Cisto perineural cervical sintomático: um achado incomum / Cervical symptomatic perineural cyst: an unusual finding

Os cistos perineurais (Tarlov) referem-se a uma dilatação cística entre o perineuro e o endoneuro das raízes nervosas dorsais, preenchidos com líquido cefalorraquidiano. Foram inicialmente descritos em 1938. Eles são mais frequentemente encontrados na coluna sacral, especialmente nas raízes nervosas de S2- S3, com a prevalência de 4,6% com base em uma revisão retrospectiva das imagens de ressonância magnética (RM) da coluna lombo-sacral. Em ocasiões muito raras, foram observadas acima da coluna lombossacra. Os cistos perineurais são geralmente achados incidentais sem significância clínica. Poucos relatos estão disponíveis sobre cistos sintomáticos na coluna cervical - os casos sintomáticos são raros, constituindo menos de 1% do total

Perineural (Tarlov) cysts refer to a cystic dilatation between the perineurium and endoneurium of the dorsal nerve roots, filled with cerebrospinal fluid, and were the first described in 1938. They are most often found in the sacral spine, especially S2-S3 nerve roots, with a prevalence of 4.6% based on a retrospective review of magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the lumbosacral spine. On very rare occasions, they were observed above the lumbosacral spine. Perineural cysts are usually incidental findings with no clinical significance. Few reports are available on symptomatic cysts in the cervical spine - symptomatic cases are rare, constituting less than 1% of the total

Tumor desmoplásico de célula pequeña y redonda paratesticular/testicular: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Paratesticular/testicular desmoplastic round small cell malignant tumor: case report and literature review

Resumen El tumor desmoplásico de célula redonda y pequeña (TDCRP) es una patología neoplásica maligna agresiva y poco común. Afecta predominantemente a hombres entre la segunda y tercera década de la vida. Los pacientes que la padecen tienen un pronóstico pobre, con una supervivencia global a 5 años de hasta el 30%. Por lo general se presenta como una masa en la cavidad abdominal, frecuentemente multifocal. Para su tratamiento se recomienda un enfoque multimodal con cirugía, quimioterapia y radioterapia. Poco más de 20 casos de TDCRP a nivel testicular/paratesticular se han reportado en la literatura. A continuación, se presenta un caso ilustrativo en esta localización, se discute el caso y se realiza revisión de la literatura.

Abstract Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an aggressive and rare malignant neoplasm. It mainly affects young men in their twenties and thirties. Patients with it have a poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of up to 30%. It generally presents as a mass in the abdominal cavity, often multifocal. A multimodal approach is recommended for its treatment, with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Just over 20 cases of testicular/paratesticular DSRCT have been reported in the literature. Below, we present an illustrative case in this location, we discuss the case and review the literature.

Adenomegalia dolorosa: doença de Kikuchi entre os diagnósticos diferenciais / Painful adenomegaly: Kikuchi disease among differential diagnoses

RESUMO: A doença de Kikuchi-Fujimoto ou linfadenite histiocítica necrosante, de curso benigno, é prevalente em mulheres jovens, e associada à febre e leucopenia. Estudos recentes têm demostrado que sua etiologia ainda é incerta, sendo uma doença rara, com incidência de 0,5 a 5% de todas as adenopatias analisadas histologicamente. O diag-nóstico diferencial por imunohistoquímica foi decisivo, descartando outras hipóteses diagnósticas como: linfoma, tuberculose ganglionar e lúpus eritematoso sistêmico. Este relato de caso mostra as características da apresentação da doença em uma mulher, caucasiana e todas as etapas da investigação, destacando a importância dos diagnósticos diferenciais em adenopatias dolorosas e as dificuldades quando avaliamos portadores de doenças raras. (AU)

