[Photodynamic therapy in Germany-Quo vadis?] / Photodynamische Therapie in Deutschland ­ Quo vadis?

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was originally approved for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and secondary choroidal neovascularization in myopia (mCNV). In addition, it is used as an off-label treatment in patients with choroidal hemangioma, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). OBJECTIVE: To track the development of PDT treatment numbers in Germany between 2006 and 2021 and to investigate the composition of the therapeutic indications. METHODS: In this retrospective study the quality reports of German hospitals were evaluated in the period from 2006 to 2019 and the number of PDTs performed was recorded. In addition, the range of indications for PDT was determined exemplarily for the Eye Center at Medical Center, University of Freiburg and the Eye Center at St. Franziskus Hospital in Münster between 2006 and 2021. Finally, the estimated prevalence of CSC and an estimate of cases requiring treatment were used to calculate the number of patients in need of PDT treatment in Germany. RESULTS: The number of PDTs performed in Germany decreased from 1072 in 2006 to 202 in 2019. While PDT was used in 86% of cases in patients with nAMD and in 7% of cases with mCNV in 2006, it was mainly performed in patients with CSC (70%) and choroidal hemangiomas (21%) from 2016 to 2021. With an estimated incidence of CSC of 1:10,000 and assuming that 16% of patients develop chronic CCS requiring treatment, approximately 1330 PDTs would need to be performed per year in Germany for patients with newly diagnosed chronic CSC alone. CONCLUSION: The decreasing numbers of PDT treatment performed in Germany is mainly due to a change to intravitreal injections as the preferred treatment for nAMD and mCNV. As PDT is currently the recommended treatment of choice for chronic CSC, an underprovision of PDT in Germany can be assumed. To enable an appropriate treatment for patients, a reliable verteporfin production, a simplified approval process by health insurance companies and a close cooperation between ophthalmologists in private practice and larger centers are urgently needed.

[Real-life experiences with Brolucizumab in recalcitrant neovascular age-related macular degeneration]. / Erste Erfahrungen mit Brolucizumab bei neovaskulärer altersabhängiger Makuladegeneration und Therapierefraktärität unter der bisherigen Anti-VEGF-Therapie.

BACKGROUND: Pivotal clinical trials have proven brolucizumab to be a potent intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Therefore, it seems to be a promising drug also in patients with recalcitrant nAMD. This article presents the results of patients who were switched to brolucizumab due to persistent fluid under previous anti-VEGF treatment. METHODS: In this study 21 eyes were retrospectively analyzed in which treatment was switched to brolucizumab due to persistent intraretinal (IRF), subretinal (SRF) and/or sub-retinal pigment epithelium (sub-RPE fluid) fluid despite long-term anti-VEGF treatment. Functional and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) data were investigated at diagnosis of nAMD (I), at switch to brolucizumab (II), 4 weeks after upload of brolucizumab (III) and at first reactivation of macular neovascularization (MNV, IV). RESULTS: There were no significant changes in fluid distribution between (I) and (II). After upload of brolucizumab (III) a significant reduction of central subfield retinal thickness (CSRT, p = 0.0001), SRF (p = 0.004) and sub-RPE fluid (p = 0.04), but no visual acuity improvement (p = 0.56) were observed. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal brolucizumab treatment can achieve significant reductions particularly of SRF and sub-RPE in patients refractory to previous anti-VEGF treatment. Future studies should further investigate the effects of brolucizumab in patients with recalcitrant nAMD.

[Treatment adherence and effectiveness of anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Faktor(VEGF) treatment of diabetic macular edema in the clinical routine : Comparison between cooperative and unicentric organization of treatment]. / Therapieadhärenz und Effektivität bei der Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Faktor(VEGF)-Therapie des diabetischen Makulaödems im klinischen Alltag : Vergleich zwischen einer kooperativen und einer unizentrischen Organisation der Behandlung.

