Acute and Past Common Lacrimal Canalicular Lacerations: A Report of Two Cases.

Lacrimal canalicular lacerations can be caused by trauma to the ocular adnexa, such as a penetrating or blunt injury. Only a few cases involving the common canaliculus or lacrimal sac have been reported, and only a few reports have described the detailed course of treatment. Here, we report an acute case of common lacrimal canalicular laceration and a case of a previous common canalicular laceration. The acute case was treated with a bicanalicular stent directly inserted into the nasolacrimal duct. The case with a previous common canalicular laceration was treated with external dacryocystorhinostomy combined with monocanalicular stent insertion. These treatments may be appropriate for the initial surgery and can be selected before performing conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy.

Mechanisms of Development of Orbital Fractures: A Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to review the mechanisms in the development of orbital fractures. METHODS: This is a comprehensive literature review that summarizes the mechanisms of developing orbital fractures. RESULTS: There are 3 proposed mechanisms in the development of orbital fractures, which include the buckling, hydraulic, and globe-to-wall contact mechanisms. These mechanisms, as well as patient age, causes of injuries, and periorbital anatomy, influence the extent, sites, and patterns of orbital fractures. CONCLUSION: A deeper understanding of these mechanisms helps us to detect and properly manage orbital fractures in the clinical setting.

Pressure Onto the Orbital Walls and Orbital Morphology in Orbital Floor or Medial Wall Fracture: A 3-Dimensional Printer Study.

The purposes of this study were to compare the pressure onto the orbital floor and medial orbital wall between 3-dimensional printer skull models with unilateral orbital floor and medial orbital wall fractures and to compare the morphology of the orbital floor and medial orbital wall between patients with unilateral orbital floor and medial orbital wall fractures. The skull models were created based on computed tomographic (CT) data obtained from every 10 patients with unilateral orbital floor and medial orbital wall fractures. The orbital spaces of these models were filled with silicone, the silicone surface was pushed down, and pressures onto the orbital floor and the medial orbital wall were measured. On preoperative computed tomographic images taken in the same 20 patients, the superior and lateral bulges of the orbital floor and medial orbital wall were measured, respectively. The measurements were done on the unaffected sides. Consequently, the pressure onto the orbital floor was significantly higher in the orbital floor fracture models than in the medial orbital wall fracture models, although the pressure onto the medial orbital wall was not significantly different between the models. As for the morphologic study, the superior bulge of the orbital floor was higher in the orbital floor fracture group than in the medial orbital wall fracture group. The results of this study indicate that since the orbital floor with a high superior bulge receives high hydraulic pressure, patients with a high superior bulge have a greater risk of orbital floor fracture.

Reliable and safe salivary duct repositioning technique with partial transection and intraductal stenting: Technical notes.

Salivary duct repositioning is often performed after excision of malignant tumors or removal of sialoliths to maintain salivary function and minimize the risk of swelling or pain due to the obstruction of the gland. However, there is risk of intraoperative tissue damage due to traumatic manipulation, leading to stenosis; in addition, the small diameter of the duct also renders this procedure difficult. Recently, we improved our method of salivary duct repositioning as follows. In the first technique, partial transection is made on the lateral wall of the duct ligated with thread at the end. Pulling the thread provides a view of the lumen, and appropriate tension enables a reliable and non-invasive procedure without requiring the operator to grasp the edge of the duct directly. When the diameter of the duct is small, intraductal stenting, the second technique, can be combined with the former technique by probe insertion to expand the lumen. Our approach is technically easy and simple which can be accepted by any clinicians and it could also be a promising technique that can serve as a less invasive and effective treatment.

Severe corneal involvement secondary to congenital lower eyelid epiblepharon.

PURPOSE: The study aims to examine an incidence and risk factors of severe corneal involvement in patients with congenital lower eyelid epiblepharon. METHODS: This retrospective, observational study included 509 patients (933 eyes) with congenital lower eyelid epiblepharon. Data on age, sex, affected side, past history, past surgery, presence or absence of concomitant periocular/ocular diseases, body height and weight, astigmatic power, and corneal involvement were collected. Severe corneal involvement included corneal scarring, vascularization, and perforation. RESULTS: Severe corneal involvement was found in 30 patients (5.9%) (34 eyes, 3.6%). Corneal scarring and perforation with scarring were shown in 29 patients (33 eyes) and 1 patient (1 eye), respectively. Nine patients (12 eyes) demonstrated concomitant corneal vascularization with corneal scarring. Logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index had an odds ratio of 1.057 (P = 0.078). Age and sex did not affect occurrence of severe corneal involvement (P > 0.050). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 5.9% of patients showed severe corneal involvement in congenital lower eyelid epiblepharon. Logistic regression analysis indicates that a high body mass index was a possible risk factor of severe corneal involvement caused by congenital lower eyelid epiblepharon.