ABSTRACT: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease or benign necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis is prevalent in young women and associated with fever and leukopenia. Recent studies have shown that its etiology is still uncertain, being a rare disease, with an incidence of 0.5 to 5% of all histologically analyzed adenopathies. Differential diagnosis by immunohistochemistry was decisive, ruling out other diagnostic hypotheses such as lymphoma, ganglion tuberculosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. This case report shows the characteristics of the presentation of the disease in a Caucasian woman and all stages of the investigation, highlighting the importance of differential diagnoses in painful adenopathies and the difficulties when evaluating rare-disease patients. (AU)

Changes in the Ganglion Cell-inner Plexiform Layer after Consecutive Intravitreal Injections of Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Age-related Macular Degeneration Patients

Hierarchical Cluster Analysis of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Damage and Macular Ganglion Cell Loss in Open Angle Glaucoma

Hallazgos ecográficos normales y complicaciones de implantes mamarios en Colombia / Normal Ultrasound Findings and Complications of Breast Implants in Colombia

La mamoplastia de aumento con implantes y la reconstrucción mamaria posmastectomía son algunos de los procedimientos quirúrgicos más frecuentes en cirugía plástica. Los implantes mamarios se encuentran entre los dispositivos médicos con mayor cantidad de informes por eventos adversos en el país. La extracción del implante es el estándar de oro ante la sospecha de la ruptura del mismo; sin embargo, hay poca claridad respecto a qué estrategias e imágenes son las adecuadas para la evaluación no invasiva de estos. La ecografía de alta resolución ha mostrado ser una alternativa para la evaluación inicial. Debido a la variabilidad de los implantes es necesario reconocer sus características imagenológicas. En este artículo se presentan los hallazgos ecográficos de los implantes, incluyendo aquellos que se pueden generar por marquillas o distintivos propios de la marca, y los propios de las complicaciones más comunes asociadas a ellos.

Implant augmentation mammoplasty and post-mastectomy breast reconstruction are some of the most frequent surgical procedures in plastic surgery. Breast implants are among the medical devices with the highest amount of reports of adverse events in our country. In suspicion of rupture, removal is the gold standard. However, there is little clarity regarding which strategies and images are adequate for non-invasive evaluation. High resolution ultrasound has shown to be an alternative for the initial evaluation. Due to the variability of the implants it is necessary to recognize their imaging characteristics. This article presents the findings of the ultrasound of the implants, including those that can be generated by tags or marks distinctive of the brand and those of the most common complications associated with them

Eminencia ganglionar: Anatomía y patología en resonancia magnética fetal / Ganglionic Eminence: Anatomy and Pathology in Fetal MRI

Se presentan dos casos de resonancia magnética (RM) fetal en los que se detectan anomalías de las eminencias ganglionares (EG): un caso en una gestación única y otro en una gestación gemelar con solo uno de los fetos afectado. Las alteraciones en las eminencias ganglionares son entidades poco frecuentes, con muy pocos casos publicados, tanto por RM como por ecografía fetal, que suelen asociarse con alteraciones neurológicas graves. Se describen los hallazgos por RM de la patología de las EG en estos dos casos, no visibles en la ecografía previa.

We present two cases of fetal MRI where anomalies of the ganglionic eminences (GE) are detected, one case in a single pregnancy and another in a twin gestation with only one of the affected fetuses. Alterations in the ganglionic eminences are rare entities, with very few published cases, both by MRI and fetal ultrasound, which are usually associated with severe neurological alterations. The MR findings of the pathology of the GE in these two cases are described. These findings were not visible on the previous ultrasound.