BACKGROUND: Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an established method for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME); however, to ensure the best possible functional results continuous treatment of patients over a long period with regular control visits are necessary. The adherence of patients to the treatment is of great importance for success. METHODS: In order to make implementation of treatment easier for patients, an internet-based referral platform was established to enable the follow-up examination to be performed by an ophthalmologist using spectal domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) close to the patients place of residence. Based on 50 patients the effectiveness of this cooperative treatment (IT-Cooperation) was compared to 50 patients who were controlled in the treatment center for DME patients over a period of 2 years. RESULTS: Patients in the IT-Cooperation group received an average of 6.3 injections in the first year of follow-up compared to the lower number of 5.2 injections for patients attending the treatment center. During the second year the average number of injections decreased to 2.7 (IT-Cooperation) and 2.4 (treatment center). Patients of the IT-Cooperation showed an average of 12.0 control visits in contrast to the average number of 9.6 visits (p < 0.01) for patients attending the treatment center in the first year of observation. This difference between the two groups was significant and was confirmed in the second year of follow-up with 8.3 visits in the IT-Cooperation group compared to 4.4 visits in the treatment center group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The greater number of follow-up examinations close to the patient's place of residence for the IT-Cooperation group significantly improved the quality of treatment adherence in DME patients; however, intensive exchange of information between the ophthalmologist performing the control examinations and the treatment center where the injections were carried out is mandatory.

Retinal perfusion 6 months after trabeculectomy as measured by optical coherence tomography angiography.

PURPOSE: To investigate potential changes of vessel density (VD) at the optic nerve head (ONH) and the macula 6 months after trabeculectomy (TE). METHODS: In a prospective monocentric study, 19 eyes with open-angle glaucoma were treated with TE + MMC (mitomycin C). At four different time points multiple morphological papillary parameters were measured by OCT, and the ONH VD in the radial peripapillary capillary layer and the superficial and deep plexuses of the macula was determined by OCTA (optical coherence tomography angiography, RTVue-XR, Optovue). The mean defect was determined by visual field examination (mode 30-2, Humphrey Field Analyzer). The duration of follow-up was 6 months. RESULTS: Nineteen eyes, one each from 19 patients (11 females; 8 males) with a mean age of 66.0 (58.07, 70.94) years and a mean intraocular pressure (IOP) of 21.0 mmHg (17.07, 23.87), were included in the study. All showed a significant reduction in IOP at each follow-up after TE (p < 0.0001). There was no significant change in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (p = 0.88), the ganglion cell complex (p = 0.97), the cup-disk ratio (p = 0.63), the rim area (p = 0.78), or the mean visual field defect (p = 0.82). With regard to VD, no significant difference could be determined in either the ONH or the macular area. CONCLUSIONS: After significant surgical reduction of IOP by TE, there are no significant detectable morphological changes in the ONH or the ganglion cell complex as measured by OCT, nor does the papillary or macular OCTA-determined VD change significantly. Trial registration 2016-409-f-S Avanti-OCT-A. Registered December 1, 2016.

Vessel Density in Glaucoma of Different Entities as Measured with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

PURPOSE: To compare papillary and macular vessel density (VD), as measured by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG). METHODS: The papillary and macular VD of 40 eyes with POAG, 19 with NTG and 21 with XFG were examined using OCTA (AngioVue™). The VD was measured at two different layers of segmentation (optic nerve head: radial peripapillary capillary [RPC] and nerve head [NH]; macula: superficial [SL] and deep [DL] retinal vascular plexus) with a 4.5×4.5mm papillary and 6×6-mm macular scan. VD was calculated by an automated density measuring tool in the AngioVue™ software. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the total value of the papillary, peripapillary and macular VD. A significantly higher VD could be measured for NTG compared to POAG, as well as for XFG in the inferior nasal peripapillary sector at RPC-segmentation and at the NH-level between NDG and XFG. CONCLUSION: OCTA can detect a difference in VD in the nasal inferior peripapillary sector in NTG compared with POAG and XFG. These findings may help to improve the understanding of further pathophysiological mechanisms.

