Aqueous Humor Analysis in Overlapping Clinical Diagnosis of Cytomegalovirus and Rubella Virus Anterior Uveitis.

Background and Objectives: A cross-sectional single-center study was conducted to investigate the etiology in hypertensive anterior uveitis whose clinical features are not fully distinctive from cytomegalovirus or from rubella virus and to demonstrate the possible coexistence of both these viruses in causing anterior uveitis. Materials and Methods: The clinical charts of a cohort of patients with hypertensive viral anterior uveitis of uncertain origin consecutively seen in a single center from 2019 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed; data on the clinical features, aqueous polymerase chain reaction, and antibody response to cytomegalovirus and rubella virus were collected. Results: Forty-three eyes of as many subjects with viral anterior uveitis of uncertain origin were included. Thirty-two patients had an aqueous polymerase chain reaction or antibody index positive to cytomegalovirus only, while 11 cases had an aqueous antibody response to both cytomegalovirus and rubella virus. This latter overlapping group had a statistically significant higher rate of hypochromia and anterior vitritis (p-value: 0.02 and < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The simultaneous presence of intraocular antibodies against cytomegalovirus and rubella virus could redefine the differential diagnosis of hypertensive viral anterior uveitis, demonstrating a possible "converged" immune pathway consisting in a variety of stimuli.

One-port vs. three-port diagnostic vitrectomy for posterior segment diseases of unknown origin.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and the effectiveness of one-port vs. three-port diagnostic vitrectomy in undiagnosed cases of posterior segment inflammation. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 80 consecutive diagnostic vitrectomies performed using a one-port (n = 40) or a three-port approach (n = 40). Cases of suspected postoperative endophthalmitis were not included in the study. Several variables were compared among groups, including length of surgery, postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), diagnostic success and surgical complications. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery was shorter in the one-port group when compared to the three-port group (15 ± 8 min vs. 49 ± 30; p = 0.0001). The patients were observed for a mean follow-up of 19 months (range 1-84). In the one-port group, the mean BCVA improved from 1.31 ± 0.96 to 0.57 ± 0.59 logarithm of minimum resolution (LogMAR) (p = 0.0009). In the three-port group, BCVA improved from 0.98 ± 0.76 to 0.51 ± 0.76 LogMAR (p = 0.0005). The difference in mean postoperative BCVA between groups was not significative at the last follow-up. One-port vitrectomy yields to a final diagnosis in 80% of the cases, and three-port vitrectomy in 48%. Most of the one-port vitrectomies were carried out under topical anesthesia. After surgery, in both groups three eyes developed a retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, the one-port diagnostic vitrectomy has proven to be as effective and safe as the three-port approach, allowing a reduction in surgical times. One-port diagnostic vitrectomy might be considered as the first option for those cases where more complex surgical procedures are not needed.

Primary extra-uterine and extra-ovarian mullerian adenosarcoma: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Extra-uterine mullerian adenosarcomas have varying biological behaviours depending on the presence of endometriosis or sarcomatous overgrowth. These behaviours manifest according to the tumours' histological characteristics and sites of origin. The best treatment and oncologic outcome have not been clarified because only a few cases of extra-uterine and extra-ovarian adenosarcoma have been described in the literature. Here, we report a case of primary peritoneal adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth and review all reported cases of adenosarcomas arising outside of the uterus and outside the ovaries to identify the best treatment options and clarify outcomes. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old woman was referred to our Department with an abdominal mass resembling a fibroid with a haemorrhage. Her gynaecological history was negative. A transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound examination revealed a multicystic mass resembling an ovarian tumour arising from the pelvis and extending up to the abdomen. At laparotomy a peritoneal mass arising from Douglas peritoneum was resected. The uterus and adnexa appeared normal, and a supra-cervical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. No macroscopic residual disease was present. Final pathology diagnosed a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors with divergent differentiation. Four weeks later a new, multicystic mass was found. Due to the progressive poor condition, the patient died four months after diagnosis. Histological slides were reviewed by external expert pathologists and the final diagnosis was of extra-genital adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth. Furthermore, we also collected and analysed articles written in English regarding extra-uterine and extra-ovarian adenosarcomas published between January 1974 and October 2016. PubMed was used as a database for this search. Clinical and pathological characteristics, treatments and outcomes were assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Only 41 cases has been reported in literature. Previous endometriosis and sarcomatous overgrowth showed an inverse effect on prognosis. Endometriosis was confirmed to have a positive effect on disease free survival Complete surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment. A worldwide registry is urgently required to collect data to standardize treatment and to obtain reliable data on prognosis.

