Ischemic Vaso-occlusive Retinopathy as Initial Presentation in Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report

Ischemic vaso-occlusive retinopathy as an initial manifestation is rare in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE). A 13-year-old girl presented with two months’ history of papules and crusts with fatigue, weight loss, and abrupt hair loss. Pancytopenia and findings compatible with SLE, including positive direct Coombs’ test, antinuclear antibody (Ab), anti-double stranded DNA Ab, anti-Smith Ab, anti-ribonucleoprotein Ab, lupus anticoagulant, anti-β2 glycoprotein Immunoglobulin G, and anti-cardiolipin Ab, were detected. Bi-nasal hemianopsia was detected. Initial visual acuity was hand motion in the right eye and 15/20 in the left. Fundoscopy showed massive exudation around the optic disc with macular edema, vascular sheathing with perivascular hemorrhage in the whole retina, and ghost vessels in the peripheral retina. Intravitreal triamcinolone injection and dexamethasone implant injection were administered. Visual symptoms improved but did not recover. Methylprednisolone therapy and photocoagulation improved visual acuity and fever. Early intervention for retinopathy in pSLE can help prevent vision-loss.

Preoperative Enoxaparin versus Postoperative Enoxaparin Thromboprophylaxis in Hip Fracture Surgery: Is Preoperative Enoxaparin Safe to Use? / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pre- and postoperative initiation of enoxaparin in treatment of hip fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 629 consecutive patients with hip fracture who Pusan National University Hospital between March 2009 and March 2014. Of these patients, 414 patients (65.8%) met the final inclusion criteria. Enoxaparin was administered subcutaneously at 40 mg once daily starting 48 hours after surgery in 156 patients (group A), and immediately after admission in 258 patients (group B). The incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) and risk of bleeding during hospitalization period were compared between groups. RESULTS: The incidence of symptomatic VTE during the hospitalization period was 7.1% (11 patients) in group A and 5.4% (14 patients) in group B. No significant difference in the rate of symptomatic VTE was found between the groups (unadjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.756; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.334–1.710; adjusted OR, 0.554; 95% CI, 0.212–1.449). The incidence of symptomatic deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (including fatal and non-fatal) did not significantly differ between groups. However, fatal pulmonary thromboembolism developed in two cases in group A and one patient expired postoperatively due to pulmonary hemorrhage in group B. Major bleeding and all-cause death did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative starting chemical thromboprophylaxis may be considered in the elderly patients with hip fracture who have risk factors for venous thromboembolism.

Comparison of the Effects of Patterned and Conventional Laser Photocoagulation in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical effect and complications between patterned laser photocoagulation with short exposure time and conventional laser photocoagulation for neovascularization in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 36 patients (39 eyes) who required laser photocoagulation for neovascularization due to BRVO. The patients were divided into 2 groups, the patterned laser photocoagulation group (laser exposure time 0.02 sec, 3 x 3 array patterned photocoagulation) and conventional laser photocoagulation group (laser exposure time 0.2 sec). Other laser parameters (burn intensity and spot size) were the same. Pain score at the time of treatment was monitored after the laser photocoagulation. In addition, best-corrected visual acuity as well as central macular thickness measurements were performed before the treatment and after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The regression of neovascularization in fluorescein angiography was monitored during follow-up periods. RESULTS: The patterned laser photocoagulation group had a greater reduction in pain during laser photocoagulation, and a decreased change in central macular thickness after laser photocoagulation than the conventional laser photocoagulation group. In particular, the patterned laser photocoagulation group had a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups at postoperative 8 and 12 weeks. The regression rate of neovascularization between the 2 groups had no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Patterned laser photocoagulation with a short exposure time decreases pain and postoperative macular edema with no difference in regression of neovascularization. Patterned laser photocoagulation with a short exposure time can be considered as a useful and efficient method for neovascularization in BRVO.

Muscle Weakening Effect After Superior Rectus Z-myotomy in Rabbits

PURPOSE: To experimentally investigate the effect for muscle weakness after superior rectus Z-myotomy and histological changes. METHODS: Superior rectus muscle fibers of rabbits (16 rabbits, 32 eyes) were cut transversely with scissors across 75% of the muscle in two different positions on opposite sides. In group 1 (16 eyes), myotomies were performed at 2 and 7 mm from the muscle insertion (5 mm gap) and in group 2, performed at 2 and 5 mm (3 mm gap). The change of mark, eyeball position, and muscle tension after myotomy and 4 weeks postoperatively was evaluated, the location of the mark was examined, and muscle tissue biopsy was performed. RESULTS: After Z-myotomy, the marks of the two groups moved significantly posteriorly from insertion within groups (p<0.05), with no significant differences between groups (p=0.469). Eyeball positions of the two groups moved significantly inferiorly (p<0.05); the amount of position change of group 1 was greater than group 2 (p<0.05). When the globe was pulled in opposite directions for muscle action, the degree of change decreased with significant difference within groups (p<0.05), but there were no significant differences between groups (p=0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Z-myotomy of the superior rectus muscle affected the recession of eyeball position and weakened the muscle action. Muscle weakening affected by the different gaps between myotomies did not show consistent results.

