Evaluation of pterygium severity with en face anterior segment optical coherence tomography and correlations with in vivo confocal microscopy.

PURPOSE: To describe en face anterior segment optical coherence tomography (EF-OCT) characteristics of pterygia and their correlation with in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this observational case series, we prospectively included 21 eyes of 17 subjects with pterygium. All subjects underwent detailed ophthalmic examination, anterior segment photography, an ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, IVCM, and EF-OCT. Eyes were divided into two groups according to pterygium severity (Modified Pterygium Classification System) and OSDI score. EF-OCT images for both groups were analyzed for surface area of Fuchs Patches (FP). The IVCM activity score was based on the number of inflammatory cells, blood vessels, activated keratocytes and the appearance of the cornea/pterygium at the head of the pterygium. The correlations between EF-OCT and IVCM images were then analyzed and compared in both groups. RESULTS: EF-OCT permits clear visualization and evaluation of FPs and the border between the pterygium and the adjacent cornea. The severe pterygium group was characterized by irregular borders and larger FPs (0.13±0.06 mm2 versus 0.06±0.02 mm2 respectively) (P=0.003). The mean IVCM activity score was 2.36±0.81 in the severe pterygium group and 1.2±0.42 in the mild pterygium group (P=0.0013). There was a positive correlation between FP surface area and IVCM activity score. A larger FP surface area was associated with a higher activity score on IVCM. CONCLUSION: EF-OCT allows good evaluation of pterygium extension, borders and FP surface area. EF-OCT analysis of pterygium could represent a simple, non-invasive and reproducible method to evaluate pterygium severity and activity.

[Contribution of respiratory relaxation techniques during intravitreal injections: A pilot study]. / Apport des techniques de relaxation respiratoire au cours des injections intravitréennes : étude pilote.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of breathing techniques for anxiety, perceived pain, and patient satisfaction while receiving intravitreal injections. METHOD: This prospective, randomized clinical study included patients admitted for intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. They were randomized into two groups: a relaxation group who listened to a prerecorded relaxation breathing session before and during the injection, and a control group who received the injection without a relaxation session. Statistical analysis was then performed to assess the factors influencing satisfaction, anxiety, and perceived pain. RESULTS: We included one-hundred four patients in total: 52 in the relaxation group versus 52 in the control group. The relaxation group had a greater decrease in anxiety than the control group (P=0.03) but similar levels of pain (P=0.86). In total, 80.76% of patients in the relaxation group expressed the wish to have a relaxation session during their next injection. Multivariate analysis showed that the patient's usual level of stress as well as the relaxation session affected the level of anxiety experienced before the injection. CONCLUSION: Relaxation techniques before and during intravitreal injections decrease anxiety in patients without decreasing pain during IVT. Prerecorded relaxation breathing sessions are non-invasive, inexpensive, easy to set up, and reduce anxiety during intravitreal injections on an outpatient basis.

[What will cataract surgery look like in the future? Alternatives in the pipeline]. / Que sera la chirurgie de la cataracte du futur ? Alternatives et voies de développement.

Phacoemulsification is the most frequently performed surgery in the world. Over the past few years, this surgery seems to have reached a plateau with no further innovative breakthroughs. In this paper, we focus on alternatives techniques, the latest innovations, and the research and development pipeline in this field.

Structural stability and buckling analysis of a series of carbon nanotorus using molecular dynamics simulations.

Based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the buckling analysis of a perfect carbon nanotorus is presented herein. First of all, the minimum length of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with different radii is determined at which perfect toroidal CNTs can be formed without any ripple at the inner side of the rings. According to the results, by increasing the radius of SWCNT (r), the radius of its corresponding perfect nanotorus (R) increases. Also, for SWCNTs with various lengths, it is found that the buckling force and strain of related carbon nanotoruses increase by increasing R/r. In addition, as the perfect toroidal CNTs are arranged vertically in a column form in accordance with two different schemes, the effects of increasing the radius (R) and the number of carbon nanotoruses (the height of the column made by nanotoruses) on the buckling force and strain are investigated. Based on the results, as a fixed number of carbon nanotoruses with the same radius are arranged vertically in the column form, the buckling force and strain increase by increasing R/r. By contrast, increasing the height of the column made by carbon nanotoruses with similar radius leads to the reduction of buckling force and strain.

