An integrated virtual pathology education platform developed using Microsoft Power Apps and Microsoft Teams.

The transition towards digital pathology and an extensive selection of video conferencing platforms have helped provide continuity to education even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Innovative approaches for pathology education, will likely persist beyond the pandemic, as they have powerful didactic potential. While there is a wide selection of software for use as educational tools, an environment to access all resources with ease is clearly lacking. In this technical note, we highlight our customized educational applications built using a low-code approach. Our applications, developed with Microsoft Power Apps, serve both educational and examination purposes and are launched using Microsoft Teams. Building applications using a low-code approach has made our applications very specific to our use and enabled daily distanced education. Combined with existing features on Teams, such as file sharing, meeting scheduling, and messaging, the applications serve as a unique and customizable pathology educational platform.

Stellate nonhereditary idiopathic foveomacular retinoschisis resolution after vitreomacular adhesion release.

PURPOSE: To present a case of stellate nonhereditary idiopathic foveomacular retinoschisis (SNIFR) resolution associated with vitreomacular adherence (VMA) release and propose a potential contributing association between SNIFR and vitreomacular interactions. OBSERVATIONS: A 67-year-old female patient was diagnosed and followed for SNIFR in OD with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans at presentation and subsequent visits at 3, 6, 16 and 22 months. VMA and foveomacular retinoschisis remained unchanged on SD-OCT during the first 6 months of the follow-up. At 16-month follow-up visit, SD-OCT revealed VMA release and an important improvement of the macular schisis. At 22 months of follow-up, SNIFR cavities completely resolved in the presence of posterior hyaloid separation from the macular area without any adjunct treatment. The authors could not identify any other possible cause to justify the resolution of SNIFR other than VMA release in this case. Patient did not undergo any treatment for OD other than phacoemulsification 3 months after initial visit. CONCLUSION: The present case illustrates with SD-OCT scans a possible association between SNIFR resolution and VMA release, highlighting a potential tractional component of the posterior vitreous on the internal limiting membrane and consequent glial cells stretching with schisis formation.

Pediatric Ocular Injuries: A 3-Year Follow-up Study of Patients Presenting to a Tertiary Care Clinic in Canada.

PURPOSE: To identify age groups or activities at risk for ocular injuries to provide parents, sports teams, schools, and hospitals with the appropriate tools for prevention strategies. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all trauma-related cases from 2013 to 2015 and data were obtained with the use of an electronic medical record. All patients younger than 18 years who presented to the ophthalmology clinic with traumatic ocular injuries were included. RESULTS: A total of 409 patients met the inclusion criteria and all were included in this study. The mean age was 7.74 years. Boys were injured more frequently than girls (60.4%). Most ocular injuries occurred between the ages of 2 and 9 years (51.8%). The most common sport was soccer, followed by ball/ice hockey, which differs from previous study findings. This may highlight the increasing popularity of soccer and the risk it may entail. Injuries occurred at home in 23.2% of cases. Final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 77% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are comparable to the authors' previous data and to those of the only other Canadian study done on this subject, with the exception of an increased incidence of soccer-related injuries in the current cohort, highlighting an area important to future prevention strategies. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57(3):185-189.].

Metastatic choroidal melanoma to the contralateral eye: a rare case / Melanoma de coróide metátastico para o olho contralateral: caso raro

ABSTRACT Uveal melanoma is the most common adult primary intraocular cancer. Although liver metastasis is common to the natural history of the disease, metastasis to the fellow eye is extremely rare. Here we report the case of a 59-year-old man with choroidal melanoma in his right eye who underwent enucleation at a different center. The patient was referred to our service 21 months postoperatively, complaining of decreased vision. He was found to have a new pigmented choroidal tumor in his left eye associated with liver disease. Ocular ultrasonography and liver biopsy with histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed and confirmed the diagnosis. Few similar cases have been described in the literature. The differential diagnosis included primary bilateral choroidal melanoma and metastatic choroidal tumor from a primary skin melanoma.

