Amyloid Pseudo-Dacryolith and Nasolacrimal Obstruction in a 67-Year-Old Male.

A 67-year-old male with a 35-year history of left-sided epiphora presented with a nonpainful, noninflamed, left medial canthal mass and complete left nasolacrimal obstruction. During routine dacryocystorhinostomy, a lesion was present within the lacrimal sac that mimicked a lacrimal stone in appearance but with a consistency concerning for malignancy. Histologically, the lesion displayed apple-green birefringence on polarized light microscopy and Congo red staining. The patient was referred to the hematology service for evaluation, which failed to reveal systemic disease. There is 1 previous report of localized amyloidosis to the nasolacrimal excretory system in which the lesion was invasive and caused bony erosion. The authors present a second case of localized, nasolacrimal amyloidosis mimicking both neoplasm and dacryolith without bony erosion.

Frontalis Muscle Asymmetry and Lateral Landmarks.

PURPOSE: To investigate frontalis muscle asymmetry and characterize its lateral interdigitation with the orbicularis oculi muscle. METHODS: After making a mid-coronal incision and bluntly dissecting to the orbital rim, the frontalis muscle was exposed, marked, and photographed. The right and left muscle bellies were analyzed and compared in both pixels and cm ratios generated with NIH ImageJ software. A ratio of ≥1.5 was considered significantly asymmetric. The lateral interdigitation of the frontalis and orbicularis oculi muscles was measured from the supraorbital notch with a metric ruler. Data were analyzed using 2-sample t tests, paired t tests, log scales, and nonparametric tests were performed for sensitivity analyses. A p value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Fifty-eight hemifaces of 29 Caucasian cadavers were studied for muscle belly asymmetry. Thirty-six hemifaces of 18 Caucasian cadavers (9 males) were dissected for lateral landmarks and average age of these specimens was 73 years (range: 35-91 years). Significant asymmetry in muscle belly area was found in 6/29 (20%) specimens, with the right muscle belly larger in all 6 specimens. On average, the right muscle belly area was 1.23 times that of the left (p = <0.001). The average frontalis-orbicularis interdigitation occurred 3.4 cm lateral to the supraorbital notch. CONCLUSIONS: Significant frontalis muscle belly asymmetry exists in 20% of Caucasians cadavers. The right muscle belly was larger on average and in all cases of significant asymmetry. The frontalis muscle interdigitates with the orbicularis oculi on average 3.4 cm lateral to the supraorbital notch.

Nasolacrimal System Aeration on Computed Tomographic Imaging: Sex and Age Variation.

PURPOSE: To investigate variation in aeration of the nasolacrimal drainage system between age groups and genders, and to report the reliability of repeated aeration grading and nasolacrimal canal measurements on CT. METHODS: Retrospective review of CT images from 92 individuals, 60 female and 32 male, was conducted by 3 independent reviewers for the presence of air within the nasolacrimal drainage system. Diameter and area measurements were also obtained at the smallest identifiable portion of the nasolacrimal canal by 2 independent reviewers. RESULTS: When air is present on CT, it is seen more fully throughout the nasolacrimal system in men as compared to women. Age data demonstrate that patients from the third and fourth decade have significantly more aeration than older patients. Diameter and area of the nasolacrimal duct within the canal at its narrowest point revealed no correlation with sex, age, or nasolacrimal system aeration. Inter-reviewer reliability shows strong repeatability of aeration grading and nasolacrimal duct measurements between multiple reviewers. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest CT is reliable and repeatable modality to assess nasolacrimal system aeration and nasolacrimal duct diameter. Decreased aeration of the nasolacrimal system in females and the elderly mirrors epidemiologic trends for those at risk to develop primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Variables in nasolacrimal drainage system anatomy, specifically nasolacrimal duct diameter and area, did not vary between sexes or age groups, suggesting aeration may be an overlooked variable in nasolacrimal system function.

Small-incision frontalis muscle transposition flap for lateral eyebrow ptosis repair.

PURPOSE: To describe a novel technique to correct lateral eyebrow ptosis using a frontalis muscle transposition flap. METHODS: The charts of all patients undergoing eyebrow ptosis repair using a frontalis muscle transposition flap from December 2013 through April 2014 were reviewed to describe the surgical technique. RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent eyebrow ptosis repair using a frontalis muscle pedicle flap during the study period. Briefly, after local infiltration, a lateral forehead rhytid was marked and incised for approximately 1.5 cm. Blunt dissection exposed the frontalis-orbicularis angle, the frontalis-orbicularis insertion, and the lateral extent of the frontalis muscle. A pedicle flap of lateral frontalis muscle was created, trimmed, and transposed laterally in graded fashion to achieve the optimal eyebrow height and contour. The incision was closed with 5-0 polypropylene suture. All patients reported improvement in eyebrow position. CONCLUSIONS: This novel technique provides frontalis muscle elevatory force to the lateral eyebrow through a small incision to improve eyebrow ptosis. Further study, including objective measures of long-term results, is required.