Lamellar macular holes: surgical outcome of 106 patients with long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To determine long-term results of vitrectomy for lamellar macular holes (LMH). To evaluate how the type of lamellar macular hole (tractional vs. degenerative) and the crystalline lens status might influence visual outcomes. METHODS: We collected data from 106 patients with symptomatic lamellar macular hole that underwent pars plana vitrectomy with membranectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography appearance were determined preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Most of the lamellar holes were of tractional type (65%). Mean follow-up after surgery was 36 months. Mean BCVA increased from 20/50 to 20/43 at 6 months and 20/33 at last follow-up visit (p < 0.001). Vision improved in 74 (70%), remained stable in 11 (10%), and decreased in 21 (20%) eyes. Subgroup analysis showed that visual acuity significantly increased in the tractional but not in the degenerative forms of LMH. Thirteen eyes lost two or more ETDRS lines after surgery. Preoperative phakic/pseudophakic status influenced the functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery may be effective in some subsets of patients with lamellar macular hole, but postoperative visual loss is not uncommon and prospective controlled studies are warranted.

Objective Quantification of Anterior Chamber Inflammation: Measuring Cells and Flare by Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography.

PURPOSE: To assess the ability of swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment (AS) to measure anterior chamber (AC) inflammation (both flare and cells) objectively. To compare OCT-derived inflammatory indices with standard techniques. DESIGN: Prospective evaluation of a diagnostic test. PARTICIPANTS: Patients diagnosed with anterior uveitis (active or inactive) and controls. METHODS: Participants underwent an AC inflammation evaluation including: clinical cell and flare grading and laser flare photometry (LFP). Uveitis patients were divided into active or inactive uveitis status according to clinical grading. Anterior segment SS-OCT scans were obtained for each participant. Tomographic images were analyzed to count the AC cells, and to calculate to absolute measurements of aqueous signal intensity. The absolute values were compared with the signal measured by the scan outside the eye, generating an optical density ratio (aqueous-to-air relative intensity [ARI] index). Correlations between OCT-derived AC inflammatory indexes and LFP, clinical grading, participant category (active or inactive uveitis, control), age, gender, and central corneal thickness (CCT) were assessed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation between OCT-derived AC inflammatory indexes (ARI index and AC cells on OCT) and standard clinical techniques (LFP, clinical cell grading). RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-seven eyes (70 active uveitis, 97 inactive uveitis, and 70 controls) were included. Anterior chamber cells count on OCT did not differ between inactive uveitis and controls, but was significantly higher in active uveitis compared to the other categories (both P < 0.0001). All groups had different LFP (all P < 0.0001). Active uveitis had significantly higher ARI index compared with inactive uveitis and controls (both P < 0.0001). Interobserver agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient) for ARI index was 0.78. The ARI index correlated positively with age (P = 0.043) and negatively with CCT (P = 0.006). The ARI index correlated with LFP in the active uveitis group (P < 0.0001), but not in the others. Anterior chamber cells on OCT increased among all cell clinical grades (P < 0.0001). The ARI index increased among all flare clinical grades (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior segment SS-OCT could be used for a comprehensive assessment of AC inflammation, providing objective measurements of inflammatory cells and aqueous flare.

