Changes of Corneal Biomechanical Properties upon Exclusive Ytt-/Sr-90 Irradiation of Pterygium.

BACKGROUND: It is known that pterygia above a certain size cause astigmatism and other aberrations of the human cornea and thus impair the quality of vision. Exclusive Sr-/Ytt-90 beta irradiation is a highly effective treatment for primary pterygia. The aim of this retrospective study is to determine the extent to which higher order corneal aberrations are affected by this treatment. METHODS: Evaluation of corneal topographies and wavefront aberration data of 20 primary pterygia patients generated before and at different points in time in the first year after irradiation. Additionally, the size of the pterygium was measured. RESULTS: The study showed a significant increase in coma and triple leaf aberrations in pterygia with a horizontal length of 2 mm and more. It was also found that a pterygium size greater than 2 mm significantly induces astigmatism. Both phenomena reduce visual quality. In none of the patients could a pterygium recurrence be detected after irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: If the pterygium size is less than 2 mm, early exclusive Sr/Ytt-90 beta irradiation can be recommended. If the size is more than 2 mm, a pterygium excision 6 months after beta irradiation can be discussed.

Radiation Therapy for Benign Disease: Keloids, Macular Degeneration, Orbital Pseudotumor, Pterygium, Peyronie Disease, Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Although the use of ionizing radiation on malignant conditions has been well established, its application on benign conditions has not been fully accepted and has been inadequately recognized by health care providers outside of radiation therapy. Most frequently, radiation therapy in these benign conditions is used along with other treatment modalities, such as surgery, when the condition causes significant disability or could even lead to death. Radiation therapy can be helpful for inflammatory/proliferative disorders. This article discusses the present use of radiation therapy for some of the most common benign conditions.

Successful Treatment of Traumatic Onychodystrophy and Associated Pterygium Unguis With Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Onychodystrophy is a common, chronic malformation of the nail that is aesthetically displeasing and can signi cantly impact patient quality-of-life. Onychodystrophy can be associated with pterygium unguis that contributes to pain and appears as a V-shaped exten- sion of the proximal nail fold skin. Treatment options are limited, and topical or intralesional corticosteroids have minimal ef cacy and cause signi cant patient discomfort. Surgical revision of onychodystrophy is complex, and symptomatic or aesthetic improvements are difficult to achieve. There is limited published literature on laser treatment of noninfectious onychodystrophy or associated pterygium unguis. We present a case of a 68-year-old man with a 10-year history of painful traumatic onychodystrophy with associated pterygium unguis, who was successfully treated after three treatments of fractionated carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Additionally, we review the medical literature on laser treatment of noninfectious onychodystrophy and pterygium unguis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported successful treatment of painful traumatic onychodystrophy and associated pterygium unguis using fractionated CO2 laser. We hope clinicians consider this treatment modality to relieve pain and improve aesthetics associated with traumatic onychodystrophy and associated pterygium unguis. We envision additional research investigating the mechanism of action of fractionated CO2 laser may con rm this treatment option for the management of traumatic onychodystrophy and associated pterygium unguis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(11):1461-1464..

Randomized trial comparing multilayer amniotic membrane transplantation with scleral and corneal grafts for the treatment of scleral thinning after pterygium surgery associated with beta therapy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the use of multilayer amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) with lamellar corneal transplantation (LCT) and lamellar scleral transplantation (LST) for the treatment of scleral thinning after pterygium surgery associated with beta therapy. METHODS: Twenty-six eyes from 26 different patients with scleral thinning as a consequence of beta therapy after pterygium surgery were evaluated at the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil. Ophthalmologic examination and ultrasound biomicroscopy were performed to assess scleral thinning before the transplant surgery and then repeated at 30, 90, and 180 days after surgery. An increase in scleral thickness, epithelialization of the ocular surface, and preservation of the ocular globe were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: Irrespective of the surgical technique used (AMT, LCT, or LST), no clinical or statistical changes in corrected distance visual acuity were found in any of the patients during this study. The median preoperative scleral thickness was similar in all 3 groups: AMT = 0.45 mm, LST = 0.48 mm, and LCT = 0.52 mm (P = 0.257); however, 6 months after surgery, the median thickness in the AMT group (0.19) was significantly less than that of the LCT group (0.57) (P = 0.27) or the LST group (0.76) (P = 0.19). Epithelialization occurred in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: LCT was the best option for the structural treatment of scleral thinning, followed by LST with a conjunctival flap. A high rate of reabsorption was found with AMT, which was the least effective of the 3 therapeutic options and should not be used for this condition.

