A novel technique of full-thickness scleral debridement in fulminant necrotising infectious scleritis and its outcomes-a consecutive case series.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of a novel technique of scleral debridement in five consecutive cases of relentlessly progressive and fulminant infectious scleritis following corticosteroid exposure. METHODS: Five consecutive patients of infectious scleritis with a common history of corticosteroids exposure, resulting from either an initial misdiagnosis of autoimmune scleritis or as anti-inflammatory adjunct to specific antimicrobial therapy. Data collection included presentation details such as photographs, clinical findings, microbiological analysis, treatment details and audit of surgical videos. Cases with undisputed diagnosis of infectious scleritis with microbiological evidence, without corticosteroid use, were excluded from  the study. RESULTS: After full-thickness scleral debridement and cessation of corticosteroids, favourable anatomical and visual outcome was observed in all cases; however, two patients required multiple scleral debridements due to progressive scleritis. Scleral patch graft was not used in any case. Microbiology detected infective organisms in two cases, while the remaining revealed negative results. Therefore, specific antimicrobial therapy was initiated in former, whereas empirical broad-spectrum regimen in patients with repeatedly negative microbiological results. No recurrence of scleritis or development of ciliary staphyloma was noted and anatomical integrity was maintained with normal intraocular pressure during follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the fulminant and relentlessly progressive clinical course, that infectious scleritis can metamorphose into, despite specific antimicrobial therapy, if inadvertent corticosteroid therapy is administered. Full-thickness debridement without scleral patch graft, could achieve elimination of infectious foci, with favourable long-term anatomical and visual outcome. This technique could offer a potential last-resort approach in such cases where standard therapeutic modalities have not been successful.

Treatment of Progressive Scleromalacia Perforans by Tectonic Enhancement With Lyophilized Equine Pericardium.

PURPOSE: To describe the off-label use of lyophilized equine pericardium for tectonic enhancement of the sclera in a case of progressive scleromalacia perforans. METHODS: An 82-year-old woman with a history of varicella zoster virus sclerokeratitis presented with a progressively expanding scleral thinning at the superonasal quadrant of the anterior sclera of her left eye. The eye was blind because of intractable glaucoma. To avoid perforation of the exposed choroid, a single layer of lyophilized equine pericardium was sutured over the scleral perforation. After performing a conjunctival peritomy in the involved superonasal area, the pericardium was trimmed, fixated on the anterior sclera with 4 Nylon 9 to 0 interrupted sutures, and tucked underneath the conjunctival pocket. The conjunctiva was adapted with 6 Vicryl 8 to 0 interrupted sutures. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful. At 12 months after surgery, slit-lamp biomicroscopy showed a stable subconjunctival sheet covering the staphyloma, whereas anterior segment optical coherence tomography demonstrated thickening of the ocular wall, suggesting successful integration of the pericardium. CONCLUSIONS: Suturing of equine pericardium over a scleral defect was feasible allowing successful reinforcement of the staphyloma in a case of severe scleromalacia perforans.

Necrotising fungal scleritis with full-thickness scleral melt and circumferential progression: a novel debridement approach.

A 44-year-old Asian Indian woman presented with a history of pain and redness in the left eye for 3 weeks. Scleral congestion with a nodular swelling was present inferotemporally. Raised C reactive protein and positive antinuclear and perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies suggested autoimmune scleritis. The patient was therefore managed with corticosteroids. Nevertheless, the development of severe pain associated with a scleral abscess led to a revised diagnosis of infectious scleritis. Corticosteroids therapy was halted and urgent debridement was performed. Microbiology confirmed fungal scleritis due to Coprinopsis cinerea Multiple full-thickness circumferential debridements with antifungal therapy resulted in satisfactory anatomical and visual outcomes. This case presented a unique challenge, since laboratory results were misleading, and corticosteroids resulted in a fulminant clinical course. Therefore, aggressive circumferential debridement was performed to achieve the elimination of a rare fungal aetiology of scleritis, which has not been reported previously to cause human infection.

Superficial Temporal Muscle Fascia Grafting: Successful Transplant of Surgical-induced Necrotizing Scleritis.

To report the case of a surgical-induced necrotizing scleritis (SINS) following vitreoretinal surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, successfully managed by superficial muscle temporal fascia grafting. An 18-year-old teenager, with a history of a 23G vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the left eye, presented with intense left ocular pain, decreased visual acuity to counting fingers and eye redness. Split lamp examination showed: Conjunctival infiltration with silicone oil, circumferential sclera thinning with ectasia of the underling uvea. The fundus examination showed an attached retina. Necrotizing scleritis was the retained diagnosis. SINS was the final diagnosis. An immunosuppressive therapy was started. Superficial muscle temporal fascia grafting was performed to cover the necrotizing sclera. The patient did well postoperatively without sclera thinning or ectasia and the fascia grafting still intact without retraction after 6 months of follow-up. This is the first case in the literature that used the superficial temporal muscle fascia as a graft for sclera reinforcement in SINS. We propose new support to reinforce the deficient sclera. This graft must be associated with prompt immunosuppressive therapy at high doses.