Association between GPX1 Pro189Leu polymorphism and the occurrence of bladder cancer in Morocco.

Worldwide, Bladder cancer is the most frequent male malignancy. It is the third most common male malignancy in Morocco. The risk factors for developing bladder cancer are multiples including dietary conditions, environmental exposure and oxidative stress. GPX1 gene encoding for the human cellular antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase1 is a key factor in the cell detoxification process. GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism is associated with a decrease of enzyme activity and may contribute to bladder cancer susceptibility. The present case-control study was planned to assess the presence of GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism in Moroccan population to determine whether it is associated with the risk of developing bladder cancer in Moroccan patients. A total of 32 patients with bladder cancer and 40 healthy controls were enrolled. Genotyping of the GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism was carried out by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. Pro198Leu polymorphism was observed in both bladder cancer patients and healthy controls. No significant association between the polymorphism and bladder cancer occurrence was found (Pro/Leu vs. Pro/Pro: p=0.425; Leu vs. Pro: p=0.435). For the analysis of Pro198Leu polymorphism and progression of bladder cancer, no association was observed neither for stages (Pro/Leu vs. Pro/Pro: p=0.500; Leu vs. Pro: p=0.500) nor grades (Pro/Leu vs. Pro/Pro: p=0.415; Leu vs. Pro: p=0.427). Our results clearly showed no significant association between Pro198Leu polymorphism and risk of bladder cancer in our population, suggesting that the effect of this polymorphism on bladder cancer development might be a result of a combination with other genetic alterations and/or non-genetic variables such as diet and lifestyle factors.

[Imaging of corneal dystrophies: Correlations between en face anterior segment OCT and in vivo confocal microscopy]. / Imagerie des dystrophies cornéennes : corrélations entre l'OCT en face de segment antérieur et la microscopie confocale in vivo.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of en face Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for evaluation of corneal dystrophies and to describe correlations with in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two eyes of 16 patients with 4 types of corneal dystrophies (epithelial basement membrane dystrophy, Fuchs dystrophy, Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy and Crocodile Shagreen dystrophy) were enrolled in this study. Axial and reconstructed en face scans were acquired using OCT. Images were then correlated to IVCM findings. RESULTS: En face OCT provided new insights into the structure, size and depth of corneal tissue alterations in various corneal dystrophies. OCT en face images were well correlated with IVCM features. Despite lower resolution than IVCM, en face OCT offers the advantages of being non-invasive and allowing the analysis of larger corneal areas. CONCLUSION: En face OCT provides useful new information in corneal dystrophies. This imaging technique will probably increase in popularity in the near future for the assessment of various anterior segment diseases.

["En face" anterior segment optical coherence tomography findings in acute corneal hydrops]. / Apport de l'OCT de segment antérieur « en face ¼ dans le kératocône aigu.

PURPOSE: To study the corneal morphological characteristics of acute hydrops by analyzing anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) "en face" images. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four patients presenting with acute hydrops were examined at different stages, respectively after 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks and 6 months. All patients had a complete ophthalmic evaluation including "en face" AS-OCT examination. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and histological analysis of the cornea obtained after penetrating keratoplasty were also performed in one patient. RESULTS: The "en face" AS-OCT showed that the early edema in acute hydrops corresponded to multiple epithelial microcysts associated with large intra-stromal lacunae. We also observed that, in association with the disappearance of the microcysts and lacunae, "en face" OCT demonstrated subepithelial scars in the form of weakly reflective, fine, interlaced linear opacities. These opacities subsequently increased in thickness resulting in a dense subepithelial network. These findings were consistent with the results of histological and IVCM studies. CONCLUSION: "En face" AS-OCT allows for precise study of the tissue changes occurring in acute corneal hydrops. Besides a better understanding of this rare complication of keratoconus, this new imaging technique may help clinicians to identify the corneal structural changes, which place keratoconus patients at risk of corneal hydrops.