Artrhoscopic Resection of Volar Wrist Ganglion: Surgical Technique and Case Series / Ressecção artroscópica do cisto sinovial volar do punho: Técnica cirúrgica e série de casos

Abstract Objectives To describe the technique and results of the arthroscopic surgical treatment of volar ganglion cyst of the wrist. Materials and Methods The present study comprised 21 patients submitted to the arthroscopic treatment of volar ganglion cysts of the wrist from January 2015 to May 2017, with a full evaluation for at least 6 months. The technique was indicated for patients presenting pain and functional impairment for more than four months, with no improvement with the conservative treatment, or for those with cosmetic complaints and cyst present for more than three months. Results The mean age of the patients was 43.6 years; 16 (76%) patients were female, and 5 (24%) were male. The mean follow-up time from surgery to the final assessment was of 10.9 months. A total of 2 (9.6%) patients complained of mild pain after the procedure, and another patient presented slight motion restrictions. The 18 (90.4%) remaining patients reported cosmetic improvement, complete functional recovery, and pain improvement. There were no recurrences or infections. No patient required further surgery. Conclusions The arthroscopic resection of volar ganglion cysts is a useful and safe technique. It is a minimally-invasive procedure, with low morbidity and very few complications, representing a good alternative to the open technique.

Resumo Objetivo Descrever a técnica e os resultados da artroscopia no tratamento cirúrgico dos cistos sinoviais volares no punho. Materiais e Métodos Foram incluídos e analisados neste trabalho 21 pacientes submetidos a artroscopia para o tratamento de cisto sinovial volar no punho, no período entre janeiro de 2015 e maio de 2017, com avaliação completa e mínima de 6 meses. A técnica descrita foi indicada para os pacientes com dor e incapacidade funcional com duração de mais de quatro meses, sem melhora com o tratamento conservador, ou para aqueles com queixas estéticas e que apresentavam o cisto havia mais de três meses. Resultados A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 43,6 anos, sendo 16 (76%) do sexo feminino, e 5 (24%) do masculino. O tempo de seguimento médio entre a cirurgia e a avaliação final foi de 10,9 meses. Um total de 2 (9,6%) pacientes apresentaram dor leve e uma restrição da mobilidade no pós-operatório. Nos 18 (90,4%) pacientes restantes, houve melhora das queixas estéticas, recuperação funcional completa, e melhora completa da dor. Não houve recidivas ou infecções. Nenhum paciente necessitou ser submetido a nova cirurgia. Conclusões A ressecção artroscópica do cisto sinovial volar mostrou-se uma técnica útil e segura. É um procedimento minimamente invasivo, com baixa morbidade e poucas complicações, sendo uma boa alternativa à técnica aberta.

Estado del Arte Manejo Quirúrgico del Carcinoma Metastásico de Primario Desconocido de Cabeza y Cuello / State of the Art Surgical Management of Metastatic Carcinoma of Unknown Primary of Head and Neck

Propósito de la revisión: el objetivo de la revisión es delinear el rol del Manejo Quirúrgico del carcinoma metastásico primario de cabeza y cuello. Buscamos reportes en indicaciones, posibles hallazgos y subsecuentes tratamientos. Recientes hallazgos: La punción aspirativa con aguja fina, permite diferenciar la etiología de los nódulos del cuello: melanoma, carcinoma tiroideo, linfoma y otros tumores indiferenciados. La medición de tiroglobulina ayuda a diferenciar una neoplasia de tiroides. El nivel ganglionar afectado I al III incluye el protocolo de paratiroidectomia, amigadalectomía. El nivel ganglionar IV y V el primario es infraclavicular. Extracto: El cáncer metastásico de primario oculto es una neoplasia con confirmación histológica pero con lesión primaria desconocida. Su manejo es controversial y en la mayoría de los casos insuficiente para llegar al diagnóstico, incluso con la autopsia. La aproximación inicial comprende una serie de exámenes de laboratorio e imágenes de alta complejidad que incluyen la tomografía por emisión de positrones con el test de la Flúor 2-Deoxi Glucosa (FDG-PET/CT), los estudios de anatomía patológica son el segundo paso dentro del manejo estándar e incluyen la Punción y Aspiración con Aguja fina (PAAF). La microscopia tradicional no es suficiente para identificar el tumor primario, las tinciones inmunohistoquímicas aunque no son especificas ni sensibles ayudan con ese propósito y aún más la microscopia electrónica. La biopsia o procedimientos más agresivos como la amigdalectomía son conductas a seguir si aún no se ha logrado el diagnóstico. Se presenta una revisión del estado del arte del manejo del Carcinoma Metastásico de Primario Desconocido de Cabeza y Cuello.

