Evaluation of lymphatic vessel dilatations by anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography: case report.

BACKGROUND: Conjunctival lymphangiectasia is a rare condition presumably caused by the obstruction of lymphatic channels or by an abnormal connection between conjunctival lymphatic and blood vessels. Diagnosis is based on clinical appearance and histology. We report a case of conjunctival lymphangiectasia in which anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to assist the diagnosis and the planning of the biopsy location. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old woman was referred with repeated episodes of conjunctival "hemorrhages" and chemosis with extended recovery periods over the last months. Other symptoms were dryness, redness, burning sensation and itching. Photo documentation, anterior segment OCT, ultrasound, computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain were performed. MRI revealed dilated atypical Virchow-Robin space (VRS). Conjunctival biopsy was taken and the location of the biopsy was selected based on OCT findings. Based on the clinical appearance we suspected the case to be conjunctival lymphangiectasia or lymphangioma. Histology and immunhistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of conjunctival lymphangiectasia. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior segment OCT is a non-invasive tool, useful in the evaluation of conjunctival lesions and planning surgery.

Medical Decision Making: Hyposphagma Prior to Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

The decision to administer intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) is based on standard exclusion and inclusion criteria, which include laboratories, imaging, and time of last known well. When patients present with a clinical scenario that is not addressed in these standards, the decision to administer IV tPA is more complex. We present a case of a patient with an acute stroke syndrome that also included acute subconjunctival hemorrhage (i.e., hyposphagma). We provide the medical decision making that occurred prior to the administration. Ultimately, the finding of hyposphagma should not disqualify eligible patients from receiving IV tPA.

Bloody epiphora secondary to a lacrimal sac varix.

This is a report of a 57-year-old female patient who sought treatment for multiple episodes of bloody epiphora. A CT of her orbits revealed enhancement and enlargement of her left lacrimal sac and duct. A biopsy was then performed, which showed a varix involving the wall of the lacrimal sac. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a lacrimal sac varix causing bloody epiphora.

Radiographic predictors of visual outcome in orbital compartment syndrome.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study is to evaluate parameters on orbital CT as predictors of visual outcome in orbital compartment syndrome from retrobulbar hematoma or orbital cellulitis. The study will assess the assertion that certain patients are anatomically predisposed to vision loss in these conditions. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of consecutive patients with the diagnosis of either orbital cellulitis or orbital hematoma from the clinic of a single provider in an academic practice from 2006 to 2009 was performed. Exclusion criteria included preexisting vision loss, lack of CT scan for analysis, or lack of 1-month follow up for final visual acuity. Measurements of final visual acuity, medial wall length, lateral wall length, distance from the globe to the apex, and a novel measurement of posterior globe tenting (stretch angle) were obtained. Patients were divided into 2 groups: normal visual acuity and vision loss. Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant differences between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The normal vision group consisted of 11 patients, all with vision of 20/30 or better. The average length of the medial and lateral wall was 43.9 and 41.6 mm, respectively. The average distance from the globe to the apex was 26.3 mm in the uninvolved eye and 30.3 mm in the involved eye, resulting in an average difference of 4.18 mm. The average stretch angle measurement was 28.9° in the uninvolved eye and 28.5° in the involved eye, resulting in an average difference of 0.41°. The vision loss group consisted of 4 patients, all with vision of count fingers or worse. The average length of the medial and lateral wall was 46.9 and 45.7 mm, respectively. The average distance from the globe to the apex was 32.2 mm in the uninvolved eye and 36.7 mm in the involved eye, resulting in an average difference of 4.50 mm. The average stretch angle measurement was 32.3° in the uninvolved eye and 21.1° in the involved eye, resulting in an average difference of 11.2°. The difference in stretch angle between eyes in the vision loss and normal vision groups were found to be highly significant with a p value of less than 0.001. The difference between the 2 orbits for globe to apex is a rough measurement of proptosis and was not statistically different in the 2 groups (p = 0.71), whereas the length from the globe to the apex in the uninvolved eye was statistically different between the vision loss group and normal vision group (p = < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Orbital compartment syndrome is a potentially vision-threatening condition. Minimal objective data are currently available in the literature to guide physicians in making clinical judgments regarding these patients. The results of this study indicate that comparing the novel stretch angle between the patient's 2 eyes and measuring the length from the globe to the orbital apex can help identify patients at risk for poor visual outcome. This study provides objective measurements that can aid ophthalmologists and radiologists in determining the relative threat to vision in patients presenting with orbital compartment syndrome from orbital cellulitis or retrobulbar hematoma. Hopefully, the data can help select patients that may benefit from more aggressive intervention and will ultimately result in superior visual outcomes.