[Smartphones in ophthalmology]. / Les smartphones en ophtalmologie.

INTRODUCTION: The increased utilization of medical applications for smartphones provides new opportunities for doctors, including ophthalmologists. In this study, we examined the availability of ophthalmological applications in the two largest smartphone app stores (Apple App store and Android Play Store) and then proposed a classification for smartphone ophthalmological applications according to their functionalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In November 2012, we searched the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store for ophthalmological themed applications, using numerous ophthalmological keywords. We excluded applications that were not ophthalmology-related. RESULTS: We identified 342 ophthalmological applications. There were two main categories in ophthalmological applications: those for ophthalmologists, and those for patients. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: There are numerous benefits of smartphone use for ophthalmologists as well as their patients. Ophthalmological applications are turning cell phones into medical devices. In addition, smartphones may play a very important role in patient education, self-monitoring, and low-vision aids via magnifying systems.

[Sclerotomies analysis using Spectral Domain OCT in sutureless vitrectomies complicated by endophthalmitis]. / Analyse des sclérotomies par OCT Spectral-Domain au cours des vitrectomies sans suture compliquées d'endophtalmie.

INTRODUCTION: Transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is a recent advance in vitreoretinal surgery. Some authors have reported an increased risk of postoperative hypotony and endophthalmitis and recommend the creation of oblique incisions, intended to be self-sealing, so as to reduce these risks. However, there is still a debate about the best architecture for transconjunctival sutureless incisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report two cases of acute endophthalmitis occurring after 23 and 25 gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy. We analyzed the scleral incisions using the anterior segment module of the Spectralis(®) OCT. To our knowledge, this is the first direct description of the appearance of sclerotomies associated with endophthalmitis. RESULTS: The anterior segment module of Spectralis(®) OCT permitted a high-resolution evaluation of the architecture of the scleral incisions. We found straight, gaping incisions with misaligned edges and vitreous incarceration. DISCUSSION: By way of these two case reports and a review of the literature, we discuss the contribution of anterior segment OCT in the analysis of scleral incision architecture in sutureless vitrectomy. Our findings are consistent with those reported in the literature. The presence of a direct incision, wound gap or edge misalignment are associated with an increased risk of early leakage and postoperative hypotony. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior segment module of the Spectralis(®) OCT is a valuable tool for non-invasive, painless and high-resolution documentation of sutureless vitrectomy incisions. It allows for causal analysis and better understanding of the conditions associated with endophthalmitis after sutureless vitrectomy.

Epigenetic alterations of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), retinoic acid receptor beta (RARß) and survivin genes in tumor tissues and voided urine of bladder cancer patients.

The CpG promoter methylation has been reported to occur frequently in bladder cancer. Moreover, analysis of gene methylation has been shown to be feasible from voided urine and can be detected with a high degree of sensitivity. The aim of this present study is to determine how methylation patterns of APC, RARβ and Survivin genes change during bladder carcinogenesis and to evaluate whether DNA methylation could be detected in urine sediment. Using the sensitive assay of MSP, we explored the promoter methylation status for the three genes in tumor specimens and urine sediment DNA from 32 bladder cancer patients. Methylation frequencies of the tested genes in tumor specimens were 100%, 75% and 84.4% for APC, RARβ and Survivin, respectively. Hypermethylation of APC was found in all pathological grades and stages of bladder cancer. More frequent promoter hypermethylation of RARβ and Survivin was observed in high grade tumors and the hypermethylation increased from low to high stages, but there was no significant correlation between stages/grades and hypermethylation of these two gene promoters. In order to investigate clinical usefulness for noninvasive bladder cancer detection, we further analyzed the methylation status in urine samples of bladder cancer patients. Methylation of the tested genes in urine sediment DNA was detected in the majority of cases that were hypermethylated in tumor samples (93.7%) and the frequencies were 79.3% 70.8% and 96.3% for APC, RARβ and Survivin, respectively. Our results indicate that methylation of APC, RARβ and Survivin gene promoters is a common finding in patients with bladder carcinoma. The ability to detect methylation not only in bladder tissue, but also in urine sediments, suggests that methylation markers are promising tools for noninvasive detection of bladder cancer.

