To Evaluate the Efficacy of Diagnostic Periocular Punch Biopsy: Using a 4-mm Dermatology Punch.

PURPOSE: The dermatological punch biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that provides conclusive diagnosis when managing periocular lesions. It aids with establishing histological diagnosis and subtype thereby facilitating management planning and eliminates the risk of unnecessary tissue sacrifice. The present literature provides limited evidence evaluating the value of punch biopsy in diagnosing periocular lesions. METHODS: A retrospective case note analysis of 400 consecutive 4-mm periocular punch biopsies performed between 2005 and 2016, from 353 patients was undertaken at a single institution. Three hundred fifty-nine lesions had an initial definite clinical diagnosis of malignancy (group A) and the remaining 41 lesions had an uncertain clinical diagnosis with enough suspicion to merit a biopsy (group B). RESULTS: In group A, 75.5% (n = 271) of the biopsies verified the clinical diagnosis of malignancy and 24.5% (n = 88) were benign. In group B, 70.7% (n = 29) of the lesions were benign and 29.3% (n = 12) were malignant and were subsequently treated as group A. Only 4, group A biopsies, which underwent formal excision, did not initially diagnose a malignancy (punch biopsy was repeated) providing a sensitivity of 98.6% and a specificity of 100%. One hundred seventeen were found to be benign avoiding unnecessary tissue sacrifice in 29.25% of cases. CONCLUSION: Our study provides the largest sample size in the literature that evaluates a 4-mm diagnostic periocular punch biopsy in managing eyelid lesions. In 29.5% of punch biopsies, unnecessary tissue sacrifice was avoided as they were histologically benign. The authors found that punch biopsies for lesions <7 mm carry a risk of inadvertent excision of lesion.

The impact of COVID-19 on the progression and management of periocular basal cell carcinomas.

PURPOSE: To identify whether the delay caused by COVID-19 had an impact on the peroperative size of lesions and the choice of reconstruction performed in patients with periocular basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). METHODS: We undertook a retrospective study looking at whether the delay caused by COVID-19 had an impact on the lesion size at the time of surgery, and consequently, on the choice of surgical repair. Results were compared to an equivalent time period a year prior to the onset of COVID-19. Elective surgery was stepped down at our hospital between March and June 2020. We collected data on patients that underwent BCC excisions between July 2020 and April 2021 and for an equivalent time period from 2019 to 2020. Measurements at listing were compared with those preoperatively obtained and from histological specimen. RESULTS: Analysis using the paired T-test yielded a p-value 0.005 for the growth of the lesion between listing and surgery after the onset of the pandemic, while pre-COVID the p-value was 0.04. Most patients were able to undergo the same procedure as planned for despite the delay and statistically significant growth while awaiting surgery. CONCLUSION: Literature suggests that BCC operations can be safely delayed up to 3 months. Our longest wait post-COVID was 12 months with a mean wait of 5 months. Only two patients in this group had a more invasive surgery than planned. We conclude that the delay caused by the pandemic, even beyond 3 months, had a minimal impact on the surgical plan and outcomes for patients with BCCs.

Per-operative COVID-19 modifications for oculoplastic service: patients perspective and regional review of practice of a protective draping technique.

PURPOSE: COVID-19 has posed problems for oculoplastic surgeons. One issue we felt needed to be addressed was the way patients are draped for surgery. Traditionally patients are draped with their full face exposed, and as a result, aerosols generated from both the patient and surgical team put the other party at risk. METHODS: We created a new draping technique which would create a physical barrier. A regional survey was undertaken to compare regional oculoplastic draping practices with our practice locally in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. A patient satisfaction survey was also completed to understand the impact of our change in practice. RESULTS: Our regional survey generated 22 consultant responses. 36% (8) continued with their normal practice with the full face exposed. 18% (4) of the responders had modified a cataract drape and 45% (10) used a bespoke drape with or without a mask. We started using this modified drape in June 2020 and in the patient survey, 100 percent of patients felt the drape was comfortable and 30% of the patients commented on the relief that they did not have to wear a face mask during surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our draping technique provides an alternative to the traditional full face exposure draping. It is simple, inexpensive, and readily available. It also addresses and resolves the issue of safety of the oculoplastic surgeon and surgical team whilst maintaining comfort for the patient throughout, particularly when risks the of COVID are ongoing and with the potential of more viruses in the future.

Postoperative systemic antibiotic usage in elective eyelid surgery: is it really necessary?