Non-traumatic subperiosteal orbital hemorrhage secondary to barotrauma.

PURPOSE: To report a case of non-traumatic subperiosteal hemorrhage (NTSOH) secondary to barotrauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational case report. RESULTS: A 42-year-old female presented with right proptosis with bilateral petechial lid hemorrhages, chemosis and diplopia following scuba diving. This occurred in the context of a tight facemask resulting in 'mask squeeze', and performance of Valsalva maneuver to equalize ear pressure. Clinically, there were no signs of optic nerve involvement. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated signs consistent with right subperiosteal hematoma adjacent to the orbital roof with inferolateral displacement of the superior rectus. Patient recovered well after being admitted for intravenous dexamethasone without surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: NTSOH from barotrauma can result from 'mask squeeze' under a tight-fitting mask and exacerbated by use of Valsalva maneuvers. This may be prevented with frequent pressure equalization during diving.

[Three-dimensional echography in the diagnosis of hemophthalmia].

Ultrasound study involving three-dimensional echography was made in 250 patients aged 25 to 70 years who had vitreous body hemorrhage of varying etiology. Three degrees of acoustic hemophthalmia density: 1) low (from 5 to 25 MG); 2) moderate (from 25.1 to 40 MG); 3) high (from 40.1 to 55 MG or higher). According to the extent of a pathological focus, the authors identified total hemophthalmia (from 50 to 100% of the volume of the vitreous body) that is equal to a volume of 2.61 cm3 or more; disseminated hemophthalmia (from 25 to 50% of the volume of the vitreous body) that corresponds to a volume of 1.31 to 2.6 cm3; partial hemophthalmia (up to 25% of the volume of the vitreous body) to a volume of 0.1 to 1.3 cm3. Three-dimensional echography makes it possible to measure the extent of intraocular hemorrhage, its acoustic density, to define criteria for evaluating the severity of intraocular hemorrhage, and to assess the risk of retinal detachment.

Delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage after cataract surgery: A case report and brief review of literature.

RATIONALE: To report a case of 44-year-old man with delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage (DSCH) 2 days after cataract surgery. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient developed sudden onset of ocular pain and reduction of visual acuity on his left eye 2 days after receiving conventional cataract operation. DIAGNOSES: The ocular conditions were accessed by best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit lamp examination, fundus photography, and B-scan ultrasound. Fundus color photograph revealed a raised choroidal mass and extensive subretinal hemorrhage. B-scan ultrasound also confirmed features of choroidal hemorrhage. Thus, he was diagnosed as DSCH. INTERVENTIONS: He received conservative treatments for 1 month. OUTCOMES: The involved eye recovered well. LESSONS: DSCH is a rare but dreaded complication occurring in intraocular operations. Conservative managements or surgeries may be beneficial for the recovery of visual acuity.

[YAG-laser treatment for traumatic hemophthalmia].

The paper deals with noninvasive YAG-laser surgery that is used in the treatment of hemophthalmia, particularly hemophthalmia of posttraumatic genesis. A Visulas YAG laser unit ("Karl Zeiss") was used for YAG laser radiation. Its energy parameters were 0.8 to 9.2 mJ; 2-10 impulses; 1-30 laser treatment sessions. YAG-laser radiation affected the altered part of vitreous body: from fresh blood to the emergence of hemophthalmia as adhesions and conglomerates. YAG-laser applied to pathological vitreous body changes in hemophthalmia is effective and causes their elimination with subsequent lysis. YAG-laser vitreolysis is the operation of choice in traumatic hemophthalmia and may be used not only as an independent surgical technique, but also an additional one in the surgical and medical treatment of hemophthalmia. YAG-laser application to the vitreous body reduces the time of treatment for traumatic hemophthalmia.