Low-Concentration Brachial Plexus Block.

PURPOSE: We devised a low-concentration brachial plexus block (LCBB) that allows for intraoperative, active motion by blocking only sensory nerves. This study evaluated the efficacy of the LCBB. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (14 men and 24 women; mean age, 60.0 years) underwent surgery with the LCBB. An ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block with 30-40 mL of 0.6 mg/ml ropivacaine hydrochloride hydrate was performed approximately 2 hours before starting the surgery. A local anesthetic (LA) was administered as a local infiltration if the intraoperative pain relief was locally insufficient. The surgery was performed using a tourniquet as usual, which was released for approximately 1 minute when there was a requirement to check for intraoperative, active motion. We recorded the waiting time required between LCBB administration and surgery, the total surgery time, the total tourniquet time, the number of patients administered an LA, the total LA volume (1% lidocaine equivalent), and the muscle strength at intraoperative, active motion (evaluated by manual muscle testing and categorized as ≥grade 4 or ≤grade 3). RESULTS: The mean waiting time was 137.0 minutes, the mean surgery time was 124.6 minutes, and the mean tourniquet time was 70.6 minutes. In 2 patients, the anesthetic effect was not achieved, and we switched to other methods of anesthesia (1 patient was switched to an intravenous, regional anesthesia; 1 patient was switched to a standard brachial plexus block). Excluding those 2 cases, the mean LA volume was 8.7 mL among 22 cases (61.1%), and 33 cases (91%) had manual muscle testing of ≥grade 4. In 36 of 38 cases (94.7%), surgery could be performed by LCBB. CONCLUSIONS: Although an LCBB may require additional LA, it is a useful anesthesia method that allows intraoperative active motion and tourniquet use. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis-Associated Acute Dacryoadenitis in an Adult.

A 39-year-old man presented with a five-day history of swelling of the right upper eyelid and ocular irritation in the right eye. On the first examination, the patient showed conjunctival injection, conjunctival chemosis, swollen upper eyelid, and palpable lacrimal gland with tenderness on the right side. Magnetic resonance images showed an inflamed right lacrimal gland. Blood test demonstrated negative results for immunoglobulin M of Epstein-Barr, mumps, herpes simplex, and herpes zoster viruses. We administered oral prednisolone (30 mg/day) based on a possible diagnosis of idiopathic dacryoadenitis. One week after steroid treatment, the periocular inflammation reduced to some extent although the inflammation substantially persisted. Four weeks after the steroid treatment, the patient informed us that he had met his friend 10 days before the onset, and that friend had conjunctival injection at that time which was subsequently diagnosed as an epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. The periocular inflammation subsided, but two corneal white spots were observed on slit-lamp examination. Although immunochromatographic test for adenovirus was negative, the blood test showed a positive result for immunoglobulin M of adenovirus serotype 3. In eight weeks of follow-up, the number of corneal opacities increased to five spots, but the acute dacryoadenitis did not recur.

Orbital Abscess Developed Apart From Paranasal Sinusitis and Dacryocystitis in Fibrous Dysplasia.

A 48-year-old man visited the emergency department of our hospital with swelling of the left upper and lower eyelids from the day before. On the first examination, he had severe swelling of the left upper and lower eyelids, proptosis, and chemosis. Left intraocular pressure was 33 mmHg. Computed tomographic images showed an orbital abscess in the anterosuperolateral orbital space, maxillary and ethmoidal sinusitis, and dacryocystitis. The orbital abscess was not contiguous to maxillary and ethmoidal sinusitis and dacryocystitis. Ground-glass appearance was seen in the frontal, maxillary, and ethmoid bones, and most of the space of the frontal sinus was obliterated due to the expansion of the frontal bone. Emergent drainage of orbital abscess, dacryocystorhinostomy, and endoscopic sinus surgery were performed under general anesthesia. Intravenous tazobactam/piperacillin was administered. A culture test of the sinus pus and orbital abscess showed growth of Streptococcus intermedius (2+). At one month postoperatively, there was no recurrence of orbital abscess, paranasal sinusitis, and dacryocystitis.

Optic Neuropathy Caused by a Perineural Sarcoid Lesion.