Purpose of the review: the objective of the review is to delineate the role of Surgical Management of primary metastatic carcinoma of the head and neck. We look for reports on indications, possible findings and subsequent treatments. Recent findings: Fine-needle aspiration can differentiate the etiology of neck nodules: melanoma, thyroid carcinoma, lymphoma and other undifferentiated tumors. The measurement of thyroglobulin helps to differentiate a thyroid neoplasm. The affected lymph node level I to III includes the protocol of parathyroidectomy, amigdalectomy. The nodal level IV and V the primary is infraclavicular. Excerpt: Metastatic cancer of the occult primary is a neoplasm with histological confirmation but with an unknown primary lesion. Its management is controversial and in most cases insufficient to reach the diagnosis, even with autopsy. The initial approach involves a series of laboratory tests and highly complex images that include positron emission tomography with the Flucor 2-Deoxy Glucose test (FDG-PET / CT), pathology studies are the second step within standard handling and include Puncture and Fine Needle Aspiration (FNAP). Traditional microscopy is not enough to identify the primary tumor, immunohistochemical stains although they are not specific or sensitive help with this purpose and even more so electron microscopy. Biopsy or more aggressive procedures such as tonsillectomy are behaviors to follow if the diagnosis has not yet been achieved. A review of the state of the art of metastatic carcinoma of Unknown Head and Neck Primary is presented.

An ANKRD11 exonic deletion accompanied by a congenital megacolon in an infant with KBG syndrome

KBG syndrome is an autosomal dominant syndrome presenting with macrodontia, distinctive facial features, skeletal anomalies, and neurological problems caused by mutations in the ankyrin repeat domain 11 (ANKRD11) gene. The diagnosis of KBG is difficult in very young infants as the characteristic macrodontia and typical facial features are not obvious. The youngest patient diagnosed to date was almost one year of age. We here describe a 2-month-old Korean boy with distinctive craniofacial features but without any evidence of macrodontia due to his very early age. He also had a congenital megacolon without ganglion cells in the rectum. A de novo deletion of exons 5–9 of the ANKRD11 gene was identified in this patient by exome sequencing and real-time genomic polymerase chain reaction. As ANKRD11 is involved in the development of myenteric plexus, a bowel movement disorder including a congenital megacolon is not surprising in a patient with KBG syndrome and has possibly been overlooked in past cases.

A Case of Concurrent Ampullary Adenoma and Gangliocytic Paraganglioma at the Minor Papilla Treated with Endoscopic Resection

A gangliocytic paraganglioma is a benign tumor of the digestive system with a very low incidence. The tumor is histopathologically characterized by a triphasic pattern consisting of epithelioid, ganglion, and spindle-shaped Schwann cells. In most cases, it occurs in the second portion of the duodenum near the ampulla of Vater. We report a case of a gangliocytic paraganglioma occurring at the minor duodenal papilla (a rare location) with a concurrent adenoma of the ampulla of Vater. Both lesions were treated simultaneously using endoscopic resection. Additionally, we have presented a literature review.

