CHOROIDAL VASCULARITY INDEX IN CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To evaluate choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using an image binarization tool on enhanced depth imaging using spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography scans of both eyes of patients with CSC were taken at baseline; they were segmented and compared with enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography scans of fellow eyes without CSC as well as age-matched healthy subjects. Subfoveal choroidal area (1,500 µm) was segmented into luminal area and stromal area using image binarization. Choroidal vascularity index was defined as the proportion of luminal area to the total circumscribed subfoveal choroidal area. RESULTS: Eyes with acute CSC (32 eyes) had significantly higher CVI compared with their fellow eyes (27 eyes) (P < 0.0001), 19 eyes with resolved CSC (P < 0.0001) and with 30 eyes of age-matched healthy eyes (P < 0.0001). Fellow eyes of subjects with acute CSC also had significantly higher CVI compared with eyes with resolved CSC (P < 0.0001) and age-matched healthy eyes (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Increased CVI suggests increased vascular component compared with the stromal component in acute CSC. Increased CVI was noted in fellow eye of the subjects with acute CSC in comparison with age-matched healthy subjects. The CVI could be a useful index for early diagnosis of CSC and to assess the treatment response after laser photocoagulation or photodynamic therapy.

Evaluation of Choroidal Layer Thickness in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate medium and large choroidal vessel layer thickness (MCVT and LCVT, respectively) in eyes with acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in comparison with age-matched controls. METHODS: The study included 96 eyes of 96 patients with CSC, including 53 eyes with acute CSC, 43 eyes with chronic CSC, and 30 eyes of 30 age-matched normal subjects. Manual measurements of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), MCVT, and LCVT at subfoveal and 750 µm nasal and temporal to the fovea locations were made on enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) of the macula in all subjects using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). RESULTS: SFCT in acute CSC was significantly larger than that in healthy eyes (P = 0.0001). SFCT in acute CSC did not differ significantly from that in chronic CSC eyes. Subfoveal LCVT and MCVT in acute CSC eyes were greater than those in healthy eyes (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). Mean SFCT and MCVT in chronic CSC eyes were significantly larger than those in control eyes (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively). No significant difference in LCVT was observed between chronic and control eyes. CONCLUSION: Choroidal vasculature is altered in both acute and chronic CSC. SFCT, MCVT, and LCVT are higher in eyes with acute CSC. The thickening of medium choroidal vessels is still detectable in chronic CSC compared to control eyes.

Atrial Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Presentation.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an aggressive and lethal tumor that has a high frequency of metastatic spread to unpredictable sites. One quarter of patients have either distant metastases or significant local-regional disease with atypical symptoms on presentation. We present a 41-year-old patient with symptoms of right heart failure and was found to have metastatic renal cell carcinoma with enhancing tumor from left renal vein up to right atrium.

Fluid Overload and Renal Angina Index at Admission Are Associated With Worse Outcomes in Critically Ill Children.

Objectives: We investigated the association of fluid overload and oxygenation in critically sick children, and their correlation with various outcomes (duration of ventilation, ICU stay, and mortality). We also assessed whether renal angina index (RAI) at admission can predict mortality or acute kidney injury (AKI) on day 3 after admission. Design and setting: Prospective study, pediatric intensive care in a tertiary hospital. Duration: June 2013-June 2014. Patients: Patients were included if they needed invasive mechanical ventilation for >24 h and had an indwelling arterial catheter. Patients with congenital heart disease or those who received renal replacement therapy (RRT) were excluded. Methods: Oxygenation index, fluid overload percent (daily, cumulative), RAI at admission and pediatric logistic organ dysfunction (PELOD) score were obtained in all critically ill children. KDIGO classification was used to define AKI, using both creatinine and urine output criteria. Admission data for determination of RAI included the use of vasopressors, invasive mechanical ventilation, percent fluid overload, and change in kidney function (estimated creatinine clearance). Univariable and multivariable approaches were used to assess the relations between fluid overload, oxygenation index and clinical outcomes. An RAI cutoff >8 was used to predict AKI on day 3 of admission and mortality. Results: One hundred and two patients were recruited. Fluid overload predicted oxygenation index in all patients, independent of age, gender and PELOD score (p < 0.05). Fluid overload was associated with longer duration of ventilation (p < 0.05), controlled for age, gender, and PELOD score. Day-3 AKI rates were higher in patients with a RAI of 8 or more, and higher areas under the RAI curve had better prediction rates for Day-3 AKI. An RAI <8 had high negative predictive values (80-95%) for Day-3 AKI. RAI was better than traditional markers of pediatric severity of illness (PELOD) score for prediction of AKI on day 3. Conclusions: This study emphasizes that positive fluid balance adversely affects intensive care in critically ill children. Further, the RAI prediction model may help optimize treatment and improve clinical prediction of AKI.

The Role of MRI in the Follow-up of Women Undergoing Breast-conserving Therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Breast-conserving therapy (BCT) represents a standard of care in the management of breast cancer. However, unlike mastectomy, women treated with BCT require follow-up imaging of the treated breast as well as the contralateral breast as part of posttreatment surveillance. Traditionally, surveillance has consisted of clinical exams and mammograms. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a breast imaging technique utilized as part of high-risk screening programs as well as part of the initial diagnosis and workup of women considered for BCT. At this time, the role of MRI as part of follow-up for women treated with BCT remains unclear. METHODS: A systematic review was performed to evaluate the role of MRI following BCT. RESULTS: Although there is no randomized evidence supporting the routine use of MRI in surveillance post-BCT, a review of the literature demonstrates that MRI (1) has increased sensitivity as compared with mammography to detect recurrences, and (2) can help evaluate mammographic abnormalities before biopsy and/or surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with higher risk of local recurrence, surveillance with MRI may represent an effective surveillance strategy though subgroups benefiting have not been identified nor has the impact on quality of life and cost been evaluated.

Lip reposition surgery: A new call in periodontics.

"Gummy smile" is a major concern for a large number of patients visiting the dentist. Esthetics has now become an integral part of periodontal treatment plan. This article presents a case of a gummy smile in which esthetic correction was achieved through periodontal plastic surgical procedure wherein a 10-12 mm of partial-thickness flap was dissected apical to mucogingival junction followed by approximation of the flaps. This novel technique gave excellent post-operative results with enormous patient satisfaction. This surgical chair-side procedure being one of its kinds with outstanding results is very rarely performed by Periodontists. Thus, a lot of clinical work and literature review with this surgical technique is required. To make it a routine surgical procedure this technique can be incorporated as a part of periodontal plastic surgery in the text. Hence, we have put forward experience of a case with critical analysis of the surgical technique including the limitations of the technique.

Tobacco Control in India: A Dentist's Perspective.

The legalization of tobacco was an accidental event in the history. It would be a fallacy to assume that a product which kills half its consumers was given a legal status by way of logic. Portuguese introduced tobacco to India 400 years ago. Ever since, Indians have used tobacco in various forms. Addictive nature of nicotine leads to tobacco dependence. Tobacco causes over 20 categories of fatal and disabling diseases including oral cancer. In the future it is imperative to impose a ban on oral tobacco products, strengthen enforcement of existing regulations, establish coordinating mechanisms at the levels of central and state and mobilize people to combat the problem. Taxes on tobacco products should be raised and the generated revenue could be spent for the strengthening of the tobacco control program. This article reviews the tobacco use in India, tobacco dependence among people, laws to stub the tobacco inflow in the society and role of dental professionals in tobacco use cessation.