Multimodal evaluation of hemorrhages within intraretinal cystoid spaces in a blood-fluid level presentation.

INTRODUCTION: We describe characteristic findings on multimodal evaluation and the features of hemorrhage within a foveal cystoid space in a patient presenting cystoid macular edema secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO). CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 64-year-old diabetic male patient presenting gradual blurry vision in the left eye. Fundoscopic findings were suggestive of BRVO, such as hard exudates and mild venous engorgement superotemporally and diffuse macular intraretinal hemorrhages. In the foveal area, there was cystoid edema with blood-fluid level (BFL) inside one of the cystoid spaces. Retina multimodal evaluation, including color, blue filter, and red-free fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) B and C scan imaging, confirmed blood within foveal cystoid space. The patient underwent antiangiogenic therapy with significant improvement of macular edema and reduction of the cystoid space after 3 months. In addition, there was a resolution of visual symptoms. The cystoid space previously partially filled with blood, persisted, despite presenting smaller volume and medium reflectivity in the SD-OCT. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal evaluation of blood-fluid level within foveal cystoid space in patients with BRVO has not been described previously. Identification of this sign may support the diagnosis of retinal vein occlusion in doubtful cases and further studies must be carried out to establish if the presence of BFL correlates with visual outcomes.

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Based on Non-ICGA Criteria in White Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To determine prevalence of probable polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) among White patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) using non-indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) criteria DESIGN: Multicenter, multinational, retrospective, cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 208 treatment-naive eyes from Hispanic and non-Hispanic White individuals diagnosed with nAMD were included. All underwent color fundus photography (CFP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (FFA). De-identified images of study eyes were sent to 2 groups of graders. Group 1 reviewed CFP, OCT, and FFA to confirm nAMD diagnosis. Group 2 reviewed CFP and OCT to determine highly suggestive features for PCV. Probable PCV diagnosis defined as the presence of ≥2 of 4 highly suggestive features for PCV: notched or fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) on CFP, sharply-peaked PED, notched PED, and hyperreflective ring on OCT. RESULTS: Eleven eyes were excluded because of poor image quality (6) or non-nAMD diagnosis (5). Of 197 eligible eyes (197 patients), the mean age (SD) was 78.8 years (8.9), 44.2% were men, 26.4% were Hispanic, and 73.6% were non-Hispanic White individuals; 41.1%, 23.4%, 9.1%, and 2.5% had ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, and 4 highly suggestive features. Results showed that 23.4% (95% CI, 17.6%-29.9%) had probable PCV diagnosis. Predominantly occult CNV was more frequently found in probable PCV than nAMD subgroup (84.8% vs 64.9%, P = .01). Hispanic White individuals had a lower prevalence of probable PCV than non-Hispanic White individuals (9.6% vs 28.2%, P = .006) CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that probable PCV occurs between 17.6% and 29.9% in White individuals with nAMD, and more commonly in non-Hispanic than in Hispanic White individuals.

Disorganization of retinal inner layers as a biomarker in patients with diabetic macular oedema treated with dexamethasone implant.

PURPOSE: To investigate disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL) as a biomarker in eyes with diabetic macular oedema (DME) treated by intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant. METHODS: Multicentre, retrospective study including eyes with DME treated with DEX implant and follow-up of 12 months after the first injection. OCT scans were evaluated for the presence of DRIL and other structural features. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield thickness (CST) were recorded at baseline and at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Correlation between DRIL at baseline and outcomes after DEX treatment and the change in DRIL were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 177 eyes (177 patients; naïve, n = 131; refractory, n = 46) were included. Patients without DRIL at baseline gained significantly more vision and enjoyed greater reduction in CST over 12 months (both p = 0.03). DRIL at the boundary between the ganglion cell-inner plexiform complex and inner nuclear layer improved in 48/64 eyes (75%, p < 0.001), while DRIL between the inner nuclear layer and outer plexiform layer improved in 27/77 eyes (35%, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that DEX implant has the potential to ameliorate DRIL. Patients without DRIL at baseline have a favourable outcome. DRIL may serve a robust biomarker in DME treated by DEX implant.

Observational study of intraocular lens tilt in sutureless intrascleral fixation versus standard transscleral suture fixation determined by ultrasound biomicroscopy.