Nervus terminalis and nerves to the vomeronasal organ: a study using human fetal specimens / 대한해부학회지

The human nervus terminalis (terminal nerve) and the nerves to the vomeronasal organ (VNON) are both associated with the olfactory nerves and are of major interest to embryologists. However, there is still limited knowledge on their topographical anatomy in the nasal septum and on the number and distribution of ganglion cells along and near the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. We observed serial or semiserial sections of 30 fetuses at 7–18 weeks (crown rump length [CRL], 25–160 mm). Calretinin and S100 protein staining demonstrated not only the terminal nerve along the anterior edge of the perpendicular lamina of the ethmoid, but also the VNON along the posterior edge of the lamina. The terminal nerve was composed of 1–2 nerve bundles that passed through the anterior end of the cribriform plate, whereas the VNON consisted of 2–3 bundles behind the olfactory nerves. The terminal nerve ran along and crossed the posterior side of the nasal branch of the anterior ethmoidal nerve. Multiple clusters of small ganglion cells were found on the lateral surfaces of the ethmoid's crista galli, which are likely the origin of both the terminal nerve and VNON. The ganglions along the crista galli were ball-like and 15–20 µm in diameter and, ranged from 40–153 in unilateral number according to our counting at 21-µm-interval except for one specimen (480 neurons; CRL, 137 mm). An effect of nerve degeneration with increasing age seemed to be masked by a remarkable individual difference.

Are steroids required in the treatment of ganglion impar blockade in chronic coccydynia? a prospective double-blinded clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Ganglion impar blockade is a reliable and effective treatment option used in patients with coccydynia. Our primary objective was to specify the role of corticosteroids in impar blockade. We compared applications of local anesthetic with the local anesthetic + corticosteroid combination in terms of treatment efficiency in patients with chronic coccydynia. METHODS: Our study was a prospective randomize double-blind study. The patients were divided into 2 groups after randomization. The first group (group SL) was made up of patients where a corticosteroid + local anesthetic were used during ganglion impar blockade. In the second group (group L) we used only local anesthetic. We evaluated numeric rating scale (NRS) and Beck depression scale, which were employed before the procedure and in 1st and 3rd months after the procedure. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were included in the final analysis. We detected a significantly greater decrease in NRS values in the 1st month in group SL than in group L (P = 0.001). In the same way, NRS values in the 3rd month were significantly lower in the group with steroids (P = 0.0001). During the evaluation of the Beck test, we detected significantly greater decreases in the 1st month (P = 0.017) and 3rd month (P = 0.021) in the SL group than in the L group. CONCLUSIONS: Ganglion impar blockade decreases pain in the treatment of chronic coccydynia and improve depression. Addition of steroids in a ganglion impar blockade is required for treatment response that should accumulate over a long period of time.

The Connection between Charles Darwin's Evolutionary Theory of ‘Heredity of Behaviors’ and the 19th Century Neuroscience: The Influence of Neuroscience on Darwin's Overcoming of Lamarck's Theory of Evolution / 의사학

The nineteenth century neuroscience studied the instinct of animal to understand the human mind. In particular, it has been found that the inheritance of unconscious behavior like instinct is mediated through ganglion chains, such as the spinal cord or sympathetic nervous system, which control unconscious reflexes. At the same time, the theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics (hereafter ‘IAC’) widely known as Lamarck's evolutionary theory provided the theoretical frame on the origin of instinct and the heredity of action that the parental generation's habits were converted into the nature of the offspring generation. Contrary to conventional knowledge, this theory was not originally invented by Lamarck, and Darwin also did not discard this theory even after discovering the theory of natural selection in 1838 and maintained it throughout his intellectual life. Above all, in the field of epigenetics, the theory of ‘IAC’ has gained attention as a reliable scientific theory today. Darwin discovered crucial errors in the late 1830s that the Lamarck version's theory of ‘IAC’ did not adequately account for the principle of the inheritance of unconscious behavior like instinct. Lamarck's theory regarded habits as conscious and willful acts and saw that those habits are transmitted through the brain to control conscious actions. Lamarck's theory could not account for the complex and elaborate instincts of invertebrate animals, such as brainless ants. Contrary to Lamarck's view, Darwin established the new theory of ‘IAC’ that could be combined with contemporary neurological theory, which explains the heredity of unconscious behavior. Based on the knowledge of neurology, Darwin was able to translate the ‘principle of habit’ into a neurological term called ‘principle of reflex’. This article focuses on how Darwin join the theory of ‘IAC’ with nineteenth century neuroscience and how the neurological knowledge from the nineteenth century contributed to Darwin's overcoming of Lamarck's ‘IAC’. The significance of this study is to elucidate Darwin's notion of ‘IAC’ theory rather than natural selection theory as a principle of heredity of behavior. The theory of ‘IAC’ was able to account for the rapid variation of instincts in a relatively short period of time, unlike natural selection, which operates slowly in geological time spans of tens of millions of years. The nineteenth century neurological theory also provided neurological principles for ‘plasticity of instinct,’ empirically supporting the fact that all nervous systems responsible for reflexes respond sensitively to very fine stimuli. However, researchers of neo-Darwinian tendencies, such as Richard Dawkins and evolutionary psychologists advocating the ‘selfish gene’ hypothesis, which today claim to be Darwin's descendants, are characterized by human nature embedded in biological information, such as the brain and genes, so that it cannot change at all. This study aims to contribute to reconstructing the evolutionary discourse by illuminating Darwin's insights into the “plasticity of nature” that instincts can change relatively easily even at the level of invertebrates such as earthworms.

