DFPE, partially fluorinated ether: a novel approach for experimental intravitreal tamponade.

PURPOSE: To evaluate decafluoro-di-n-pentyl ether (DFPE) as a vitreous tamponade by examining ocular tolerance in rabbits' eyes. METHODS: Thirteen rabbits were divided into 4 groups after mechanical vitrectomy and were followed up to 12 months. The tamponade remained in the eye for 6 months in group 1 (DFPE) and Group 3 (DFPE and silicone oil) and for 12 months in group 2 (DFPE). Group 4 served as control. RESULTS: In groups 1, 2, and 3, dispersion of the fluid appeared 2 weeks postoperatively. Posterior subcapsular cataracts appeared in rabbits' eyes with large fills of DFPE (>50%). Histologic findings in groups 1 and 2 showed no detectable change in outer nuclear layer thickness. Except for some vacuolations, the inner retina was well preserved in all injected rabbits' eyes. On the electroretinography of injected rabbits' eyes, there was no effect on the a wave amplitude and b wave implicit time, but the b wave amplitude was elevated with statistical significance (P < 0.001) at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively but with no statistical significance (P > 0.05) after that period when compared with group 4 and unoperated fellow rabbits' eyes of each group. CONCLUSION: Decafluoro-di-n-pentyl ether demonstrated minimum adverse effects in retinal rabbits; further studies are needed before clinical use as short-term tamponade.

Use of high-frequency, high-resolution ultrasound before Mohs surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although ultrasound imaging is employed ubiquitously today, its use to examine and assess the skin is a relatively new technology. We explored the clinical application and use of high-frequency, high-resolution ultrasound in Mohs micrographic surgery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of ultrasound to accurately determine lesion length and width of tumor borders in order to reduce the number of surgical stages. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This was an institutional review board-approved single-center study of 26 Mohs surgery patients. Ultrasound images were taken to record lesion dimensions, and then the investigator documented clinical estimation of the first stage. Extirpation of the tumor and histological analysis were performed thereafter. RESULTS: The results of 20 patients were included in the analysis. A paired-samples t-test revealed no significant difference between clinical and ultrasound widths (t=-1.324, p=.20). Similarly, there was no significant difference between the lengths found from clinical assessment and ultrasound (t=-1.093, p=.29). For different tumor types, there was no significant difference between clinical and ultrasound widths or lengths for basal cell carcinoma (t=-1.307, p=.23; t=-1.389, p=.20) or squamous cell cancer (t=-0.342, p=.73; t=0.427, p=.68). CONCLUSION There is a diagnostic role for high-resolution ultrasound in Mohs surgery regarding the delineation of surgical margins, but its limitations preclude its practical adoption at this time.

Non-vascular vision loss in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum patients with angioid streaks are well-known to have acute vision loss due to choroidal bleeding. However, chronic vision loss due to macular atrophy is less well characterized. We describe a patient with sub-acute vision loss in one eye due to loss of macular retinal pigment epithelium function. Autofluorescence and pattern electroretinogram were useful adjuncts to help diagnose the source of her vision loss.

Diagnostic dilemma: crusted scabies superimposed on psoriatic erythroderma in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A 45-year-old man with AIDS presented with extensive erythema and scaling involving the face, trunk, and upper and lower extremities, and mild nail dystrophy. The patient had been diagnosed with psoriasis 2 years previously, and at the time of presentation was using emollients and topical corticosteroid creams with little improvement. He was receiving zidovudine, lamivudine, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, acyclovir, rifabutin, and hydroxyzine. Pertinent laboratory data included CD4 lymphocytes (10 cells/mm(3)), viral load (32,000 copies per mL) white blood cell count (3.4 x 10(3)/microL), hemoglobin (13.5 g/dL), and platelets (204 x 10(3)/microL). Because of the extensive eruption and lack of response to topical agents, the patient was started on acitretin 25 mg daily. The patient had shown no signs of improvement 4 weeks later and was noted to have brownish gray crusted plaques involving the beard area, neck, upper part of the back, arms, trunk, genitals, and thighs in addition to his erythroderma (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Microscopic examination of scales from the upper part of the back revealed numerous scabies mites and eggs. He was then treated with lindane shampoo on the scalp and beard area and permethrin 5% cream to the body. The patient returned 2 weeks later with some improvement after thrice-weekly applications of this regimen; however, scrapings from the trunk once again revealed live scabies mites. Microscopic examination of scales that had fallen on the examination table revealed multiple mites and eggs. The patient was then given permethrin 5% cream, which he applied 3 times a week for 2 weeks, and 1 dose of oral ivermectin, 200 micro/kg. This resulted in a marked decrease in crusting and scaling. With resolution of the scabies lesions, the patient displayed marked erythema and scaling of the trunk and extremities consistent with generalized psoriasis (Figure 3). Treatment with acitretin resulted in gradual resolution of the erythroderma. A few months later, the patient presented with nodules on the upper part of the back, which on biopsy revealed a scabies mite (Figure 4).

Use of etanercept in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are debilitating inflammatory immunemediated diseases which are chronic in nature and often require lifelong attention. Traditional therapies used to combat these diseases lack sufficient long-term efficacy and are associated with a number of toxicities. Failing to adequately satisfy both patients and physicians, traditional therapies have proven insufficient and have left few options. Etanercept is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist that reduces elevated TNF levels by competitively binding to both TNF-alpha and TNF-beta and inhibiting the proinflammatory cascade. Providing a valuable treatment option alone, etanercept can also be effectively administered in conjunction with traditional treatments. Etanercept is self administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection, making treatment less of a burden for patients by eliminating the need for frequent office visits and laboratory testing. Etanercept is approved in the US for the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.