Review of radiation therapy in benign ocular diseases.

Radiotherapy is a modality used for the treatment of malignant diseases. However it is also used as an effective modality in the treatment of many benign disorders. It is generally not the first choice of therapy in non malignant conditions but usually used when other modalities have failed or may induce more side effects. Benign disorders of the eye can cause severe morbidity in terms of inflammatory symptoms, loss of vision, pain and diplopia. Radiotherapy in such conditions is given in very low doses and the goals are controlling the condition and at the same time minimizing late tissue sequelae, if any. Here we highlight the use of radiotherapy in most common benign conditions of the eye; mainly Pterygium, Haemangioma, Graves' Orbitopathy and Pseudotumour Orbitae.

Ultraviolet-A irradiation upregulated urokinase-type plasminogen activator in pterygium fibroblasts through ERK and JNK pathways.

PURPOSE: Effects of ultraviolet (UV) B on the pterygium and its cells have been studied previously, whereas little is known on the effects of UVA. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a protease involved in tissue remodeling and cell migration, and its levels are increased in pterygium. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of UVA on the expression of uPA in cultured pterygium fibroblasts. METHODS: Cultured fibroblasts from early-stage pterygia and normal conjunctiva were irradiated with different dosages of UVA and compared to nonirradiated cells. uPA activities in the medium and uPA mRNA in the cells were measured by casein zymography and RT-PCR, respectively. Total and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) levels of cells treated with and without UVA were measured by Western blotting. Inhibitors of p38 (SB203580), ERK (UO1026), and JNK (SP600125) were added before the irradiation of UVA to test their effects. RESULTS: UVA irradiation increased the uPA mRNA levels in pterygium fibroblasts and the uPA activities in cultured medium, which was accompanied with an increase in phosphorylated ERK and JNK. The ERK and JNK inhibitor, but not p38 MAPK inhibitors, significantly decreased the UVA-induced expression of uPA by pterygium fibroblasts. Normal conjunctival fibroblasts were less sensitive to UVA irradiation compared to the pterygium fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: UVA stimulated the production of uPA, a key factor in the modulation of extracellular matrixes, inflammatory processes, and angiogenesis. This may have a role in the development and progression of pterygium.

Low-dose strontium-90 irradiation is effective in preventing the recurrence of pterygia: a ten-year study.

BACKGROUND: To study the long-term effects of low-dosage strontium-90 (Sr90) irradiation on the recurrence of pterygium. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: One hundred twenty eyes from 104 patients with primary or recurrent pterygia were treated with surgery followed by Sr90 irradiation. In brief, starting on the sixth day after surgery, patients were treated with irradiation three times every other day at a total combined dosage of 2000 cGy to 3000 cGy. Corneal topography was used to evaluate ocular surface regularity before and after treatment. Patient follow-up was performed 2 days, 5 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years after surgery. Recurrence of pterygium was not observed in any of the patients in this study. Obvious cataract progression was observed in 6 eyes, which may be due to aging. During follow-up studies, only one eye was reported with dryness and foreign-body sensation. Significant pterygium-induced astigmatism was observed in corneal topography, which decreased after surgery. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Sr90 irradiation is effective in preventing the recurrence of primary and recurrent pterygia. We recommend delivering a total combined dosage of 2000 cGy to 3000 cGy of Sr90 irradiation administered in three batches every other day starting from the sixth day after surgery. Surgery is important in the rapid recovery of the cornea from pterygium-induced astigmatism.