Ganglion Cell Analysis in an Optic Tract Syndrome Patient Previously Diagnosed with Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To report the results of ganglion cell analysis in a patient with optic tract syndrome who was previously diagnosed with glaucoma. CASE SUMMARY: A 32-year-old male, who had been diagnosed with glaucoma 12 years ago, but had not visited an ophthalmology clinic since then, came to our clinic for evaluation of his glaucoma. Both eyes showed an increased cup-to-disc ratio and temporal pallor of the disc. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) optical coherence tomography showed thinning of the superior, inferior, and temporal peripapillary RNFL in both eyes. On ganglion cell analysis (GCA), ganglion cell layer thinning in the nasal region of the right eye and in the temporal region of the left eye was observed. The visual field test showed right incongruous homonymous hemianopsia. After the atrophic change of the left optic tract was confirmed by orbit magnetic resonance imaging, he was diagnosed with left optic tract syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: We report the results of GCA in a case of optic tract syndrome, previously diagnosed as glaucoma. GCA can be useful when diagnosing optic tract syndrome.

The feasibility of shear wave elastography for diagnosing superficial benign soft tissue masses

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of shear wave ultrasound elastography for differentiating superficial benign soft tissue masses through a comparison of their shear moduli. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 48 masses from 46 patients from February 2014 to May 2016. Surgical excision, fine-needle aspiration, and clinical findings were used for the differential diagnosis. The ultrasonographic examinations were conducted by a single musculoskeletal radiologist, and the ultrasonographic findings were reviewed by two other radiologists who were blinded to the final diagnosis. Conventional ultrasonographic features and the median shear modulus were evaluated. We compared the median shear moduli of epidermoid cysts, ganglion cysts, and lipomatous tumors using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Additionally, the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare two distinct groups. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the median shear moduli of epidermoid cysts, ganglion cysts, and lipomatous tumors (23.7, 5.8, and 9.2 kPa, respectively; P=0.019). Epidermoid cysts showed a greater median shear modulus than ganglion cysts (P=0.014) and lipomatous tumors (P=0.049). CONCLUSION: Shear wave elastography may contribute to the differential diagnosis of superficial benign soft tissue masses through a direct quantitative analysis.