Perceived social support and quality of life in endometrial cancer patients: a longitudinal study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the influence of medical history, perceived physician-patient communication, and perceived social support on changes in the quality of life (QoL) during the first year of follow-up in patients undergoing surgery for endometrial cancer (EC), the most prevalent gynecological cancer in Western countries, especially in Central and Eastern Europe and North America. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study included 98 EC patients. All participants completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) one month and one year after surgery. Additionally, one month after surgery, they responded to a questionnaire designed by the researchers concerning the key aspects of physician-patient communication. Results: Our findings revealed that patients reporting high social support one month after surgery demonstrated significantly improved emotional well-being (EWB) at both one month and one year after the surgery, with statistically significant higher scores in the dimension of EWB (p<0.05). The support from a significant other at one year correlates with greater PF (p<0.005), fewer limitations due to physical health (p<0.05), less pain (p<0.05), less fatigue (p<0.05), and better general and EWB (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study underscores the significance of perceived social support for patients cross endometrial cancer. The multifaceted nature of social support, encompassing emotional assistance and information sharing, emerges as a pivotal factor aiding patients in confronting the challenges inherent to EC. This form of support contributes to bolstering psychological well-being and enhancing overall QoL.

Anterior Vitreous Objective Assessment in Uveitis: An Anterior Segment Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

PURPOSE: To assess inflammatory changes in the anterior vitreous (AV) using a swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-ASOCT) and to correlate them with uveitis features and clinical grading of intraocular inflammation. METHODS: 140 eyes from 96 patients were included in this observational, cross-sectional study: 40 ACTIVE uveitis, 40 INACTIVE uveitis and 60 CONTROLS. All eyes underwent intraocular inflammation clinical grading (anterior chamber (AC) cells counting and vitreous haze evaluation) and AV imaging with SS-ASOCT. Cells seen in the AV on OCT were manually counted using imageJ. Vitreous reflectivity variation was indirectly measured by calculating the vitreous/iris pigment epithelium (VIT/IPE) relative intensity. These OCT-based parameters were compared across the groups and correlated with inflammation clinical grading. RESULTS: The mean [SD] number of AV OCT cells was significantly higher (both p < 0.001) in ACTIVE uveitis (12[9.8]) compared to INACTIVE uveitis (4.5[3.5]) and CONTROLS (4[3.1]). In ACTIVE uveitis the number of AV OCT cells was significantly and positively correlated with the AC cells (p = 0.04), the VIT/IPE relative intensity (p = 0.0002), the uveitis anatomical classification (INTERMEDIATE UVEITIS, p = 0.02) and the vitreous haze clinical grading (p < 0.0001). The mean[SD] VIT/IPE relative intensity of the AV increased from CONTROLS (0.12[0.01]) to INACTIVE uveitis (0.15[0.01]) to ACTIVE uveitis (0.17[0.02]), but with no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to visualize and objectively evaluate changes occurring in the AV in eyes with uveitis by means of a commercially available SS-ASOCT. OCT-cells in the AV could represent an adjunctive tool in the objective evaluation of intraocular inflammation.

ABO/Rh Blood Group and Cervical Cancer Survival: Results from Our Own and Other Studies.

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common genital cancer worldwide and is mainly caused by a persistent human papillomavirus infection. Well-known prognostic factors are age, histology, stage, stromal invasion, tumor size, and tumor grade. The relationship between the ABO and Rh system with cervical cancer has been studied since the 1950s, though without obtaining clear results. Here we investigated the association between the ABO blood group and Rh system and consecutively treated cervical cancer patients in our department. Methods: Clinical charts of cervical cancer patients treated and followed from 2010 to 2021 were checked for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical and pathological data were recorded in a separate, anonymous, password-protected electronic database. All relevant data were extrapolated and used for final analysis. Results: A population of 143 cervical cancer patients was analyzed in this study. 47.6% (68/143) were blood group O, 36.4% (52/143) were blood group A, 8.4% (12/143) were blood group AB, and 7.7% (11/143) were blood group B. 14.9% (21/141) were RhD negative, while 85.1% (120/141) were RhD positive. No significant association was found between the ABO group and survival. However, patients with blood types B and AB had a higher BMI than the other blood types. RhD-negative patients exhibited a lower age at diagnosis (P=0.035) and had a higher overall survival compared to RhD-positive patients. Conclusions: The RhD factor appears to influence cervical cancer OS, but the data are too weakly significant to draw a definitive conclusion. Further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm this finding and to investigate the true impact of blood groups in female cancers.