RESUMO O melanoma uveal é o câncer intraocular primário mais frequente em adultos. Embora a metástase hepática seja comum à história natural da doença, a metástase para o outro olho é extremamente rara. Aqui relatamos o caso de um homem de 59 anos com melanoma de coroide em seu olho direito que foi submetido à enucleação em um centro diferente. O paciente foi encaminhado ao nosso serviço 21 meses após a cirurgia, com queixa de diminuição da visão. Foi encontrado um novo tumor de coróide pigmentado em seu olho esquerdo associado com doença hepática. Ultrassonografia ocular e biópsia hepática com exame histopatológico e imuno-histoquímico foram realizadas e confirmaram o diagnóstico. Poucos casos semelhantes foram descritos na literatura. O diagnóstico diferencial incluiu melanoma de coróide bilateral orimário e tumor coroidal metastático de um melanoma primário da pele.

Metastatic choroidal melanoma to the contralateral eye: a rare case.

Uveal melanoma is the most common adult primary intraocular cancer. Although liver metastasis is common to the natural history of the disease, metastasis to the fellow eye is extremely rare. Here we report the case of a 59-year-old man with choroidal melanoma in his right eye who underwent enucleation at a different center. The patient was referred to our service 21 months postoperatively, complaining of decreased vision. He was found to have a new pigmented choroidal tumor in his left eye associated with liver disease. Ocular ultrasonography and liver biopsy with histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed and confirmed the diagnosis. Few similar cases have been described in the literature. The differential diagnosis included primary bilateral choroidal melanoma and metastatic choroidal tumor from a primary skin melanoma.

Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase A - A novel biomarker of multi-episodic (recurrent) ocular toxoplasmosis.

Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is the most common etiology of posterior uveitis. The high incidence of macular scarring associated with OT is a leading cause of visual morbidity. Serum biomarkers of the disease would aid in its diagnosis. This study sought, for the first time, to elucidate serum biomarkers for OT by mass spectrometry. Blood samples were collected from four groups of nine patients each; toxoplasmosis IgG-with no history of uveitis, non-toxoplasmosis uveitis, first episode OT, and symptomatic recurrent OT. Serum was isolated and subjected to proteomics analysis using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE) and surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (SELDI-MS). Selected proteins were further separated by SDS-PAGE and sequenced using tandem MS. Results were cross-validated with a T. gondii outbreak biomarker database that occurred in Brazil. Fifty markers of OT and 46 markers of recurrent disease were discovered by SELDI-MS of which 30 and 15, respectively, were cross-validated. 2D-GE analysis yielded 57 bands, selected based on the intensity of the bands, leading to the identification of 20 proteins. Eleven of those identified candidates were also found by SELDI-MS. Four candidates were chosen for immunoblotting. One serum protein, peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase A (PPIA), was confirmed as a biomarker of multi-episodic OT by immunoblotting in patients. PPIA can identify the patient with active recurrent OT from acute OT, other forms of uveitis and other parasitic infections. A validated PPIA assay may have a role in the diagnosis of the atypical OT patient before more invasive anterior chamber or vitreous tap is performed for PCR analysis or for Goldmann-Witner coefficient calculations. Base-line PPIA levels need to be studied to understand its possible use when deciding for prophylactic antibiotic use in the immunosuppressed sero-positive patient.