Tratamento da úlcera escleral pós-cirurgia de pterígio e betaterapia por enxerto de esclera autóloga de espessura parcial / Partial thickness autologus scleral graft for treating scleral ulcers following pterygium excision and betatherapy

OBJETIVO: Avaliação dos resultados da utilização de enxerto de espessura parcial de esclera autóloga para o tratamento das úlceras esclerais profundas, como complicação tardia da exérese de pterígio associada à betaterapia. MÉTODOS: Foram tratados doze olhos de doze pacientes, nove femininos e três masculinos, com idade variando entre 48 e 82 anos, média 65,2 anos. RESULTADOS: Houve boa integração do enxerto em todos os casos, com resultado funcional e cosmético favorável e sem complicações. CONCLUSÃO: Várias técnicas de enxertia tem sido propostas para o tratamento da úlcera escleral: esclera e dura-máter homólogas, derme, cartilagem auricular e periósteo autólogos. No entanto, o procedimento com esclera autóloga apresenta reais vantagens em relaçâo aos enxertos empregados anteriormente. Não há referências na literatura quanto ao emprego de enxerto de esclera autóloga de espessura parcial para o tratamento da úlcera escleral.

OBJETICVE: The authors describes a surgical technique that utilizes autologus delaminated scleral graft for the management of deep scleral ulcers. METHODS: In this technique that were perfomed in 12 eyes of 12 patients, 9 female, 3 male, age from 48 to 82 years, mean age 65.2 years. RESULTS: Occurred good integration of the grafting in all cases without any complications. CONCLUSION: Many techniques have been proposed for the management of scleral ulcers: sclera and dura-mater, autologus derme, auricular cartilage and autologus periosteum.There is no reference in relation to autologus scleral grafting with partial thickness for the treatment of scleral ulcers, as proposed in this study.

Conjunctival autograft alone or combined with adjuvant beta-radiation? A randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of postoperative low single-dose of beta-irradiation (ß-RT) in pterygium comparing conjunctival autograft (CAG) surgery with CAG plus adjuvant ß-RT in a randomized clinical trial. METHODS: This trial was designed as a prospective, randomized, single-center study. Surgery was performed in all cases according to the CAG technique. One hundred and eight pterygia were postoperatively randomized to CAG + ß-RT or CAG alone. In the case of ß-RT, a (90) Sr eye applicator was used to deliver 10 Gy to the sclera surface at a dose rate of between 200 and 250 cGy/min. After treatment, both an ophthalmologist and a radiation oncologist performed the follow-up examinations. The accumulated data were analyzed using a group sequential test. RESULTS: Between February 2008 and September 2008, 116 eyes with primary pterygium were operated on according to the trial protocol. Adjuvant treatment was performed within 24 h postoperatively. Eight patients were lost to follow-up, resulting in 108 patients who could be analyzed. At a mean follow-up of 18 months (range, 8-33), in the 54 eyes randomized to receive CAG + ß-RT, 5 relapses occurred compared with 12 recurrences in the 54 eyes in CAG, for a crude control rate of 90.8 % vs. 78%; p = 0.032, respectively. The treatment complications as hyperemia, total dehiscence of the autograft and dellen were significantly more frequent in the CAG (p < 0.05). The arm of ß-RT resulted in better cosmetic results and improves of symptoms than CAG. CONCLUSIONS: A low single-dose of ß-RT of 10 Gy after CAG surgery was a simple, effective, and safe treatment that reduced the risk of primary pterygium recurrence, improved symptoms after surgery, resulting in a better cosmetic effect than only CAG.

Low or high fractionation dose ß-radiotherapy for pterygium? A randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Postoperative adjuvant treatment using ß-radiotherapy (RT) is a proven technique for reducing the recurrence of pterygium. A randomized trial was conducted to determine whether a low fractionation dose of 2 Gy within 10 fractions would provide local control similar to that after a high fractionation dose of 5 Gy within 7 fractions for surgically resected pterygium. METHODS: A randomized trial was conducted in 200 patients (216 pterygia) between February 2006 and July 2007. Only patients with fresh pterygium resected using a bare sclera method and given RT within 3 days were included. Postoperative RT was delivered using a strontium-90 eye applicator. The pterygia were randomly treated using either 5 Gy within 7 fractions (Group 1) or 2 Gy within 10 fractions (Group 2). The local control rate was calculated from the date of surgery. RESULTS: Of the 216 pterygia included, 112 were allocated to Group 1 and 104 to Group 2. The 3-year local control rate for Groups 1 and 2 was 93.8% and 92.3%, respectively (p = .616). A statistically significant difference for cosmetic effect (p = .034), photophobia (p = .02), irritation (p = .001), and scleromalacia (p = .017) was noted in favor of Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: No better local control rate for postoperative pterygium was obtained using high-dose fractionation vs. low-dose fractionation. However, a low-dose fractionation schedule produced better cosmetic effects and resulted in fewer symptoms than high-dose fractionation. Moreover, pterygia can be safely treated in terms of local recurrence using RT schedules with a biologic effective dose of 24-52.5 Gy(10.).

