A fungal epidemic amidst a viral pandemic: Risk factors for development of COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in India.

PURPOSE: To study the risk factors for development of COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. METHODS: Multi-centric retrospective case-control study conducted from October 2020 to May 2021. Cases comprised of consecutive patients of COVID-19-associated ROCM (CA-ROCM) presenting at the participating ophthalmic institutes. Controls comprised of COVID-19-positive or COVID-19-recovered patients who did not develop ROCM. Comparative analysis of demographic, COVID-19 infection, treatment parameters and vaccination status between cases and controls performed. Clinical and imaging features of CA-ROCM analyzed. RESULTS: There were 179 cases and 361 controls. Mean age of presentation in cases was 52.06 years (p = .001) with male predominance (69.83%, p = .000011). Active COVID-19 infection at the time of presentation of ROCM (57.54%, p < .0001), moderate to severe COVID-19 (p < .0001), steroid administration (OR 3.63, p < .00001), uncontrolled diabetes (OR 32.83, p < .00001), random blood sugar >178 mg/dl were associated with development of CA-ROCM. Vaccination showed a protective effect (p = .0049). In cases with intracranial or cavernous sinus extension there was history of steroid administration (OR 2.89, p = .024) and orbital apex involvement on imaging (OR 6.202, p = .000037) compared to those with only rhino-orbital disease. CONCLUSION: Male gender, active COVID-19 infection, moderate or severe COVID-19, uncontrolled diabetes, steroid administration during COVID-19 treatment are risk factors for developing rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. Vaccination is protective. Random blood sugar of >178 mg/dl in COVID-19 positive or recovered patients should warrant close observation and early detection of ROCM. Presence of ophthalmoplegia, blepharoptosis at first clinical presentation and orbital apex involvement on imaging are associated with intracranial extension in ROCM.

Radiopathological Correlation in Orbital Lesions.

PURPOSE: The objective is to analyze the radiological diagnosis of orbital lesions and their correlation with the final histopathological findings. We compared the initial reports by extramural radiologists and an in-house radiologist specialized in orbital imaging to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy in the interpretation of orbital imaging. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of forty patients referred to a Tertiary Eye Care Center in South India over a period of 7 years. These patients already had their imaging done elsewhere. The imaging was re-evaluated by an in-house radiologist. The radiological findings were correlated with the histopathological diagnosis. The diagnostic accuracy between the two radiologists was compared. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value in differentiating malignant from benign lesions were calculated in both groups. The sensitivity and PPV of the radiological diagnosis for neoplastic and inflammatory lesions in both groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The accuracy in differentiating malignant from benign and inflammatory lesions by our in-house radiologist and extramural radiologists was 95% (κ = 0.9 [0.764, 0.997]) and 50% (κ = 0.036 [-0.160, 0.232]), respectively. The sensitivity and PPV of the radiological diagnosis by our in-house radiologist were 93.31% and 100% for benign lesions and 95.24% and 95.24% for malignant lesions. On the contrary, reports from the extramural radiologists showed a sensitivity and PPV of 76.92% and 66.67% for benign lesions and 14.28% and 60% for malignant lesions. CONCLUSION: A high radiological diagnostic accuracy is possible when analyzed by radiologists experienced in orbital imaging.

The undesirable wink.