Trends in cervical cancer: A decade­long analysis of incidence, survival and demographic disparities in a Northern Italian province.

While cervical cancer is relatively uncommon in Western countries, it continues to pose significant concern due to its high mortality rates. Intraepithelial forms [cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 and CIN 3] are more prevalent in regions with comprehensive screening coverage, particularly in areas that use the Papanicolaou test and HPV detection. The present study aims to characterize the trends of precancerous lesions and infiltrating tumors over a decade, assessing survival rates by age, stage and country of origin. A total of 1,752 CIN 2/3 lesions and 152 infiltrating cancers were recorded in the Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry between January 2008 and December 2018. A clear increase in CIN 2/3 lesions was observed over the years while infiltrating tumors remained rare and the numbers of cancer cases declined. The 5-year survival rate was found to be 67%, with survival closely correlated with stage (88, 82, 74 and 12% for stages I, II, III and IV, respectively) and age (84, 80 and 37% for ages <40, 40-65 and 65+, respectively). Multivariable analysis confirmed an excess risk for advanced stages III (HR 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-7.3) and IV (HR 19.6; 95% CI, 8.2-46.7), as well as in women 65+ (HR 2.8; 95% CI, 1.0-8.1). Analysis of national origins revealed comparable stage distribution for Italians and non-Italians at stage I (41 vs. 47%), while a notable disparity emerged for stage IV (28 vs. 6%). This difference could be attributed to the average age of Italians compared to non-Italians (59 vs. 49 years). Overall, the present study underscored the importance of continued surveillance and intervention strategies targeting advanced-stage disease, particularly in older populations and among non-Italian patients. Efforts to enhance screening coverage and access to timely interventions remain critical in reducing the burden of cervical cancer and improving survival outcomes.

Posner-Schlossman Syndrome European Study Group: study protocol and baseline patients characteristics of a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the Posner-Schlossman Syndrome European Study Group (PSS-ESG) is to acquire a comprehensive dataset of European patients with PSS. Here, we present the first report on the study protocol and the clinical findings of the patients at baseline. METHODS: The PSS-ESG is a retrospective, multicentre study designed to evaluate patients with PSS. The study, designed and driven by a European Expert Committee includes three datasets: (1) the baseline, (2) the follow-up and (3) the intraocular pressure (IOP)/glaucoma dataset. RESULTS: A total of 11 centres adhered to the PSS-ESG and 107 patients were included (68 males, 39 females) mostly Caucasian (93.4%). At uveitis onset, the patient's age ranged between 11 and 76 years, (mean age: 42±15 years).Best-corrected visual acuity was >0.5 in 80.3% of the eyes, IOP was >40 mm Hg in 44% of the eyes. Keratic precipitates were found in 78.5% of the eyes. No flare or cells in anterior chamber were detected in 56% and 53% of the cases, respectively. PCR analysis on aqueous sample was positive for cytomegalovirus-DNA in 50.6% out of the 81 tested patients. CONCLUSIONS: The PSS-ESG is the first multicentre study aimed to collect a comprehensive dataset of patients with PSS in non-Asian countries. A middlde-aged Caucasian male with a low-grade anterior chamber inflammation, keratic precipitates, preserved visual acuity and marked increased in IOP seemed to be the standard PSS patient across the 11 uveitis and glaucoma centres participating in the PSS-ESG.

Primary Ovarian Leiomyosarcoma Is a Very Rare Entity: A Narrative Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma is a very rare malignancy characterized by unclear management and poor survival. We reviewed all the cases of primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma to identify prognostic factors and the best treatment. METHODS: We collected and analyzed the articles published in the English literature regarding primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma from January 1951 to September 2022, using PubMed research. Clinical and pathological characteristics, different treatments and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: 113 cases of primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma were included. Most patients received surgical resection, associated with lymphadenectomy in 12.5% of cases. About 40% of patients received chemotherapy. Follow-up information was available for 100/113 (88.5%) patients. Stage and mitotic count were confirmed to affect survival, and lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy were associated with a better survival rate. A total of 43.4% of patients relapsed, and their mean disease-free survival was 12.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Primary ovarian leiomyosarcomas are more common in women in their 50s (mean age 53 years). Most of them are at an early stage at presentation. Advanced stage and mitotic count showed a detrimental effect on survival. Surgical excision associated with lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy are associated with increased survival. An international registry could help collect clear and reliable data to standardize the diagnosis and treatment.