Intralesional tetracycline injection for treatment of lower eyelid festoons: a preliminary report.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and effectiveness of intralesional tetracycline 2% injection for the treatment of lower eyelid festoons. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients undergoing tetracycline 2% injection of lower eyelid festoons at the Cole Eye Institute from August 2008 to August 2013. Charts were reviewed for patient demographic data, dose and number of tetracycline injections, follow-up interval, the presence of preinjection and postinjection photographs, and complications. Charts without preinjection and postinjection photographs were excluded from review. The preinjection and postinjection photographs were randomized, masked, and graded by 4 independent examiners. Photographs were graded on a scale of 0 (no festoon) to 4 (severe festoon). Student t test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Eleven patients met inclusion criteria. Each patient underwent bilateral injection. Average follow up was 121 days (range, 18-586 days). Patients received up to 0.75 ml (mean, 0.24 ml) of tetracycline 2% per side. Average preinjection grade was 2.1 (standard deviation, 0.89; range, 0-3), and average postinjection grade was 1.2 (standard deviation, 0.72; range, 0-2; p < 0.001). Three patients had follow up less than 60 days (mean, 34 days), with an average preinjection grade of 1.96 and postinjection grade of 1.23 (p < 0.001). Five patients had follow up between 60 and 100 days (mean, 82 days), with an average preinjection grade of 2.18 and postinjection grade of 1.38 (p < 0.001). Three patients had follow up longer than 100 days (mean, 275 days), with an average preinjection grade of 2.08 and postinjection grade of 0.78 (p < 0.001). Complications other than pain and bruising were not identified in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional tetracycline 2% injection may offer a safe option to treat lower eyelid festoons. Complications such as cutaneous ischemia or necrosis were not identified in any patient. Further study may determine optimal treatment doses and intervals and detect infrequent but significant complications.

Anatomy and histology of the frontalis muscle.

PURPOSE: To determine the gross and histologic configurations of the medial and lateral frontalis muscle. METHODS: After making a midcoronal incision and bluntly dissecting to the orbital rim, the frontalis muscle was marked and measured. A protractor was used to measure the frontalis-orbicularis angle (FOA) and, when present, the angle of central bifurcation (AOB). Three strips of full-thickness forehead soft tissue measuring 0.5 cm × 8 cm were excised 3, 4.5, and 6 cm above the supraorbital notch and analyzed histologically for the presence of skeletal muscle fibers. Data were analyzed using 2-sample t tests, paired t tests, Pearson correlations, and mixed effect models. A p value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Sixty-four hemifaces of 32 cadavers (16 males) were dissected. All specimens were Caucasian. The average age was 78.2 years (range, 56-102 years). The average FOA was 88.7° (13.0°), and the average AOB was 90.0° (26.4°). A visible midline bifurcation occurred in 28 of 32 subjects (88%) at an average height of 4.7 cm (range, 2.4-7.2 cm) superior to the supraorbital notch. Continuous skeletal muscle fibers were present within the midline bifurcation histologically in 89%, 75%, and 11% of specimens 3.5, 5.0, and 6.5 cm above the supraorbital notch, respectively. In 46% of individuals, skeletal muscle fibers were continuously present microscopically within the gross bifurcation. CONCLUSION: While a medial frontalis muscle bifurcation occurs grossly in most senescent Caucasians, muscle fibers exist microscopically within this zone in nearly half of individuals.

Regional Variations in Orbicularis Oculi Histology.

PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the histologic compositions of the pretarsal, preseptal, and orbital orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) using nonpreserved, fresh-frozen, human cadavers. METHODS: The OOM was exposed using sharp and blunt dissection. A metric ruler was used to measure and mark 0.5 cm × 1 cm samples from each portion of the right, superior OOM. Samples were excised, fixed in formalin, and completely embedded in paraffin. Five-micrometer-thick, hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections were generated for each sample and analyzed by an anatomical pathologist. The relative percentages of the 4 main tissue types (skeletal muscle, fibrous tissue, adipose tissue, and neurovascular tissue) were quantified. RESULTS: Forty-two samples were obtained from 14 Caucasian cadavers. On average, the pretarsal samples were composed of 83.5% skeletal muscle, 0.0% adipose, 5.0% neurovascular, and 11.5% fibrous tissue. Average preseptal OOM was 46.5% skeletal muscle, 12.7% adipose, 9.2% neurovascular, and 31.5% fibrous tissue. The orbital OOM was, on average, 42.7% skeletal muscle, 32.7% adipose tissue, 6.9% neurovascular, and 17.7% fibrous tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The OOM represents a histologically heterogeneous structure.

