Optical coherence tomography angiography features of retinitis post-rickettsial fever

The intraocular manifestations of rickettisial retinitis include retinal vasculitis, maculopathy, optic neuritis, and neurosensory detachment. Extensive leakage of dye on the fundus fluorescein angiography may obscure visualization in eyes with retinitis. We report the vascular changes in eyes with rickettsial retinitis and its response to treatment using optical coherence tomography angiography. The microvascular abnormalities we noted were, capillary drop out areas corresponding to retinitis patches, vascular loops, and pruning of vessels. The choriocapillary slabs showed signal void areas. Post-treatment there was vascular remodeling with decrease in non-perfused area, appearance of new vascular lateral branching, and appearance of collaterals.

Comparison of optical coherence tomography angiography and fundus fluorescein angiography features of retinal capillary hemangioblastoma

The aim of this study is to compare the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) features of retinal capillary hemangioblastoma (RCH). This is an observational case series of three patients with von Hippel朙indau (VHL) disease and one patient with juxtapapillary RCH. All patients underwent FFA with a mydriatic fundus camera and OCTA with swept-source angio OCT. The FFA and OCTA characteristics of tumors were compared. In our series, FFA could identify tumors as small as the width of a third-order retinal artery, which was missed on clinical examination. OCTA identified these tiny tumors, but only those closer to the posterior pole. Both FFA and OCTA could identify the intrinsic vasculature and feeder vessel in juxtapapillary RCH. On OCTA, the tumors were better defined than in FFA. The depth of the lesion can be identified on OCTA. Feeder and the draining vessels could be identified precisely in OCTA than FFA, particularly in small tumors. OCTA can identify tumors in VHL missed on clinical examination. It can identify the feeder vessel and intrinsic vasculature of sessile juxtapapillary RCH and aids in its diagnosis. Tumors are better defined in OCTA than FFA due to the absence of leakage. However, FFA can identify nearly all the early tumors, but OCTA fails to image the peripheral tumors due to its smaller field and prolonged acquisition time. Technological advances and the development of wide-field OCTA in the future can be helpful in identifying all the unsuspected tumors in VHL disease.

Estimation of high sensitivity C‑reactive protein in patients with periodontal disease and without coronary artery disease.

Background: HsCRP (Highly sensitive C reactive protein) is a global indicator for future vascular events in adults detected in blood stream 48 hours before the cardiovascular event. Periodontal disease may increase blood levels of inflammatory markers like IL-6, CRP and HsCRP. Hence the aim of the present study is to evaluate the presence of elevated HsCRP levels in chronic periodontitis patients. Material and Methods: 100 patients who reported for cardiac master health check up were enrolled in the study. The periodontal status was assessed using periodontal probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. The decayed, missing and filled tooth was recorded using DMFT index. The venous samples of these patients were obtained for recording HsCRP levels. Results: Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between HsCRP level and probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and DMFT. The correlation value was 0.051, 0.025 and 0.101 respectively, the correlation is statistically significant for probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level (P>0.05). Chi- square test was performed to study the association between gender and HsCRP, Diabetes Mellitus and HsCRP and Hypertension and HsCRP; the results showed that there is no significant association between any of the above mentioned factors and HsCRP level in blood. Conclusions: We found an increased level of HsCRP in patients with chronic periodontitis which revealed the susceptibility of these patients to cardiac diseases like myocardial infarction and stroke. Hence present day focus in the line of management of cardiac patient has changed from the periodontal perspective.

Vitamin A as a key regulator of obesity & its associated disorders: Evidences from an obese rat model.

During the last century, vitamin A has evolved from its classical role as a fat-soluble vitamin and attained the status of para-/autocrine hormone. Besides its well-established role in embryogenesis, growth and development, reproduction and vision, vitamin A has also been implicated in several other physiological processes. Emerging experimental evidences emphasize adipose tissue as an active endocrine organ with great propensity to continuous growth (throughout life). Due to various genetic and lifestyle factors, excess energy accumulates in adipose tissue as fat, resulting in obesity and other complications such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shed light on vitamin A metabolites; retinaldehyde and retinoic acid and participation of their pathway proteins in the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism and thus, obesity. In this context, we discuss here some of our important findings, which establish the role of vitamin A (supplementation) in obesity and its associated disorders by employing an obese rat model; WNIN/Ob strain.

Epstein-Barr virus as a possible etiologic agent in primary central nervous system lymphoma in immunocompetent individuals.

BACKGROUND: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) occurs in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals. The role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in immunosuppressed individuals but its role is not established in immunocompetent individuals. AIMS: To study the possible role of EBV in PCNSL in immunocompetent individuals. SETTING AND DESIGN: Retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with PCNSL were studied immunohistochemically with antibodies to CD45, CD20, CD3 and EBV latent membrane protein-1 (EBV LMP-1). In situ hybridization was done in 19 patients where enough tissue was available using a specific oligonucleotide probe for EBV-Early RNA (EBER). RESULTS: All the patients were immunocompetent and mean age was 41.6 years. Histologically they were diffuse large cell lymphoma: 25 (83.3%) were B cell, 1(3.3%) was T cell and 4 (13.3%) were unclassified. EBV LMP-1 showed variable membrane and cytoplasmic positivity in 24 (80%) patients. In situ hybridization for EBER was negative in all the 19 patients studied. CONCLUSION: In this region of the world probably EBV has no etiologic role in PCNSL in immunocompetent individuals.

