Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measured with Two Different Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Devices

PURPOSE: To assess the agreement and compare the performance of glaucoma diagnosis of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements between two different spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) devices. METHODS: Eighty nine eyes of 56 patients with glaucoma and 42 eyes of 25 healthy individuals were imaged with Cirrus and Spectralis OCT in a single visit. Agreement between RNFL thickness measurements was assessed using intraclass coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. The discriminating abilities of the two techniques for detection of glaucoma were compared by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) for quadrants and average RNFL thickness. RESULTS: ICC values for agreement between both instruments were good for quadrants and average RNFL thickness (all ≥ 0.81). However, Spectralis OCT measurements were significantly greater than Cirrus OCT for temporal quadrant (difference = 4.27 µm in normal group, 3.91 µm in glaucoma group, p < 0.001 for both). The RNFL thickness parameter with the largest AUCs was the average RNFL thickness for the Spectralis OCT and the Cirrus OCT (0.85 vs. 0.87, p = 0.30). The pair-wise comparison among the receiver operating characteristic curves showed no statistical difference for all parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Although Spectralis OCT measurements were significantly greater than Cirrus OCT for temporal quadrant, agreement of RNFL measurement between both the devices was generally good and there was no statistically significant difference in the performance of glaucoma diagnosis between both instruments.

Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling Using 0.025% Brilliant Blue G During Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate 0.025% brilliant blue G (BBG) for staining the internal limiting membrane (ILM) during vitrectomy. METHODS: In a retrospective, non-comparative clinical case series, we analyzed consecutive 111 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy and removal of the ILM after staining using BBG solution. BBG was dissolved and diluted with balanced salt solution at a concentration of 0.025% and then sterilized by filtering through a 0.22 microm millipore filter. The prepared BBG solution was injected into the vitreous cavity over the macula after removal of the vitreous and excessive solution was removed immediately. RESULTS: The ILM was successfully removed without use of additional adjuvant in all cases. Mean best corrected visual acuity (log MAR) was significantly improved from 0.80 +/- 0.44 at baseline to 0.40 +/- 0.39 at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). One case each of endophthalmitis and diabetic papillopathy developed. The relationship when using BBG solution was not identified as complications were not observed in the other patients who underwent vitrectomy using the same BBG solution on the same day. One idiopathic epiretinal membrane patient had visual acuity loss more than 2 lines. During the follow-up period, other complications suspected to be associated with the use of BBG solution were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: A BBG solution (0.025%) was effective in staining the ILM for removal. Complications associated with the use of BBG solution were not observed.

Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling Using 0.025% Brilliant Blue G During Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate 0.025% brilliant blue G (BBG) for staining the internal limiting membrane (ILM) during vitrectomy. METHODS: In a retrospective, non-comparative clinical case series, we analyzed consecutive 111 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy and removal of the ILM after staining using BBG solution. BBG was dissolved and diluted with balanced salt solution at a concentration of 0.025% and then sterilized by filtering through a 0.22 microm millipore filter. The prepared BBG solution was injected into the vitreous cavity over the macula after removal of the vitreous and excessive solution was removed immediately. RESULTS: The ILM was successfully removed without use of additional adjuvant in all cases. Mean best corrected visual acuity (log MAR) was significantly improved from 0.80 +/- 0.44 at baseline to 0.40 +/- 0.39 at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). One case each of endophthalmitis and diabetic papillopathy developed. The relationship when using BBG solution was not identified as complications were not observed in the other patients who underwent vitrectomy using the same BBG solution on the same day. One idiopathic epiretinal membrane patient had visual acuity loss more than 2 lines. During the follow-up period, other complications suspected to be associated with the use of BBG solution were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: A BBG solution (0.025%) was effective in staining the ILM for removal. Complications associated with the use of BBG solution were not observed.

In Vivo Confocal Microscopic Findings of Corneal Tissue in Amiodarone-Induced Vortex Keratopathy

PURPOSE: To analyze the morphology of corneal tissue in patients with Amiodarone-induced vortex keratopathy by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). CASE SUMMARY: Four eyes of 2 patients with clinically diagnosed Amiodarone-induced vortex keratopathy were examined using corneal topography and IVCM. Cross-sectioned corneal images of the corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, stromal layer, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium were evaluated. Location of corneal deposits examined by conventional slit-lamp microscopy was correlated with findings of corneal topography. The curvature map of corneal topography revealed an unusual irregular astigmatism with generalized mild steepening consistent with the location of the corneal deposits and the elevation map showed the change of corneal elevation according to the corneal deposits. Multiple hyper-reflective whitish dots were found at the corneal epithelial level and some were found at the anterior stromal level. Regarding the corneal endothelial layer, case 1 demonstrated normal corneal endothelial tissue, but case 2 showed several hyper-reflective whitish dots in the endothelium. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Amiodarone-induced vortex keratopathy, IVCM showed corneal deposits in the corneal epithelium, stroma, and endothelium. Distribution of microdeposits in the corneal tissue caused an irregular astigmatism.

