Experience of selective intra-arterial chemotherapy for Retinoblastoma.

This study determined the outcomes of selective intraarterial chemotherapy (IAC) for the treatment of Retinoblastoma in Pakistan. Single centre, prospective, interventional case series of three consecutive eyes were diagnosed as unilateral Retinoblastoma. Patients underwent IAC with Melphalan (0.5mg/kg) at Lahore General Hospital from July 2017 to January 2018. Selective ophthalmic arterial infusion was carried out in all 3 cases. Patients were evaluated on 1st, 3rd and 10th postoperative day and then at 4 weeks interval, till date. Among three eyes, 2(66.6%) were of stage C and 1(33.3%) of stage D. After 3 cycles of intra-arterial chemotherapy, full regression of the lesion was observed in all the eyes (100%). Complete regression and calcification of tumour was seen in 1 (33.3%) eye at 1 month post-treatment and 2 eyes at 2 months post-treatment. Globe was preserved in all 3 (100%) cases. Notable complications included eyelid oedema, orbital congestion and skin hyperaemia. None of the patients had any systemic side effects. Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) is an effective modality for the treatment of Retinoblastoma and it plays a cardinal role in preservation of integrity of the globe.

Customized disposable kit versus a conventional stainless steel instrument for an intravitreal injection: A comparison.

Comparison of a customized disposable kit with a conventional stainless steel instrument was performed for an intravitreal injection. A total of 2700 eyes of 2250 patients were enrolled in two groups. Comfort level of the patients was assessed using a 'Pain Scale' and any post intravitreal injection complications were examined clinically by a slit lamp biomicroscopy. Surgeon's ease was assessed by a questionnaire. In group A, no pain was recorded in 1231(82.06%) eyes, mild pain was d escribed in 184(12.27%), moderate pain was documented in 78 (5.2%) while, severe pain was noticed in 7(0.47%). In group B, no pain was seen in 1014(84.5%), mild pain was present in 123(10.25%), moderate pain was perceived in 58 (4.83%) while, severe pain was recorded in 5 (0.42%). With respect to surgeon's ease, 6 out of the 7 surgeons found the kit to be more convenient and cost effective as compared to the conventional instruments. Disposable intravitreal kit is beneficial for both the patients as well as the surgeons.

Frequency of post-operative hypotony after 23-gauge transconjunctival vitrectomy with locally made instruments.

The objective of this study was to discern the frequency of post-operative hypotony after 23-gauge vitrectomy with locally made instruments. This study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore from July 2012 to June 2016. A total of 300 patients underwent 23-gauge pars-plana vitrectomy. Locally made 23-gauge trocar cannula system was used in all the patients. Post-operative Intraocular Pressure(IOP) was measured using Goldman Applanation Tonometer on the first post-operative day. IOP of less than 06mmHg was termed as hypotonic. In our study, mean post-operative intraocular pressure was recorded as 8.32±3.04mmHg and frequency of post-operative hypotony after 23-guage vitrectomy with locally made instruments reveals 10.67% (n=32) while 89.33% (n=268) had no findings of hypotony. We concluded that the frequency of post-operative hypotony after 23-gauge vitrectomy with locally made instruments is slightly higher when compared with other studies and this instrument can be used for further surgeries.

Incidence of acute endophthalmitis after office based intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

The burden of intravitreal injections has increased tremendously over the past few years. Since traditionally the operation theatre setup is currently used for this procedure, it is increasingly becoming difficult to manage such a patient load in the theatres. To overcome this challenge, office-based setup for intravitreal injection was started. This study was planned to determine the incidence of endophthalmitis after office-based intravitreal bevacizumab injection and to compare it with previously reported incidence of endophthalmitis after operation theatre-based intravitreal injections. The study was conducted at Al-Ehsan Eye Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from July 2015 to June 2016, and comprised patients who received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin) for different ocular indications. A total of 1,047 intravitreal injections were given in an office-based set-up. Of them, 2(0.19%) cases of clinically suspected endophthalmitis were identified. Office-based set-up for intravitreal bevacizumab injection was found to have comparable safety profile with traditional operation theatre-based set-up.

Comparison of Topical Versus Peribulbar Anesthesia for 23G Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of topical anesthesia versus peribulbar anesthesia for 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Ophthalmology Department, Lahore General Hospital, Ameer-ud-Din Medical College, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore from April 2013 to March 2016. METHODOLOGY: A total of 110 patients were equally divided (n=55) in group A (topical anesthesia) and group B (peribulbar anesthesia). In group A, pledget soaked with 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride were placed in the superior and inferior fornices three minutes before surgery, and removed just before surgery. For group B patients, 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine was used for peribulbar anesthesia three minutes before surgery. Surgical time was noted from the placement of pledget in fornix till the eye pad placed in group A, and from the time of peribulbar anesthesia in group B till the eye pad placed at the end of surgery. All data was recorded in Excel sheet and p-values were calculated using online OpenEpi. RESULTS: The mean age of the patient was 56.28 ±13.76 years. Male patients were 78 (70.9%) and female patients were 32 (29.1%). Mean duration of surgery was 30.32 ±7.07 minutes and mean pain score was 2.30 ±0.98. There was a significant difference with respect to mean duration of surgery in patients who were given topical anesthesia (32.52 ±6.92 minutes) versus those given peribulbar anesthesia (28.12 ±6.57 minutes, p<0.001). Mean pain score in topical anesthesia group (3.11 ±0.89) was significantly higher as compared to peribulbar anesthesia group (2.67 ±0.91, p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Topical anesthesia is as effective as peribulbar anesthesia in terms of patient comfort and duration of surgery for 23-G pars plana vitrectomy in patients with vitreous hemorrhage.

Pseudotumour of spleen.

A 57 years female presented with complaints of pain in the left hypochondrium and fever for 4 weeks. A single firm preoperative diagnosis could not be made in this lady. At exploration, spleen was enlarged with a lobulated mass at the hilum. Splenectomy was done and patient made an uneventful recovery. The histopathological report of resected specimen of spleen was inflammatory pseudotumour of spleen. The clinical, radiological and pathological features of previously reported cases are reviewed in this case report.