Basket versus balloon extraction for choledocholithiasis: a single center prospective single-blind randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is essential when dealing in patients with choledocholithiasis. However, the proper extraction device selection is, often, a matter of the endoscopists' preference. We conducted a single center prospective randomized controlled study to access success rates for basket versus balloon catheters for small stones. PATIENT AND METHODS: in our non-inferiority study, 180 patients with bile duct stones were randomized in a basket and a balloon catheter group. Inclusion criteria were fluoroscopically bile duct stones ≤10mm in diameter and a common bile duct diameter ≤15mm. The primary endpoint was the rate of complete bile duct clearance for each method. Secondary endpoints included time completed and amount of radiation dose recorded in each ERCP session, as well as any reported adverse events. RESULTS: balloon was non-inferior to basket stone extraction (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.12-10.05, p=0.031). Complete clearance was achieved in 69 out of 82 patients (84.1%) in the basket catheter group versus 79 out of 84 patients (94%) in the balloon catheter group (p=0.047) ; this seems to be especially true for patients with few stones and of small size (≤2 stones, p=0.043 and stone diameter ≤5mm, p=0.032). Complete stone clearance in the basket group patients took longer than that in the balloon group (4.52 and 4.06 min, respectively, p=0.015). Higher median radiation doses for stone clearance were recorded in the basket versus the balloon catheter group (1534.43 Gy versus 1245.45 Gy, p=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: our study showed that balloon was non-inferior to basket stone extraction.

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct : case report and review of the literature.

A variant of bile duct carcinoma, intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a rare disease mainly found in Eastern Asia which encompasses a spectrum of intraductal papillary growth occurring anywhere along the intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic biliary tree that carries a high potential for malignancy. We report the case of a patient with episodes of recurrent cholangitis that was diagnosed with IPNB, our clinical and diagnostic approach, the radiographic and endoscopic findings, the interventions used, while discussing the therapeutic options.

Gastroesophageal junction and gastroesophageal junction carcinoma : a short update.

Cancer of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), although rare, is now considered a separate entity with a distinct pathophysiological and molecular profile. Although much progress has been made over the past decades in delineating the multiple environmental and genetic pathways involved GEJ carcinoma, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying disease initiation and progression are still poorly understood. This is of paramount importance for the treating physician as the disease bears a poor therapeutic response. This review defines the GEJ and types of GEJ carcinoma, and provides useful insight in its pathophysiology. Future aspects include better understanding of GEJ oncogenesis, early detection of precursor lesions, the use of biomarkers and targeted therapy (through molecular profiling) so as to increase overall survival. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2016, 79, 471-479).

The role of DAB2IP in androgen receptor activation during prostate cancer progression.

Altered androgen-receptor (AR) expression and/or constitutively active AR are commonly associated with prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Targeting AR remains a focal point for designing new strategy of PCa therapy. Here, we have shown that DAB2IP, a novel tumor suppressor in PCa, can inhibit AR-mediated cell growth and gene activation in PCa cells via distinct mechanisms. DAB2IP inhibits the genomic pathway by preventing AR nuclear translocation or phosphorylation and suppresses the non-genomic pathway via its unique functional domain to inactivate c-Src. Also, DAB2IP is capable of suppressing AR activation in an androgen-independent manner. In addition, DAB2IP can inhibit several AR splice variants showing constitutive activity in PCa cells. In DAB2IP(-/-) mice, the prostate gland exhibits hyperplastic epithelia, in which AR becomes more active. Consistently, DAB2IP expression inversely correlates with AR activation status particularly in recurrent or metastatic PCa patients. Taken together, DAB2IP is a unique intrinsic AR modulator in normal cells, and likely can be further developed into a therapeutic agent for PCa.

Therapeutic combination of radiofrequency surgical dissection and oral acitretin in the management of perianal Buschke-Lowenstein tumour: a case report.

Giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA), or Buschke-Löwenstein tumour (BLT), is a rare large tumour of the anogenital area. It is caused by human papillomavirus genotypes 6 and 11, and it is characterized by aggressive local invasion and frequent recurrences after treatment. Treatment of choice is radical excision, although chemotherapy and radiation are also used in special cases. We report a case of a young man with anogenital GCA, presenting with a large perianal mass and pain during defaecation. The patient was treated by surgical removal of almost the entirety of the mass, using radiofrequency surgical dissection. The concurrent use of oral acitretin for the treatment of erythrodermic psoriasis led to elimination of the remaining disease. The patient remains free of disease 26 months after the end of treatment.

