Vitrectomy Combined with Intraoperative Dexamethasone Implant for the Management of Refractory Diabetic Macular Edema

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 1-year results of vitrectomy performed in combination with intraoperative dexamethasone implant for tractional and nontractional refractory diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: Thirteen eyes from 13 subjects who were diagnosed with tractional DME and 17 eyes from 17 subjects who were diagnosed with nontractional refractory DME underwent vitrectomy and dexamethasone implant injection. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) during the one year following vitrectomy were evaluated in each group. Additionally, changes in intraocular pressure and other complications were investigated postoperatively. RESULTS: In eyes with tractional DME, a statistically significant improvement in BCVA was noted at 3, 6, and 12 months, and a statistically significant improvement in CMT was noted at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months from baseline after vitrectomy (p < 0.05). In eyes with nontractional refractory DME, a statistically significant improvement in BCVA was noted at 12 months, but there were no significant improvements in CMT despite the tendency to decrease from baseline. Sixteen (53.3%) of the 30 eyes included in this study showed intraocular pressure elevation, which was addressed using antiglaucoma medication, and there were no other severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy combined with intraoperative dexamethasone implant may be safe and effective in treating DME, especially tractional DME. In this study, patients with nontractional DME required more additional treatments and time for anatomical and functional improvement compared to patients with tractional DME.

A Result of Pneumatic Retinopexy for Pseudophakic Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of pneumatic retinopexy as a treatment method for pseudophakic retinal detachment. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of medical records of 38 patients who underwent pneumatic retinopexy using SF6 gas from January 2003 to December 2011 and who were observed during a follow-up period longer than 6 months. Primary and final success rates and final visual acuity were analyzed. Primary success was defined as retinal attachment at the last visit without additional surgery. Final success was defined as retinal reattachment at the last visit regardless of additional surgery. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 58.47 ± 17.00 years. All retinal tears were located in the upper retina (from 8 to 4 o'clock). Preoperative mean visual acuity was 1.17 ± 1.00 log MAR, and postoperative mean visual acuity was 0.42 ± 0.48 log MAR. The primary success rate was 61%, and patients with re-detached retina underwent repeat pneumatic retinopexy or other surgery such as scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy. At the final visit, all of the patients demonstrated successful results. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumatic retinopexy does not result in strabismus or refractive error, and the final success rate was 66% in our study. Therefore, pneumatic retinopexy can be considered as an effective management technique for some pseudophakic retinal detachment patients.

Contralateral Inferior Oblique Muscle Overaction after Unilateral Inferior Oblique Weakening Procedures

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of unilateral inferior oblique weakening procedures on contralateral inferior oblique muscle functions and factors that may have an effect on contralateral inferior oblique muscle overaction (IOOA). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of medical records of 40 patients who underwent unilateral inferior oblique (IO) muscle weakening procedures from 2007 to 2011 and were observed during a follow-up period of more than 6 months. These patients were composed of primary IOOA (4 patients), secondary IOOA due to superior oblique muscle (SO) palsy (21 patients), secondary IOOA due to inferior rectus muscle palsy (1 patient), and dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) accompanied with IOOA (14 patients). Factors that may have an effect on contralateral IOOA after undergoing the operation were assessed. RESULTS: There were 7 patients (17.5%) who had over +2 IOOA after operation. IOOA on contralateral eye was increased from average of +0.00 to average of +0.66 +/- 0.14 in 6 months after operation (p < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between preoperative factors and functional changes in contralateral IO muscle. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistical factors that may have an effect on contralateral IOOA but the possibility of masked SO palsy before performing unilateral IO weakening procedures should be considered. In patients who have unilateral DVD associated with IOOA or small hypertropia, the contralateral IOOA can be more definite after operation; thus caution should be taken before operation.

Macular Hole after Single Intravitreal Injection of Ranibizumab in a Patient with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE: To report a case of a full-thickness macular hole after a single intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in a patient with choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old woman presented to our department with gradually decreasing vision in her right eye. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured as 0.7 in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye. Examination of the macula showed a choroidal neovascularization associated with subretinal hemorrhage in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed incomplete posterior vitreous detachment, subretinal hemorrhage and serous elevation. The patient subsequently received an intravitreal ranibizumab injection. After 1 month, the best corrected visual acuity in the right eye was decreased to 0.4, and fundus examination revealed posterior vitreous detachment and a macular hole. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and fluid-air exchange, SF6 gas injection, phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Three months later, the macular hole had closed completely and best visual acuity was 1.0. CONCLUSIONS: Although the occurrence of a full-thickness macular hole after intravitreal ranibizumab injection is uncommon, physicians should be well acquainted with this complication.

Delayed Pharyngeal Extrusion of an Anterior Odontoid Screw

A 27-year-old woman with a type II odontoid fracture was treated by anterior odontoid screw fixation. Radiographic union at the fracture site was obtained 3 months after surgery. Nearly 3 years after surgery, she presented at a local Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) clinic with a 2-month history of dysphagia. Laryngoscopy identified the head of the odontoid lag screw. Plain radiography showed that the head of the screw had migrated into the pharyngeal soft tissue. The atlantoaxial joint was stable, and computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed odontoid fracture fusion. The screw was found to be movable during endoscopy. The screw could be removed by using a transpharyngeal endoscopic approach under general anesthesia. The failure of the screw was considered to be due in part to malpositioning of the screw and in part to local infection. A transoropharyngeal endoscopic approach to remove the loose anterior odontoid screw was feasible.

Intracranial Solitary Fibrous Tumor

Solitary fibrous tumor is a spindle cell neoplasm that can arise in any place of the body. Intracranial solitary fibrous tumors are rare. To our knowledge, only 57 cases with intracranial lesion have been reported. In Korea three cases have been reported. Our case was a 23-year-old woman who presented with morning headache. MRI showed a large intra-axial mass involving falx with typically isointense and heterogeneous strong enhancement on T1 weighted image in the right parieto-occipital region. Histologically the tumor showed spindle shaped cells within matrix with thick collagen deposition, hypercellularity, focal necrosis, and pleomorphism. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated diffuse positivity for CD34, Vimentin, Reticulin. In case of the intracranial tumors involving the meninges, we also should consider the solitary fibrous tumor with immunohistochemical staining for accurate diagnosis.