Rotational Flap Repair of Full Thickness Eyelid Defects without a Posterior Lamellar Graft or Flap.

BACKGROUND: To determine the safety and effectiveness of full thickness eyelid reconstructions using a semicircular rotational flap without reconstructing the posterior lamella. METHODS: The charts of all patients undergoing semicircular flap closure of full thickness eyelid defects by one surgeon (JDP) at the Cole Eye Institute between March 2000 and October 2012 were reviewed. Charts were reviewed for patient demographic information, as well as for the size of the defect, the type of flap used, length of follow-up and complications. RESULTS: Fifty eyelids of 50 patients underwent a semicircular flap repair without posterior lamellar reconstruction during the study period, and 41 charts were available for review. Average patient age was 74 years (range, 40-92 years). Average follow-up was 9.8 months (range, 1-84 months). Average defect size was 19.1 mm (range, 14-30 mm, SD 4.6). Complications included pyogenic granuloma (10 patients, 24.4%), exposure keratopathy (7 patients, 17.1%) lagophthalmos (5 patients, 12.2%), ectropion (6 patients, 14.6%), lateral canthal dystopia (2 cases, 4.9%), eyelid notch (2 cases, 4.9%) and trichiasis (4 cases, 9.8%). Two patients underwent subsequent tarsorrhaphy and one patient underwent ectropion repair. There were no cases of wound dehiscence, diplopia or fornix inadequacy, and the recruited aspect of the eyelid healed well in each case. No case required reconstruction of the eyelid margin or fornix. CONCLUSIONS: Semicircular flap repair of full thickness eyelid defects without flap or graft repair of the posterior lamella results in an adequate fornix and a low rate of secondary surgery.

Safety of onabotulinum toxin a injection to the central upper eyelid and eyebrow regions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety of onabotulinum toxin A injected into the central upper eyelid and eyebrow regions. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients undergoing onabotulinum toxin A injection to the central upper eyelid and eyebrow between February, 2012, and November, 2012. Age, gender, indication, injection sites, number of central units, total number of units, and occurrence of adverse events were all recorded. RESULTS: A total of 300 procedures on 88 patients were performed, in whom the central upper eyelid and/or central eyebrow was injected with onabotulinum toxin A. There were 68 female and 20 male patients. Average age was 68.7±13.3 years (range, 42-92 years). Indications for central eyelid/eyebrow treatment included blepharospasm (34 patients, 176 procedures), hemifacial spasm (21 patients, 40 procedures), facial nerve disorders (2 patients, 9 procedures), and facial rhytides/eyebrow ptosis (31 patients, 75 procedures). The amount of neurotoxin injected into the central eyelid and eyebrow ranged from 2 to 12.5 units per encounter. Complications included diplopia (4% of total encounters), lagophthalmos (1% of total encounters), blepharoptosis (1% of total encounters), and blurry vision (1% of total encounters). Minor local effects, including bruising, bleeding, pain, and mild swelling, were recorded in 3.3% of total encounters. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of onabotulinum toxin A into the central upper eyelid and eyebrow is associated with a low rate of blepharoptosis. Central eyelid and eyebrow neurotoxin injection can be safely added to the regimen when treatment calls for chemodenervation of the central orbicularis oculi.

Severe neutropenia presenting with Candida albicans eyelid abscess in a 1-year-old child.

A previously healthy 1-year-old boy presented with a right lower eyelid abscess. Oral and topical antibiotics were initiated, and the lesion was drained and explored. Despite medical and surgical treatment, the abscess failed to resolve completely and formed again 1 month later. A second incision and drainage procedure was performed, and Candida albicans grew in cultures. Additional workup revealed severe neutropenia with an absolute neutrophil count of 0.18 k/µl (1.19-7.21 k/µl). The abscess resolved after 2 weeks of oral fluconazole. C. albicans eyelid abscess may be the presenting sign of systemic immunodeficiency.

Indocyanine green-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy for periocular tumors.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of indocyanine green (ICG)-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy to sentinel lymph node biopsy performed with technetium-99m in eyelid and in conjunctival malignancies. METHODS: Review of a consecutive series of adult patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy for eyelid and conjunctival malignancies between 2009 and 2013. Only patients undergoing both ICG-guided and technetium-99m-guided sentinel lymph node biopsies were included. RESULTS: Five patients were identified: 3 women and 2 men. Four had conjunctival melanoma and 1 had eyelid melanoma. ICG aided in localization and confirmation of the sentinel nodes identified by technetium-99m, and all sentinel lymph nodes identified by technetium-99m were identified by ICG. All patients who underwent both sentinel lymph node modalities had negative lymph node biopsies for micrometastasis, but metastatic disease eventually developed in 1 patient. No safety concerns were identified with the use of ICG in the ocular adnexal region. CONCLUSIONS: For certain periocular malignancies, ICG-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy safely identifies sentinel lymph nodes intraoperatively possibly to a similar extent compared with technetium-99m-guided methods.

