Metastatic Melanoma of the Common Bile Duct Presented with Dyspepsia.

Malignant melanoma (MM) is an aggressive tumor that can metastasize to any organ, but biliary tract metastasis is scarce. We describe a very rare case of MM metastasis to the common bile duct (CBD), presented with only dyspeptic symptoms. The patient had mildly elevated alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography demonstrated a dilated common bile duct with a distal stricture. The MM diagnosis was established with the ampulla of Vater biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and the patient's symptoms were resolved after biliary stenting. Both primary CBD cancer and other cancer types like MM that metastasize to CBD can cause obstruction and can be manifested only by dyspeptic symptoms. MM metastasis to CBD can cause obstruction manifested only by dyspeptic symptoms without obstructive jaundice. ERCP can be employed as a promising option for treatment and diagnosis. New-onset dyspeptic symptoms in patients with a history of MM should be investigated thoroughly, especially in the context of biliary metastasis.

Enlightening the neuroprotective effect of quercetin in epilepsy: From mechanism to therapeutic opportunities.

Epilepsy is a devastating neurological disorder characterized by the repeated occurrence of epileptic seizures. Epilepsy stands as a global health concern affecting around 70 million people worldwide. The mainstream antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) only exert symptomatic relief and drug-resistant epilepsy occurs in up to 33 percent of patients. Hence, the investigation of novel therapeutic strategies against epileptic seizures that could exert disease modifying effects is of paramount importance. In this context, compounds of natural origin with potential antiepileptic properties have recently gained increasing attention. Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid with several pharmacological activities. Emerging evidence has demonstrated the antiepileptic potential of quercetin as well. Herein, based on the available evidence, we discuss the neuroprotective effects of quercetin against epileptic seizures and further analyze the plausible underlying molecular mechanisms. Our review suggests that quercetin might be a potential therapeutic candidate against epilepsy that deserves further investigation, and paves the way for the development of plant-derived antiepileptic treatment approaches.

Relationship Between Contact Lens and Pinguecula.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of contact lens (CL) on the frequency of pinguecula, and the relationship between dry eye disease and pinguecula. METHODS: Two hundred and 33 cases of soft CL wearers and 230 age-matched nonwearers were enrolled in the study. Schirmer I test (ST) scores and tear break-up time (TBUT) were determined in all participants. A questionnaire including ocular surface disease index (OSDI), age, sex, and duration of CL wear was implemented to the participants before the examination. RESULTS: The prevalence of pinguecula was 27.8% (n: 65) in the CL group and 26.5% (n: 61) in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups (P=0.841). The prevalence of pinguecula increased with age in both groups. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of pinguecula when users were divided into three groups according to the duration of CL wear (P=0.575). The TBUT scores were lower, and the OSDI scores were higher in the CL group. The TBUT scores were lower in patients with pinguecula in both groups. The OSDI scores were higher in the CL group. There was no significant difference regarding the OSDI scores between patients with pinguecula and healthy participants in the CL group; however, OSDI scores were significantly higher in patients with pinguecula in control group. There were no significant differences in the ST scores between the groups, and between patients with pinguecula and healthy participants. CONCLUSION: This is the second study that evaluates the effects of soft CL wearing on pinguecula prevalence. We found that CL wearing does not affect the prevalence of pinguecula. Considering the OSDI scores in patients with pinguecula in the CL group, CL may suppress the irritant symptoms of pinguecula.

