COX-2 up-regulation in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

The objective of this study was to determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is up-regulated in the synovium of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Twenty patients were enrolled: 16 consecutive patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and four control patients (exploration for non-carpal tunnel syndrome-related wrist or forearm pathology). Clinical data (demographics, pertinent history, symptomatology) were obtained preoperatively. Flexor tenosynovial tissue was isolated from all patients and clinically graded as thin, intermediate, or thick. Histologic evaluation was conducted to rule out the presence of inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 was performed. The immunohistochemical data were confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of COX-2 mRNA. Results showed that the majority of carpal tunnel syndrome specimens (88 percent) showed synovial hypertrophy compared with 0 percent of the controls (p < 0.05). Also, 69 percent of carpal tunnel syndrome specimens (11 of 16) versus 0 percent of controls (zero of four) stained positively for COX-2 (p < 0.05). Of the carpal tunnel syndrome patients, 91 percent of thick specimens versus 33 percent of intermediate specimens versus 0 percent of thin specimens showed COX-2 staining. The authors conclude that synovial hypertrophy is a prominent finding in carpal tunnel syndrome. COX-2 is up-regulated in the tenosynovium of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, and this upregulation may correlate with the clinical grade of the tenosynovium. The role of COX-2 in carpal tunnel syndrome may be to mediate remodeling of pathologic tissue. To this end, it may be a potential therapeutic target for specific inhibition.

Combined hard palate spacer graft, midface suspension, and lateral canthoplasty for lower eyelid retraction: a tripartite approach.

BACKGROUND: Eyelid retraction is an unfortunate consequence of cosmetic surgery, trauma, and disease states. It is frequently symptomatic and may be associated with dry eye syndrome and corneal compromise. The pathophysiology of lower eyelid retraction usually involves some degree of lateral canthal tendon laxity, middle lamella scarring, and malar descent. The authors describe for the first time a series of patients whose lid retraction was treated with a tripartite procedure that addresses all three pathophysiologic components simultaneously and rehabilitates the patients cosmetically and functionally. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 17 patients (24 eyelids) operated on between 1999 and 2003 by one senior surgeon. The age of the patients ranged from 26 to 77 years (mean, 50.3 years), and all presented with significant scleral show (average, 2.0 mm) and symptomatic corneal exposure from a variety of causes. Preoperatively, all patients were noted to have a combination of lower eyelid laxity, middle lamellar contracture, and malar descent. Preoperative and postoperative examinations included Shirmer's test, a measurement of scleral show, and a slit-lamp examination. Mean follow-up time was 13 months. All patients underwent a triad of hard palate spacer grafting, lateral canthal suspension, and midface elevation. RESULTS: All 17 patients (representing 24 retracted eyelids) had complete resolution of scleral show (2.5-mm average correction) and were uniformly satisfied with their cosmetic and functional outcome at last follow-up. Preoperative dry eye symptoms resolved in all patients in the series. There were no major complications and only two minor complications (corneal irritation from graft sutures in one patient and an oronasal palatal fistula in another), both of which resolved in the early follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of hard palate spacer grafting, lateral canthoplasty, and midface suspension is an effective, aesthetic, and functional treatment for moderate to severe lower eyelid retraction resulting from multiple causes. This tripartite procedure is associated with predictable results, a low morbidity rate, and high patient satisfaction.

Botox and collagen for glabellar furrows: advantages of combination therapy.

Plastic surgeons frequently administer botulinum toxin A (Botox) or collagen as monotherapy to treat glabellar furrows. This study evaluates the possible advantages of combination therapy. Sixty-five patients with moderate to severe glabellar rhytids were prospectively randomized to receive standard injections of Botox, Zyderm II collagen, or a combination. Improvement in rhytids was assessed over 3 months using patient satisfaction scores and an independent physician evaluation. Baseline wrinkle severity was similar in all 3 groups. By 1 month posttreatment, the combination arm showed significantly greater improvement in furrows (79% compared with only 56% and 50% in the Botox and Zyderm arms, respectively; P < 0.05). At 3 months postinjection, the dual-therapy arm maintained better improvement (57% versus 33% and 27% in the monotherapy arms; P < 0.05). Patient satisfaction further highlighted the superiority of the combination approach. By simultaneously addressing the static and dynamic aspects of glabellar furrows, dual therapy provides optimal treatment of this problem.