Ophthalmic Manifestations Among Patients Surviving COVID-19.

Background and Aim: To identify ocular findings related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients after the resolution of COVID-19 using complete ocular examinations and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, conducted from May 30 to October 30, 2020, patients who recovered from various stages COVID-19 underwent eye examination and multimodal retinal imaging (Retinographies and Spectral-OCT). Results: We included 50 patients, 29 (58%) males, median age of 46.5 [standard deviation 15.8]. Of these, 42% (21) had mild, 18% (9) had severe and 40% (20) had critical disease. The median time interquartile range (IQR) between symptom onset and ocular examination was 55 days [IQR 39-71]. Seven patients (14%) reported ophthalmic symptoms, transitory low visual acuity (6%) and retroocular pain (8%). On OCT, one patient without comorbidities had sectoral retinal pallor suggestive of acute retinal ischaemia and oedema of the retina's inner layers and atrophy. All findings progressively and spontaneously improved months after resolution of COVID-19. Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 present findings compatible with the general population depending on age and comorbidities; nevertheless, acute retinal findings associated with the disease may be present, such as caused either by the direct effects of retinal SARS-CoV-2 infection, by indirect effects of the cytokine storm or by the pro-thrombotic state associated with COVID-19. Therefore, retinal involvement in patients with COVID-19 remains subject to considerable discussion and study.

Retinal findings in hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19.

AIM: To identify retinal findings using dilated eye examination, which are possibly related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalised patients with confirmed severe COVID-19. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, hospitalised patients with confirmed severe COVID-19 in a single referral centre for the treatment of COVID-19, in Santo André, São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil, underwent dilated eye examination of both eyes performed by a retina specialist. Findings were recorded using a portable digital fundus camera. Retinographies were analysed by two retina specialists. Medical records were reviewed for assessment of patient demographics, baseline comorbidities and clinical data. RESULTS: There were a total of 18 patients, nine (50%) male, median IQR age of 62.5 (12) years. Ten of the 18 patients (55.6%; 95% CI 33.7 to 75.4) had abnormalities on dilated eye examination. The main findings were flame-shaped haemorrhages (N=4; 22.2%; 95% CI 9.0 to 45.2) and ischaemic pattern lesions (cotton wool spots and retinal sectorial pallor) (N=4; 22.2%; 95% CI 9.0 to 45.2), with one patient having both cotton wool spots and flame-shaped haemorrhages. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that patients with severe COVID-19 have acute vascular lesions of the inner retina including flame-shaped haemorrhages and cotton wool spots. Further studies controlling for confounding factors are necessary to properly assess these findings so as to increase the understanding of COVID-19 pathophysiology and to identify new therapies.

Incidence of clinical and subclinical macular edema in patients submitted to phacoemulsification in a university health service

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of cystoid macular edema (CME) after cataract surgery varies substantially and depending on the diagnostic method used. In addition, other factors that influence the incidence of CME are the technique of surgery and the associated comorbidities. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of EMC after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery, using the spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: The incidence of subclinical and clinical CME was evaluated in 14 patients who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery, using OCT before the surgical procedure and after seven and 28 days after it. The volunteers could not use a prostaglandin analogue or present any retinopathy that compromised visual acuity. RESULTS: The incidence of clinically significant CME was 6.4%, however retinal thickening by OCT was observed in all patients in the fourth postoperative week. Regarding gender and laterality, the percentages were similar. CONCLUSION: In this study, we obtained a low incidence of EMC in patients assisted at this center, corroborating multicenter studies.

Dexamethasone intravitreal implant for macular edema: a pilot study in a public health center

INTRODUCTION: Macula edema consists in one of the most common causes of visual impairment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of continuous release of 0.7 mg dexamethasone (using implantable device) for treatment of macular edema. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study of 16 patients treated with 0.7 mg dexamethasone intraocular implant. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure and central macular thickness were recorded at baseline, 1-month and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: 15 eyes of 13 patients were included. Most eyes (n=9) improve visual acuity from baseline at 1-month follow-up; this improvement persisted through 3-monyh follow-up in six eyes. The central macular thickness decreased in the majority of the subjects at 1-month (n=12) and at 3-month (n=10) follow-up. Three eyes presented with elevated intraocular pressure. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone implant can both reduce the risk of vision loss and improve anatomical features of macular edema due to several pathologies studied. This implant may be used safely and should be considered a therapeutic option to Brazilian Public Health System.

Diabetic macular edema: a literature review

Diabetic Macular Edema is a major cause of visual impairment in economically active population, being responsible for a significant impact in quality of life in the affected population, as well as high costs to the health care system. Over decades, some studies have compared treatments using Laser, Anti-VEGF and intravitreous corticosteroids, establishing protocols to reach effectives therapies. Thus, it is essential an entire understanding of available therapies to reach the goal of disease control, in an individual basis and in a collective health care system, as efficient as possible.