A 74-year-old woman had a six-month history of decreased vision in the left eye. On the first examination, her left best-corrected visual acuity was 0.02, and Goldmann visual field test revealed a central scotoma in the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated lesions around the optic nerve on both sides and enlargement of the lacrimal gland and superior rectus/levator palpebrae superioris muscles on both sides and the medial and inferior recti muscles on the left side. Systemic computed tomography revealed bilaterally enlarged mediastinal and supraclavicular lymph nodes. The blood test results included an elevated soluble interleukin-2 receptor. Pathological examination of the specimens harvested from the lacrimal gland on both sides, left levator palpebrae superioris muscle, and the lesion around the optic nerve on the left side showed lymphocytic infiltration with noncaseating epithelioid granuloma. After the biopsy, the patient underwent two cycles of steroid pulse therapy, followed by oral prednisolone. Although the lesions were reduced after steroid treatment, the left vision did not recover.

Entrapment of the inferior oblique and inferior rectus muscles in orbital trapdoor fracture.

A 10-year-old male presented to our institution 6 days after sustaining trauma to his right eye from a fall. A thorough physical examination could not be done due to severe eye pain and inability to open the eyelids; however, computed tomographic imaging done at this time showed a trapdoor fracture with incarceration of the inferior oblique and inferior rectus muscles. The fracture was reduced through a transconjunctival incision and secured with a polytetrafluoroethylene implant. Three months after the surgery, extraocular motility is almost full and equal.

Direct Ultrasonic Aspiration for Orbito-Temporal Neurofibromas.

Ultrasonic surgical devices are powerful new tools that can debulk soft tissue tumors with little damage to surrounding blood vessels and nerve fibers. We used such a device to remove orbito-temporal neurofibromas, which are usually associated with a rich network of vessels and nerves. Three patients with masses in the upper and lower eyelids and the temporal area of the face were included in this study. The masses were debulked safely using an ultrasonic aspirator, resulting in satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes.

Extraocular muscle expansion after deep lateral orbital wall decompression: influence on proptosis reduction and its predictive factors.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between extraocular muscle expansion and proptosis reduction (Δproptosis) in patients with thyroid eye disease who underwent deep lateral orbital wall decompression and to analyze the factors that contribute to extraocular muscle expansion. METHODS: This retrospective, observational study included 133 sides from 77 patients with thyroid eye disease. The cross-sectional areas of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone (trigone), extraocular muscles, and superior ophthalmic vein were measured on computed tomographic images. Variables influencing Δproptosis were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analyses with stepwise variable selection. Predictive factors for the rate of postoperative increase in the cross-sectional extraocular muscle areas (Δextraocular muscle) were analyzed using the same statistical method. RESULTS: The amount of orbital fat removed (P < 0.001) and rate of Δlateral rectus muscle (P < 0.001) were positively and negatively correlated with Δproptosis, respectively (r = 0.425; adjusted r2 = 0.168; P < 0.001). The cross-sectional trigone area (P < 0.001) was positively correlated with the rate of Δlateral rectus muscle, whereas the preoperative cross-sectional lateral rectus muscle area (P < 0.001) and amount of orbital fat removed (P = 0.036) were negatively correlated with the rate of Δlateral rectus muscle (r = 0.551; adjusted r2 = 0.288; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Lateral rectus muscle expansion was negatively correlated with proptosis reduction and proved to be predictable before surgery. The results of this study will help predict proptosis reduction after deep lateral orbital wall decompression and to preoperatively plan additional orbital bony and fat decompression.

Conjunctival Epithelial Inclusion Cyst following Evisceration with Primary Orbital Implantation.

A 29-years-old Turkish man who had undergone evisceration with primary orbital implantation 20 months prior complained of difficulty wearing his artificial eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed a conjunctival cyst in the center of the anophthalmic socket, with no evidence of scleral or orbital implant exposure. The cyst was completely excised under general anesthesia and did not require use of any sclerosing substance or dye. At 6 months postoperatively, there was no recurrence of the cyst or exposure of the sclera or orbital implant. As the upper and lower fornices were sufficiently deep, the patient could wear his artificial eye.

Amyloidosis in the Palpebral Conjunctiva Mimicking Lymphoproliferative Lesion.

A 47-year-old Japanese woman presented with a 1-year history of foreign body sensation in the right eye. Upon examination, a linear soft tissue lesion in the lower conjunctival fornix was noted. The mass resembled a conjunctival lymphoproliferative lesion but was pinkish-yellow rather than salmon pink in color. Histopathology of the biopsy specimens revealed amyloidosis. Systemic workup showed no other lesions. The conjunctival lesion did not recur at 3 months postoperatively. Since conjunctival amyloidosis mimics conjunctival lymphoproliferative lesions, it is important to keep conjunctival amyloidosis as a differential diagnosis in the diagnosis of a pinkish conjunctival lesion.