BACKGROUND: The position of the intraocular lens (IOL) is a major factor that affects the final visual acuity after cataract surgery. However, no prospective study has compared the IOL positions associated with the sutureless intrascleral technique and the standard transscleral suturing technique. The current study compared the IOL positions in the two techniques using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in vivo. METHODS: Twenty-one eyes of 21 patients were included in this observational study conducted between February and May 2015. Eleven patients underwent the sutureless intrascleral technique, and 10 patients underwent transscleral fixation with suturing. Ophthalmologic examination and UBM were performed in all patients. Optic tilt was measured in relation to the iris plane. The haptic location was defined. Mann-Whitney test and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the vertical and horizontal gradients. Significant differences were considered when p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The most common indication for scleral fixation was a complication during phacoemulsification (81.81% in the sutureless group and 60% in the suture group). The mean vertical and horizontal tilts were, respectively, 0.24 ± 0.21 and 0.25 ± 0.19 mm in the sutureless group and 0.14 ± 0.17 and 0.23 ± 0.16 mm in the suture group. No significant differences were seen in the vertical tilt and horizontal tilt (p = 0.888 and p = 0.148, respectively) between the groups. Gender (p = 0.835), age (p = 0.888), follow-up time (p = 0.915), and surgical duration (p = 0.094) were not associated with optic tilt. Of the 22 haptics in the sutureless group, 21 (95.45%) were in the intrascleral tunnel; of the 20 haptics in the suture group, 13 (65%) were posterior to the ciliary body, four (20%) anterior to the ciliary body, and three (15%) in the ciliary sulcus. CONCLUSION: This study showed that there are no significant differences in the IOL positions between the two techniques.

Choroidal thickness using EDI-OCT in adult-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: To compare choroidal thickness in patients with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (AOFVD) with healthy subjects and to correlate choroidal thickness with age, gender and spherical equivalent. METHODS: A prospective, observational study of 37 eyes (15 eyes in AOFVD group and 22 eyes in control group) was conducted. Images were acquired by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Choroidal thickness measurements were performed in the subfoveal region and at 500, 1000 and 1500 µm intervals from the foveal center to nasal and to temporal regions for subsequent averaging of values. RESULTS: The AOFVD group consisted of four male eyes (28.6 %) and 10 female eyes (71.4 %); age was 33-62 years; spherical equivalent (SE) ranged from -1.50 to 1.50 spherical diopters (SD); mean subfoveal thickness was 325.6 µm, ranging from 186 to 420 µm; and the average of thicknesses was 309.4 µm, ranging from 188 to 413 µm. The control group consisted of 12 male eyes (54.5 %) and 10 female eyes (45.5 %); age was 27-62 years; SE ranged from -2.50 to 0.50 SD; subfoveal thickness was 294.8 µm, ranging from 213 to 481 µm; and the average of thicknesses was 279.4 µm, ranging from 201 to 458 µm. CONCLUSIONS: The AOFVD group and the control group showed similar choroidal thickness by correcting for age, SE and gender. Not yet known, completely, which biochemical and vascular flow alterations of the choroid, and which functional RPE changes may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. EDI-OCT, incorporated in some SD-OCT devices, allows higher quality assessment of the choroid. In this article, choroidal thickness of patients with AOFVD, a rare disease with a not fully understood pathogenesis, was assessed.

Evaluation of retinectomy in the treatment of severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the postoperative results and efficacy of retinectomy in the treatment of severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: The study involved 38 individuals with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment initially diagnosed with PVR grade C3 who had undergone pars plana vitrectomy combined with scleral buckle and silicone oil as a tamponade. A standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy was performed, and the extension of performing a retinectomy was decided during the procedure. The patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months after the last surgical procedure. Reoperation, postoperative hypotony and final reattachment rates were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with an Exact Fisher's test. RESULTS: The mean preoperative visual acuity was >1.3 logMAR. The postoperative visual acuity improved and ranged from 1.3 to 0.7 logMAR (p < 0.63). The preoperative intraocular pressure was 10.2 mmHg and postoperatively was 11.6 mmHg. Postoperative hypotony was observed in 15.8 % of the cases. The reoperation rate after the first procedure was 63.2 %. A total of 44.7 % of the patients needed a retinectomy greater than 270° for a final anatomical success. The final retinal reattachment rate was 94.7 %. CONCLUSIONS: Retinectomy can be an effective surgical procedure in the treatment of severe PVR, and it may increase the final reattachment rate.

Antimicrobial efficacy assessment of multi-use solution to disinfect hydrophilic contact lens, in vitro.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of disinfecting solutions in hydrophilic contact lenses (CL). METHODS: Two multi-use solutions denominated solution A (0.001% polyquaternium-1 and 0.0005% myristamidopropyl dimethylamine) and solution B (0.0001% polyaminopropyl biguanide) were used. The solutions were tested in hydrophilic contact lenses infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27583), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC1226), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC13883), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and the decrease in microorganisms growth after the hydrophilic contact lenses were cleaned with the respective solutions was verified. The manufacture's instructions were followed. RESULTS: A decrease of 90% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and a decrease 100% of Klebsiella pneumoniae was observed. CONCLUSION: The solutions decreased the amount of microorganisms tested.

