ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the clinical effects and influence factors of intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs in the treatment of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV).Methods:This retrospective study involved 27 patients (27 eyes) with ICNV from July 2012 to July 2015. Patients received intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg), ranibizumab (0.05 mg), additional injection was provided if it was needed. The average follow-up time was 168 weeks. The recovery of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal retinal thickness (CRT) of the affected eye was observed. Follow up once a month after the initial treatment until the lesion was completely absorbed or scarred (the first follow-up period). Follow up every 12 weeks was performed to observe the recurrence of the lesions (the second stage of long-term follow-up). One month after the last injection of the first follow-up period, according to the regression of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), the affected eyes were divided into a significant improvement group (significant improvement group) and an insignificant improvement group (non-significant improvement group)), to analyze the effects of age, course of disease, type of drugs, number of injections, baseline BCVA and CRT on the regression of CNV lesions. According to the results of long-term follow-up, the eyes were divided into recurrence group and non-recurrence group, and the factors affecting the recurrence of CNV lesions were analyzed. Measurement data between groups was compared by using independent sample t test or non-parametric test; count data was compared by using χ2 test. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting the regression and recurrence of the lesion. Results:At baseline and 1 month after the last injection in the first stage, the average BCVA of the eyes were 55.70±15.21 and 73.59±12.08 letters; CRT was 338.3±89.32 and 264.5±47.47 μm, respectively. The BCVA and CRT of the affected eyes were compared at the two time points, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z= -3.886, -4.061; P<0.001). The BCVA of the eyes in the significant improvement group and the insignificant improvement group were 65.38±17.27 and 51.63±12.61 letters, respectively; the difference between the two groups of BCVA was statistically significant ( t=-2.316, P=0.029). The results of long-term follow-up showed that of the 27 eyes, 6 eyes had recurrence; the average recurrence time was 90.83±49.02 weeks. After another intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs, the CNV lesions was resolved. The average injection times of the relapsed group and the non-relapsed group were 3.67±0.816 and 2.24±0.768, respectively. The average injection times of the relapsed group was significantly higher than that of the non-relapsed group, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-3.253, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups of eyes at baseline and CRT at the last follow-up ( Z=-1.342,-1.313; P=0.195, 0.195). Conclusion:Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs can effectively increase the regression rate of BCVA and CNV lesions in ICNV eyes; high baseline visual acuity indicates better CNV lesion regression after treatment. Relapsed patients can be effectively improved after re-treatment with anti-VEGF drugs, and CNV recurrence has no significant effect on the final prognosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the pathological mechanism of delayed endolymphatic hydrops(DEH) , and clarify the clinical value of endolymphatic space imaging after intratympanic injection of gadolinium in the diag_nosis of delayed endolymphatic hydrops .Methods Twenty -four hours after bilateral intratympanic injection of gadolinium ,the locations and severity of endolymphatic hydrops of all patients were evaluated by using three dimen_sional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D -FLAIR) and three dimensional real inversionrecovery (3D -real IR) .ResuIts All patients had unilateral or bilateral endolymphatic hydrops .Among 9 ipsilateral DEH patients , only 1 (11 .1% ) patient was identified as mild endolymphatic hydrops and the rest (88 .9% ) examined had signifi_cant endolymphatic hydrops in vestibule of their affected ears ;Endolymphatic hydrops appeared in cochlea of the af_fected ear in 8 (88 .9% ) patients ,except for 1 patient .Endolymphatic hydrops were not observed in the contralater_al ears of 9 ipsilateral DEH patients .Mild endolymphatic hydrops in bilateral vestibule ,severe in right cochlear and none in left cochlea of contralateral DEH patient were identified .ConcIusion Endolymphatic hydrops is the primary pathological factors of DEH .Endolymphatic space imaging after intratympanic injection of gadolinium can intuitively reflect the locations and severity of endolymphatic hydrops in DEH patients .