Novel treatment of papillomatous conjunctival lesions using pattern scanning laser photocoagulation: 1-Year results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and 1-year effect of pattern scanning laser photocoagulation treatment for pedunculated papillomatous and sessile conjunctival lesions in a low-resource setting with extremely limited operating room access. METHODS: Adult patients with clinical diagnosis of conjunctival papilloma underwent complete ophthalmologic exam including anterior segment photography. After topical anesthesia and toluidine blue 1% instillation, the lesion was treated by pattern scanning photocoagulation using a duration time that varied from 20 to 100 ms and power from 600 to 1800 mW, treating the entire lesion surface with a 2 mm margin. Patients were examined weekly for a month then monthly and underwent retreatment as necessary. RESULTS: Six patients and seven eyes that had clinically significant non-malignant pedunculated or sessile papillomatous lesions were treated. All lesions responded to treatment, with complete resolution after an average of 2.3 sessions. Procedures were well tolerated with only minor mild discomfort persisting up to two days post-treatment. Patients were followed for a mean follow-up time of 13 months with no recurrences reported. CONCLUSION: Short-term results of the pattern scanning laser photocoagulation approach, with toluidine blue for papillomatous conjunctival lesions are favorable with a 100% success rate in this cohort. This rate is comparable to surgical excision. This novel strategy proved to be a less resource intensive alternative that not only could demonstrate its usefulness in settings with chronic operating room shortages, but also in recurrent cases. Longer follow-ups with a larger sample size and cost-analysis are necessary to confirm our findings.

Largest case series of Latin American eyelid tumors over 13-Years from a single center in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

PURPOSE: Malignant lesions of the eyelid are the most common eye cancers. Although rarely lethal, late diagnosis can lead to serious visual morbidity. Definitive diagnosis of neoplastic lesions is pathological. Indications and types of eyelid lesions in a single high-volume ophthalmic reference center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed. METHODS: The surgical pathological reports of patients who underwent eye removal procedures between January 2000 and December 2012 were retrieved from the electronic database of the Ophthalmology Department and retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding the final anatomopathological diagnosis, sex, and age were analyzed via the χ2 test with Yates' correction. RESULTS: Of the 1,113 eyelid tumors resected over the 13-year study period, 324 (29%) lesions were malignant. The most prevalent lesions were basal cell, squamous cell, and sebaceous gland carcinomas. The median ages of patients (females, n=165, 51%; males, n=159, 49%) with a diagnosis of basal cell, squamous cell, and sebaceous gland carcinomas were 65, 75, and 70 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the largest retrospective cohort analysis of eyelid tumors in a Latin American population. These findings are in agreement with those from large centers in other countries and regions.

Largest case series of Latin American eyelid tumors over 13-Years from a single center in Sao Paulo, Brazil / A maior série de casos de tumores de pálpebra na América Latina ao longo de 13 anos de um único centro em São Paulo, Brasil

ABSTRACT Purpose: Malignant lesions of the eyelid are the most common eye cancers. Although rarely lethal, late diagnosis can lead to serious visual morbidity. Definitive diagnosis of neoplastic lesions is pathological. Indications and types of eyelid lesions in a single high-volume ophthalmic reference center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed. Methods: The surgical pathological reports of patients who underwent eye removal procedures between January 2000 and December 2012 were retrieved from the electronic database of the Ophthalmology Department and retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding the final anatomopathological diagnosis, sex, and age were analyzed via the χ2 test with Yates' correction. Results: Of the 1,113 eyelid tumors resected over the 13-year study period, 324 (29%) lesions were malignant. The most prevalent lesions were basal cell, squamous cell, and sebaceous gland carcinomas. The median ages of patients (females, n=165, 51%; males, n=159, 49%) with a diagnosis of basal cell, squamous cell, and sebaceous gland carcinomas were 65, 75, and 70 years, respectively. Conclusion: This is the largest retrospective cohort analysis of eyelid tumors in a Latin American population. These findings are in agreement with those from large centers in other countries and regions.