The role of wireless capsule endoscopy in investigating unexplained iron deficiency anemia after negative endoscopic evaluation of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract.

INTRODUCTION: Despite undergoing standard endoscopic diagnostic evaluation with eosophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy, up to 30% of patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) have no definitive diagnosis. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the role of wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) in detecting lesions of the small bowel in patients with unexplained IDA after a negative endoscopic work-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1 December 2003 and 31 December 2004, 253 consecutive patients who had been referred because of unexplained IDA underwent eosophagogastroduodenoscopy with small-bowel biopsies and ileocolonoscopy. Endoscopic and histological investigations were negative in 51 of these patients (20.2%) and WCE was performed. Air double-contrast enteroclysis was performed following WCE in all these patients. RESULTS: Wireless capsule endoscopy revealed one or more small-bowel lesions that were considered to be a likely cause of the IDA in 29/51 patients (57%): angiodysplasias in twelve patients (23.5%), multiple jejunal and/or ileal ulcers in six patients (11.7%), multiple erosions in four patients (7.8%), a solitary ulcer in three patients (5.9%), polyps in two patients (3.9%), and tumors in two patients (3.9%). Enteroclysis revealed abnormal findings likely to cause IDA in only 6/51 patients (11.8%): multiple ileal ulcers in three patients (5.9%), tumors in two patients (3.9%), and polyps in one patient (1.9%) (enteroclysis VS. WCE, P < 0.0001). WCE revealed all of the radiographic findings and no adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the importance of investigating the small bowel with WCE in patients with unexplained IDA after negative standard endoscopic evaluation. Wireless capsule endoscopy is superior to enteroclysis for detecting lesions of the small bowel in patients with unexplained IDA and should be the next diagnostic test of choice after unremarkable standard endoscopic evaluation.

Capsule endoscopy; the cumulative experience from its use in 193 patients with suspected small bowel disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study presents our cumulative clinical experience from the use of wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) in a large series of Greek patients with suspected small bowel (SB) diseases. METHODOLOGY: Over an 18-month period, 193 patients were evaluated with WCE for suspected SB diseases [108 obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, 32 chronic diarrhea, 22 suspected and 6 diagnosed Crohn's disease, 16 abdominal pain, 4 refractory celiac disease, 3 polyposis syndromes, 1 Rendu-Osler-Weber disease and 1 Behcet disease]. All patients had undergone upper GI endoscopy and total colonoscopy. WCE findings were characterized as specific or non-specific, depending on whether the patient's signs and symptoms could be sufficiently attributed to them or not. RESULTS: One or more abnormal findings were detected in 161/193 (83%) patients; these were classified as specific in 91/193 (47%). The diagnostic yield of WCE (in terms of specific findings) was significantly higher when evaluating patients with obscure GI bleeding, compared to chronic diarrhea (52% vs. 25%, respectively, p=0.013, 95% CI: 1.33-7.83). Among obscure GI bleeders, specific findings were significantly more in the group of overt rather than occult bleeders (66% vs. 42% respectively, p=0.026, 95% CI: 1.19-5.88). In patients referred for diagnosed or suspected Crohn's disease, WCE findings were compatible with the diagnosis in 5/6 cases (83%) and in 8/22 cases (36%), respectively. In 9 more patients from other groups with a negative previous diagnostic work-up, WCE helped in diagnosing Crohn's disease. Among 16 patients evaluated for abdominal pain, specific findings were identified only in 1 (6%). CONCLUSIONS: WCE seems to be a very useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of GI bleeding of obscure origin (in both overt and occult bleeders), as well as suspected Crohn's disease. In other indications, such as unexplained chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain, it completes the traditional work-up, but abnormal findings need to be better delineated before WCE can be widely recommended in these cases.