Dimensions and anatomic variations of the orbicularis oculi muscle in nonpreserved, fresh-frozen human cadavers.

PURPOSE: To determine average dimensions of the orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) from the orbital rim and to investigate polymorphic variations through anatomical dissection of nonpreserved, fresh-frozen human cadavers. METHODS: The OOM was exposed using sharp and blunt dissection until its distal borders were identified. A metric ruler was used to measure the superior (S line), inferior (I line), and lateral (L line) dimensions of the OOM from the orbital rim. Data collection included age, gender, and race. Data were analyzed using 2-sample t tests, paired t tests, and mixed effect models. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 40 hemifaces of 20 cadavers were dissected. All specimens were Caucasian. Ten specimens were men. Average age was 73.9 years (56-92 years). The overall S line was 1.4 cm (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.57), the I line was 1.2 cm (95% CI, 1.00-1.36), and the L line was 2.5 cm (95% CI, 2.27-2.68). Men had significantly larger average T, L, and S line values than women (p = 0.003, 0.005, 0.008, respectively). I lines did not differ significantly between genders (p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: In senescent Caucasians, the OOM extends approximately 1.4 cm superior, 1.2 cm inferior, and 2.5 cm lateral to the orbital rim. The muscle extends significantly further superiorly and laterally in Caucasian men than in women. Knowledge of the extent of the OOM should improve the understanding and the treatment of conditions affecting this region.

Orbital and intraocular myofibroblastoma.

A 66-year-old woman presented with a blind, painful, hypertensive, and proptotic left eye. Computed tomographic imaging revealed a well-circumscribed mass involving the left orbit and globe. Metastatic work-up failed to reveal extraorbital lesions and the tumor was removed in toto via an evisceration approach orbitotomy. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were most consistent with mammary-type myofibroblastoma with fascicles of bland, uniform spindle cells that stained positive for desmin and CD34. We are not aware of previous reports of orbital or ocular myofibroblastoma. This neoplasm has not been shown to recur, undergo malignant transformation, or metastasize. Familiarity with its clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features may improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions for patients presenting with similar findings.

Intraoperative sub-tenon injection increases optic nerve length transection during enucleation.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of sub-Tenon injection on the length of optic nerve resected during enucleation. METHODS: Case-control laboratory study on 22 orbits of 11 unpreserved, fresh-frozen human cadavers. Each cadaver underwent a conventional enucleation technique on one side and an otherwise identical technique on the contralateral side that included sub-Tenon injection of 2.5 ml normal saline in each oblique quadrant. Resected optic nerve lengths were measured and compared using Student t tests. RESULTS: The mean optic nerve length was 15.2 mm (range, 5.0-21.0 mm) in the sub-Tenon injection group and 11.3 mm (range, 5.0-19.0 mm) in control group (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Sub-Tenon injection during enucleation allows for significantly longer optic nerve resection lengths in unpreserved, fresh-frozen human cadavers.

Effect of mannitol on globe and orbital volumes in humans.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of intravenous mannitol on globe and orbital volumes. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of a consecutive series of Cleveland Clinic Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit patients who underwent computed tomographic imaging before and after intravenous mannitol administration. Volume measurements were performed according to a previously described technique by averaging axial image areas. Measurements before and after mannitol administration were compared using paired t-test. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (28 eyes) met inclusion criteria. Average globe volume decreased 186 mm3 (-2.5%, p = 0.02) after mannitol administration, while average orbital volume increased 353 mm3 (+3.5%, p = 0.04). Average globe volume change for subjects with follow-up scan less than 4.7 hours (mean 1.9 hours; range 0.2-4.5 hours) after mannitol administration was -125 mm3 (-1.7%, p = 0.24) and average orbital volume change was +458 mm3 (+5.1%, p = 0.11). Average globe volume change after mannitol administration for those with follow-up more than 4.7 hours (average 13.9 hours, range 4.9-24.7 hours) was -246 mm3 (-3.3%, p = 0.05) and orbital volume change was +248 mm3 (+2.2%, p = 0.24). Dividing the study population into groups based on mannitol dose did not yield any statistically significant change. CONCLUSIONS: Human globe volume decreases after intravenous mannitol administration, while orbital volume increases. These volume changes occur during the time period when intraocular pressure normalizes, after the pressure-lowering effects of the drug. This novel volumetric information improves our understanding of mannitol's mechanism of action and its effects on human ocular and periocular tissues.