Avaliação da ação antimicrobiana de soluções multiuso para desinfecção de lentes de contato hidrofílicas, in vitro / Antimicrobial efficacy assessment of multi-use solution to disinfect hydrophilic contact lens, in vitro

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência da ação antimicrobiana das soluções multiuso para desinfecção de lentes de contato hidrofílicas. MÉTODOS: Duas soluções multiuso denominadas solução A (poliquaternário-1 a 0,001 por cento e miristamidopropil dimetilamina a 0,0005 por cento) e solução B (poliaminopropil biguanida a 0,0001 por cento) foram testadas em lentes de contato hidrofílicas contaminadas com Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27583), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC1226), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC13883), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923) e Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) para verificar a quantidade de redução do crescimento dos microrganismos após o enxágue com as soluções. Foram seguidas as instruções preconizadas pelos fabricantes. RESULTADOS: Houve redução de 90 por cento do crescimento de Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus e Candida albicans. Não houve crescimento de Klebsiella pneumoniae. CONCLUSÃO: As soluções testadas neste trabalho mostraram redução do número de microrganismos testados.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of disinfecting solutions in hydrophilic contact lenses (CL). METHODS: Two multi-use solutions denominated solution A (0.001 percent polyquaternium-1 and 0.0005 percent myristamidopropyl dimethylamine) and solution B (0.0001 percent polyaminopropyl biguanide) were used. The solutions were tested in hydrophilic contact lenses infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27583), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC1226), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC13883), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and the decrease in microorganisms growth after the hydrophilic contact lenses were cleaned with the respective solutions was verified. The manufacture's instructions were followed. RESULTS: A decrease of 90 percent of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and a decrease 100 percent of Klebsiella pneumoniae was observed. CONCLUSION: The solutions decreased the amount of microorganisms tested.

Dengue maculopathy: visual electrophysiology and optical coherence tomography.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the visual loss due to dengue fever using retinal and cortical electrophysiology and retinal imaging. The participants were three female patients with low visual acuity after dengue fever. They were evaluated by routine ophthalmological investigations, transient pattern electroretinogram (tPERG), transient pattern visual evoked cortical potential (tPVECP), and retinal optical coherence tomography (retinal OCT). tPERG and tPVECP amplitude (microV) and implicit time (ms) were the parameters evaluated using OCT retinal thickness (microm) and reflectivity. All patients presented low visual acuity and scotomata with or without changes in the oculus fundus. tPERG from two patients showed decreased amplitude or absence of the main components; it was not possible to record a reliable response in the third patient due to excessive blinking. tPVECP at 0.5 cpd was normal in all three patients, while at 2 cpd the main components were absent in one patient and normal in the other two patients. OCT image was abnormal in two patients, one of them with high reflectance areas and another with decreased retinal thickness (the third patient was not studied with this technique).The dengue fever can lead to visual impairment detectable by ophthalmological exams such as angiography, retinography, and OCT imaging, as well as retinal and cortical electrophysiology. Dengue maculopathy which could be caused by vascular alterations and/or aberrant immune response after infection may result in temporary or permanent visual losses.

Neurofibroma de plexo braquial - relato de caso / Neurofibroma of Brachial plexus - case report

Objetivo: relatar um caso de uma paciente de 6 anos, portadora de neurofibromatose (NF), tipo 1, com presença de neurofibroma em plexo braquial direito. Método: descrição e análise dos dados clínico-cirúrgicos da paciente com neurofibromatose atendida na Fundação Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará, em abril de 2005. Relato de caso: J.L.A. do sexo feminino, 6 anos, com queixa de aumento de volume e dor na região axilar direita, referindo parestesia no membro superior, correspondente (MSD), há 1 ano e 3 meses. O exame clínico revelou a presença de volumosa nodulação localizada na região axilar direita, com extensão em trajeto dos nervos mediano e cubital até 01/3 distal do MSD. Exame de ressonância magnética da região axilar comprovou a existência de massa tumoral de características neoplásicas na região axilar D e braço D. Submetida a tratamento microcirúrgico com ressecção completa da tumoração. Exame histopatológico confirmou o diagnóstico de neurofibroma, sem sinais de malignidade. Considerações Finais: a possibilidade de transformação maligna dos neurofibromas em pacientes com NF é motivo de constante preocupação. Alterações no quadro clínico, crescimento acelerado ou surgimento de sintomatologia neural, justificam intervenção cirúrgica precoce, e, muitas das vezes, tal conduta possibilita uma cura local do processo.

Neurofibromatosis is an dominant autosomic disease with skin abnormalities and nervous system neoplasms -Café-au-lait spots and fibrous peripheral neoplasms (neurofibromas) are the main features. There is also a high incidence of central nervous system, cranial nerves and spinal cord primary neoplasms, with tendency to malignization. Objective: A six years-old female patient with type 1 neurofibromatosis, harboring a huge right braquial plexus neurofibroma. Methods: Description and analysis of main clinical-pathological features of a young female harboring a huge mass in the brachial plexus treated at the Santa Casa Hospital. Case Report: Patient J.L.A., female, six years-old, with complaints of pain and a tumor in the right axilar region, with extension to right median and cubital nerves. MR examination revealed a large mass at the brachial plexus. A microsurger was perfomzed in a two-staged fashion, with complete removal of lesion. Histology revealed a typic neuroJibrom( with no signs of malignancy.Conclusions: Malignancy of a neurofibroma is always a concerning. Thus, earl interventions and complete removal of such lesions are the goal of the treatment.