Patients with Lemierre syndrome have a high risk of new thromboembolic complications, clinical sequelae and death: an analysis of 712 cases.

BACKGROUND: Lemierre syndrome is characterized by head/neck vein thrombosis and septic embolism usually complicating an acute oropharyngeal bacterial infection in adolescents and young adults. We described the course of Lemierre syndrome in the contemporary era. METHODS: In our individual-level analysis of 712 patients (2000-2017), we included cases described as Lemierre syndrome if these criteria were met: (i) primary site of bacterial infection in the head/neck; (ii) objectively confirmed local thrombotic complications or septic embolism. The study outcomes were new or recurrent venous thromboembolism or peripheral septic lesions, major bleeding, all-cause death and clinical sequelae. RESULTS: The median age was 21 (Q1-Q3: 17-33) years, and 295 (41%) were female. At diagnosis, acute thrombosis of head/neck veins was detected in 597 (84%) patients, septic embolism in 582 (82%) and both in 468 (80%). After diagnosis and during in-hospital follow-up, new venous thromboembolism occurred in 34 (5.2%, 95% CI 3.8-7.2%) patients, new peripheral septic lesions became evident in 76 (11.7%; 9.4-14.3%). The rate of either was lower in patients who received anticoagulation (OR: 0.59; 0.36-0.94), higher in those with initial intracranial involvement (OR: 2.35; 1.45-3.80). Major bleeding occurred in 19 patients (2.9%; 1.9-4.5%), and 26 died (4.0%; 2.7-5.8%). Clinical sequelae were reported in 65 (10.4%, 8.2-13.0%) individuals, often consisting of cranial nerve palsy (n = 24) and orthopaedic limitations (n = 19). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Lemierre syndrome were characterized by a substantial risk of new thromboembolic complications and death. This risk was higher in the presence of initial intracranial involvement. One-tenth of survivors suffered major clinical sequelae.

Perplexing Lesion of the Conjunctiva.

An unusual-appearing tumor of the conjunctiva presented in a healthy 11-year-old boy. It was cystic, orange in color, and well encapsulated. After 3 weeks of no response to topical cortisone drops, an excisional biopsy was performed. The histopathology showed the lesion to be a benign lymphoid hyperplasia. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2022;59(1):e15-e16.].

Superior oblique tendon expanders with inferior rectus recessions for chin-up null point nystagmus.

Three patients with chin-up head postures caused by a nystagmus null point in downgaze were treated using bilateral superior oblique tendon expanders and inferior rectus muscle recessions. Preoperative chin-up head postures measured from 25 to 45 degrees. Postoperatively, 2 patients had complete resolution of their abnormal vertical head postures, and the third showed improvement.

Treatment of inferior oblique paresis with superior oblique silicone tendon expander.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with inferior oblique eye muscle paresis may show hypotropia and apparent superior oblique muscle overaction on the side of the presumed weak inferior oblique (IO) muscle. We report 8 such patients successfully treated using unilateral silicone superior oblique (SO) tendon expanders. METHODS: Eight consecutive cases over the course of 6 years from the authors' private practice are described. None had a history of head trauma or a significant neurologic event. All patients showed IO paresis by 3-step test, with incyclotorsion and SO overacton of the hypotropic (paretic) eye. Forced ductions of the hypotropic eye were normal in all cases, and the vertical strabismus was treated with placement of a 7- mm silicone SO tendon expander in the hypotropic (paretic) eye. RESULTS: Mean preoperative primary position hypotropia was 6.5 prism diopters (PD); mean postoperative was 0.5 PD. Seven of 8 patients had resolution of primary position hypotropia, whereas the eighth was reduced. Mean preoperative SO overaction was 3+; all patients had postoperative resolution of SO overaction. Of 4 patients with preoperative ocular torticollis, mean preoperative head tilt was 9.3 degrees; mean postoperative tilt was 2.9 degrees. Two patients' head tilts had resolved, the other 2 showed improvement. All patients showed preoperative incylclotorsion of the hypotropic (paretic) eye; inclyclotorsion resolved in all patients after the placement of a SO tendon expander. CONCLUSION: The silicone SO tendon expander effectively restores ocular alignment in IO paresis with apparent SO overaction. Associated ocular torticollis can also be improved.

The red eye in childhood.

Overall, the primary care physician can diagnose most cases of red eyes in children, if specific attention is paid to which ocular structures are involved. Accurate diagnosis allows appropriate primary care treatment for most disorders and can aid in determining which cases need referral.

20 unusual presentations of accommodative esotropia.