Presumed atypical peripapillary Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of bilateral presumed atypical Harada disease with sequential, not simultaneous, involvement of the peripapillary retina (subretinal fluid) in a healthy patient with no systemic complaints. OBSERVATION: A 35-year-old healthy white man presented with sudden paracentral visual loss in the left eye. His medical history was unremarkable. However, he reported a similar episode 20 months earlier in the right eye that was associated with macular serous retinal detachment. The right eye showed evidence of reactive peripapillary atrophy and pigmentary alteration in the macula. Optical coherence tomography scans of the posterior left eye segment revealed a diffuse thickened choroid, papillomacular subretinal exudate and discontinuity of the ellipsoid layer with suggestion of vitreous cellularity. Autofluorescence imaging of the left eye showed peripapillary hyperautofluorescence. A fluorescein angiogram revealed progressive staining and pooling of the peripapillary retina with corresponding retinal vasculitis. Indocyanine green angiography revealed multiple hypocyanescent lesions with an area of hypercyanescence temporal to the disc. Rheumatologic evaluation and laboratory tests were all negative. Chest tomography was normal. Considering the apparent absence of infectious diseases, the patient was started on 60 mg/day prednisone. After 8 days, visual acuity improved to 20/250, improving to 20/20 vision six months after a slow steroid wean. CONCLUSION: We believe our case represented a variant of the Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in an atypical situation, because the patient fulfilled the presumed criteria. Furthermore, the findings of clinical and complementary examinations led to this nosological entity to the exclusion of others. IMPORTANCE: The point of this case is to alert ophthalmologists to the existence of this atypical presentation of the disease so that it should be included among the differential diagnoses of pathologies that present with these findings.

Comparison between optical coherence tomography angiography and fluorescein angiography findings in retinal vasculitis.

BACKGROUND: To describe optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) findings in patients with retinal vasculitis and to compare them to current fluorescein angiography (FA) findings. METHODS: This was an observational case series. Nineteen eyes in 10 patients with retinal vasculitis of various etiologies were imaged with FA (TRC-50DX, Topcon) and OCT-A (SD-OCT, Optovue). The images were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 36 years (range 24-67 years); there were three males and seven females. The primary vessels involved were veins (89%). Fourteen eyes (74%) had active inflammatory disease during the study period, with signs of vascular sheathing and perivascular leakage on FA. Interestingly, in this group, OCT-A was not able to detect clear signs of active inflammation around the affected vessels. Nevertheless, OCT-A was able to detect secondary lesions in fourteen eyes (74%), including some findings not clearly shown on FA. Most of these were within the macular area. OCT-A was particularly effective in cases of capillary dropout, increased foveal avascular zone, telangiectasias, shunts, and areas of neovascularization. CONCLUSION: FA remains an essential complementary exam for detection of retinal vasculitis. However, OCT-A extends FA findings and affords better assessment of secondary complications.

Curative resection plus adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a retrospective study with emphasis on prognostic factors and treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding the optimal therapy for primary non-Hodgkin gastric lymphoma with some authors defending surgical extirpation either alone or in association with radiotherapy and or chemotherapy, especially in relation to the earlier stages of the disease. AIM: To analyze the clinical-pathological features and the results of management approaches for patients with primary early-stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the stomach operated in Surgical Gastroenterology Department, "Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual", São Paulo, SP, Brazil. The literature is reviewed to highlight the aspects of diagnosis, prognostic factors and role of the various treatment regimens. METHOD: Sixteen patients with primary early-stage gastric lymphoma underwent curative surgical treatment. The variables analyzed were age, sex, location, size, type of surgery, number of lesions, depth of invasion, histological type in accordance with Kiel's classification, involvement of lymph nodes, Ann Arbor stage classification modified by Musshoff and Schmidt-Vollmer, histological grade, margins, adjuvant therapy, clinical course and survival. RESULTS: Ten patients (62.5%) underwent subtotal gastrectomy and six (37.5%) underwent total gastrectomy. The majority (9/56.2%) of the lesions were located in the antrum. Single lesions (10/62.5%) were more frequent than multiple lesions (6/37.5%). Thirteen patients (81.2%) were classified as stage IE and three (18.7%) as stage IIE1. Primary gastric lymphoma classified histologically as low or high grade was presented by 10 (62.5%) and 6 (37.5%) patients, respectively. The most frequent histological types were the lymphoplasmocytic cytoid (4/25.0%) and centroblastic (4/25.0%). Ten patients (62.5%) received adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy). Nine patients (56.2%), all in stage IE, reached a survival greater than 5 years and of these eight (50.0.%) had received adjuvant therapy. Two (12.5%) patients with stage IIE1 presented peritoneal relapse and died 3.0 years and 3.5 years after their respective operations. The mean overall survival was 42.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients with primary early-stage gastric lymphoma (IE and IIE1), the gastric resection enabled an accurate clinicopathological staging, in addition to obtaining sufficient material for histopathological study and extirpation of the lesion. Furthermore, for patients with stage IE disease, the gastric resection combined with adjuvant therapy was associated with a greater than 5-year survival. Until prospective randomized studies are realized in order to evaluate the real efficacy of the different types of treatment for primary early-stage gastric lymphoma, management approaches should be individually tailored.

