Ultrasonographic monitoring of fetal eye growth parameters throughout gestation in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is considered an ideal species for developing genetically modified nonhuman primates (NHP) models of human disease, particularly eye disease. They have been proposed as a suitable bridge between rodents and other NHP models due to their similar ophthalmological features to humans. Prenatal ultrasonography is an accurate and reliable diagnostic tool for monitoring fetal development and congenital malformation. We monitored fetal eye growth and development using noninvasive ultrasonography in 40 heads of clinically normal fetuses during pregnancy to establish the criteria for studying congenital eye anomalies in marmosets. The coronal, sagittal, and transverse planes were useful to identify the facial structures for any associated abnormalities. For orbital measurements, biorbital distance (BOD), ocular diameter (OD), interorbital distance (IOD), and total axial length (TAL) were measured in the transverse plane and carefully identified for intraorbital structures. As a result, high correlations were observed between delivery-based gestational age (GA) and biparietal diameter (BPD), BOD, OD, and TAL. The correlation assessments based on BOD provide more reliable results for monitoring eye growth and development in normal marmosets than any other parameters since BOD has the highest correlation coefficient according to both delivery-based GA and BPD among ocular measurements. In conclusion, orbital measurements by prenatal ultrasonography provide reliable indicators of marmoset eye growth, and it could offer early diagnostic criteria to facilitate the development of eye disease models and novel therapies such as genome editing technologies in marmosets.

Difference of anterior and posterior orbital development in patients with congenital microphthalmia: a retrospective cohort study from China.

AIM: To evaluate volume differences between anterior and posterior orbit and demographic characteristics of Chinese patients with congenital microphthalmia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, involving 169 unilateral congenital microphthalmia patients aged between 1 and 57 years old was conducted. Three-dimensional images of the orbit were generated from past CT scans, and digital orbital volume comprehensive measurement was done. The measured data included orbital volume (OBV), posterior orbital volume (POV), orbital width (OBW), orbital height (OBH), orbital depth (OBD), and posterior orbital area ratio. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed among OBV, POV, OBW, OBH, and OBD of the affected and unaffected eyes in different age-based groups (all P<0.001). Among them, OBH had the greatest different. The mean microphthalmic to contralateral ratio (MCR) of OBV, POV, OBW, and OBH continuously increased from 1 to 3 years old, whereas the MCR of POV decreased from 3 to 17 years old. The MCR of OBD was not found to be correlated to age. There was no significant difference between OBV, POV, OBW, and OBH in ages from 13 years old to adulthood (all P>0.05). The difference in posterior orbital area ratio between the affected and unaffected groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: OBH is maximally affected, whereas OBD is minimally affected by microphthalmia. Posterior orbital retardation began 2y prior to orbital retardation and occurred at 3 years old in the affected eye, suggesting that intervention therapy should be done before the age of 4.

Evaluation of lacrimal gland dimensions with MR imaging in a Turkish population sample / Evaluación de las dimensiones de la glándula lagrimal con imágenes de RM en una muestra de población turca

SUMMARY: We aimed to evaluate the morphology of normal lacrimal gland in three different axes in a Turkish population sample by using magnetic resonance (MR) images in relation to sex, age, and side. Cranial MR images obtained by 3 Tesla MR unit of 85 individuals (40 female, 45 male; mean age 42.20±23.30 years; age range 2-83 years) performed in Göztepe Medical Park Hospital between December 2015 and July 2017 for non-orbital diseases were evaluated retrospectively. Anteroposterior, craniocaudal, and transverse dimensions of the lacrimal gland were measured on axial, coronal, and sagittal planes of MR images, and were evaluated in relation to side, age, and sex. Axial transverse and sagittal craniocaudal dimensions of lacrimal gland were significantly greater in the right side, as the coronal craniocaudal and sagittal anteroposterior dimensions were greater in the left side. Female and male individuals showed differences in terms of right-left sides in most of the parameters. In Spearman's correlation analysis, age of individuals was negatively correlated with left axial anteroposterior (r=-0.347, p=0.020), left axial transverse (r=-0.439, p=0.003), left coronal transverse (r=-0.429, p=0.003), and right coronal transverse (r=-0.436, p=0.003) dimensions of lacrimal gland. This is the first study determining certain morphometric parameters of the lacrimal gland in Turkish population sample. The side of lacrimal gland, and sex and age of individuals affect its dimensions. On the basis of reference measurements in the present study, orbital MR imaging can be used for the evaluation of lacrimal gland and its pathologies.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la morfología de la glándula lagrimal normal en tres ejes diferentes en una muestra de población turca, mediante el uso de imágenes de resonancia magnética (RM) en relación con el sexo, la edad y lados izquierdos- derechos. Las imágenes RM obtenidas por RM 3 Tesla, en 85 individuos (40 mujeres y 45 hombres, edad media 42.20 ± 23.30 años, rango de edad entre 2 y 83 años) se realizaron en Göztepe Medical Park Hospital, entre diciembre de 2015 y julio de 2017. Considerando las enfermedades no orbitales, estas fueron evaluadas retrospectivamente. Se midieron las dimensiones anteroposterior, craneocaudal y transversal de la glándula lagrimal en los planos axial, coronal y sagital de las imágenes, y se evaluaron en relación con el lado, la edad y el sexo. Las dimensiones craneocaudal axiales transversales y sagitales de la glándula lagrimal fueron significativamente mayores en el lado derecho, y las dimensiones craneocaudal y anteroposterior sagital coronal fueron mayores en el lado izquierdo. Individuos femeninos y masculinos mostraron diferencias en términos de lados derecho-izquierdo en la mayoría de los parámetros. En el análisis de correlación de Spearman, la edad de los individuos se correlacionó negativamente con el anteroposterior axial izquierdo (r = -0.347, p = 0.020), transversal axial izquierdo (r = -0.439, p = 0.003), transversal coronal izquierdo (r = -0.429, p = 0.003), y las dimensiones transversales coronales derechas (r = -0.436, p = 0.003) de la glándula lagrimal. Este es el primer estudio que determina ciertos parámetros morfométricos de la glándula lagrimal en la muestra de la población turca. El lado de la glándula lagrimal, y el sexo y la edad de los individuos afectan sus dimensiones. En el presente estudio basado en las mediciones de referencia, la RM orbital se puede utilizar para la evaluación de la glándula lagrimal y sus patologías.