The Results of Evisceration with Primary Porous Implant Placement in Patients with Endophthalmitis

PURPOSE: To assess the results and long-term prognosis of evisceration with primary porous implant placement in patients with endophthalmitis. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to review the files of 27 patients (29 eyes) with endophthalmitis who underwent evisceration with primary porous implant placement from January 1997 to December 2007 at St. Mary's Hospital and Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital. The mean follow-up period was 12.24 months (range, 3 to 89 months) and the mean age of the patients was 63.6 years (range, 33 to 89 years). RESULTS: During the surgical procedure, primary implant placement was successfully completed, and any postoperative infection or inflammation rapidly resolved in all 27 patients (29 eyes). One of two porous implant materials was used. Hydroxyapatite was inserted in 14 eyes and Medpor was inserted in 15 eyes. Delayed implant exposure was noted in 1 eye, which was treated by inserting a hydroxyapatite implant 18 months after the first surgery. This was well treated by a preserved scleral graft. Implant infection was noted in 1 other eye at 20 days after the first surgery. All other minor complications healed without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Evisceration with primary porous implant placement as the treatment for recalcitrant endophthalmitis resulted in rapid resolution of any infection and inflammation. Implant exposure and infection occurred in only 2 eyes, and these problems were well treated without long-term sequelae. Therefore, evisceration with primary porous implant placement is a treatment option for patients with endophthalmitis.

Clinical Features of Korean Patients with Congenital Aniridia

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features of Korean patients with congenital aniridia. METHODS: This retrospective study focused on 60 eyes from 31 patients who were diagnosed with congenital aniridia at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from 1996 to 2007. Patient age, gender, visual acuity (VA), family history, and previous ocular history were recorded. The presence of keratopathy, glaucoma, cataract, foveal hypoplasia, and other ocular or systemic anomalies were evaluated for each patient. RESULTS: The proportion of sporadic cases was 29.0%. Cataract (82.5%), glaucoma (51.6%), keratopathy (71.6%), and foveal hypoplasia (81.8%) commonly accompanied aniridia. Thirty-four (60.7%) eyes had VAs less than 20/200 and 20 eyes (35.7%) had VAs between 20/200 and 20/60. In patients without a past history of ocular surgery, the mean central corneal thickness was 643.05 +/- 37.67 microm and the mean endothelial cell count was 3,349.44 +/- 408.17 cells/mm2. Ocular surface surgeries were performed in 6 eyes. The clarity of the transplanted corneal graft vanished in 5 eyes with the progression of peripheral neovascularization and subepithelial fibrosis. The mean age of cataract surgery in 8 eyes was 29.8 +/- 5.9 years. Postoperative worsening of corneal clouding and glaucomatous damage were observed in 4 eyes. Two infants had bilateral congenital glaucoma. Two children with sporadic aniridia were identified to have Wilm's tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital aniridia is a progressive congenital disorder that is commonly accompanied by complications that can lead to impaired vision. Regular, careful examinations for these accompanying complications should be performed in all patients with congenital aniridia.

Review of Trochanteric approach in 285 Total Hip Arthroplasties / 대한정형외과학회잡지

This paper is a consecutive series of total hip arthroplasties were performed over 6 years period by the same group surgeons utilizing the Charnley method as well as the lateral approach with trochanteric osteo. tomy. Trochanteric reattachment was accomplished in 285 hips and method of reattachment were basically standard Charnley technique which we used in most of our series. In addition, some modification of original Charnley technique which we used in early this trial were also included for this study. As far as trochanteric complications are concerned, there are 18 cases of hips where there was wire breakage, proximal drift of greater trochanter and 6 established cases of nonunion also reported. By the use of wire mash, we have performed a revisional surgery which has re-inforced of the greater trochanter. This was the case when the greater trocyhanter was very osteoporotic. Finally, biomechanical considerations of the re-attachment of the greater trochanter and new Charnley staple clamp method were introduced with review of our cases and analysed for technical failures.