Curative resection plus adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a retrospective study with emphasis on prognostic factors and treatment outcome

RACIONAL: A terapêutica do linfoma não-Hodgkin gástrico primário é controversa, com defensores da extirpação cirúrgica, da radioterapia e quimioterapia isoladas ou combinadas, especialmente em relação aos estádios mais iniciais. OBJETIVOS: Analisar as características clínico-patológicas e os resultados do tratamento nos doentes operados no Serviço de Gastroenterologia Cirúrgica do Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo, SP, com linfoma gástrico primário em estádio inicial. Realizar revisão da literatura, destacando os aspectos diagnósticos, fatores prognósticos e o papel das diferentes modalidades de tratamento. MÉTODO: Dezesseis doentes com linfoma gástrico primário no estádio inicial foram submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico curativo. Idade, sexo, localização, tamanho, tipo de operação, número de lesões, profundidade da invasão, tipo histológico de acordo com a classificação de Kiel, comprometimento linfonodal, estádio pela classificação de Ann Arbor modificada por Musshoff e Schmidt-Vollmer, grau histológico, margens, terapia adjuvante, evolução e sobrevivência. RESULTADOS: Dez (62,5%) doentes foram submetidos a gastrectomia subtotal e seis (37,5%) a gastrectomia total. A maioria (9/56,2%) das lesões estava localizada no antro. Lesões únicas (10/62,5%) foram mais freqüentes que as múltiplas (6/37,5%). Treze doentes (81,2%) foram classificados no estádio IE e três (18,7%) no estádio IIE1. Dez (62,5%) enfermos apresentaram linfoma gástrico primário de baixo grau e seis (37,5%) de alto grau. Os tipos histológicos mais freqüentes foram o linfoplasmocítico citóide (4/25.0%) e o centroblástico (4/25,0%). Dez doentes (62,5%) receberam tratamento adjuvante (quimioterapia e/ou radioterapia). Nove enfermos (56,2%), todos no estádio IE, atingiram sobrevivência maior que 5 anos e oito (50,0%) receberam tratamento adjuvante. Dois (12,5%) doentes no estádio IIE1 tiveram recidiva peritonial e faleceram 3,0 anos e 3,5 anos após suas respectivas operações. A média global de sobrevivência foi de 42,5 meses...

Determinaçäo do antígeno carcinoembrionário biliar na detecçäo das metástases hepáticas do carcinoma colorretal / Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) determination in detection of hepatic metastasis from colorectal carcinoma

OBJETIVO: Analisar, prospectivamente, os resultados da determinaçäo do antígeno carcinoembriário (CEA) na bile vesicular, relacionando-os com os aspectos morfológicos e clínicos da neoplasia e recidiva hepática. MÉTODOS: Os níveis do CEA foram estudados na bile vesicular e no sangue periférico de 44 doentes com carcinoma colorretal e 10 com colelitíase näo complicada, a partir de amostras do CEA colhidas imediatamente antes da extirpaçäo da neoplasia colo-retal e da colecistectomia (considerou-se valor normal até 5 ng/ml). RESULTADOS: Os 44 carcinomas colorretais extirpados com intençäo curativa tiveram nível médio do CEA sérico de 8,5 ng/ml e CEA biliar, 74,5 ng/ml. Nas colelitíases näo complicadas submetidas a colecistectomia, o nível médio do CEA sérico foi de 1,9 ng/ml e CEA biliar, 1,2 ng/ml. Quatro doentes submetidos à extirpaçäo do carcinoma colo-retal, sem evidências de metástases hepáticas e com valor médio de CEA biliar de 213,2 ng/ml apresentaram metástases hepáticas entre três a 17 meses após a extirpaçäo. CONCLUSÄO: o nível elevado de CEA biliar dos operados por carcinoma colo-retal pode indicar presença de metástases hepáticas e esses enfermos devem ser acompanhados com especial atençäo para diagnosticar essas lesöes.