23 gauge pars plana vitrectomy for the removal of retained intraocular foreign bodies.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the morpho-functional outcomes and safety of transconjuctival 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy(PPV) for removal of intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs). METHODS: A retrospective study of 36 consecutive cases (mean age; 34,2 ± 10,9 years (between 15 and 60), 27 M,9 F) of 23-G PPV for the removal of IOFBs during the period of April 2009 and December 2011 and followed 9,4 ± 6,4(2-27) months were conducted. Visual outcomes, slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure (IOP), and posterior segment visualization by indirect ophthalmoscopy, A-B mode ultrasonography, and computed orbital tomography were performed for all cases. Main outcomes including anatomic and visual outcomes, and both intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 36 cases available for the study, the IOFBs (size range, 3 to 12 mm) could be removed in all eyes. Mean preoperative LogMAR BCVA was 1.44 ± 138 (range, 1.00 to 0.00) and mean postoperative LogMAR BCVA at final visit was 0,78 ± 0,98 (range, 1.00 to 0.00). (P = 0,007) Anatomic success was obtained in 97.2 % of eyes. 16 patients needed primary wound repair due to the leakage in insertion sites before the PPV, however remaining 20 cases were not. Fibrin reaction was seen in 8 (22.2 %) patients in early postoperative period, intraocular pressure elevation was detected in 12 (33.3 %) patients in which the silicone oil was used as an intravitreal tamponade, one patient with silicone oil tamponade developed band keratopathy and phthisis bulbi. CONCLUSIONS: 23-Gauge PPV is a feasible, effective approach in the surgical management of the patients with posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies.

Effect of orbital protrusion and vertical interpalpebral distance on pterygium formation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors in the development of pterygium in the Marmara region of Turkey as well as the efficacy of vertical interpalpebral distance, protrusion level and tear function in the development of pterygium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cases were grouped in two as the research group consisted of patients with pterygium and the control group consisted of healthy people. A total of 294 patients with pterygium (108 bilateral, 186 unilateral) and 200 controls were included in the study. All patients and control group underwent a thorough ophthalmic examination, including tear function analysis using tear film breakup time measurement, protrusion level and vertical interpalpebral distance. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the bilateral pterygium subgroup and control group in terms of vertical interpalpebral distance and protrusion value (p=0.733, p=0.625). When the pterygium eyes and the control group were compared in the unilateral pterygium subgroup, no significant difference was found in terms of vertical interpalpebral distance and protrusion value (p=0.533, p=0.209). CONCLUSIONS: While UV efficiency in pterygium was obvious, protrusion value and vertical interpalpebral distance were not found to be a risk factor in the formation of pterygium.

Corneal biomechanical properties and intraocular pressure measurement in Marfan patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the biomechanical properties of the cornea and intraocular pressure (IOP) between patients with Marfan syndrome and age-matched controls. SETTING: Departments of Ophthalmology and Genetics, Bakirkoy Maternity and Children Diseases Hospital, and Beyoglu Eye Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study comprised patients with Marfan syndrome (study group) and healthy individuals (control group). The study group was subdivided into patients with ectopia lentis and patients without ectopia lentis. In the right eye of each patient, the corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldman-correlated IOP, and corneal-compensated IOP were recorded. RESULTS: Overall, the mean CH, CRF, Goldman-correlated IOP, and corneal-compensated IOP were not significantly different between the study group and the control group. The mean CH was 9.9 mm Hg ± 1.2 (SD) in study eyes with ectopia lentis and 11.2 ± 1.5 mm Hg in study eyes without ectopia lentis (P=.016); the mean CRF was 8.2 ± 1.8 mm Hg and 11.3 ± 1.9 mm Hg, respectively (P<.001). The mean Goldman-correlated IOP was 11.7 ± 2.7 mm Hg in study eyes with ectopia lentis and 16.2 ± 4.3 in study eyes without ectopia lentis (P=.003); the mean corneal-compensated IOP was 13.5 ± 4.1 mm Hg and 15.6 ± 3.8 mm Hg, respectively (P=.07). CONCLUSION: The CH, CRF, and Goldman-correlated IOP were significantly lower in the Marfan syndrome eyes with ectopia lentis than in the Marfan syndrome eyes without ectopia lentis.

Unilateral superior pellucid marginal degeneration in a case with ichthyosis.

A 47-year-old man with ichthyosis vulgaris presented to our hospital complaining of reduced visual acuity and ocular discomfort in the left eye. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed a thinning about 2mm from the superior limbus and superficial punctate corneal lesions in the left eyes. Corneal topography was 'butterfly-like' in an area of increased elevation in the left eye. Although ichthyosis vulgaris and unilateral superior pellucid marginal degeneration are both uncommon conditions, this is first report about these two conditions in studied together.