Oral mucosa for reconstructive surgery in a case of severe inflammatory necrotizing sclero-uveitis.

The purpose of this case is to show the efficacy of buccal mucosa as an alternative to treat a case of severe necrotizing sclero-uveitis (NSU) associated with ocular perforation. We show a severe inflammatory NSU case that did not improve with topical treatment and scleral patch. We performed a buccal mucosa graft taken from the lower lip with excellent functional and anatomical result, with no signs of relapse of the NSU after 2 years of follow-up. Buccal mucosa can be a safe, useful, and effective alternative for the reconstruction of the scleral wall.

Can cryotherapy be used as an adjunct in select cases of recalcitrant endophthalmitis? - A case report.

We report two cases of recalcitrant endophthalmitis, a delayed postoperative fungal endophthalmitis following cataract surgery and an atypical mycobacterial endogenous endophthalmitis associated with infective scleritis. Due to recalcitrant nature of the endophthalmitis, one or more sittings of double freeze and thaw cryotherapy was applied over and adjacent to the infective foci in each case. This cryotherapy was used as an adjunct alongside conventional endophthalmitis management following which resolution of infection was observed in both cases.

Acometimento de nervos cranianos na granulomatose com poliangeíte (GPA) C-ANCA negativo / Cranial nerve impairment in granulomatosis with polyangeitis (GPA) C-ANCA negative

RESUMO O presente relato tem o objetivo de mostrar um caso incomum de Granulomatose com Poliangeíte (GPA), que previamente era denominada Granulomatose de Wegener. Trata-se de é uma doença multissistêmica, caracterizada por inflamação granulomatosa necrotizante e vasculite que envolve principalmente o trato respiratório superior e inferior, embora não raramente, exista comprometimento neurológico.

ABSTRACT This report aims to show an unusual case of granulomatosis with polyangeitis (GPA), previously known as Wegener's granulomatosis. It is a multisystemic disease characterized by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and vasculitis involving mainly the upper and lower respiratory tract, although not infrequently, there is neurological impairment.

Scleral Patch Graft With a Suture Reinforcement Technique in Surgical Management of Necrotizing Scleritis With Ectasia.

PURPOSE: To describe a technique for reducing and reinforcing scleral thinning in cases of necrotizing scleritis with ectasia. METHODS: Descriptive report of a surgical technique in 2 surgical cases with a video. RESULTS: Successful repair and reduction in uveal prolapse from scleral thinning in 2 cases of necrotizing scleritis with ectasia with a suturing technique using overlapping (weave) compressive suturing over a scleral patch. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of necrotizing scleritis with ectasia in which there is perforation or prolapsing uvea, this technique should be considered.

[Severe bilateral pseudomonas sclerokeratitis in comatose patient (clinical case)]. / Razvitoi dvustoronnii sinegnoinyi sklerokeratit u patsientki v kome (klinicheskii sluchai).

The article presents a clinical case of severe bilateral pseudomonas sclerokeratitis in a patient with occlusion hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension, who was in a coma and on a ventilator for 20 days. At first examination (7 days after the onset of purulent keratitis, during which the process had been rapidly progressing), the clinical picture included lagophthalmos, severe purulent corneal ulcer, bilateral purulent scleromalacia, perforated cornea in the left eye. On the same day, in order to maintain eye integrity, urgent reconstructive penetrating sclerokeratoplasty with subsequent sclerocorneal coating was performed in both eyes right in the intensive care unit. Parts of the melted iris and ciliary body pars plana that were left in place were abundantly washed with BSS and moxifloxacin solutions - 150 µg/ml. Postoperative care included forced instillations of antibiotics and antiseptics. Two years after the first surgery, 2 more full-thickness corneal transplantations were performed in the patient's right eye aiming at restoration of its optical system. Thus, immediate sclerokeratoplasty with anterior segment irrigation and intraocular administration of highly diluted antibiotics appeared to be the only chance to save the vision in one eye. The fellow eye, where perforation occurred as a result of severe purulent sclerokeratitis and purulent iridocyclitis, despite all measures taken, lost its sight. After three surgeries (penetrating sclerokeratoplasty and two re-PK), visual acuity in the only seeing (right) eye was 0.1, which can be considered a satisfactory result.

Surgical treatment of Metarhizium anisopliae sclerokeratitis and endophthalmitis.

A 55-year-old nurse was referred with a 5-month history of right eye corneal abscess. The initial injury occurred when doing lawn work. The infection worsened despite multiple antibiotic, antiviral, and steroid treatments. Visual acuity was limited to hand motion. On examination, there was keratitis, ocular hypertension, and a secondary cataract. Corneal scrapings grew a filamentous fungus, identified as Metarhizium anisopliae (MA). Despite intensive antifungal treatment with topical, intravitreous, and systemic voriconazole, purulent corneal melting and scleritis with endophthalmitis rapidly appeared. An emergency surgical procedure including sclerocorneal transplantation, cataract surgery, a pars plana vitrectomy using temporary keratoprosthesis, and scleral crosslinking was necessary. One year after the surgery, there was no recurrence of infection. Functional outcome remained very poor. This is the first case of sclerokeratitis and endophthalmitis caused by MA ever reported. The infection was successfully treated with an aggressive combination of medical and surgical treatments.

Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent Use in Necrotizing Scleritis.

PURPOSE: In this case report, we describe the successful implantation of multiple trabecular micro-bypass iStents in a patient with necrotizing scleritis. DESIGN: The study design is a case report. PARTICIPANTS: The participant was a patient who underwent multiple micro-bypass iStent surgery. METHODS: A 71-year-old man with primary open-angle glaucoma, diagnosed with necrotizing scleritis and treated with steroids consequently resulting in significantly elevated intraocular pressure in the right eye. RESULTS: Following uncomplicated surgery, IOP was reduced from 42 to 12 mm Hg 18 months after surgery on 2 drops and prednisone 40 mg daily CONCLUSIONS:: iStents may be considered as a possible intervention to lower IOP in patients with necrotizing scleritis in whom traditional glaucoma surgery is challenging or contraindicated.

Surgical treatment of peripheral ulcerative keratitis and necrotizing scleritis in granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

The efficacy of surgical management of refractory ophthalmic complications of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), which is a sight threatening was reported. A 70-year-old man presented with a progressively worsening pain and redness in his right eye during the previous 6 months, and decreasing visual acuity that started one month earlier. He was misdiagnosed and treated as keratitis elsewhere, but the pain has not decreased. The diagnosis of necrotizing scleritis with peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) in GPA was made in our department. Surgery was performed with necrotic tissue removal, combined with cryotherapy and a conjunctival flap covering surgery. The symptom was relieved after surgery, and the patient's ocular condition remained stable thereafter. This case first demonstrates limited ophthalmic GPA (such as, PUK and necrotizing scleritis) that was not sensitive or aggravated for traditional methods can be successfully treated by combined surgical interventions.

Use of autologous fascia lata as a natural biomaterial for tectonic support in surgically induced necrotizing scleritis.

BACKGROUND: Surgically induced scleral necrosis (SINS) is a severe form of scleritis threatening both vision and integrity of the eye. SINS is a rare sequel of ocular surgery and has been described after cataract extraction, trabeculectomy, strabismus, retinal detachment surgery including parsplana vitrectomy, penetrating keratoplasty, pterygium excision, and diode cyclophotocoagulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To report on the application of autologous fascia lata as a readily available natural biomaterial for ocular tectonic support in SINS, we performed this retrospective chart review including two eyes of two patients; one case following both repaired rupture globe, parsplana vitrectomy, and diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation and one case following pterygium surgical excision. RESULTS: Successful coverage of the area of scleral thinning with autologous fascia lata was achieved in both cases with overlying healthy vascularized conjunctiva and resolution of the ocular inflammation. CONCLUSION: The fascia lata transplant combined with systemic immunosuppression was successful in providing adequate tectonic support and controlling the progression of scleral melt for two cases with SINS.

Scleral melt following Retisert intravitreal fluocinolone implant.

Intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide implant (Retisert) has a high potency, a low solubility, and a very short duration of action in the systemic circulation, enabling the steroid pellet to be small and reducing the risk of systemic side effects. Scleral melt has not been reported as a possible complication of Retisert implant. The authors describe the occurrence of scleral melt 18 months after the implantation of fluocinolone acetonide implant in a 42-year-old Caucasian woman. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of this possible complication.

Late orbital floor implant migration presenting as recurrent episcleritis.

A 53-year-old patient presented with recurrent epicleritis of the right eye for 6 months and progressive diplopia. He had a past history of orbital floor repair over 30 years. A CT scan showed a radiodense migrated orbital floor sheet implant in the maxillary sinus causing obstruction of the maxillary sinus ostium, secondary maxillary sinusitis with retrobulbar involvement. The silastic orbital implant was removed via a Caldwell Luc approach and resolution of the patient's symptoms and signs quickly ensued. We discuss this late complication of orbital floor fracture repair presenting initially as recurrent episcleritis and maxillary sinusitis with intraorbital extension. This report also emphasizes the importance of history taking.

[C-ANCA positive necrotising scleritis and multiple sclerosis compatible with ocular Wegener: treatment with rituximab]. / Escleritis necrotizante c-ANCA positivo y esclerosis múltiple compatible con Wegener ocular: tratamiento con rituximab.

CASE REPORT: A patient diagnosed with necrotizing scleritis, c-ANCA+ an orbital pseudotumour, and possible multiple sclerosis in 2003 was treated with oral cyclophosphamide and steroids with partial response. Between 2005-2010 she suffered self-limited episodes. In 2010 a first scleral transplant was performed with poor outcome. She was treated with rituximab, and a second graft was performed with good results. At 12 months there was no change in magnetic resonance and the second graft healed. DISCUSSION: Wegener's disease with limited involvement of the orbit and/or the eye is a rare condition. The histopathology, blood analysis, symptoms and good response to treatment are the key to its diagnosis.