OCTA vessel density changes in the macular zone in glaucomatous eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether macular optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) can detect altered vessel density (VD) in the superficial and deep vascular plexus in glaucomatous eyes and to compare the diagnostic utility of the individual VD parameters. METHODS: The macular VD of 135 eyes, comprising 85 eyes diagnosed with glaucoma and 50 healthy control eyes, was examined using two OCTA devices (AngioPlex-Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA, USA, and AngioVue-OptoVue, Inc., Fremont, CA, USA). All study participants had neither vascular pathology, diabetes, nor vasoactive medication. The macular VD was measured at two different levels of segmentation (superficial [SL] and deep [DL] retinal vascular plexus) with a 6 × 6-mm macula scan, and VD was correlated with various structural and functional measurements. In order to test the accuracy of differentiation between eyes with and without glaucoma, we calculated the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Macular VD was significantly lower in both SL and DL in glaucomatous eyes than in healthy eyes (p = SL < 0.0001; DL = 0.009). There was no significant difference in VD between the SL and the DL (p = 6.60 · 10-18). The greatest reduction of VD in glaucomatous eyes was found in the inferior macular sector. There was no correlation of VD with age or refractive error but moderate to high correlation with intraocular pressure, time of initial diagnosis, mean deviation, ganglion cell complex, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, cup to disc ratio, and rim area. Among the 14 individual features of macular VD, whole VD in the SL had the best diagnostic accuracy (77.6%) as measured by the area under the ROC. CONCLUSION: OCTA detects glaucomatous damage by measuring the macular vessel density in the superficial and deep retinal vascular plexus. It can be an additional diagnostic tool to detect glaucoma independently of the optic nerve.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery in epidermolysis bullosa: clinical experience with 110 procedures in 25 patients.

We present clinical experience with 110 reconstructive procedures in 25 patients with epidermolysis bullosa, a group of rare heritable disorders characterized by marked fragility of the skin and mucosa. We discuss management of hand and foot deformities unique to epidermolysis bullosa patients, excision of squamous cell carcinoma, and reconstruction of oral, nasal, and ocular tissues. All patients underwent these procedures without major surgical or anesthetic complications. We analyze surgical outcome and formulate guidelines to avoid damaging the skin and mucosa.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast after augmentation with liquid silicone injection.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is an extremely rare neoplasm. Approximately 50 cases have been reported in the English literature since 1917. The pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is puzzling because epithelial elements are not normally identified in breast tissue. It has been suggested that epithelial cells are derived from epidermoid cysts deposited during early embryological development, from metaplastic transformation of ductal cells, or after trauma or surgical manipulation. Although no evidence has been published to support a casual relationship between liquid silicone-induced mastopathy and breast carcinoma, squamous cell cancers are known to arise in the setting of prolonged inflammation often seen after liquid silicone injection. This case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast, arising 25 years after augmentation with liquid silicone injections, occurred in a 70-year-old patient with silicone-induced mastopathy.

Atypical melanocytic lesions in epidermolysis bullosa.

We report a 6-year-old female with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) who presented with a very large acquired melanocytic lesion. The lesion demonstrated many features both clinically and histologically that made the distinction from malignant melanoma difficult. The pathogenesis of this lesion and other unusual melanocytic lesions seen in the setting of acute and chronic blistering disorders seems related to repeated episodes of disruption of the dermal-epidermal junction.

Anesthetic management in epidermolysis bullosa: review of 129 anesthetic episodes in 32 patients.

BACKGROUND: Anesthetic and monitoring instrumentations such as endotracheal intubation may cause skin and mucosal damage with potentially serious consequences in patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). OBJECTIVE: This study defines the risks of skin and mucosal damage from anesthetic and monitoring techniques in patients with EB and formulates management guidelines. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of 129 anesthetic episodes in 32 patients with various types of EB. RESULTS: Serious complications did not occur in any patient with EB from the use of endotracheal intubation, face mask, nerve blocks, local anesthetics, and intravenous or intramuscular anesthetic agents. CONCLUSION: With appropriate precautions, patients with EB can undergo standard anesthetic techniques with only minor and infrequent complications.

Use of tissue expanders in final reconstruction of infrapubic midline scar, mons pubis, and vulva after bladder exstrophy repair.

Two patients following bladder exstrophy repair presented for final cosmetic reconstruction with the characteristic lower abdominal midline scar, bisected mons pubis, and laterally displaced labia majora. Tissue expanders were used to obtain additional skin and subcutaneous tissue. After adequate serial expansion, the expanders were removed, scar tissue excised, and primary approximation of healthy tissues performed. A tension-free closure and esthetically pleasing midline incision, mons pubis, and vulva were obtained.

Gastrocnemius muscle flap coverage of exposed or infected knee prostheses.