RESUMO Objetivo: As lesões malignas de pálpebras são os cânceres oftalmológicos mais frequentes. Embora raramente letal, o diagnóstico tardio pode levar a diversas complicações severas e a uma alta taxa de morbidade visual. O diagnóstico definitivo de lesões neoplásicas é patológico. No presente estudo, revisamos casos de um único centro de referência oftalmológica de maior volume em São Paulo, Brasil. Métodos: Avaliação retrospectiva de todos os tumores palpebrais operados entre os anos de 2000 e 2012 no Departamento de Oftalmologia. Dados incluindo diagnóstico anatomopatológico final, sexo e idade - foram analisados através do método χ2 YATES. Resultados: Dentre os 1.113 tumores palpebrais ressecados no período de estudo de 13 anos, 324 (29%) dos pacientes com lesões únicas eram malignas. A lesão mais prevalente foi Carcinoma Basocelular (CBC), seguido por carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) e carcinoma de células sebáceas (CCS). A média da idade dos pacientes com diagnóstico de CBC, CCS e CEC foi 65, 75 e 70 respectivamente distribuídos entre 165 (51%) mulheres e 159 (49%) homens. Conclusão: Essa é a maior análise de coorte retrospectivo de tumores palpebrais da América Latina. Nossos achados estão de acordo com outros grandes centros de outros países e continentes.

Primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with inferior retinal breaks postoperative prone positioning results: 1 day versus 7 days.

BACKGROUND: To compare the primary anatomical outcome of pars plana vitrectomy, 360° peripheral endolaser, and 15% octafluoropropane C3F8 gas tamponade in patients with uncomplicated rhegmatogenous detachment and inferior retinal breaks, after 24-h postoperative prone positioning to similar patients with 1 week postoperative prone positioning. METHODS: Records of 5500 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy between 2008 and 2015 were retrieved. Collected data included age, gender, number of retinal quadrants with retinal breaks, number of retinal breaks, macula status on presentation (attached or detached), phakic status (phakic, pseudophakic, or aphakic), and primary anatomical outcome (at 1 and 3 months post-operative). RESULTS: 270 patients met the study inclusion criteria (78 females, and 192 males). In the 24-h positioning arm (183 patients), the overall anatomical success rate was 96.2% at 1 month and 83.6% at 3 months. In the 1-week positioning group (87 patients), the overall anatomical success rate was 93% at 1 month and 79% at 3 months. Both positioning groups did not show statistical difference in outcome at 1 month (p-value = 0.7) or at 3 months (p-value = 0.39). Logistic regression analysis found that the number of retinal breaks correlates with the postoperative anatomical success at 3 months (odd ratio 0.8, p-value = 0.016). CONCLUSION: This short term retrospective study demonstrated that patients with uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment due to inferior retinal breaks, who underwent pars plana vitrectomy, 360° endolaser, 15% C3F8 gas, and limited (24-h) prone positioning did not show statistical difference in the anatomical outcome (at 1, and 3 months) when compared with 1 week postoperative positioning. Larger prospective studies are warranted to further elucidate positioning role.

Outcomes of primary endoresection for choroidal melanoma.

PURPOSE: To review long time treatment results in patients with small or medium sized choroidal melanoma who underwent surgical tumor endoresection as a primary treatment when plaque radiotherapy was unable and patients declined enucleation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were evaluated for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and underwent biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, retinography and ultrasound as well as the usual systemic workup. Study inclusion required the absence of scleral invasion or metastasis and an anterior margin not exceeding the pars plana or the ciliary body. Surgery consisted of a clear lens phacoemulsification with a PC-IOL, and a 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with anterior vitreous shave, lesional choroidal endodiathermy, followed by 23-gauge probe tumor endoresection and continuous endolaser. Patients were followed at post-operative 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months and then every 6 months with a complete ophthalmological exam including ultrasound biomicroscopy and systemic follow-up at 3, 6 and every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with choroidal melanoma were included the study. Pre-operative BCVA ranged from 20/20 to hand motion (HM): 20/20 (n = 2); 20/60 (n = 1); and HM (n = 10). Pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of uveal melanoma in all cases. Mean follow-up was 54.5 months (45-66 months) with a final BCVA ranging from 20/60 to HM: 20/60 (n = 1); 20/60 to 20/200 (n = 10); and HM (n = 2). The eye retention rate in our study was 100%. No intraocular recurrence was observed. One patient died 12 months after surgery from metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: Endoresection appears to be an acceptable alternative to enucleation for the treatment of posteriorly-localized uveal melanoma, with excellent local control and eye salvage rates.

