Swiss Multicenter Ab Interno XEN45 Gel Stent Study: 2-Year Real-World Data.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the 2-year postoperative efficacy of the XEN45 Gel Stent by evaluating the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and the need for eye pressure-lowering medications in a multicenter setting in Switzerland. METHODS: Patients with various types of glaucoma who received a XEN45 Gel Stent with or without combined phacoemulsification cataract surgery at five hospitals in Switzerland were retrospectively enrolled. Pre- and postoperative IOP, the number of antiglaucoma medications, and the need of subsequent interventions to control IOP were assessed. The success rate was defined as a ≥ 20% reduction of IOP 2 years postoperatively without the need for subsequent glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: A total of 345 eyes were included: 44.3% with primary open-angle, 42.0% pseudoexfoliation, and 13.7% with other types of glaucoma. Of these, 206 patients were followed for 2 years. Preoperatively, the mean IOP was 26.3 ± 8.9 mmHg and the mean number of antiglaucoma medications administered was 3.0 ± 1.3. Two years postoperatively, the success rate was 66.0% (95% confidence interval 59.3-72.1%), the IOP had dropped by 43.8% to 14.8 ± 5.7 mmHg, and the number of medications was reduced by a mean of 2.0 ± 1.7 per day. Postoperative complications and the need for interventions remained low. CONCLUSION: The XEN45 Gel Stent successfully reduced IOP and the number of antiglaucoma drugs in most patients at 2 years postoperatively.

Multiparametric Characterization of Intracranial Gliomas Using Dynamic [18F]FET-PET and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Both static and dynamic O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine-(FET)-PET and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) are useful tools for grading and prognostication in gliomas. However, little is known about the potential of multimodal imaging comprising both procedures. We therefore acquired NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios in multi-voxel MRS as well as FET-PET parameters in 67 glioma patients and determined multiparametric parameter combinations. Using receiver operating characteristics, differentiation between low-grade and high-grade glioma was possible by static FET-PET (area under the curve (AUC) 0.86, p = 0.001), time-to-peak (TTP; AUC 0.79, p = 0.049), and using the Cho/Cr ratio (AUC 0.72, p = 0.039), while the multimodal analysis led to improved discrimination with an AUC of 0.97 (p = 0.001). In order to distinguish glioblastoma from non-glioblastoma, MRS (NAA/Cr ratio, AUC 0.66, p = 0.031), and dynamic FET-PET (AUC 0.88, p = 0.001) were superior to static FET imaging. The multimodal analysis increased the accuracy with an AUC of 0.97 (p < 0.001). In the survival analysis, PET parameters, but not spectroscopy, were significantly correlated with overall survival (OS, static PET p = 0.014, TTP p = 0.012), still, the multiparametric analysis, including MRS, was also useful for the prediction of OS (p = 0.002). In conclusion, FET-PET and MRS provide complementary information to better characterize gliomas before therapy, which is particularly interesting with respect to the increasing use of hybrid PET/MRI for brain tumors.

[Angle-closure glaucoma]. / Winkelblockglaukome.

Angle-closure glaucoma is a rare form of glaucoma characterized by a narrow or an occlusion of the anterior chamber angle and subsequently an obstruction of the outflow of aqueous humor resulting in an increase in intraocular pressure. Symptoms can include severe eye pain and/or headache, blurred vision, a medium-sized and rigid pupil, conjunctival hyperemia, and nausea. Treatment options include pressure-lowering topical and systemic medications as well as surgical interventions, especially cataract surgery and laser iridotomy. Besides parasympathomimetics (pilocarpine), all topical antiglaucoma medications can principally be used (beta-receptor antagonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, alpha­2 selective adrenergic antagonists, prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogues). Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and osmotic agents (e.g., mannitol) can be systemically used.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty following failed combined phacoemulsification cataract extraction and excimer laser trabeculotomy can control intraocular pressure for a limited time.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) following failed phacoemulsification cataract extraction combined with excimer laser trabeculotomy (phaco-ELT). METHODS: Retrospectively, the medical records of patients with primary or secondary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who underwent SLT between January 2001 and February 2015 by one surgeon at a single center after a failed phaco-ELT were evaluated. Exclusion criteria were: angle-closure glaucoma, optic nerve atrophy due to disease other than glaucoma, and additional glaucoma procedures between phaco-ELT and SLT. The main outcome measures were time to failure and Kaplan-Meier survival. Complete success was defined as a reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) of > 3 mmHg and > 20% compared to baseline, and the number of AGM ≤ baseline. RESULTS: A total of 23 eyes of 21 subjects were included. Baseline IOP was 19.7 (range, 19.1-22.7) mmHg, and the number of AGM at baseline was 2.5 (range, 1.9-2.9). Median time to failure after SLT was 7.2 (range, 6.6-7.8) months. The number of antiglaucoma medications did not change during that time. CONCLUSIONS: In eyes in which the IOP is no longer controlled following phaco-ELT, SLT could be an option to slow disease progression or prolong time until incisional filtration surgery. However, time to failure after SLT is limited. Thus, close follow-up visits are necessary in order to not delay an incisional surgery.