Optical Coherence Tomography in Inflammatory and Neoplastic Lesions Deforming the Choroidal Profile.

The choroid is the main part of the uvea, the vascular layer of the eye that lies between the retina and the sclera. The high vascular component of the choroid makes this structure susceptible to inflammation in multisystemic diseases, as well as the most common site of metastasis in the eye. Therefore, the choroid is involved in many pathological conditions, from uveitis to intraocular tumors. Differentiating between inflammatory and neoplastic lesions deforming the choroidal profile can sometimes be challenging. In addition, scleral disorders can also deform the choroidal profile. Choroidal imaging includes ophthalmic ultrasonography, indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Recent advances in choroidal imaging techniques, such as enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), have facilitated an in-depth analysis of the choroid. The purpose of this review article is to report on and highlight the most common OCT findings to help in the differential diagnosis between inflammatory and neoplastic lesions deforming the choroidal profile.

Optimizing Outcomes through a Multidisciplinary Team Approach in Endometrial Cancer.

This study aimed to assess the impact of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach on outcomes with endometrial cancer (EC) patients, utilizing 2013-2020 data from the Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry. Recurrence rate, treatments, and outcome indicators were compared between the MDT (319 cases) and non-MDT (324 cases) groups. Among 643 cases, 52.4% were over 65 years old, 98% had microscopic confirmation, and 73% were in stage I. Surgery was performed in 89%, with 41% receiving adjuvant therapies. Recurrence rates (10%) were similar between the two groups, but MDT patients who were older and predominantly in stage I exhibited 79% recurrence within one year (21% in the non-MDT group). Disease-free survival (DFS) showed no significant difference [HR 1.1; 95% CI 0.7-1.6], while differences in overall survival (OS) were notable [HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.4]. The 5-year OS rates were 87% and 79% in the MDT and non-MDT groups. Comparing the 2013-2015 to 2016-2020 study periods, a shift towards caring for older women, more advanced-stage patients, and those residing outside the metropolitan area, along with a greater number of relapsed cases (from 16% to 76%), were accounted for. These findings underscore the impact of an MDT on EC outcomes, highlighting the evolving patient demographics over time.

Impact of 2 years of COVID-19 pandemic on ovarian cancer treatment in IRCCS-AUSL of Reggio Emilia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess compliance with the 2019 regional recommendation to centralize epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients and to assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the quality of care for EOC patients. METHODS: We compared data from EOC patients treated before the introduction of the 2019 regional recommendation (2018-2019) with data obtained from EOC patients treated after the regional recommendation was adopted during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). Data were retrieved from the Optimal Ovarian Cancer Pathway records. R software version 4.1.2 (the R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: 251 EOC patients were centralized. The number of EOC patients centralized increased from 2% to 49% despite the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery. There was an improvement in the percentage of Stage III patients without gross residual disease following both primary and interval debulking surgery. The percentage of EOC cases discussed by the multidisciplinary tumor board (MTB) increased from 66% to 89% of cases. CONCLUSION: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, centralization has increased and the quality of care has been preserved thanks to the MTB.

Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Processing of Anterior Segment OCT Images in the Diagnosis of Vitreoretinal Lymphoma.

Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) allows the explore not only the anterior chamber but also the front part of the vitreous cavity. Our cross-sectional single-centre study investigated whether AS-OCT can distinguish between vitreous involvement due to vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) and vitritis in uveitis. We studied AS-OCT images from 28 patients (11 with biopsy-proven VRL and 17 with differential diagnosis uveitis) using publicly available radiomics software written in MATLAB. Patients were divided into two balanced groups: training and testing. Overall, 3260/3705 (88%) AS-OCT images met our defined quality criteria, making them eligible for analysis. We studied five different sets of grey-level samplings (16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 levels), finding that 128 grey levels performed the best. We selected the five most effective radiomic features ranked by the ability to predict the class (VRL or uveitis). We built a classification model using the xgboost python function; through our model, 87% of eyes were correctly diagnosed as VRL or uveitis, regardless of exam technique or lens status. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) in the 128 grey-level model were 0.95 [CI 0.94, 0.96] and 0.84 for training and testing datasets, respectively. This preliminary retrospective study highlights how AS-OCT can support ophthalmologists when there is clinical suspicion of VRL.

Ovarian Cancer in a Northern Italian Province and the Multidisciplinary Team.

Ovarian cancer represents one of the most aggressive female cancers in the world, remaining a tumor with high lethality. This study aims to present how a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach can improve the prognosis in terms of recurrence and death of patients. In total, 448 ovarian cancer cases registered in an Italian Cancer Registry between 2012 and 2020 were included. Information on age, morphology, stage, and treatment was collected. Recurrence and death rates were reported 1 and 2 years after diagnosis, comparing MDT vs. non-MDT approaches. Ninety-three percent had microscopic confirmation, and most showed cystic-mucinous morphology. In total, 50% were older than 65 years old. The distribution by stage was 17.6%, 4%, 44.9%, and 32.6% for stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The women followed by the MDT were 24.1%. Disease-free survival 1-year post-diagnosis, recurrences, recurrences-deaths, and deaths were 67.5%, 14.5%, 8.4%, and 9.6%, respectively, better than the non-MDT group (46.2%, 13.2%, 20.8 %, and 19.8%, respectively) (p < 0.01). The same positive results were confirmed two years after diagnosis, particularly for stages III and IV. Albeit small numbers, the study confirms a better prognosis for women managed by MDT with fewer recurrences and deaths, especially within the first 24 months of diagnosis.

Effectiveness of Infliximab and Interferon Alpha-2a for the Treatment of Behçet's Uveitis: Customizing Therapy according to the Clinical Features.

PURPOSE: To report long term results of biologic treatment of severe and refractory Behçet's uveitis (BU) choosing a different biologic agent according to the uveitis clinical features. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of patients with BU refractory to conventional therapy, who received Interferon (IFN) alpha-2a or Infliximab (IFX) for at least 3 months. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included (mean age 29 ± 10 years, 63% males); Fifteen received IFN and 7 IFX, for a mean treatment period of 30 ± 24(SD) months. Twenty (90%) patients discontinued treatment, in most cases for complete remission (77%). Seven patients (32%) showed relapses during treatment and five (23%) after discontinuation. Visual acuity improved significantly in IFN group and all eyes showed a significant decrease in central macular thickness at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Both IFX and IFN Alpha-2a were effective and well tolerated in the treatment of refractory BU using a customized approach based on the uveitis features.

Efficacy of Rituximab Treatment in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease Poorly Controlled by Traditional Immunosuppressive Treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of Rituximab (RTX) therapy in patients affected by Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease poorly controlled by traditional immunosuppressive treatment. METHODS: Retrospective case series of recurrent VKH uveitis treated with intravenous RTX between January 2019 and November 2020. All patients were treated with intravenous RTX and underwent complete ophthalmic examination, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus photography, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) measurement on enhanced depth imaging optical-coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), fluorescein, and indocyanine green angiography. RESULTS: Five patients were included. All patients received at least 3 RTX infusions. Mean BCVA improved from 20/32 Snellen equivalent at baseline before RTX treatment to 20/28 Snellen equivalent (p = .008). Mean SFCT on EDI-OCT showed a reduction from 564.4 µm(SD = 176.2) to 280.0 µm(SD = 140.4) (p = .015). Follow-up ranged from 12 to 21 months, with a mean of 18.2 ± 3.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: In these case series, RTX was effective in VHK disease poorly controlled by traditional immunosuppressive treatment.