Retinal microvascular changes in patients with familial mediterranean fever: a study based on optical coherence tomography angiography / Alterações microvasculares da retina em pacientes com febre mediterrânea familiar: estudo baseado em angiotomografia de coerência óptica

ABSTRACT Purpose: In this study, we aimed to show whether a difference exists between retinal and choroidal microcirculation findings between patients with familial Mediterranean fever and healthy controls. Methods: Thirty-two patients with familial Mediterranean fever and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. All the patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure measurement. The AngioVue optical coherence tomography angiography device (Optovue, Fremont, CA) with split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography was used to evaluate and examine the retinal microvascular structure. Three-dimensional en face Optical coherence tomography angiography images were obtained by examining the macula using the 3 x 3 mm scanning protocol in the Angio Retina mode and the optic nerve using the 3 x 3 mm scanning protocol in the Angio Disk mode. All the patients' right eyes were examined. Results: A total of 62 subjects were included in the study, of whom 32 (53.3%) were female and 30 (46.7%) were male. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of optic nerve head or radial peripapillary capillary vessel density. On examination, the superficial capillary plexuses were statistically similar between the two groups, but the deep capillary plexus vessel density in the parafovea, superior hemi, temporal, and superior areas were significantly lower in the patients with familial Mediterranean fever. Conclusions: We found that the capillary plexus vessel density was significantly lower in the parafovea, superior hemi, temporal, and superior regions in the patients with familial Mediterranean fever than in the control group. Therefore, OCTA, a noninvasive study, may be useful for understanding the systemic effects of familial Mediterranean fever.

RESUMO Objetivos: Este estudo teve como objetivo mostrar se há diferença entre os achados da microcirculação retiniana e coroidal entre pacientes com febre mediterrânica familiar e um grupo controle saudável. Métodos: Trinta e dois pacientes com febre mediterrânica familiar e 30 controles saudáveis foram incluídos neste estudo. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a um exame oftalmológico completo, incluindo a acuidade visual melhor corrigida e medida da pressão intraocular. O aparelho AngioVue Optical coherence tomography angiography (Optovue, Fremont, CA) com angiografia de correlação de amplitude de espectro dividido foi utilizado para avaliar e examinar a estrutura microvascular da retina. As angiotomografias de coerência ópticas en face tridimensionais foram obtidas examinando o protocolo de varredura macular 3 x 3 mm (modo angio retina) e o nervo óptico com o protocolo de varredura 3 x 3 mm (modo angio-disco). Todos os olhos direitos dos pacientes foram examinados. Resultados: Foram incluídos neste estudo, 62 sujeitos, dos quais 32 (53,3%) eram do sexo feminino e 30 (46,7%) do sexo masculino. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos quanto à densidade dos vasos da cabeça do nervo óptico ou da densidade dos vasos capilares peripapilares radiais. Durante o exame, os plexos capilares superficiais foram estatisticamente semelhantes entre esses dois grupos, mas a densidade profunda dos vasos do plexo capilar nas areas parafovea, hemi superior, temporal e superior foram significativamente menores nos pacientes com febre mediterrânica familiar. Conclusões: Verificamos que a densidade dos vasos do plexo capilar foi significativamente menor nas regiões parafovea, hemi superior, temporal e superior em pacientes com febre mediterrânica familiar em comparação com o grupo controle. Portanto, pode ser útil usar a angiotomografia de coerência óptica, por tratar-se de um estudo não invasivo, para melhor compreensão dos efeitos sistêmicos da febre mediterrânica familiar.

Candida arthritis in a patient diagnosed with spondyloarthritis

Abstract Candida arthritis is an unusual manifestation that usually affects the knees. A 35-year-old man presented with a 2-month history of pain and swelling in the right knee. Swelling persisted after anti-inflammatory treatment. Peripheric spondyloarthritis was considered, but methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and methylprednisolone did not reduce the swelling. Direct examination of synovial fluid and a culture were positive for Candida albicans. Intravenous and intra-articular amphotericin-B were administered. The arthritis regressed and a culture and direct staining showed negative results. Candida arthritis should be considered in patients with arthritis that is resistant to treatment and prolonged, even if risk factors are absent.

Hydatid cysts in muscles: clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of this atypical presentation

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Hydatid cysts are rarely detected in muscle tissue (0.7-0.9%), even in endemic countries. The aim of this study was to present information regarding the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of muscle echinococcosis.METHODS: Twenty-two patients with hydatid cysts in the muscle were followed from January 2006 through December 2014.RESULTS: Twenty-four sites of muscle involvement were observed in the 22 patients. Fifteen (68%) of our patients were women, while seven (32%) were men. The mean age was 28.1 ± 15.4 (6-61) years. The most frequent locations were the thigh (27.2%) and the paravertebral region (13.6%). Most patients reported a painless slow-growing mass with normal overlying skin. Most (90.2%) cases were treated by surgical excision and fine-needle aspiration.CONCLUSIONS: Primary muscle hydatid cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cystic masses of the muscular system without pain and localized enlargement of soft tissue, especially in endemic areas. Hydatid cyst should be investigated using serological tests and imaging modalities. If possible, total surgical excision of hydatid cyst in the muscle should be performed.