Diminutive polyps of large bowel should be an early target for endoscopic treatment.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Aim of the present study is to ascertain the importance of diminutive colorectal polyps and define the need for removal according to their characteristics and malignant potential. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 4,723 patients who underwent colonoscopy were evaluated and 624 patients with 826 polyps were recorded. There were 352 patients with 443 diminutive polyps, studied according to their distribution. Of these, 371 were removed, histologically examined and correlated to patient characteristics and occurrence of synchronous neoplasms. RESULTS: Of the right colon polyps, 81/115 were diminutive, versus 362/711 of the left colon (p<0.0001). Adenomas were more common in patients over 50 years of age, (p<0.0001). In all colonic segments, diminutive adenomas prevailed over hyperplastic polyps, whereas the proportion of diminutive adenomas predominated in the right colon (p=0.0015). Adenomas were classified as tubular 39%, tubulovillous 55.7% and villous 5.3%. The degree of dysplasia was mild in 45.5%, moderate in 51% and severe in 3.5%. The prevalence of synchronous neoplasms was 37.4%. They were more frequently found in males over 50 years of age and in patients with diminutive adenomas compared to those with diminutive hyperplastic polyps (p=0.0078). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of right colon polyps are diminutive. The proportion of diminutive adenomas is higher in patients over 50 years and in the right vs left colon. Diminutive polyps should be removed taking into account the high prevalence of adenomas with a villous component and their significant degree of dysplasia.

Duane retraction syndrome.

Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) consists of deficient horizontal eye movements, eyelid retraction, palpebral fissure narrowing, and abnormal vertical eye movements. Most cases are sporadic and unilateral (usually left side) with a slight female predominance. Several associated ocular and systemic conditions have been described in DRS patients. In most cases, the abducens nucleus and nerve are absent or hypoplastic, and the lateral rectus muscle is innervated by a branch of the oculomotor nerve. However, there may be contributing mechanical abnormalities. Type I DRS (primary gaze position esotropia with limitation of abduction) comprises the majority of cases. Approximately 50% of type I DRS patients are orthophoric in primary gaze. Esotropia is the most common type of strabismus encountered, and characteristic up shoots and down shoots occur in adduction. Surgical intervention has gradually become more popular in order to improve the primary gaze alignment and mitigate some of the associated abnormalities in ocular motility. However, patients are rarely rendered clinically normal, and limited expectations are appropriate.

NS5A mutations predict biochemical but not virological response to interferon-alpha treatment of sporadic hepatitis C virus infection in European patients.

The NS5A region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome has been reported by Japanese but not European investigators to be a significant factor in predicting interferon (IFN) response patients with HCV of genotype 1. We correlated the NS5A region with treatment outcome in patients with sporadic HCV infection. Twenty-eight patients (10 men, 18 women, mean age 60 +/- 2 years) with histologically proven HCV chronic hepatitis, genotype 1b, were treated with 6 MU IFN-alpha for 6 months. The 6954-7073 area of the NS5A region was directly sequenced for nucleotide and amino acids mutations and the results were related to biochemical and virological response. None of the patients had a strain with nucleotide sequence identical to the Japanese HCV-J. However, in five strains the nucleotide mutations led to synonymous amino acids and the amino acid sequences were identical to the prototype Japanese strain. Only 2/28 patients had four or more amino acid mutations (mutant strains) while 21 demonstrated an intermediate type and five belonged to the wild-type. The most frequent non-synonymous substitution was at position 6982 (A-->G) corresponding to an amino acid change at codon 2218 (His-->Arg). All patients with the wild-type were biochemical nonresponders while the two patients with the mutant strains had a sustained biochemical response. Twenty-three percent of the intermediate type had a sustained biochemical response. NS5A mutations predict the biochemical but not the virological response of patients. Virological response was poor and unrelated to the type of HCV strain. Biochemical responders had significantly lower amino acid mutations (1.14 +/- 0.19) compared with nonresponders (2.57 +/- 1.4, P < 0.003) as well as lower aminotransferase values (P < 0.01). Hence, mutational analysis of the NS5A region showed that our patients have a mutational profile similar to the European studies with a wild-type that is slightly different from the Japanese HCV-J sequence. The biochemical, but not the virological response to IFN-alpha is similar to the Japanese studies, with no response of the patients with wild-type sequence, a good response in the limited number of patients with mutant strains and 23% response rate in the patients with intermediate type sequences.

Surgery for idiopathic macular holes associated with extensive subretinal fluid.