[A giant lipoma of parapharyngeal space in a child]. / Un volumineux lipome de l'espace parapharyng chez un enfant.

INTRODUCTION: Tumors of the parapharyngeal space are rare and composing a wide variety of histological types. The aim of this study was to report a case of giant parapharyngeal lipoma in a child and to present clinical, paraclinical, and treatment aspects. CASE REPORT: A 14-year-old child presented with a painless progressive mass on the right side of the upper neck. It was growing asymptomatically since 2 years. Cervical CT-scan and MR showed a low-density mass in the right parapharyngeal, consistent with a mass of adipose tissue origin. The mass was surgically removed via cervical-parotid approach. The fatty mass was completely excised. Histopathology confirmed it to be a lipoma. The patient has been followed up for three years, and there have been no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic orientation in parapharyngeals tumors is necessary for better care. This guidance is being facilitated through imaging advances. Their surgical approaches and complete excision depend on volumes, localizations and their proximity to neurovascular structures.

Retropharyngeal abscess in adults: five case reports and review of the literature.

Retropharyngeal abscesses are rare in adults. They occur mostly in immunocompromised patients or as a foreign body complication. We report 5 cases of retropharyngeal abscess collected in the ENT Department of CHU Mohammed VI of Marrakech, during a two-year period (December 2008 to December 2009). Local trauma by foreign body ingestion was the aetiology in four patients. The presenting symptoms, for all patients, were fever, odynophagia, torticollis, and trismus, and the clinical examination showed bulging of the posterior wall of the oropharynx. The radiography of cervical spine showed prevertebral thickening in all cases, this thickening was associated with an aspect of vertebral lysis of the fourth cervical vertebra in one case. A CT scan was performed in all our cases and showed features of retropharyngeal abscess which was associated, in one case, with spondylodiscitis. The biological assessment found one case of diabetes. The intradermal reaction to the tuberculin was clearly positive in one case. Endobuccal abscess puncture was practiced in 4 cases; only one organism was identified by culture: Staphylococcus aureus treatment was based on triple intravenous antibiotics and anti-Koch's therapy (in one case), and the surgical drainage under general anesthesia was also performed in the case of the diabetes patient which required also the correction of hyperglycemia in intensive care unit. The outcome was good in all our patients. The diagnosis of retropharyngeal abscess can be difficult and one must seek a comorbidity; a tuberculosis aetiology must be considered in countries with a high prevalence. The management of these cases is based on antibiotics and surgical drainage.

[Cephalic tetanus revealed by peripheral facial palsy]. / Tétanos céphalique révélé par une paralysie faciale.

INTRODUCTION: Cephalic tetanus is a rare presentation of localized tetanus (1 to 3% of localized presentations). It is a very rare cause of peripheral facial palsy. OBSERVATION: We report a case of cephalic tetanus revealed by peripheral facial palsy and trismus. DISCUSSION: Facial peripheral palsy often appears after trismus. It is very rarely the first symptom of cephalic tetanus, making the diagnosis difficult.

[Visante® OCT findings of Descemet membrane detachment after refractive lensectomy: A case report]. / Aspects en OCT Visante® de décollement descémétique après lensectomie réfractive : à propos d'un cas.

Descemet membrane detachment (DMD) is a rare complication that occurs mainly after cataract surgery. We report the case of a 55-years-old woman who underwent refractive lensectomy. The Day-1 postoperative examination was unremarkable, the Day-7 examination showed corneal oedema related to DMD, which was confirmed by Visante(®) OCT. An intracameral injection of SF6 expansive gas allowed the reapplication of the membrane and the receding of corneal oedema. Through this observation, we discuss the pathogenesis of this uncommon entity and the contribution of Visante(®) OCT.