Nutritional blindness from avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder - recommendations for the early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of children at risk from restrictive eating.

Avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterised by limited consumption or the avoidance of certain foods, leading to the persistent failure to meet the individual's nutritional and/or energy needs. The disordered eating is not explained by the lack of available food or cultural beliefs. ARFID is often associated with a heightened sensitivity to the sensory features of different types of food and may be more prevalent among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for this reason. Sight loss from malnutrition is one of the most devastating and life-changing complications of ARFID, but difficult to diagnose in young children and those with ASD who have more difficulty with communicating their visual problems to carers and clinicians, leading to delayed treatment and greater probability of irreversible vision loss. In this article, we highlight the importance of diet and nutrition to vision and the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that clinicians and families may face in looking after children with ARFID who are at risk of sight loss. We recommend a scaled multidisciplinary approach to the early identification, investigation, referral and management of children at risk of nutritional blindness from ARFID.

Real-world experience of implementing the MOLES score in a virtual choroidal naevi clinic at a tertiary referral centre.

INTRODUCTION: The MOLES score has been validated to clinically differentiate choroidal naevi from melanomas by ocular oncologists and community optometrists. However, its utility in a virtual choroidal naevi clinic at a tertiary eye hospital without specialist ocular oncology services has not yet been evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective case review of 385 choroidal lesions in the virtual choroidal naevus clinic at Bristol Eye Hospital during January-March 2020 and April-August 2021 was performed. Choroidal lesions were assessed using the TFSOM-UHHD risk factor index and MOLES score, respectively. For both study periods, clinical outcome and adherence data were analysed. RESULTS: Choroidal lesions scored higher with the TFSOM-UHHD index (median 2) compared to the MOLES score (median 0; p < 0.001). Median required follow-up duration was 2 years for lesions assessed with the TFSOM-UHHD index, and 0 years for those graded with the MOLES score. Overall, 215 patients were appropriately discharged to community optometrists based on their MOLES score. Imaging requirements for the TFSOM-UHHD index and MOLES score protocols were met in 69.1% and 94.8% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: The MOLES score was easily implemented in a virtual choroidal naevus clinic, with good adherence. It increased clinic capacity by facilitating appropriate discharges of low-risk naevi to community monitoring, allowing finite and specialist hospital-based services to monitor higher-risk naevi more closely.

Retinal detachment after post-operative endophthalmitis: clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors.

PURPOSE: To describe clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) following treatment of postoperative endophthalmitis (PE). METHODS: Analysis of cross-referenced data from two service reviews of patients with RRD and bacterial PE treated between 01/01/2013 and 01/07/2020. The main outcome measure was final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Secondary measures include proportion of patients with BCVA of ≤ 0.3 logMAR and ≥ 1.0 logMAR, rate of phthsis, and rate of eye removal. RESULTS: Ninety-four cases of PE were analysed finding 21 cases of RRD (22%). Seven (35%) experienced recurrent RRD. Seven eyes (35%) were left with permanent silicone oil fill. All RRD cases had vitrectomy. After PE with RRD the median BCVA was 1.1 logMAR, compared with 0.4 logMAR for PE without RRD (p < 0.04). Fifty-seven percent (12/21) of RRD eyes attained BCVA of ≥ 1.0 logMAR vs. 29% (21/73) of PE without RRD (p = 0.01). Nineteen percent (4/21) of eyes with RRD attained BCVA of ≤ 0.3 logMAR, whereas those without RRD did so in 43% (31/73) of cases (p = 0.02). Five eyes with RRD (24%) and 2 eyes without RRD (3%) developed phthisis (p < 0.01). Three non-RRD cases required removal of the eye (4%, p = 0.46). Higher bacterial virulence was associated with worse final BCVA (2.1 logMAR vs. 0.3 logMAR; p < 0.01). RRD rate did not differ by bacterial virulence (OR 1.9; CI95: 0.6-6.9; p = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: RRD following PE leads to worse clinical outcomes. Eyes which developed RRD were more likely to have undergone vitrectomy. Final BCVA was worse in cases with more virulent micro-organisms.

Monocular Vision Loss in a Patient With Earache and Night Sweats.