PURPOSE: This paper will discuss several unusual presentations of accommodative esotropia. METHODS: A total of 20 patients with unusual case histories who presented with accommodative esotropia were studied retrospectively. These patients were separated into 3 categories. The first contained children who had their onset of accommodative esotropia after a traumatic event such as head trauma or ocular trauma. The second involved infants between 3 and 5 months of age who presented with accommodative esotropia. The third showed the onset of accommodative esotropia associated with diabetic ketoacidosis. (There were no other metabolic disorders associated with accommodative esotropia.) RESULTS: All patients resolved their esotropia with glasses initially but 2 did require surgery several years after the onset of the esotropia. CONCLUSIONS: Children under 5 months of age with intermittent esotropia and/or significant amounts of hyperopia should have the diagnosis of accommodative esotropia considered as the etiology of their esotropia. Children with the onset of esotropia associated with trauma who have significant amounts of hyperopia should also have accommodative esotropia considered as an etiology of their crossing.

Adult strabismus surgery under propofol sedation with local versus general anesthesia.

PURPOSE: To compare operating room and hospital discharge times between adult strabismus surgeries using intravenous propofol sedation with local anesthesia versus those using general anesthesia. METHODS: Thirty adult patients underwent uncomplicated strabismus procedures performed by one surgeon using propofol sedation and local subtenon's anesthesia. These were retrospectively matched with adult patients undergoing similar procedures by another surgeon using general inhalational anesthesia. Only one muscle had undergone previous surgery, and no adjustable sutures were used. Times from incision closure to leaving the operating room (Out OR time), and to hospital discharge (DC time) are compared. RESULTS: Propofol/local Out OR times ranged 2 to 8 minutes (mean, 4.8). General anesthesia Out OR times ranged from 3 to 28 minutes (mean, 8.8) (means differ at P<.001). At 10 minutes, 100% of propofol patients left the OR, but only 63% of general patients had done so (P<.001). Propofol/local DC times ranged from 30 to 140 minutes (mean, 64.8). General DC times ranged from 68 to 325 minutes (mean 116.5) (means differ at P<.001). At 60 minutes after completion of surgery, 53% of propofol/local patients had left the hospital, whereas none of general patients had left (P<.001). At 2.5 hours after surgery, 100% of propofol/local patients had left the hospital, but 10% of general patients remained, with two staying more than 5 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Many adult strabismus surgeries may be performed more efficiently with intravenous propofol sedation and local subtenon's anesthesia than with general anesthesia. Times from the end of surgery to leaving both the OR and the hospital are decreased compared with those of general anesthesia. Extreme delays are rare with propofol/local, but they occurred with general anesthesia.

Poor results after recession of both medial rectus muscles in unilateral small-angle Duane's syndrome, type I.

PURPOSE: To eliminate an abnormal face turn in unilateral Duane's syndrome, type I, the medial rectus muscle of the Duane's eye is commonly recessed. Additional recession of the normal contralateral medial rectus muscle has been advocated in selected cases, although little has been published regarding this technique. We present poor results in a small consecutive series. METHODS: Four consecutive cases of unilateral Duane's syndrome, type I, with small-angle primary position esotropia are retrospectively reviewed with attention to postoperative face turn. In all cases, the medial rectus muscle of the "normal" eye was recessed as was the medial rectus muscle of the Duane's eye. RESULTS: Two subjects showed little to no improvement in face turn; one subject developed an increased turn; and the last subject developed a consecutive exotropia. CONCLUSIONS: In small-angle Duane's syndrome, type I, recession of the normal medial rectus may decrease the positive effects of recessing the Duane's medial rectus muscle with respect to face turn as well as increase the risk of consecutive exotropia. An alternate theory of normal-eye Duane's surgery is proposed.

Strabismus precipitated by monovision.

PURPOSE: To present patients who had the onset of strabismus or the recurrence of strabismus after converting to a monovision system of seeing. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. METHODS: Clinical records of 12 patients from the private practice of the corresponding author of this paper (Z.F.P.) were reviewed. Patients obtaining monovision via contact lenses, LASIK, and cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lenses were studied if their monovision produced a new strabismus or was related to the recurrence of a previous strabismus. RESULTS: All patients were first treated by converting the monofixing near eye to distance vision and then using reading glasses for near work. Of the 12 patients, 7 regained their fusion by doing away with monovision and 5 required surgery to reestablish motor or sensory control. All of the surgery patients obtained an excellent alignment but 1 did not regain sensory fusion. CONCLUSION: Monovision is successful for the far majority of patients who try it. However, in patients with a previous history of strabismus or those with significant phorias, caution should be used in recommending monovision, and if monovision is elected, keeping the anisometropia to small levels such as 1.25 to 1.50 diopters (D) might lessen the chance of producing strabismus post monovision. The majority of our patients developed strabismus after 2 years of monovision, telling us that while a trial of monovision with a contact lens prior to surgery may suggest that the patient could tolerate monovision, it is not a guarantee.