PURPOSE: To study the baseline characteristics and outcomes of surgery for idiopathic macular holes associated with localized macular detachment. METHODS: In this case-control study, eight consecutive patients with idiopathic macular hole associated with localized macular detachment (cases) and 30 randomly selected patients with idiopathic macular hole not associated with macular detachment underwent macular hole surgery. RESULTS: The mean age (62.1 versus 68.2 years; P = 0.086), mean refractive error (-0.13 versus +0.23 diopters; P = 0.68), average duration of symptoms (5.9 versus 4.6 months; P = 0.47), and macular hole stage (P = 0.43) were similar in the cases and controls. The baseline visual acuity ranged from 20/50-20/80 (1 [13%] versus 1 [3%]) to 20/100-20/200 (2 [25%] versus 24 [80.0%]) to < 20/200 (5 [63%] versus 5 [17%]) (P = 0.10). Single-operation anatomic success was achieved in 2 (25%) cases and 24 (80%) controls (P = 0.007). Visual acuity 3 months after the last macular hole surgery was worse in cases compared to controls: > or = 20/40 in 0 versus 6 (20%), 20/50-20/80 in 1 (13%) versus 13 (43%), 20/100-20/200 in 4 (50%) versus 10 (33%), and < 20/200 in 3 (38%) versus 1 (3%) (P = 0.003). The mean improvement in visual acuity was 0.2 logMAR units in cases versus 0.4 logMAR units in controls (P = 0.054). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical outcomes for idiopathic macular hole associated with a localized macular detachment compare poorly with the outcomes for macular hole not associated with extensive surrounding subretinal fluid.

Determination of the optical properties of two-layer turbid media by use of a frequency-domain hybrid monte carlo diffusion model.

The general two-layer inverse problem in biomedical photon migration is to estimate the absorption and scattering coefficients of each layer as well as the top-layer thickness. We attempted to solve this problem, using experimental and simulated spatially resolved frequency-domain (FD) reflectance for optical properties typical of skin overlying muscle or skin overlying fat in the near infrared. Two forward models of light propagation were used: a two-layer diffusion solution [Appl. Opt. 37, 779 (1998)] and a hybrid Monte Carlo (MC) diffusion model [Appl. Opt. 37, 7401 (1998)]. MC-simulated FD reflectance data were fitted as relative measurements to the hybrid and the pure diffusion models. It was found that the hybrid model could determine all the optical properties of the two-layer media studied to ~5%. Also, the same accuracy could be achieved by means of fitting MC-simulated cw reflectance data as absolute measurements, but fitting them as relative ones is an ill-posed problem. In contrast, two-layer diffusion could not retrieve the top-layer optical properties as accurately for FD data and was ill-posed for both relative and absolute cw data. The hybrid and the pure diffusion models were also fitted to experimental FD reflectance measurements from two-layer tissue-simulating phantoms representative of skin-on-fat and skin-on-muscle baseline optical properties. Both the hybrid and the diffusion models could determine the optical properties of the lower layer. The hybrid model demonstrated its potential to retrieve quantitatively the transport scattering coefficient of skin (the upper layer), which was not possible with the pure diffusion model. Systematic discrepancies between model and experiment may compromise the accuracy of the deduced top-layer optical properties. Identifying and eliminating such discrepancies is critical to practical application of the method.

Recurrent orbital solitary fibrous tumor in a 14-year-old girl.

PURPOSE: To report a case of orbital solitary fibrous tumor in a pediatric patient. METHODS: Case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: A 14-year-old girl presented with a 5-month history of painless proptosis of the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-circumscribed mass in the anterior superomedial left orbit. The lesion was excised, and histopathologic examination revealed a solitary fibrous tumor. The lesion recurred in the orbit 4 months postoperatively, and histologic examination of the new lesion was consistent with solitary fibrous tumor. CONCLUSION: Based on this case report of orbital solitary fibrous tumor in a pediatric patient, solitary fibrous tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis of pediatric orbital tumors.

Intracranial penetrating orbital injury.