Achalasia Cardia Resulting in Bronchial Obstruction: A Case Series and Literature Review / 대한소화기학회지

Achalasia is a motility disorder of the esophagus that is characterized by loss of ganglionic neurons within the myenteric plexus of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resulting in failure of the LES to relax. Clinically this disorder presents with simultaneous dysphagia to solids and liquids, and if left untreated, leads to esophageal dilation, which can give rise to many adverse consequences. Extrinsic compression of respiratory structures is one such consequence, and rarely, cases of tracheal compression secondary to achalasia have been reported. However, cases of extrinsic bronchial compression are yet rarer. Here, we present a case series comprised of two patients with achalasia who presented with extrinsic bronchial compression by a dilated esophagus secondary to achalasia.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome by a Ganglion Cyst in an Amateur Tennis Player / 대한스포츠의학회지

Ganglion cyst is considered to be a usual cause of peripheral nerve compression. In this report, we present a rare case of ulnar nerve compression by a multi-septated ganglion cyst in the cubital tunnel. A 33-year-old left-handed male amateur tennis player developed progressive numbness and weakness in his right elbow, forearm, and hand for 1 year. Decrease of grip power was apparent in left hand. Clinical examination revealed a cystic mass at the posterior side of the elbow. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a ganglion cyst at the elbow. During surgery about 3 cm diameter epineural ganglion was observed compressing the ulnar nerve and was excised using microsurgery techniques. Three months postoperatively, the clinical recovery of the patient was very satisfactory and he restored his original performance in tennis match.

Visual Field Changes after Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling in Glaucoma Patients with Epiretinal Membrane

PURPOSE: To report visual field changes after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for macular epiretinal membrane (ERM) according to the severity of glaucoma. METHODS: A retrospective review of 37 eyes from 37 patients who underwent ILM peeling to treat ERM. Standard automated perimetry (Humphrey visual field 24-2 program) was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Based on the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) scoring system of preoperative visual field, patients were classified into the early glaucoma (AGIS ≤ 1) group or the advanced glaucoma (AGIS ≥ 2) group. Postoperative visual field sensitivity at each point was compared with the preoperative value. RESULTS: Out of 37 eyes, 15 eyes had early glaucoma and 22 had advanced glaucoma. Eyes from both groups had poor postoperative visual field parameters. For eyes with advanced glaucoma, the visual field index was significantly reduced and the visual field damage was larger and wider compared to those with early glaucoma. In both groups, visual field impairment was greater on the nasal side than on the temporal side, and visual acuity was not significantly different. Postoperatively, the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness was decreased, especially on the temporal side of advanced glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Visual field impairment was greater and wider in eyes with advanced glaucoma than in those with early glaucoma after ILM peeling in patients with ERM.

Colonic Pseudo-obstruction With Transition Zone: A Peculiar Eastern Severe Dysmotility

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies from Korea have described chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) patients with transition zone (TZ) in the colon. In this study, we evaluated the pathological characteristics and their association with long-term outcomes in Korean colonic pseudo-obstruction (CPO) patients with TZ. METHODS: We enrolled 39 CPO patients who were refractory to medical treatment and underwent colectomy between November 1989 and April 2016 (median age at symptoms onset: 45 [interquartile range, 29–57] years, males 46.2%). The TZ was defined as a colonic segment connecting a proximally dilated and distally non-dilated segment. Detailed pathologic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among the 39 patients, 37 (94.9%) presented with TZ and 2 (5.1%) showed no definitive TZ. Median ganglion cell density in the TZ adjusted for the colonic circumference was significantly decreased compared to that in proximal dilated and distal non-dilated segments in TZ (+) patients (9.2 vs 254.3 and 150.5, P < 0.001). Among the TZ (+) patients, 6 showed additional pathologic findings including eosinophilic ganglionitis (n = 2), ulcers with combined cytomegalovirus infection (n = 2), diffuse ischemic changes (n = 1), and heterotropic myenteric plexus (n = 1). During follow-up (median, 61 months), 32 (82.1%) TZ (+) patients recovered without symptom recurrence after surgery. The presence of pathological features other than hypoganglionosis was an independent predictor of symptom recurrence after surgery (P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Hypoganglionosis can be identified in the TZ of most Korean CPO patients. Detection of other pathological features in addition to TZ-associated hypoganglionosis was associated with poor post-operative outcomes.