Congenital retinoschisis: successful collapse with photocoagulation.

We report a case of progressive congenital retinoschis is where the schisis cavity collapsed following argon laser photocoagulation. Despite reports to the contrary, we feel that in the absence of significant vitreous or inner layer traction, photocoagulation applied as light burns in the schisis cavity may be beneficial in collapsing the cavity. Whether or not this collapse of the schisis cavity reduces the risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is unclear.

Blood anticoagulant sulphated polysaccharides of the marine green algae Codium dwarkense (Boergs.) and C. tomentosum (Huds.) Stackh.

Cold water extracts of marine green algae Codium dwarkense and C. tomentosum were precipitated with different molar concentrations of KCl and were subjected to anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Both the species yielded sulphated arabinan through bioassay-guided purification and both were chemically identified as a polymer of alpha-L-arabinofuranose. Products were assayed for their blood anticoagulant activity using PT, APFT and TT tests and found that they differed in the potency of activity though they are chemically identical. Bioassay-guided purification of cold water extract of C. tomentosum yielded sulphated arabinan and sulphated arabinogalactan.

Genetic profile of 81 retinoblastoma patients from a referral hospital in southern India.

PURPOSE: To determine chromosomal abnormalities and inheritance pattern in patients with retinoblastoma from a referral hospital in southern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-one retinoblastoma patients from 78 families were included in this study. Peripheral venous blood was taken for chromosomal analysis and pedigree was ascertained for segregation analysis. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1.7:1, 55.56% were bilateral retinoblastoma, the mean age of onset was 12.37 months in bilateral and 33.07 months in unilateral cases (p=0.048). Majority (90.12%) had sporadic inheritance and 6.17% had autosomal dominant inheritance. In chromosomal abnormalities, 8.33% had 13q14 deletion, three cases had de novo balanced translocations. CONCLUSION: The age of onset of the disease was much earlier in the bilateral cases compared to unilateral cases. Sporadic inheritance was predominant while only a small percentage of patients had autosomal dominant inheritance. The percentage of patients with 13q14 deletion was higher than reported in the literature and three novel chromosomal translocations were observed. This is one of the largest series of cases reported from India.

Retinal pigment epithelial tears associated with idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy.

Two patients with idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy with retinal pigment epithelial tears are described.

Surgery for stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity: the learning curve and evolving technique.

PURPOSE: To describe our experience with management of eyes with stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: Closed vitreoretinal surgery was done on 96 eyes of patients with stage 5 ROP. Lens was sacrificed in all but one eye. Surgery involved an attempt to clear all preretinal tissue and open the peripheral trough all round. In most instances bimanual surgery under viscoelastic was performed. RESULTS: At last follow up, anatomical success (defined as attached posterior pole) was achieved in 22.5% cases. Significant postoperative problems included reproliferation and secondary glaucoma. Only two infants obtained mobile vision. CONCLUSION: Late identification of disease, lack of prior treatment such as laser or cryo, and higher incidence of narrow-narrow funnel configuration were responsible for the poor surgical results noted in this series. The poor surgical and functional results reemphasize the need for prompt screening and management of infants at risk.

Diffuse malignant melanoma of the choroid simulating metastatic tumour in the choroid.

We report a case of diffuse choroidal melanoma in a 51-year-old patient presenting as a yellow subretinal mass with secondary retinal detachment. This case highlights the diagnostic difficulty in such cases.

pH-adjusted periocular anaesthesia for primary vitreoretinal surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of pH-adjusted bupivacaine in conjunction with medial orbital periconal block (periocular anaesthesia). METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients undergoing primary vitreoretinal surgery were enrolled prospectively. RESULTS: Adequate anaesthesia and akinesia with no intraoperative supplementation was achieved in 53 eyes (88.3%). Factors influencing intraoperative supplementation were combined vitrectomy with scleral buckling (p = 0.005) and duration of surgery of more than 2 hours (p = 0.001). No ocular or systemic complication resulted. CONCLUSION: pH-adjusted periocular anaesthesia is safe and effective in patients undergoing primary vitreoretinal surgery.

Bisected macula following retrobulbar steroid injection.

A case of bilateral accidental globe penetration during administration of retrobulbar steroid for bilateral optic neuritis is discussed. One eye with bisected macula was managed successfully by vitrectomy, internal gas tamponade, and postoperative laser to the edges of the retinal tear. The fellow eye was blind due to central retinal artery occlusion.

Current concepts in the management of adult intraocular tumours.

The management of intraocular tumours has come a long way since the days when enucleation was the only modality of treatment available to the ophthalmologist. Despite the fact that enucleation is still necessary in certain situations, the emphasis is currently on conservative management, thereby saving the eye and some amount of useful vision wherever possible. This review highlights the current trends in the management of adult intraocular tumours with emphasis on newer diagnostic modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and fine needle aspiration biopsy. Only those tumours that are most likely to be seen in clinical practice are included.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of intraocular mass lesions.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was done in 5 patients who reported with atypical clinical presentation of intraocular tumour. The procedure was useful in 4 out of 5 cases and was without complications. With close co-operation between ophthalmologist and pathologist, FNAB is an useful adjunct for accurate diagnosis in selected patients.