Background: Marin-Amat syndrome is a rare acquired oculofacial synkinesis first reported in 1918. It manifests as involuntary eyelid closure on jaw opening or on lateral movement of the jaw following a peripheral facial nerve palsy. The increased orbicularis tone due to aberrant connections between the cranial nerve (CN) V and CN VII results in an undesirable wink with major psychosocial impact. Purpose: Most cases in literature were either observed or administered botulinum toxin injection to the orbicularis muscle. There are few sporadic reports of surgical interventions with successful outcomes.Hence there was a need to generate awareness regarding various modes of management of this rare entity. Synopsis: We present a video on the clinical presentation and management of six such patients, of whom one was bilateral. Five patients were females. Traumatic facial nerve paralysis and Bell's palsy was previously diagnosed in one and five patients respectively. The mean age was 52 ± 9.48 years. The mean MRD (margin reflex distance) 1 and MRD 2 was 3.17 ± 0.60 and 5.33± 0.65 mm respectively. On smiling or on movement of the jaw the MRD 1 and 2 was reduced by 2. 50±0.40 and 1.50+/-0.40 mm respectively. Of the six patients four patients opted for nil intervention. Highlights: Botulinum toxin injection and preseptal orbicularis resection in the upper and lower eyelid along with blepharoplasty was performed in 1 patient each. Satisfactory reduction in the synkinetic movement was achieved in both. Marin-Amat syndrome is a rare often underdiagnosed synkinetic disorder following peripheral facial nerve palsy. Botulinum toxin injection and preseptal orbicularis resection are viable management options. Video link: https://youtu.be/YQbRecp449w.

Orbital abscess: 20 years' experience at a tertiary eye care center.

PURPOSE: To study the clinical, microbiological profile and management outcomes of orbital abscess at a tertiary care center in South India. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In a retrospective interventional case series, we reviewed all patients diagnosed with orbital cellulitis from 2000-2020. The data analyzed included demographic profile, clinical and radiological features, microbiological profile, and management outcome. RESULTS: A total of 921 cases of orbital and periorbital infections were reviewed. Seventy-two cases were diagnosed as orbital cellulitis. Thirty-four cases (47.22%) had radiological evidence of orbital abscess. The median age was 20.63 years. Three patients (8.82%) were neonates. A male preponderance was noted (23, 67.65%). Sinusitis (10, 29.41%) and diabetes (5, 14.7%), were the most common predisposing factors. Optic neuropathy was seen in 15 (44.11%) patients, cavernous sinus thrombosis in two patients (5.88%), and septicemia in one patient (2.94%) Multiple orbital abscesses were noted in 7 (20.59%) cases. All patients underwent surgical drainage. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated in 14 patients (41.18%). Vision improvement or stabilization was seen in all except 3 (8.82%). CONCLUSION: Orbital abscess is a potential sight-threatening orbital infection. The infective process can spread and ascend up to involve cavernous sinus thereby becoming life-threatening. A timely diagnosis and intervention can halt the disease process and help restore vision in many cases.

Role of pre-operative percutaneous embolization in orbital alveolar soft part sarcoma - An experience from a tertiary eye-care center.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinic-radiological, pathological profile, and management outcomes of primary alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) of the orbit. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all histopathologically proven cases of orbital ASPS that presented between May 2016 and September 2019 was done. Data collected included demographics, clinical features, imaging characteristics, metastatic workup, management, and follow-up. RESULTS: Five patients, of which four were males, presented to us during the study period. The mean age of presentation was 12.6 years (range 3-22 years). The most common presenting features were abaxial proptosis (n = 4) and diminished vision (n = 4). Imaging showed a well-defined orbital mass in all patients with internal flow voids in three. Preoperative percutaneous embolization with cyanoacrylate glue was done in these three patients owing to high vascularity. Four patients underwent complete tumor excision. One patient underwent exenteration. Histopathology showed polygonal tumor cells arranged in a pseudo-alveolar pattern and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) positive crystals in the cytoplasm in all patients. One patient had systemic metastasis at presentation and developed a local recurrence after 3 months. No recurrence or metastasis was noted in the remaining four patients at a mean final follow-up of 11.2 months (range 5-15 months). CONCLUSION: ASPS is a rare orbital neoplasm that poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Imaging might show a soft-tissue tumor with high vascularity. Multidisciplinary management with interventional radiologists for preoperative embolization of vascular lesions helps minimize intraoperative bleeding and aids in complete tumor resection. A localized orbital disease carries a better prognosis.

Orbital cysticercosis: clinical features and management outcomes.