A 62-year-old patient had a history of painless vision loss in her right eye, right ear pain and fullness, sinus discomfort, nasal congestion without discharge, drenching night sweats, cramps in her quadriceps, and weight loss. Examination revealed normal tympanic membranes and a dry but otherwise normal nasal mucosa on flexible endoscopy. What would you do next?

Pigmented Corneal Lesions After Cataract Surgery.

An 81-year-old woman was referred for darkly pigmented corneal lesions affecting the corneal endothelium and stroma after uncomplicated right cataract surgery 2 years earlier. She was being treated with maintenance loteprednol, 0.5%, eye drops for persistent low-grade anterior uveitis. What would you do next?

Palinopsia.

Palinopsia is an uncommon but important neuro-ophthalmic condition. It can present with a range of visual phenomena and may be misdiagnosed as migraine or a functional disorder. The list of possible causes is long and includes structural cerebral lesions. We present a clinical case to illustrate the condition before reviewing different palinoptic subtypes and discussing how these may help clinicians to narrow the differential diagnosis.

Intravitreal ranibizumab for the management of serous maculopathy secondary to optic disc coloboma-associated choroidal neovascularisation.

We report the case of a 19-year-old patient with symptomatic unilateral serous maculopathy associated with an optic nerve coloboma. Fluorescein angiography detected a focal late leak at the temporal edge of the coloboma which was later found to correspond with an area of choroidal neovascularisation on optical coherence tomography angiography. A course of intravitreal ranibizumab achieved good clinical and structural response. This report contributes to the evidence that maculopathies associated with cavitary optic nerve anomalies may in some instances result from choroidal neovascularisation. It also highlights the importance of angiography to identify potential choroidal neovascular membranes, particularly in the absence of haemorrhages and neovascular membranes on fundus examination and conventional optical coherence tomography.

Post-injection endophthalmitis rates with reduced povidone-iodine prophylaxis in patients with self-reported iodine sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Our objectives were (1) to report the post-injection endophthalmitis rate over 18 months, and (2) to determine any difference in the incidence of endophthalmitis in patients treated with reduced or no 5% povidone-iodine (PI) due to self-reported PI sensitivity. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients who received intravitreal injections (IVIs) from January 1st, 2018 to June 26th, 2019. Information on patients' age, gender visual acuities, the number of injections, drug administered, self-reported iodine sensitivity and injection protocols were obtained from electronic and paper records. For endophthalmitis cases, vitreous culture results and treatment were also noted. Patients were divided into three cohorts based on the injection protocol used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: During the study period 22,046 IVIs were administered to 3332 eyes of 2709 patients. Intolerance to PI was reported by 2.4% of patients. The incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.02% (4/21,185) with the standard 5% PI protocol, 0.78% (6/769) with a reduced PI protocol involving fewer drops of 5% PI and chlorohexidine 0.05% for periorbital skin cleansing, and 1.09% (1/92) without any PI use. Receiving the standard PI protocol was associated with significantly lower rates of endophthalmitis compared to both the reduced PI and no PI protocols (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who opt for less or no PI use are likely at significantly increased risk of developing post-IVI endophthalmitis. It is imperative to educate, counsel and consent these patients accordingly while exploring alternative antiseptic solutions.

Dietary behaviors and survival in people with head and neck cancer: Results from Head and Neck 5000.

BACKGROUND: The association between diet and head and neck cancer (HNC) survival is unclear. METHODS: Cox proportional hazard models measured the association between fruit, vegetable, and deep-fried food intake and HNC overall survival adjusting for clinical, social and lifestyle variables including smoking, alcohol, and HPV status. RESULTS: Fruit and vegetable intake and improved survival were associated in minimally adjusted analyses. Following adjustment for smoking and alcohol consumption (fully adjusted analyses), the association with survival disappeared for fruit (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.67, 1.23; P for trend = .55) and attenuated for vegetables (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.61, 1.03; P for trend = .04). We observed no association between survival and deep-fried food intake in minimally adjusted or fully adjusted analyses (HR 0.88 95% CI 0.72, 1.07; P for trend = .13). CONCLUSIONS: Vegetable intake and HNC survival are modestly associated. There is some confounding by tobacco and alcohol consumption.

