Osteochodromyxoma presenting as case of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Purpose: We report the case of a 10-month-old with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) associated with osteochondromyxoma (OMX), a very rare bone tumor. Observations: A 10-month-old boy presented with a 6-month history of right eye epiphora not responding to digital massage and topical steroid-antibiotics eye drops. The ophthalmic exam showed right medial canthal swelling. During the ophthalmic exam an abnormal snoring sound was noted. The mother also reported that patient experienced frequent upper respiratory tract infections. Inspection of nostrils showed a right nasal lesion that upon comprehensive evaluation by ENT and pathology teams turned out to be an OMX with loss of PRKAR1A expression. Further genetic testing confirmed the Carney complex (CNC) diagnosis and the patient was referred to multidisciplinary care. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first cases of OMX-induced NLDO, where a typical looking congenital NLDO ended up with a diagnosis of a rare genetic disease. Conclusion and Importance: We have described a case of OMX of the nasal cavity masquerading as congenital NLDO. This case emphasizes that NLDO is not always congenital if presenting within the first few months of life. It is important to obtain a thorough history and exam to evaluate potential differential diagnoses to guide subsequent decision-making steps.

Reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity six years after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.

Although intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is effective in the management of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), reactivations following treatment are known to occur. We present the case of an asymptomatic child who developed a very late reactivation of ROP 6 years after its successful treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab. This case reemphasizes the importance of long-term follow-up after anti-VEGF therapy for ROP until retinal vascularization is complete. It also supports investigating the utility of laser photocoagulation for peripheral avascular retina after successful treatment with anti-VEGF injection for type I ROP.

Epidemiology of Common Ocular Manifestations among Patients on Haemodialysis in West Bank, Palestine.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ocular manifestations and associated factors in patients on haemodialysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients on haemodialysis from a haemodialysis unit in Nablus, Palestine, was conducted. Medical examination for ocular manifestations (intraocular pressure, cataract, retinal changes and optic neuropathy) was performed using Tono-Pen, portable slit-lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope. Predictor variables were age, gender, smoking, medical comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease [IHD], peripheral arterial disease [PAD]) and use of antiplatelet or anti-coagulation medications. Results: A total of 191 patients were included in this study. The prevalence of any ocular manifestation in at least one eye was 68%. The most common ocular manifestations were retinal changes (58%) and cataract (41%). The prevalence of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and NPDR or PDR was 51%, 16% and 65%. Two patients had PDR in one eye and NPDR in the other, and therefore, they were counted only once making the total for this category 71 rather than 73 patients. An increase in age by one year increased the odds of having cataract by 1.10 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.14). Patients with diabetes had higher odds of having cataract (odds ratio [OR] = 7.43, 95% CI: 3.26-16.95) and any retinal changes (OR = 109.48, 95% CI: 33.85-354.05) than patients without diabetes. Patients with diabetes and IHD or PAD had higher odds of having NPDR than those with diabetes without IHD or PAD (OR = 7.62, 95% CI: 2.07-28.03). Conclusion: Retinal changes and cataract are common ocular manifestations among patients on haemodialysis. The findings emphasise the importance of periodic screening for ocular problems in this vulnerable population, especially older patients and those with diabetes, to prevent visual impartment and associated disability.

Morning glory disc anomaly associated with moyamoya disease and pituitary stalk duplication.

Purpose: We report a case of a 10-year-old with Moring glory disc anomaly (MGDA) associated with Moyamoya disease and pituitary stalk duplication. Observations: A 10-year-old Asian child presented with decreased vision in the right eye and bilateral nystagmus. Both dilated fundus exam and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbit confirmed MGDA of the right eye. MRI of the brain demonstrated duplication of the pituitary stalk. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the brain revealed bilateral severe narrowing (greater on the right side) of the distal supraclinoid internal carotid arteries with bilateral reconstitution at the carotid terminus and prominent collaterals, suggestive of Moyamoya disease. Conclusions: Patients with MGDA should undergo neuroimaging due to the associated central nervous system (CNS) anomalies.

Transient Ischemic Attack and Hypoventilation 12 Hours After Intra-vitreal Aflibercept Injection.

Given the role the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays in controlling and preserving the integrity of the vascular endothelium intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF agents may affect the risk of thromboembolic events. This is particularly noticeable in patients who are at risk for atherosclerosis. Here, we present one of the first case reports of transient ischemic attack (TIA) together with hypoventilation secondary to aflibercept injection. A 63-year-old female suffered TIA together with hypoventilation about 12 hours after the third administration of intravitreal aflibercept, which is a VEGF inhibitor for diabetic macular edema (DME). Upon presentation, she was confused, had right-sided weakness and her respiratory rate was six breaths per minute, all of these resolved within the next 24 hours. The serum tests, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, brain imaging, and carotid Doppler ultrasound were unremarkable. An ophthalmic exam revealed signs of bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy with left macular edema. Detailed reports of similar cases are lacking in the literature. Hypoventilation and thromboembolic could be possible side effects of aflibercept that necessitate more investigation.

The Epidemiology of Anti-Sperm Antibodies Among Couples with Unexplained Infertility in North West Bank, Palestine.

INTRODUCTION: Anti sperm antibodies (ASA) can present in serum and semen and they may lead to impair the sperms function leading to infertility. The precise mechanism of generation of these antibodies is yet to be discovered. AIM: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) in patients with unexplained infertility. The study was initiated also to explore the possible factors that may associate with ASA formation and how ASA status is associated with pregnancy rates after going with in vitro fertilization - intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 42 normal infertile couples consulting Razan Medical Center for Infertility & I.V.F. in Nablus, Palestine, from December 2012 - March 2013. Serum levels of immunoglobulins G (IgG) ASA were measured in participants (males and females) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, participants also filled a questionnaire about the presence of previous varicocele repair, inguinal hernia repair, orchitis, testicular trauma and vasectomy reversal among males and severe coitus bleeding and coitus during menses or puerperium among females. Couples were also asked about previous IVF-ICSI procedures and the outcome of the procedure in terms of either they got pregnant or not. Data was analysed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The prevalence of ASA was 14.3% (6/42) among all couples, 9.5% (4/42) among males and 4.8% (2/42) among females. There was no significant relationship between previous varicocele repair, previous inguinal hernia repair, or orchitis and formation of ASA (p value =0.64, 0.56, and 0.26 respectively). Previous trauma, vasovasostomy, severe coitus bleeding and coitus during menses or puerperium were not observed in any of the study sample. ASA did not seem to affect the outcome of IVF-ICSI (p-value =0.54). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of ASA in infertile couples in the north part of Palestine is similar to that obtained worldwide. ASA formation does not relate to any of the studied risk factors and does not seem to associate with pregnancy rate after IVF-ICSI. We recommend further studies using a larger sample size and including all parts of Palestine in order to generalize the obtained results.