Indications for eye removal over a 13-year period at an ophthalmology referral center in São Paulo, Brazil.

PURPOSE:: To analyze the indications and types of eye removal at Latin America's highest-volume ophthalmic reference center in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS:: A retrospective analysis was conducted of surgical pathological reports in the electronic database of the Ophthalmology Department of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo Hospital of patients who underwent eye-removal procedures between January 2000 and December 2012. RESULTS:: A total of 412 cases met the inclusion criteria for this study. The most common indications for eye removal were ocular melanoma and retinoblastoma, representing 35.4% and 31.1% of the total cases, respectively. Other frequent indications included endophthalmitis (6.3%), nonspecific inflammation (4.1%), squamous cell carcinoma (3.6%), panophthalmitis (3.4%), and phthisis bulbi (1.2%). The remaining indications accounted for 14.8% of all cases, with each accounting for <1% of the total cases. Enucleation was the most common eye-removal procedure seen in our study. CONCLUSIONS:: The two most common indications for eye removal were ocular melanoma and retinoblastoma. Alternative treatment options are effective in limiting the need for eye removal but are constrained by our public center's so cioeconomic context.

Indications for eye removal over a 13-year period at an ophthalmology referral center in São Paulo, Brazil / Indicações para remoção ocular ao longo de um período de 13 anos no centro de referência oftalmológica em São Paulo, Brazil

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the indications and types of eye removal at Latin America's highest-volume ophthalmic reference center in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of surgical pathological reports in the electronic database of the Ophthalmology Department of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo Hospital of patients who underwent eye-removal procedures between January 2000 and December 2012. Results: A total of 412 cases met the inclusion criteria for this study. The most common indications for eye removal were ocular melanoma and retinoblastoma, representing 35.4% and 31.1% of the total cases, respectively. Other frequent indications included endophthalmitis (6.3%), nonspecific inflammation (4.1%), squamous cell carcinoma (3.6%), panophthalmitis (3.4%), and phthisis bulbi (1.2%). The remaining indications accounted for 14.8% of all cases, with each accounting for <1% of the total cases. Enucleation was the most common eye-removal procedure seen in our study. Conclusions: The two most common indications for eye removal were ocular melanoma and retinoblastoma. Alternative treatment options are effective in limiting the need for eye removal but are constrained by our public center's so cioeconomic context.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os tipos e indicações para a remoção dos olhos no maior centro de referência oftalmológica da América Latina em São Paulo, Brasil. Métodos: Revisão retrospectiva de laudos cirúrgico patológico em uma base de dados eletrônica do Departamento de Oftalmologia do Hospital da Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Foram analisados pacientes submetidos ao procedimento de remoção oftálmica no período de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2012. Resultados: Um total de 412 casos estiveram de acordo com os critérios de inclusão desse estudo. A indicação mais comum para remoção oftálmica foi Melanoma ocular e Retinoblastoma, representando, respectivamente, 35,4% e 31,1% do total de casos. Outras indicações frequentes incluíam Endoftalmite 6,3%, Inflamação inespecífica 4,1%, Carcinoma escamocelular 3,6%, Panoftalmite 3,4% e Phthisis Bulbi 1,2%. O restante das indicações totalizaram 14,8% de todos os casos, sendo que cada um correspondem com menos de 1% do total. Enucleação foi o procedimento de remoção oftálmica mais comum observado em nosso estudo. Conclusão: As duas indicações mais frequentes para remoção oftálmica no centro oftalmológico de referência do Brasil foi melanoma e retinoblastoma. Opções terapêuticas alternativas são efetivas para limitar a necessidade da remoção ocular, porém são restritos devido ao contexto socioeconômico de nossa população.