Disabling muscle of Riolan: A novel concept of orbicularis oculi myectomy for refractory benign essential blepharospasm.

PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of orbicularis oculi myectomy with disabling the muscle of Riolan in patients with benign essential blepharospasm refractory to botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) injection. METHODS: This retrospective, observational study included 25 patients. After removal of the redundant skin and underlying orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) with or without extended OOM removal to the area of the superior orbital rim, the tarsal plate and the gray line were vertically severed at 2 points to disable the muscle of Riolan. The surgical effectiveness was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), functional disability score (FDS), and the presence or absence of necessity or enhanced effectiveness of BTX-A injection after surgery. RESULTS: The symptoms improved in 23 patients (92.0%). The VAS and total FDS were significantly improved from 8.4 ± 1.7 to 4.0 ± 2.4 (reduction rate, 50.7 ± 35.6%) and from 74.6 ± 22.2 to 34.7 ± 25.3 (reduction rate, 53.4 ± 27.4%) after surgery, respectively (both, p < 0.001). Among the 23 patients whose symptoms improved after surgery, BTX-A injection was not required in 11 of them (47.8%). Among the remaining 12 patients (52.2%), the effectiveness of BTX-A was post-operatively enhanced in eight patients (34.8%). There were no serious complications, and none of the patients experienced madarosis. CONCLUSION: Disabling the muscle of Riolan is a valuable option of OOM myectomy in patients with refractory benign essential blepharospasm, without the development of serious complications, including madarosis.

Patency of the lacrimal drainage system in patients with a peripunctal tumour.

Purpose: To examine the patency or secondary obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system in patients with a peripunctal tumour.Methods: This retrospective, observational, and comparative study included 10 patients with a peripunctal tumour. Lacrimal probing and syringing in all patients and dacryoendoscopic examinations in 5 patients were performed to check for patency of the lacrimal drainage system. Tear meniscus height (TMH) was measured bilaterally in the upper and lower eyelids using anterior segment optical coherence tomography and compared in relation to the affected side using one-way ANOVA.Results: All patients did not complain of epiphora. Probing gave a hard stop and irrigation fluid passed into the nose. A patent punctum/canaliculus was also confirmed by dacryoendoscopy in all of the 5 patients. TMH was not significantly different among the sides (P = .900).Conclusions: This study shows patency of the lacrimal drainage system in patients with a peripunctal tumour and no significant difference in TMH among the sides, resulting in absence of epiphora in all patients.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia: benign tumor recurrence after two surgical resections at two different medical institutions.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an exceedingly rare case of tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) caused by a benign phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor that recurred after two surgical resections at two different medical institutions. METHODS: A 69-year-old man complained of a 3-year history of persistent whole body pain and presented with hypophosphatemia, elevated serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), and multiple fractures. The patient was suspected of having TIO. We conducted the following diagnostic modalities considered useful to detect the tumor: serum FGF-23 level measurement in the extremities, positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT),and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: The causative tumor could be detected in the right humerus not by venous catheterization for serum FGF-23 level measurement but by the combination of PET-CT and MRI. The authors, who had successfully treated two patients with TIO, visually confirmed the absence of any tumor residue during tumorectomy. Nevertheless, the tumor recurred after surgery. The residual tumor could be localized in the right humerus not by PET-CT but by the combination of superficial venous sampling at 10 sites and MRI. The residual tumor recurred after the second tumorectomy at another hospital. This patient indicates that the possibility--a benign causative tumor may not be completely resected by surgery--cannot be ruled out thoroughly. CONCLUSION: Superficial venous sampling at multiple sites may be a surrogate for venous catheterization. Patients with TIO should be meticulously followed-up after surgery to detect any residual tumor by periodic biochemical monitoring and by imaging modalities accordingly.

Erk pathways negatively regulate matrix mineralization.

Skeletal mineralization is an important step regulating the mechanical properties of the calcified tissues, but molecular events underlying mineralization still remain elusive. We examined the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) pathways in matrix mineralization of osteogenic cells both in vitro and in vivo. Matrix mineralization by preosteocytic MLO-A5 cells and osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells was increased by either PD98059 Mek inhibitor treatment or adenovirus vector-mediated dominant negative Ras (Ras(DN)) expression and was suppressed by Erk activation by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) treatment or constitutively active Mek1 (Mek(CA)) expression. Administration of adenovirus vectors carrying Ras(DN) gene onto the calvaria of 1-day-old mice increased the mineralization of the tissues, while that of the Mek(CA) adenovirus suppressed it. These results suggest that the Erk pathway is a negative regulator of the matrix mineralization both in vitro and in vivo.