Confocal Microscopic Findings in Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy

PURPOSE: To analyze the features of corneal tissue in patients with posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPMD) using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). CASE SUMMARY: Three patients with clinically diagnosed PPMD were examined using IVCM. Cross-sectioned corneal images of the corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, stromal layer, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium were evaluated. IVCM demonstrated a depressed crater-like lesion, hyper-dense streak-like lesion, and surface irregularity of the corneal endothelium. Endothelial hypo-reflective vesicular and band-like lesions were also found. Pleomorphism and polymegathism were present with guttae and hyper-reflective endothelial nuclei. CONCLUSIONS: IVCM is a non-invasive and effective tool to diagnose PPMD.

Confocal Microscopic Findings of Corneal Tissue in Fuchs' Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy

PURPOSE: To analyze the morphology and density of corneal tissue in patients with early stage Fuchs' corneal endothelial dystrophy (FCED) by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). CASE SUMMARY: Each layer of the cornea in 2 patients with early-stage FCED was examined with IVCM (ConfoScan 4.0, NIDEK, Co. Ltd., albignasego, Italy). Cross-sectioned corneal images of the corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, stromal layer, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium were evaluated. Corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, and anterior stroma of both patients showed no abnormalities. Case 1 was diagnosed as Stage 1 FCED, demonstrating typical changes including pleomorphism, polymegathism, and the presence of guttae in the corneal endothelial layer. Case 2 was diagnosed as Stage 2 FCED, showing several hyper-reflective whitish dots in the posterior stroma, hypo-reflective vertical strands in the stroma adjacent to Descemet's membrane, and pleomorphism, polymegathism, and guttae in the corneal endothelial layer. CONCLUSIONS: IVCM is a non-invasive and effective tool to diagnose early-stage FCED.

The Current Trend in the Diagnosis and Management of Ectopic Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

This retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the current clinical trend in the management of ectopic pregnancy. 562 patients of ectopic pregnancy were admitted and managed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chonbuk National University Hospital from Jan. 1. 1985 to Dec. 31. 1996. All cases had a reliable medical record and were divided into two groups, of which group A includes patients admitted from Jan. 1. 1985 to Dec. 31. 1990, group B from the Jan. 1. 1991 to Dec. 31. 1996. The results were obtained as follows. 1. The number of cases of ectopic pregnancy were 248 in group A and 314 in group B. 2. The age group of 20 to 29 years of age was top ranked in group A(49.6%) as well as in group B(46.8%). The age group of 30 to 39 years was 43.2% in group A and 46.6% in group B, respectively. 3. In group A, the case who experienced two deliveries was 31.9%, and nulliparous woman was 30.6%. In group B, the case who experienced two deliveries was 33.1%, nulliparous woman was 33.1%. 4. On reviewing the past medical history, ectopic pregnancy was 11.2% in group A, 10.8% in group B, respectively. Pelvic inflammatory disease was 8.1% in group A and 11.0% in group B, respectively. 5. The interval between the last menstrual period and the onset of symptoms was prevalently in 4 to 8 weeks(64.5% in group A, 61.8% in group B). The terval of 12 weeks or more was 2.0% in group A and 6.0% in group B, respectively. 6. In considering the chief complaints, low abdominal pain was 85.9% and vaginal spotting was 69.0% in group A. On the other hand, low abdominal pain was 91.4% and vaginal spotting was 76.4% in group B, meanwhile nausea and vomitting was 8.6% and dizziness was 3.5% in group A, there were 23.4% of nausea and vomitting and 9.7% of dizziness in group B,7. In relation of the diagnostic methods, the positive rate of culdocentesis in group B was lower than the rate in group A. Diagnostic laparoscopy was done in 5.6% of group A and 14% of group B. The detection rate of adnexal mass and fluid collection in the pelvic cavity was higher in group B than in group A on the ultrasonographic examination. 8. Initial hemoglobin value of 10.1mg/dl or more was 70.9% in group A and 73.2% in group B. The value of 8.0gm/dl or less was 6.4% in group A and 7.0% of group B, respectively. Initial systolic pressure of 110mmHg or more was 74.6% in group A and 66.6% in group B. The systolic pressure of 90mmHg or less was 3.6% in group A and 8.3% in group B.9. The conceptus was almost implantd in the fallopian tube. The ampullary portion was the most common site of ectopic implantation in both groups. 10. Intraabdominal hemorrhage of 500ml or less in amount was 52.4% in group A and 61.1% in group B, individually. However transfusion was not given in 55.6% of group A and in 71.0% of group B. 11. In the therapeutic modalities, laparotomy was performed in 96.8% of group A and in 82.8% of group B, respectively. The pelviscopic operation was done in 2.4% of group A and in 22.3% of group B. In conclusion, ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed increasingly prior to the onset of the hypovolemic symptoms according to developement of high-resolution ultrasonogram, diagnostic laparoscopy and beta-hCG test, therefore the use of minimally invasive techniques in the management of ectopic pregnancy was increasing.