Evaluating the presence of Toxoplasma gondii in peripheral blood of patients with diverse forms of uveitis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of Toxoplasmosis gondii in samples of peripheral blood from patients with varying etiologies of uveitis. Whole blood from patients with different forms of uveitis was tested for the presence of T. gondii using real-time PCR targeting the well-characterized 529 bp fragment. Extracted DNA was both frozen. Thirty-one patients were included in the current study and grouped as follows: acute toxoplasmosis (n = 10); toxoplasmic retinal scars (n = 9); non-infectious etiologies of uveitis (n = 6); and IgG negative for toxoplasmosis (n = 6). In total, only two patients were shown to have circulating T. gondii in peripheral blood; both of these patients were IgG positive for toxoplasmosis, were receiving immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune uveitis, and had no clinical features of toxoplasmosis. T. gondii was identified in peripheral blood of some immunosuppressed patients. No other patients, including those with acute toxoplasmosis, had circulating parasites in peripheral blood.

Type 1 Boston keratoprosthesis: outcomes at two Canadian centres.

OBJECTIVES: To report the outcomes of patients who underwent Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (Kpro) surgery at the University Health Network (Toronto, Ont.) and the University of Ottawa Eye Institute (Ottawa, Ont.) between June 2008 and July 2013. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-four eyes of 43 patients who underwent Kpro surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all Kpro procedures performed by 4 attending cornea surgeons. The preoperative characteristics and postoperative course of each patient were analyzed. RESULTS: In 31 eyes (70%), the primary indication for a Kpro was failed corneal transplantation. The remaining 13 eyes (30%) had Kpro as a primary procedure. In all eyes, preoperative visual acuity (VA) was 20/150 or worse, with 39 eyes (89%) having a VA of counting fingers, hand movement, or light perception. Mean follow-up time was 21 ± 12 months (range 12-57 months). The retention rate at the last follow-up was 95%. Best-achieved median VA was 20/100 (range 20/20 to no light perception [NLP]), with 37% of patients achieving a VA of >20/40 at some point during their postoperative course. At the last follow-up, median VA was 20/400 (range 20/30 to NLP). The 2 most common complications included retroprosthetic membrane formation (23 eyes, 52%) and elevated intraocular pressure (10 eyes, 23%). There were 5 cases (11%) of stromal melt and 1 case (2%) of infective keratitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that Kpro improves VA in a majority of cases, and is a viable option in situations in which there is a poor prognosis for traditional penetrating keratoplasty.

Imatinib mesylate alters the expression of genes related to disease progression in an animal model of uveal melanoma.

Imatinib mesylate (IM) is a compound that inhibits both BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase and c-kit receptors. Tyrosine kinases are important in cellular signaling and mediate major cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, attachment, and migration. Twenty-six albino rabbits were injected with 1 × 10(6) human uveal melanoma (UM) cells (92.1) into the suprachoroidal space. Animals were immunosuppressed (cyclosporin A) over the course of the 12-week experiment and divided into two groups (n = 13). The experimental group received IM once daily by gavage while the control group received a placebo. One animal per group was sacrificed every week after the 2nd week. Upon necropsy, organs were harvested for histopathological examination. Cells from the primary tumors were recultured and tested in proliferation and invasion assays. A PCR array was used to investigate the differences in expression of 84 genes related to tumor metastasis. In the treated group, 4 rabbits developed intraocular tumors, with an average largest tumor dimension (LTD) of 2.5 mm and 5 animals reported metastatic disease. Whereas 6 rabbits in the control group developed intraocular tumors, with an average LTD of 5.8 mm and 6 animals reported metastatic disease. The recultured cells from the treated group demonstrated lower proliferation rates and were less invasive (p < 0.001). The PCR array showed differences in expression of genes related to metastasis. Notably, there was 290-fold increase in SERPINB5, a tumor suppressor gene, and a 10-fold higher expression of KISS1, a metastasis suppressor gene, in the treated group. Proangiogenic genes such as VEGFA, PDGFA and PDGFB were downregulated in the treated group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report detailing the altered expression of specific genes in UM cells after treatment with IM.