. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the lesion to be nodular fasciitis. Nodular fasciitis lesions are classically found in the anterior ocular adnexa, especially in pediatric patients. This is the first reported case of nodular fasciitis arising in the posterior orbit of a child younger than 16.

Use of fracture size and soft tissue herniation on computed tomography to predict diplopia in isolated orbital floor fractures.

PURPOSE: To determine the role of fracture size and soft tissue herniation as measured by computed tomography in predicting the development of persistent diplopia in patients with isolated orbital floor fractures. METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified patients presenting between March 2009 and 2012 with isolated orbital floor fractures. Computed tomographic scans were assessed for transverse fracture size and absence or presence of soft tissue herniation and rectus involvement. Presence of diplopia at 6-10 days, decision for surgical repair, and presence of diplopia were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Eighteen of 56 patients (32%) had preoperative diplopia. In Type A fractures, 0/9 (0%) small, 1/8 (12.5%) medium, and 2/14 (14%) large fractures had diplopia. For Type B fractures, 3/4 (75%) small, 9/13 (69%) medium, and 4/8 (50%) large fractures had diplopia. Type B fractures were significantly more likely to cause diplopia than Type A fractures in the small (p = 0.003) and medium (p = 0.007) size groups but not in the large groups (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Transverse fracture size and presence of soft tissue herniation on CT imaging can predict development of persistent diplopia in isolated orbital floor fractures. Small and medium sized fractures with soft tissue herniation are more likely to cause diplopia than large sized fractures. We recommend early repair or closer observation of small and medium sized orbital floor fractures with soft tissue herniation due to the high risk of diplopia.

Posterior conjunctival plication to correct secondary ptosis after eyelid retraction repair in Graves disease.

PURPOSE: To describe the results of posterior conjunctival plication for the treatment of secondary eyelid ptosis after eyelid retraction repair in Graves disease. METHODS: Case series. All patients were evaluated preoperatively by routine eye examination and eyelid measurements including Margin Reflex Distance 1 and levator function. Two eyes of 2 patients who presented with ptosis following eyelid retraction repair were corrected with posterior conjunctival plication. RESULTS: Posterior conjunctival plication for secondary ptosis following eyelid retraction repair was successful in 2 eyelids of 2 patients with Graves disease. Follow up period ranged from 6-10 months over which no sign of recurrent ptosis was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior conjunctival plication is an effective surgical technique for the correction of secondary ptosis following eyelid retraction repair in patients with Graves disease.

Modified frontalis suspension technique with review of large series.

PURPOSE: To describe and report results of a modified frontalis suspension technique utilizing direct fixation to tarsus, lash margin rotation, eyelid crease fixation, conservative blepharoplasty, and rhomboidal configuration. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of frontalis suspension patients over a 28-year period was performed. RESULTS: Data from 171 eyelids in 93 patients were reviewed. Ages ranged from 1 to 84 years with a median age of 16. The indications for surgery included the following: congenital ptosis in 107 eyelids (62.6%), chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia in 17 (9.9%), jaw winking ptosis in 14 (8.2%), blepharophimosis in 12 (7.0%), cranial nerve III palsy in 10 (5.8%), traumatic ptosis in 9 (5.3%), and myasthenia in 2 (1.2%). Autogenous fascia lata was utilized in 156 lids (91.3%), while silicone rods or banked fascia was used in 11 (6.4%) and 4 (2.3%) lids, respectively.Average follow up was 11.7 months (range 2 to 108 months). An excellent result was defined as ≤1 mm asymmetry in primary gaze and an eyelid position of 2.5 mm or less below the superior limbus. Eighty-nine of 93 patients (95.7%) achieved excellent results. Six lids in 4 patients (3.5%) were undercorrected. No patients were overcorrected. Only 2 patients with autogenous fascia lata (3.4%) required a secondary bilateral frontalis suspension at the 2- and 3-year time intervals. CONCLUSIONS: The authors believe that technique modifications including direct eyelid crease incision and tarsal fixation, conservative fat removal blepharoplasty even in children, lash margin rotation, and rhomboidal configuration with single midline brow incision give improved results of frontalis suspension when compared with conventional techniques.

Orbital manifestations of Noonan syndrome.

Noonan syndrome describes a rare multisystem condition that manifests with Turner syndrome phenotype combined with numerous systemic and facial characteristics. The most common systemic findings include cardiac defects, short stature, chest deformity, hearing loss, and bleeding diatheses. Patients with Noonan syndrome are also at a greater risk of developing various types of malignancies. Facial characteristics of Noonan syndrome consist of broad forehead, low-set ears, short and webbed neck, and low hairline. External ocular findings include hypertelorism, ptosis, epicanthal folds, antimongoloid slant, downward-sloping palpebral fissures, and malar flattening. In this case series and review of the literature, the authors present 2 cases of Noonan syndrome that embody the diverse spectrum of orbital manifestations associated with this rare disorder. The first case demonstrates more profound orbital pathology, including bilateral orbital giant cell reparative granulomas, proptosis, hypertelorism, shallow orbits, upper eyelid ptosis, and lower eyelid retraction. The second case displays classic Turner-syndrome-like facial characteristics including a broad forehead with low hairline, low-set ears, and short and webbed neck. Orbital findings were subtle and consisted of bilateral lower eyelid retraction and shallow orbits. In conclusion, Noonan syndrome is a rare congenital disorder with a wide spectrum of clinical findings. Various intraorbital and extraorbital tumors may occur in patients with Noonan syndrome, with giant cell reparative granuloma being the most commonly encountered. In patients with orbital tumors and eyelid retraction, the authors describe successful treatment through decompression, tumor extraction, and lower eyelid retractor release. Patients who present with ocular irritation and exposure due to less severe lower eyelid malposition may be successfully treated with lower eyelid retraction repair combined with lateral internal tarsoconjunctival tarsorrhaphy.

Surgical approach to limiting skin contracture following protractor myectomy for essential blepharospasm.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with protractor myectomy in patients with benign essential blepharospasm who did not respond to serial botulinum toxin injection, and to describe intra- and postoperative techniques that limited skin contracture while also providing excellent functional and cosmetic results. METHODS: The medical records of patients with isolated, benign, essential blepharospasm who underwent protractor myectomy from 2005 to 2008 by a single surgeon were reviewed retrospectively. The technique entailed operating on a single eyelid during each procedure, using a complete en bloc resection of all orbicularis tissue, leaving all eyelid skin intact at the time of surgery, and placing the lid under stretch with Frost suture and applying a pressure dressing for 5-7 days. RESULTS: Data from 28 eyelids in 7 patients were included. Average follow-up was 21.5 months (range, 4-76 months). Of the 28 eyelids, 20 (71.4%) showed postoperative resolution of spasm, with no further need for botulinum toxin injections. In the 8 eyelids requiring further injections, the average time to injection after surgery was 194 days (range, 78-323 days), and the average number of injections was 12 (range, 2-23 injections). All but one eyelid had excellent cosmetic results, without signs of contracture; one eyelid developed postoperative skin contracture following premature removal of the Frost suture and pressure dressing because of concerns over increased intraocular pressure. CONCLUSIONS: In our patient cohort, this modified technique resulted in excellent cosmetic and functional results and limited postoperative skin contracture.