Association between comorbidity and survival in head and neck cancer: Results from Head and Neck 5000.

BACKGROUND: People with head and neck cancer have higher comorbidity levels but it remains unclear if pretreatment comorbidity is an independent prognosticator in head and neck cancer. METHODS: Survival analyses were performed using data from participants in a UK multicentre cohort study with cancers of the oral cavity (n = 668), oropharynx (n = 1074), and larynx (n = 530). Survival analyses were incrementally adjusted for age, sex, marital status, income, education, stage, alcohol, and smoking. RESULTS: After adjusting for demographic, clinical, and behavioral confounders, higher baseline comorbidity was associated with reduced overall survival (mild comorbidity HR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1, 1.7; moderate comorbidity HR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.3, 2.2; severe comorbidity HR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.9, 4.; P-trend<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that comorbidity is an independent prognosticator for overall survival in head and neck cancer. Comorbid illnesses should be considered in the assessment and treatment planning of people with head and neck cancer.

Improving driving advice provided to cardiology patients on discharge.

Certain cardiac conditions can limit patients' ability to drive. It remains the doctors' responsibility to advise patients of any driving restrictions and is particularly important after certain diagnoses or procedures. We identified that the quality of documented advice was variable and frequently no written driving advice was recorded on discharge. It was apparent that there was a lack of awareness and knowledge of the current Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) guidance among junior doctors. We therefore designed a quality improvement project using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology to improve the provision of driving advice on discharge from a cardiology ward by focusing on staff education. After collecting baseline data, we created a template with cardiology-specific DVLA advice. During the second PDSA cycle, we improved the electronic template and also introduced a hard copy on the ward. During the third PDSA cycle, we incorporated information on DVLA guidance in the specialty induction session. We also evaluated junior doctors' confidence of providing driving advice before and after this intervention. Baseline measurements showed that 10% (9/92) of all discharge summaries included driving advice. This improved to 49% (34/69) after the third PDSA cycle. Importantly, after receiving information on driving advice in the induction, junior doctors felt more confident in providing driving advice to cardiology patients on discharge. In conclusion, the provision of driving advice on discharge is an important element of patient safety. However, clinicians' knowledge and awareness of current DVLA guidance is often limited. We demonstrated a significant increase in the provision of driving advice by introducing a standardised template.

Tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking at diagnosis of head and neck cancer and all-cause mortality: Results from head and neck 5000, a prospective observational cohort of people with head and neck cancer.

Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are well-established risk factors for head and neck cancer. The prognostic role of smoking and alcohol intake at diagnosis have been less well studied. We analysed 1,393 people prospectively enrolled into the Head and Neck 5000 study (oral cavity cancer, n=403; oropharyngeal cancer, n=660; laryngeal cancer, n=330) and followed up for a median of 3.5 years. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. We used Cox proportional hazard models to derive minimally adjusted (age and gender) and fully adjusted (age, gender, ethnicity, stage, comorbidity, body mass index, HPV status, treatment, education, deprivation index, income, marital status, and either smoking or alcohol use) mortality hazard ratios (HR) for the effects of smoking status and alcohol intake at diagnosis. Models were stratified by cancer site, stage and HPV status. The fully-adjusted HR for current versus never-smokers was 1.7 overall (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 2.6). In stratified analyses, associations of smoking with mortality were observed for oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancers (fully adjusted HRs for current smokers: 1.8 (95% CI=0.9, 3.40 and 2.3 (95% CI=0.8, 6.4)). We found no evidence that people who drank hazardous to harmful amounts of alcohol at diagnosis had a higher mortality risk compared to non-drinkers (HR=1.2 (95% CI=0.9, 1.6)). There was no strong evidence that HPV status or tumour stage modified the association of smoking with survival. Smoking status at the time of a head and neck cancer diagnosis influenced all-cause mortality in models adjusted for important prognostic factors.

Benefit of cone-beam CT angiography in visualizing aneurysm shape and identification of exact rupture site.

