Efficacy of intravitreal injections of melphalan in the treatment of retinoblastoma vitreous seeding.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of intravitreal injections of melphalan (IVIM) has significantly improved the efficacy of retinoblastoma treatment and the prognosis for eye preservation. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of using IVIM to treat retinoblastoma vitreous seeding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a clinical, retrospective, single-center study. Twenty-six children (27 eyes) who met all of the following inclusion criteria qualified for the study: 1) active vitreous seeding at the time of retinoblastoma diagnosis; 2) IVIM performed between 1 January 2017 and 30 September 2020; and 3) a minimum follow-up period of 12 months since the last IVIM. Doses of 20-40 µg melphalan per injection were used. RESULTS: The eye observation period from the last IVIM to the last ophthalmic examination averaged 32.41 months (median 30.00; range 13.00-56.00). Success (no active tumors in the vitreous body) was achieved in 24 eyes (88.9%), and a doubtful result (recurrence in the retina with a difficult-to-determine etiology) in 2 eyes (7.4%). In 1 eye (3.7%), despite treatment, active tumors were still present in the vitreous body. Out of all 27 eyes, 4 eyeballs were removed, but the direct cause of enucleation was not vitreous seeding. There were no complications in the form of intraocular inflammation, extraocular retinoblastoma or distant metastases. There was 1 case of anterior uveitis and 1 case of cataract. CONCLUSIONS: The IVIM is a highly effective and safe form of treatment for retinoblastoma vitreous seeding.

[Retrospective evaluation of risk factors for graft rejection in patients after corneal transplantation performed at the Eye Clinic in the years 2001-2003]. / Retrospektywna ocena czynników ryzyka choroby przeszczepu u pacjentow po przeszczepie rogówki wykonanym w Klinicznym Szpitalu Okulistycznym w latach 2001-2003.

The aim of the study was retrospective evaluation of risk factors for graft rejection in patients after corneal transplantation performed in Department of Ophthalmology in years 2001-2003. 349 cases of penetrating keratoplasty, lamellar, or penetrating with limbal graft, were analyzed. Deep stromal vascularization, anterior synechiae, the use of topical glaucoma medications, previous inflammations in anterior segment of the eye and surgical procedures were evaluated. Period from transplantation to rejection, number of relapses of rejection and changes of visual acuity were also estimated. Corneal graft rejection occurred more frequently in patients with one or more risk factors, particularly deep stromal vascularization, the use of topical glaucoma medications and in young age.

[Risk factors for encapsulated filtering bleb after trabeculectomy--own experience]. / Czynniki ryzyka rozwiniecia sie cysty pecherzyka filtracyjnego po operacji trabekulektomii w materiale wlasnym.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of encapsulated filtering bleb at patients after trabeculectomy. We analyzed risk factors, prognosis and treatment in cases of this complication. All 857 cases of trabeculectomies performed in Department of Ophthalmology of Medical University of Warsaw in years 2001-2003 were included in the study. Twenty two cases (2.5% of all trabeculectomies) of encapsulated filtering bleb were analyzed. Twenty patients (91%) underwent surgery procedure and two patients (9%) were treated medically. The encapsulated filtering blebs occurred mainly in patients after previous ocular surgery, in eyes with episodes of earlier ocular inflammation and in patients treated with many antiglaucoma drops.