The authors report a case of double-penetrating injury of the globe with intracranial involvement from a pellet gun. A 16-year-old boy had a visual acuity of bare light perception in the left eye after being hit by a pellet. There was an inferior limbal entry site, dense hyphema, and no view of the fundus. Computed tomographic scan showed the pellet intracranially close to the left cavernous sinus. After neurosurgical clearance, the patient underwent primary closure of the corneoscleral entry site followed 3 weeks later by pars plana vitrectomy, lensectomy, and repair of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. At 12 months postoperatively, visual acuity was 20/300 and the retina was attached. Our case demonstrates the potential for significant visual recovery in some patients with a penetrating orbital injury and intracranial involvement. Complete radiographic evaluation with neurosurgical consultation is important in the management of these patients prior to ophthalmologic intervention with possible foreign body removal. There is a need for more public awareness regarding the potentially harmful effects of pellet guns.

Shifting trends in bacterial keratitis in south Florida and emerging resistance to fluoroquinolones.

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution, current trends, and patterns of resistance to antimicrobial agents of bacterial keratitis isolates in South Florida. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational, case series. PARTICIPANTS: The microbiology records of all patients with bacterial keratitis seeking treatment at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute from January 1, 1990 through December 31, 1998 were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In vitro laboratory minimum inhibitory concentration testing of the corneal isolates to the fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin) and to the aminoglycosides (tobramycin and gentamicin) was performed using the Vitek (Automatic Microbial System Biomerieux Vitek, Inc., Hazelwood, Missouri) method. RESULTS: During this 9-year period, 2920 consecutive corneal cultures were obtained, and a pathogen was recovered in 1468 cultures (50%). The number of corneal ulcers scraped, positive cultures, recovered bacterial isolates, and ratio of gram-positive to gram-negative isolates per year remained approximately equal throughout the study period. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa represented 19.4% and 25.7%, respectively, of the total bacterial isolates during this period. However, we documented a gradual increase in the number of S. aureus keratitis isolates (29% of gram-positive organisms in 1990 versus 48% in 1998, P = 0.01) coupled with a decrease in the number of P. aeruginosa isolates (54% of gram-negative organisms in 1990 versus 46% in 1998). A decrease in the incidence of contact lens-associated keratitis and P. aeruginosa isolates in this group of patients was documented. Serratia marcescens and P. aeruginosa were most commonly isolated in contact lens-associated keratitis (18% each). There was increasing laboratory resistance of S. aureus keratitis isolates to the fluoroquinolones (11% in 1990 to 28% in 1998), but resistance patterns to the aminoglycosides remained unchanged. There was a three-fold increase in the percentage of resistant S. aureus isolates to fluoroquinolones between 1990 and 1994 and between 1995 and 1998. Both fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides exhibited low in vitro effectiveness against P. aeruginosa throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The increased recovery of S. aureus keratitis isolates and decreased laboratory effectiveness against fluoroquinolones to these pathogens present an important therapeutic challenge.

Capnocytophaga keratitis.

PURPOSE: To review the clinical course, treatment, and visual outcomes of keratitis caused by the gram negative rod CAPNOCYTOPHAGA: DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Ten patients with culture-proven unilateral CAPNOCYTOPHAGA: keratitis examined at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1998. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent standard diagnostic microbiologic evaluation, and topical antimicrobial therapy was instituted. A penetrating keratoplasty or enucleation was performed in some patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The changes in visual acuity and clinical response to antimicrobial therapy. RESULTS: Predisposing factors were present in all patients. Cultures identified CAPNOCYTOPHAGA: species at a mean of 7.5 days. Initial topical treatment consisted of an aminoglycoside and vancomycin in four patients, a quinolone or aminoglycoside alone in two patients each, and ofloxacin with vancomycin or tobramycin with ceftazidime in one patient each. After the microbiologic identification of CAPNOCYTOPHAGA:, treatment in four patients was changed to intensive, topical clindamycin. Five of the 10 eyes were medically cured (3 of these eyes underwent penetrating keratoplasty for corneal scarring), and 5 eyes required enucleation. The indications for enucleation included persistent infection with development of endophthalmitis or blind, painful eye. Five of the 10 eyes achieved 20/80 or better final visual acuity. Four of these five eyes were treated with topical clindamycin. CONCLUSIONS: Important factors in achieving a good visual outcome in CAPNOCYTOPHAGA: keratitis include early microbiologic identification and intensive therapy with topical clindamycin. CAPNOCYTOPHAGA: should be included in the differential diagnosis of bacterial keratitis in patients with suggestive predisposing factors or with protracted keratitis unresponsive to treatment.

Visual acuity outcomes with and without surgery in patients with persistent fetal vasculature.