AIM: To describe the clinical and radiological features of orbital cysticercosis and its management outcome. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of consecutive cases of orbital cysticercosis between January 2008 and January 2018. The management outcome was classified into good, fair, and poor depending upon the resolution of the clinical features and status of the cyst and scolex in the imaging studies. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients with a mean age of 24.33± 31.04 years were included. The male: female ratio was 1.9:1. Pain, with or without prominence of the eye was the most common presenting symptom (n = 35, 57.4%). The mean duration of symptoms was 3.65 +/-8.56 months. Ocular motility restriction was the most common sign (n = 52, 85.2%). Fifty-five (90.16%) patients had myocysticercosis with inferior rectus being most commonly involved (n = 17, 27.9%), while 6 (9.83%) cases had orbital cysticercosis without any ocular muscle involvement. Four patients had compressive optic neuropathy. Subjectively, good clinical outcome was documented in 37 (60.65%), fair in 17 (27.87%) and poor in 7 (11.47%) patients. Objectively, imaging studies showed complete resolution of the cysticercosis lesion in 18 (45%), partial in 19 (47.5%), and no change in 3 (7.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion and a thorough knowledge of the clinical and radiological features are necessary for the proper diagnosis and management of orbital cysticercosis. Medical management with oral albendazole combined with oral steroids leads to desired outcome in the majority.

A prospective randomized double-blinded study of dexmedetomidine versus propofol infusion for orbital surgeries.

PURPOSE: Orbital surgeries are traditionally taken up under general anesthesia. Local anesthesia combined with moderate sedation can also be considered as an alternative option. This study was performed to compare the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine and propofol infusion for orbital surgeries under local anesthesia. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing orbital surgery by a single surgeon were enrolled in this prospective randomized study. Selected patients were randomly administered dexmedetomidine (Group D) or propofol (Group P). Hemodynamic and respiratory effects, sedation levels, recovery profile, analgesic properties, and satisfaction levels of the patients and the surgeon were assessed. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in mean arterial pressures following drug administration compared to initial measurements in both the groups. However, a statistically significant decrease in heart rate was observed only in Group P. The sedation score at the end of loading dose was 3.3 ± 0.82 in Group D and 2.5 ± 0.52 in Group P and this difference was also statistically significant (P value-0.027). The surgeon's satisfaction score was 6.5 ± 0.71 in Group D and 5.6 ± 1.07 in Group P (P value - 0.045). There were no statistically significant differences observed in patients' satisfaction, pain, and anxiety scores in either group. No major hemodynamic changes or complications were noted in either of the groups. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine, in comparison to propofol, provides better sedation levels with good hemodynamic stability. It also offers better surgeon satisfaction, thus providing a useful alternative for general anesthesia in selective patients undergoing orbital surgery.

A rare case of giant multicystic solitary fibrous tumor of the orbit.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare spindle cell tumor of the orbit of mesenchymal origin. Though these tumors are mostly solid, partial or complete cystic changes can rarely occur. Only six such previous cases of cystic fibrous tumor of the orbit have been mentioned in the literature. We report a case of an elderly male who presented with a huge left sided medial orbital mass. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a predominant cystic orbital mass separated by septae and suggested a diagnosis of Hydatid cyst. The patient underwent complete excision of the mass and histopathology and immunohistochemistry were suggestive of cystic SFT. Cystic degeneration in SFT is extremely rare and can be a harbinger of malignancy, and pose risk of recurrence. Close follow up and monitoring is required for all such cases.

Giant pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland: A surgical challenge.

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common epithelial neoplasm of the lacrimal gland. The tumor typically presents with a superotemporal mass with inferonasal displacement of the globe. They generally measure less than 3 cm in size and can be removed comfortably via a lateral orbitotomy approach. Pleomorphic adenoma left unattended for a long period grows up to humongous proportions and poses a surgical challenge both for its complete removal and globe salvage. We report a rare case of pleomoprphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland in an adult male, who did not seek any medical advice for 20 years allowing the tumor to expand enormously in all dimensions, with complete obscuration of the globe. The tumor was excised completely and globe could be salvaged.