While high-resolution cone-beam computational tomographic (CBCT) angiography has gained use in intracranial vascular imaging, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and 3-dimensional-rotational angiography (3D-RA) remain the preferred acquisition modalities for intracranial aneurysm imaging. This case report highlights the utility of the greater spatial resolution afforded by CBCT for cerebral aneurysm imaging. A 54-year-old man presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage was confirmed to harbor a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm by conventional angiography. Due to varying contrast opacification captured by different acquisition methods, dramatic aneurysm shape difference was observed between 2- and 3-dimensional-angiographic and CBCT models. The greater resolution of CBCT revealed in an unequivocal fashion the exact site of rupture on the aneurysm dome, visualized as a discrete irregular and elongated bleb that was not seen on either 3D-RA or DSA. High-resolution CBCT visualized the shape of the target aneurysm in greater detail than the more conventional 2D-DSA and 3D-RA, enabling more precise computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Given that aneurysms most likely change shape either prior to rupture or upon rupture, future studies evaluating fluid dynamics using computer reconstructions should be cognizant of the differences in resolution provided by various imaging modalities.

Widening of the basilar bifurcation angle: association with presence of intracranial aneurysm, age, and female sex.

OBJECT: Arterial bifurcations represent preferred locations for aneurysm formation, especially when they are associated with variations in divider geometry. The authors hypothesized a link between basilar apex aneurysms and basilar bifurcation (α) and vertebrobasilar junction (VBJ) angles. METHODS: The α and VBJ angles were measured in 3D MR and rotational angiographic volumes using a coplanar 3-point technique. Angle α was compared between age-matched cohorts in 45 patients with basilar artery (BA) aneurysms, 65 patients with aneurysms in other locations (non-BA), and 103 nonaneurysmal controls. Additional analysis was performed in 273 nonaneurysmal controls. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed on parametric BA models with increasing angles. RESULTS: Angle α was significantly wider in patients with BA aneurysms (146.7° ± 20.5°) than in those with non-BA aneurysms (111.7° ± 18°) and in controls (103° ± 20.6°) (p < 0.0001), whereas no difference was observed for the VBJ angle. A wider angle α correlated with BA aneurysm neck width but not dome size, which is consistent with CFD results showing a widening of the impingement zone at the bifurcation apex. BA bifurcations hosting even small aneurysms (< 5 mm) had a significantly larger α angle compared with matched controls (p < 0.0001). In nonaneurysmal controls, α increased with age (p < 0.0001), with a threshold effect above 35 years of age and a steeper dependence in females (p = 0.002) than males (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The α angle widens with age during adulthood, especially in females. This angular widening is associated with basilar bifurcation aneurysms and may predispose individuals to aneurysm initiation by diffusing the flow impingement zone away from the protective medial band region of the flow divider.

Extradural internal carotid artery caliber dysregulation is associated with cerebral aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Flow-induced hemodynamic forces are critical in extra- and intracranial arterial caliber regulation and have been proposed to mediate intracranial aneurysm (IA) formation and rupture. We hypothesized that vascular structural control may be impaired in patients harboring brain aneurysms and sought to examine any differences in extradural internal carotid artery (ICA) caliber profiles. METHODS: Ninety-six catheter 2-dimensional angiograms were divided into 3 subgroups: (1) ICA leading to IA (n=38), (2) matched contralateral ICA (n=25), and (3) ICA from nonaneurysmal controls (n=33). ICA diameter was measured proximally beyond the bulb (DProx) and distally at the extradural point of maximal dilation (DMaxDist), yielding maximal distal-to-proximal ratio (RMdp). RESULTS: Unlike non-IA controls that tapered smoothly, ICAs leading to IA consistently demonstrated focal sites of abnormal dilation in the distal cervical or petrous extradural segments. RMdp was greater in ICAs leading to IA compared with non-IA controls (1.17±0.1 versus 1.0±0.08; P<0.0001). Matched-pair analysis showed RMdp to be higher in ICAs leading to IA than the corresponding contralateral ICAs (1.19±0.1 versus 1.07±0.11; P=0.001); RMdp from contralateral ICAs was greater than non-IA controls (P=0.005). Among ICAs leading to IA, women showed higher RMdp (1.11±0.12 versus 1.05±0.11; P=0.02) with no relationship to intradural IA location. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of the extradural ICA in patients harboring intradural IA suggest an association with a remote upstream abnormal vascular caliber control consistent with a diffuse flow-mediated structural dysregulation showing laterality and sex dependence.