Evaluation of Lacrimal Gland Dimensions and Volume in Turkish Population with Computed Tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography (CT) is a widespread method for evaluating head and neck pathologies. The lacrimal glands (LGs) are usually visible in routine head and neck CT scans. LG pathologies usually manifests with changes in gland sizes, so it is important to know the normal values of the LG dimensions and volume. The LG sizes may change with age, gender and race. The normal values of LG dimensions and volume in Turkish population was not reported before. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dimensions and volumes of the LGs by CT in a Turkish population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred seventeen consecutive paranasal CT scans of subjects evaluated retrospectively. Measurements of LG dimensions were performed in axial and coronal paranasal CT images. The LG volume was calculated with Aquarius software by outlining the gland in all consecutive axial images. RESULTS: Four hundred orbits of 200 subjects were included to the study. The mean axial LG length in right and left orbits were 16.2±2.0 mm and 16.0±2.0 mm and the mean axial width of the right and left orbits were 4.1±0.7 mm and 4.0±0.7 mm. The right and left LG mean values for coronal length and width were equal 18.3 ±2.2 mm and 4.1±0.7mm respectively. The mean LG volume was 0.617±0.210 cm(3) in right and 0.597±0.197 cm(3) in the left orbits. There were statistically significant differences in the axial width and volume of the LG according to sides, however there was no significant difference according to gender. Age and LG measurements were negatively correlated. CONCLUSION: Our study may serve as a guide to determine the average values of the LG measurements in Turkish population and find out the orbital pathologies that involves the LG.

Digital evaluation of orbital development after self-inflating hydrogel expansion in Chinese children with congenital microphthalmia.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the growth of bony orbit in children with blind microphthalmia is essential to its management. In this study, variables were measured to evaluate the development of the bony microphthalmic orbits after treatment with self-inflating hydrogel expanders. METHODS: This is a retrospective study with an interventional case series. Thirteen pediatric patients with congenital unilateral blind microphthalmia who had undergone tissue expansion with hydrogel expanders and computed tomography (CT) scanning before and after operation were included in the study. The orbital volume, depth, width, and height and retardation of the orbital rims before and after treatment were measured and analyzed using the iPlan Cranial Software. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of first implantation was 44 months (range, 3-113 months). Of the 13 patients, eleven received orbital expansion, while two received socket expansion. In the orbital expansion group, the mean microphthalmic/contralateral ratio (MCR) of orbital volume was 79.3% before surgery, which increased to 89.8% 3 years post operation (P < 0.001). The mean MCR of orbital width also increased from 88.8% to 91.8% (P = 0.003). The development of inferior and lateral rims showed the greatest retardation before treatment; the retardation of these two rims decreased significantly at the final measurement (P = 0.004). It is also noted that the development of the microphthalmic orbits was limited in the two patients who only underwent socket expansion. CONCLUSIONS: The affected orbit enlarged in children with congenital blind microphthalmia following treatment with hydrogel expanders; this suggested that microphthalmia-associated orbital asymmetry can be treated with self-inflating hydrogel expanders.