Randomized clinical trial of postoperative strontium-90 radiation therapy for pterygia: treatment using 30 Gy/3 fractions vs. 40 Gy/4 fractions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Postoperative adjuvant treatment with strontium-90 radiation therapy (RT) is a proven technique for reducing the recurrence of pterygium. This randomized trial was conducted to evaluate whether a total dose of 40 Gy provides a better local control rate than a total dose of 30 Gy for surgically resected pterygia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single institutional randomized trial was conducted. Between 1999 and 2003, 74 pterygia in 71 patients were randomly allocated to 30 Gy/3 fractions/15 days (arm A) or to 40 Gy/4 fractions/22 days (arm B). Only primary pterygia for which RT could be started within 3 days of surgical resection were included. Postoperative RT was given by a strontium-90 eye applicator, and a dose of 10 Gy per fraction was delivered in weekly fractions (day 1, 8, 15, 22). RESULTS: Of the 74 pterygia treated, 73 in 70 patients were analyzed. Of the 73 pterygia, 41 were allocated to arm A, and the remaining 32 to arm B. The 2-year local control rates for arm A and arm B were 85% and 75%, respectively, without significant difference. No serious acute and late complications were noted in either arm. CONCLUSION: Our new standard fractionation for postoperative RT for pterygia is 30 Gy/3 fractions.

Use of adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy to support limbal conjunctival graft in the management of recurrent pterygium.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the management of recurrent pterygium. METHODS: Thirty-nine eyes with recurrent pterygium were treated with surgical excision and limbal conjunctival autograft, followed by a course of HBOT. Patients were followed for development of recurrence. RESULTS: Of the 39 eyes, 18 had a known history of exposure to beta radiation or mitomycin C. The mean duration of follow-up in this group was 23.1 months. A single recurrence was noted in this group. For the remaining 21 eyes, the mean duration of follow-up was 19.4 months. No recurrences were recorded in this group. No significant complications from HBOT were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The use of HBOT together with excision and limbal conjunctival autograft for recurrent pterygium is associated with a low recurrence rate. Adjuvant HBOT should be considered in the surgical management of recurrent pterygium.

The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of pterygium: a review of the literature including more than 6000 treated lesions.

Pterygium is a benign conjunctival neoformation usually treated by surgical excision, but recurrences may affect 30% to 89% of cases, so that adjunctive therapies like conjunctival autografting, antimitotic drugs and beta-irradiation (ß-irradiation) are often used to improve the rate of local control. Our essay has reviewed relevant studies addressing the role of postoperative irradiation in the treatment of pterygium in the last 30 years through an Internet-based search and hand search in libraries. Sixteen studies on ß-irradiation and one on soft X-ray irradiation were accessible. They covered more than 6000 lesions treated by surgical excision and postoperative ß-irradiation using strontium-90 ((90)Sr) applicators at doses varying from 10 to 60 Gy/1-6 fractions/1-6 weeks starting within 3 days postoperatively. The rates of local recurrence were in general lower than 15% and major complications such as scleral thinning, ulceration, infections, or radiation-induced cataract were rarely encountered. Early postoperative ß-irradiation at a dose of 30 Gy/three fractions/2-3 weeks starting within 24h from surgical excision is an effective and safe procedure with local control rates comparable to chemotherapeutic agents and conjunctival autografting and superior to simple excision alone.

Comparative study of different ß-radiation doses for preventing pterygium recurrence.