A retrospective analysis was performed of 12 patients who required soft-tissue coverage of an exposed or infected total knee prosthesis between 1982 and 1989. All knees had skin closure with medial gastrocnemius muscle flaps. At a mean follow-up period of 41 months, all patients who were treated for infected prostheses with removal of the implant, intravenous antibiotics, and muscle flap closure had an excellent clinical result with complete skin coverage and no infection. Five of the six patients went on to successful reimplantation. Of the patients with an exposed prosthesis, five of six had an excellent outcome with retention of the prosthesis. Thus, 11 of 12 patients (92%) who had medial gastrocnemius flap coverage of an exposed or infected knee prosthesis had an excellent outcome, with ten of 12 patients (82%) retaining their prostheses or having a successful reimplantation. No medial gastrocnemius flap failed after standard primary or revision total knee arthroplasty. Gastrocnemius muscle flaps provide excellent soft-tissue coverage of exposed or infected knee prostheses and facilitate surgical care of this difficult problem.

Hyperosmotic mannitol and collateral blood flow to ischemic myocardium.

Elevation of extracellular osmolality reduces the extent of myocardial and endothelial cell swelling that accompanies acute ischemia, and the reduction of cell swelling is associated with an increase in collateral blood flow to the ischemic area. However, little is known about the effects of hyperosmolality on the vascular resistance of the collateral coronary vasculature. We compared the effects of hyperosmolar mannitol with those of nitroglycerin and dipyridamole on the vascular resistance of large collateral coronary vessels and of the small arterial vasculature in an isolated heart model of regional ischemia. Elevation of osmolality by mannitol increased collateral blood flow to the ischemic region through at least two mechanisms. First, increasing osmolality resulted in dilation of large arterial conductance vessels, similar to that produced by nitroglycerin. In addition, mannitol produced an effect on the coronary circulation at a microvascular level which, per se or in combination with its effect on larger collateral conductance vessels, increased collateral blood flow to ischemic regions.

A comparison of the open and closed methods in the initial treatment of sternal wound infections.

To determine the optimal initial treatment method for sternal wound infections, a retrospective review of 3,229 consecutive adult open heart operations was performed. There were 40 deep sternal wound infections (1.2%). All types of open heart procedures had approximately the same rate of infection except for left ventricular aneurysm repair plus coronary artery bypass grafting, which had a sternal wound infection rate of 5.8% (p less than 0.01). The use of single and double internal mammary artery grafts did not increase the rate of sternal wound infections. Treatment outcome was available for 39 patients. Twenty-eight patients were initially treated with debridement and closed mediastinal irrigation, which had a failure rate of 42% and a mortality rate of 35%. Six patients were initially treated with debridement, open packing, and muscle flap closure of the sternal wound. No deaths or treatment failures occurred in this group. The mortality and failure rates for the open treatment method were significantly better than for the closed treatment method in the initial treatment of sternal wound infections (p less than 0.05). These data, as well as a review of the literature, suggest that the open method is superior to the closed method in the initial treatment of deep sternal wound infections.

Computed tomography--its principles and application to the diagnosis of facial fractures.

The introduction of microcomputers with their chips of integrated circuits and ability to rapidly perform thousands of complex mathematical instructions has enabled the clinician to readily use and manipulate tomographically acquired data from relatively narrow body slices. These data allow identification of complex injuries and disease states through the construction of detailed anatomic images and the differentiation of structures of low densities and those of subtle density differences.

Computer use in the medical specialties.

This article summarizes new and innovative uses of the computer in various medical applications. It highlights the use of this technology in the fields of Cardiology, Radiology, Rehabilitative Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, and so on. It also discusses future uses in aiding the handicapped patient to ambulate, the deaf to hear, and the blind to see.

Free flap neo-vascularisation: case report.

This report records the unusual occurrence of occlusion of the artery of a free flap on the ninth post-operative day. Careful clinical observation strongly suggested that good neo-vascularisation had already occurred at this early date. The pattern of capillary refill suggested that neo-vascularisation originated from the periphery of the recipient site. The decision was made not to re-explore the flap vessel. The flap survived.

Cleft lip: morbidity and mortality in early repair.

A fifteen-year survey of primary lip repairs done at The New York Hospital revealed that lip closure can be accomplished during the first week of life with no mortality and with major morbidity slightly higher than that in repairs done after one week of age. Modern anesthetic techniques have markedly reduced respiratory complications from lip closure. Adequate postoperative sedation coupled with careful patient monitoring should appreciably reduce the incidence of wound dehiscence.