PURPOSE: To investigate visual acuity outcomes in patients with persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) left untreated or treated with vitreoretinal surgical techniques and to investigate clinical features associated with prognosis. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: All patients with PFV examined at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute from January 1, 1983 through December 31, 1998. INTERVENTION: All patients in the study had unilateral PFV. Of 42 PFV patients identified, 30 patients underwent vitreoretinal surgery. Indications for surgery included media opacity (e.g., cataract), vitreoretinal traction, and retinal detachment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Final best postoperative visual acuity, prognostic ocular clinical features, and surgical complications. RESULTS: In the surgical group of patients, median age at diagnosis was 8 weeks, and median length of follow-up was 32 months, with all patients having at least 1 year of follow-up. Two patients had clinical and echographic findings consistent with anterior PFV, 2 patients had strictly posterior PFV, and the remaining 26 patients had components of both anterior and posterior PFV. Fourteen eyes (47%) achieved a final visual acuity of 20/400 or better at last follow-up. Risk factors for a poor visual acuity outcome (<20/400) included microphthalmia (28% of patients with microphthalmia versus 67% of patients with normal axial length achieved a final vision of 20/400 or better; P = 0.061) and preoperative retinal detachment or retinal or optic nerve abnormalities, or both, such as hypoplasia, folds, or indistinct macula with hypopigmentation (25% of patients with any of these anomalies versus 61 % of patients without these findings achieved a final vision of 20/400 or better; P = 0.072). After surgery, retinal detachment developed in three eyes, chronic hypotony in two other eyes, and neovascular glaucoma in one eye. In the nonsurgical group there were 6 male and 6 female patients. Two patients with posterior PFV had minimal disease and were not considered surgical candidates, whereas 10 patients with combined anterior and posterior PFV had advanced pathologic features, and it was believed that surgery would not offer significant visual improvement; median age at diagnosis was 9.5 months, and median length of follow-up was 36 months, with all patients having at least 1 year of follow-up. At last follow-up, 3 eyes (25%) had a final visual acuity of 20/400 or better. During follow-up, retinal detachment developed in 2 eyes and chronic hypotony in an additional 2 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicates that approximately 50% of patients undergoing surgery for PFV will achieve useful vision. Visual acuity outcomes in patients with PFV are correlated with the nature and extent of ocular risk factors. Some patients may not be candidates for surgery because of either minimal changes or advanced disease that limit the potential of visual improvement.

Corneal biopsy in the management of progressive microbial keratitis.

PURPOSE: To study the indications and role of diagnostic corneal biopsy in the management of patients with progressive microbial keratitis. METHODS: The records of 33 consecutive patients who underwent a diagnostic corneal biopsy from January 1, 1986, to December 31, 1998, were reviewed. The indication for corneal biopsy was progressive infectious keratitis despite intensive broad-spectrum topical antimicrobial therapy, or progressive stromal infiltration inaccessible to corneal scrapings. Microbiologic evaluation of all corneal biopsies was performed, and 11 of the 33 biopsies were also examined histopathologically. RESULTS: A microorganism was isolated from 27 (82%) of the 33 corneal biopsies. Of the six patients with a negative biopsy, a penetrating keratoplasty was performed in five patients and the pathogen was identified by examination of the corneal button. In one patient no microorganism was identified; however, the infection resolved with topical antimicrobial therapy. The most common risk factor for keratitis was foreign body exposure or corneal abrasion (14 patients). A solid stromal infiltrate was the most common pattern of corneal involvement. Corneal biopsy revealed previously unidentified microorganisms that led to a change in antimicrobial therapy in 24 (89%) of the 27 patients and confirmed prior culture results in the remaining 3 patients. Microbiologic evaluation of the corneal biopsy was more sensitive than histopathologic examination. Acanthamoeba was the most commonly isolated pathogen (five cases), followed by Propionibacterium acnes and Fusarium (four cases each). Gram-positive organisms were isolated in 16 patients. Only five of the 27 patients with a positive corneal biopsy required a penetrating keratoplasty, in contrast to five of the six patients with a negative corneal biopsy (P =.005). During the 13-year period of the study, only three corneal biopsies were performed in the last 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: Microbiologic evaluation of a diagnostic corneal biopsy contributed significantly to the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with progressive infectious keratitis.