PURPOSE: To compare the pterygium recurrence rates after treatment with two different ß-radiation doses. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 84 patients with a mean age of 63.0±10.3 years (men, 48 eyes, and women, 47 eyes) and initially treated with ß-radiation after pterygium excision were recruited. The mean follow-up period was 49.9±51.3 months. The patients were assigned to two dose groups: a high-dose (40 Gy) or a low-dose (20 Gy) group. The statistical significance of differences in patient age, pterygium size, and interval between surgery and radiotherapy were analyzed in the 20-Gy group using the Cox proportional hazard model at p<.05. RESULTS: The high- and low-dose groups included 28 and 67 eyes, respectively. Pterygia recurred in 11 eyes, all in the low-dose group. The interval between surgery and radiotherapy was not a significant predictor of recurrence. Smaller pterygia had a lower risk of recurrence than pterygia that had encroached the pupillary area (pterygium located within one-third of the corneal radius from the limbus, corrected hazard ratio [HR], 0.069; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.006-0.766; p=.030; pterygium extending beyond one-third of the corneal radius, corrected HR, 0.188; 95% CI, 0.018-0.696; p=0.019; and pterygium reaching the pupillary area, corrected HR, 0.184; 95% CI, 0.036-0.929; p=.040). Older age was marginally significant as a negative predictor of recurrence (HR, 0.943; 95% CI, 0.887-1.003; p=.061). No scleromalacia developed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: ß-Radiation at 40 Gy was more efficacious than at 20 Gy in preventing pterygium recurrence without scleromalacia development, particularly for large-size pterygia and those in young patients.

[Pterygium surgery. Complication following adjuvant radiotherapy]. / Pterygiumchirurgie. Komplikation nach adjuvanter Radiotherapie. Diagnose: Radiotherapieinduzierte sklerale Ulzeration.

Scleromalacia is a rare but serious complication following excision of an atypical pterygium and postoperative radiation which needs immediate action and treatment. In this case report we describe a successful method for treating this condition with amniotic membrane transplantation. Despite severe blepharoconjunctivitis the patient is now free of recurrence of pterygium for 3 years supporting the use of amnion membranes for covering scleromalacia in inflammatory conditions.

Prospective study of exclusive strontium-/yttrium-90 beta-irradiation of primary and recurrent pterygia with no prior surgical excision. Clinical outcome of long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the consecutive treatment results regarding pterygium recurrence and the efficacy of exclusive strontium-/yttrium-90 beta-irradiation for primary and recurrent pterygia and to analyze the functional outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 1974 and December 2005, 58 primary and 21 recurrent pterygia were exclusively treated with strontium-/yttrium-90 beta-irradiation with doses ranging from 3,600 to 5,500 cGy. The follow-up time was 46.6 +/- 26.7 months, with a median of 46.5 months. RESULTS: The treatment led to a size reduction in all pterygia (p < 0.0001). Neither recurrences nor side effects were observed during therapy and follow-up in this study. Best-corrected visual acuity increased (p = 0.0064). Corneal astigmatism was reduced in recurrent pterygia (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Exclusive strontium-/yttrium-90 beta-irradiation of pterygia is a very efficient and well-tolerated treatment, with remarkable aesthetic and rehabilitative results in comparison to conventional treatments, especially for recurrent lesions which have undergone prior surgical excision.

Dose-effect relationships for recurrence of keloid and pterygium after surgery and radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To show radiation dose-response relationships for recurrence of keloid and pterygium after radiotherapy following surgery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using PubMed, we performed a retrospective review of articles reporting incidences and/or dose-response relationships for recurrence of keloid and pterygium after radiotherapy following surgery. The irradiation regimens identified were normalized by use of the linear-quadratic model; biologically effective doses (BEDs) were calculated. RESULTS: For keloid recurrence after radiotherapy following keloid removal, with either teletherapy or brachytherapy, the recurrence rate after having delivered a BED greater than 30 Gy is less than 10%. For pterygium recurrence after bare sclera surgery and (90)Sr beta-irradiation, a BED of about 30 Gy seems to be sufficient also to reduce the recurrence rate to less than 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the doses in the radiotherapy schemes used for prevention of keloid recurrence after surgery are too low. In contrast, the doses applied in most regimens to prevent pterygium recurrence are too high. A scheme with a BED of 30 to 40 Gy seems to be sufficient to prevent recurrences of keloid as well as pterygium.