Eye lens radiation exposure and repeated head CT scans: A problem to keep in mind.

OBJECTIVES: The deterministic character of radiation-induced cataract is being called into question, raising the possibility of a risk in patients, especially children, exposed to ionizing radiation in case of repeated head CT-scans. This study aims to estimate the eye lens doses of a pediatric population exposed to repeated head CTs and to assess the feasibility of an epidemiological study. METHODS: Children treated for a cholesteatoma, who had had at least one CT-scan of the middle ear before their tenth birthday, were included. Radiation exposure has been assessed from medical records and telephone interviews. RESULTS: Out of the 39 subjects contacted, 32 accepted to participate. A total of 76 CT-scans were retrieved from medical records. At the time of the interview (mean age: 16 years), the mean number of CT per child was 3. Cumulative mean effective and eye lens doses were 1.7mSv and 168mGy, respectively. CONCLUSION: A relatively high lens radiation dose was observed in children exposed to repeated CT-scans. Due to that exposure and despite the difficulties met when trying to reach patients' families, a large scale epidemiological study should be performed in order to assess the risk of radiation-induced cataracts associated with repeated head CT.

Usher syndrome type 1: early detection of electroretinographic changes.

BACKGROUND: Usher syndrome type 1 needs to be diagnosed at early age in order to timely manage speech therapy, cochlear implantation, and genetic counseling. Few data are available regarding electroretinographic testing before the age of six years. AIM: To describe electroretinographic changes in young children with Usher syndrome type 1. METHODS: Retrospective study of fourteen patients. Age at first neurophysiologic testing was between 17 months and 5 years 4 months. Electroretinogram was performed using flash stimulation in mesopic conditions in the conscious child. Analysis was focused on the amplitudes and latencies of a- and b-waves. RESULTS: Whatever the age, an abnormal fundus was always confirmed with an absent electroretinogram. The youngest patient with absent electroretinogram was 17 month-old. When recorded on and after the 29th month of age, electroretinogram was absent in all cases, including 6 patients with normal fundus. In three patients a low-amplitude electroretinogram was present at first recording within the 26th and 27th months. CONCLUSION: Electroretinogram showed retinopathy in young children with Usher syndrome type 1, even in the absence of fundoscopic signs of retinal degeneration.

Ocular involvement in hemolytic uremic syndrome due to factor H deficiency--are there therapeutic consequences?

Factor H deficiency is responsible for thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) via uncontrolled activation of the alternative pathway of the complement system. Ocular TMA has never been reported in patients with factor H abnormalities. A male patient with congenital homozygote factor H deficiency reached end-stage renal disease at the age of 10 years. Hemodialysis was uneventful for 3 years, when, suddenly, unilateral ocular pain and blurred vision occurred while he had febrile pharyngitis. Ophthalmologic examination found vitreous bleeding, elevated ocular pressure, choroidal hemorrhage (ultrasound biomicroscopy) and retinal ischemia (fluorescein angiography). C-reactive protein concentration was increased, while haptoglobin levels remained normal. We suspected that TMA due to factor H deficiency was responsible for the ocular manifestations and immediately initiated daily plasma exchanges (PEs) with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) for 10 days followed by three sessions per week. Factor H serum level increased from 6% to 82%, and C3 level normalized. Progressively, ocular pain decreased, and visual acuity and ophthalmologic findings showed improvement. When there is permanent activation of the alternative pathway in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the search for secondary targets might be of interest. In nephrectomized patients, no biological parameter can predict isolated ocular TMA. Early ophthalmologic investigation and substitution of factor H via FFP may avoid irreversible damage.