Terson's Syndrome: Diagnostic Comparison of Ocular Sonography and CT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of ocular B-mode sonography and of standard head computed tomography (CT) as screening tools for intraocular hemorrhages related to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: 46 patients with spontaneous SAH were examined using ocular B-mode sonography and underwent funduscopy as gold standard for detection of ocular hemorrhages (OH). Additionally, all head CT scans done during the hospital stay of the study population were rated by a neuroradiologist for the presence of OH. RESULTS: Funduscopy revealed vitreous and/or preretinal hemorrhages in ten eyes and retinal hemorrhages in nine eyes. In comparison with funduscopy, ocular sonography showed a sensitivity and specificity for the detection of vitreous and/or preretinal hemorrhages of 100%, while identification of retinal hemorrhages was less reliable with a sensitivity/specificity of 44%/100%. Standard head CT showed a lower sensitivity/specificity of 60%/96% for vitreous and/or preretinal hemorrhages, and 32%/95% for the diagnosis of any ocular bleeding. CONCLUSION: Ocular sonography identifies SAH-related preretinal and vitreous hemorrhages with high accuracy and is superior to standard head CT. It may be considered as new and useful bedside diagnostic tool for routine clinical care of patients with SAH.

Hematoma subperiosteal orbitário secundário a barotrauma em aviação civil / Orbital subperiosteal hematoma secondary to barotrauma in civil aviation

RESUMO Os diagnósticos diferenciais que compõem as proptoses agudas são, muitas vezes, desafiadores. A anamnese e o exame clínico exigem do oftalmologista atenção especial aos detalhes que permitem diferenciar quadros relativamente benignos e autolimitados de quadros que evoluirão com incapacidades permanentes. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente de 49 anos que, durante viagem de avião, apresentou dor ocular, hematoma periorbitário e proptose do olho esquerdo súbitos. Referia diplopia aguda incapacitante. Exames de tomografia e angiorressonância magnética confirmaram diagnóstico de sinusopatia do seio etmoidal esquerdo e hematoma subperiosteal da órbita esquerda, associado ao barotrauma. Apesar de raro, o diagnóstico de hematoma subperiosteal não traumático deve ser considerado diferencial em relação a proptoses agudas, sendo a anamnese fundamental para essa elucidação diagnóstica.

ABSTRACT Differential diagnoses of acute proptosis are often challenging. History and clinical examination require from ophthalmologists special attention to details, which make it possible to differentiate relatively benign and self-limited conditions from those that will progress to permanent disabilities. We report a 49-year-old female patient who had sudden eye pain, periorbital hematoma and proptosis of the left eye during a commercial flight. She also complained of disabling acute diplopia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography imaging confirmed the diagnosis of subperiosteal hematoma of the left orbit, associated with left ethmoid sinus disease. Although rare, non-traumatic subperiosteal hematoma should be considered in differential diagnoses of acute proptosis, and history taking is fundamental to elucidate the picture.

[Hemophthalmia in patients with hypertensive disease].

A hundred patients with hemophthalmia were examined by ultrasound B-scanning to estimate the volume of the blood that had bled into the vitreous body and to check up the efficiency of conservative treatment. The latter used the enzyme collalysine as parabulbar injections in combination with resolving therapy. There is evidence that complex resolving therapy is an effective treatment of hemophthalmia.

Orbital trauma.

Assessment of the orbit for orbital trauma is best achieved expeditiously with CT in the determination of extent of injury and the presence of foreign body. MR imaging has a limited role but is valuable in examining the optic nerve and globe for injury and has proven to be an adjunct modality in the assessment of orbital injury.

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis presenting as acute blindness 36 months after importation into the UK.

A four-year-old Labrador retriever developed sudden-onset blindness, associated with bilateral uveitis, intraocular haemorrhage and retinal detachment. It had been imported into the UK from Sardinia 36 months before presentation. Haematological abnormalities included non-regenerative anaemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. Serum and urine protein electrophoresis demonstrated a monoclonal gammopathy. An immunofluorescent antibody test for Ehrlichia canis was positive, with a titre of 1:320, confirming a diagnosis of chronic monocytic ehrlichiosis. This case highlights how the prolonged subclinical phase of monocytic ehrlichiosis could enable infected dogs to enter the UK without signs of disease. Chronic monocytic ehrlichiosis should be considered in dogs which have been imported from E canis-endemic countries and present with bleeding disorders and gammopathy, even if signs develop many years after importation.