PURPOSE: The use of prophylactic antibiotics for oculoplastic procedures varies because of a lack of specific guidelines or literature. Comparable studies in clean orbital surgery have shown no proven benefit and its indiscriminate use has been linked to individual harm and rising levels of resistance. We investigated whether avoidance of systemic prophylactic antibiotics in elective lid surgeries increased surgical site infections (SSI). METHODS: We conducted a case-note audit of consecutive anterior ptosis repair and lateral tarsal strip (LTS) surgeries performed with post-operative oral antibiotics (co-amoxiclav or clarithromycin) and topical chloramphenicol ointment, compared to only topical antibiotics. Data on American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, age and incidence of surgical site infection at 2 weeks follow-up were collected. RESULTS: Of a cohort of 232 patients, 99 patients had combined systemic and topical antibiotics (ptosis n = 49, LTS n = 50) and 133 had topical antibiotics (ptosis n = 83, LTS n = 50). The groups were not significantly different for age (p = .6, t-test) or ASA status (p = .7, chi2 test). Three patients from the combined group required further treatment for SSI compared with two patients from the topical antibiotic group (p = .7 Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Avoidance of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis for LTS and anterior ptosis repair procedures was not associated with increased SSI rates. Given that prescriptions of antibiotics carry the risk of side-effects and growing antimicrobial resistance, we feel that our study shows that its routine use in this setting is of no benefit.

Do topical ocular antihypertensives affect Dacryocystorhinostomy outcomes: The Coventry experience.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that ocular antihypertensives are associated with an increased risk of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This study aims to assess the effect of topical antihypertensive treatment on surgical outcomes for patients undergoing Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with intubation. METHODS: Single centre, retrospective analysis of 170 operations carried out on 144 patients between January 2014 and January 2019. Statistical analysis of DCR failure rates comparing patients on topical ocular antihypertensive treatment and those not on any topical ocular antihypertensive treatment was carried out following medical case record analysis. RESULTS: 6.9% of patients undergoing DCR surgery were on topical antihypertensive treatment. The overall failure rate for all DCR operations during this time period was 11.2%. There was a statistically significant higher rate of primary DCR failure in patients on antihypertensive treatment (p = 0.02), with the endonasal DCRs worse affected (p = 0.01). The most commonly used topical treatments were carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI, 81.8%), followed by beta-blockers (72.7%). All patients who had failure of primary DCR were using topical beta-blockers and CAI at the time of surgery and post-operatively. There was no statistically significant association between failure rates and the use of preserved or unpreserved drops (p = 1.0) CONCLUSIONS: Topical ocular antihypertensive treatment may lead to a higher failure rate for DCR surgery due to the provocation of an inflammatory cicatricial response. Beta-blockers and CAIs appear to have the strongest association. Considering a primary external approach in this group as well as switching the class of topical antihypertensive treatment pre-operatively could perhaps improve DCR outcomes.

Total Anterior Staphyloma Secondary to Acanthamoeba Keratitis.

ABSTRACT: There are very few published cases of total anterior staphyloma, all of which have been reported as secondary to fungal keratitis. This study reports the clinical and histopathological findings and subsequent management of a 27-year-old healthy female patient who developed total anterior staphyloma after poor compliance with treatment for clinically diagnosed acanthamoeba keratitis. She underwent a successful evisceration with good long-term results. This case highlights that total anterior staphyloma may also result from untreated keratitis which is not fungal in origin. In cases of fungal and acanthamoeba keratitis, patient compliance with both treatment and follow-up is paramount to avoid vision-threatening sequelae that present significant challenges in their management.

Role of the Adenoplus test in refractory, recurrent and clinically undiagnosed conjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: In diagnosing adenoviral conjunctivitis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely adopted as a diagnostic tool. A new antigen-based immunoassay test (AdenoPlus; Rapid Pathogen Screening Inc, Sarasota, Fla.) is commercially available as an alternative diagnostic test. To date, evidence around the role of this test in the clinical setting has been limited and contradictory. OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the AdenoPlus test relative to PCR in detecting the presence of adenovirus in patients with conjunctivitis that is recurrent, refractory to treatment, or clinically of unknown etiology. METHODS: A prospective study of 27 patients presenting to an acute eye clinic with conjunctivitis that is recurrent (Group A), refractory to treatment (Group B), or clinically of unknown etiology (Group C). All patients underwent the AdenoPlus test and PCR analysis. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for AdenoPlus using PCR as a reference standard. RESULTS: Of 27 patients, 7% were in Group A, 19% in Group B, and 74% in Group C. Relative to PCR, the AdenoPlus test demonstrated a sensitivity of 33.3% (95% CI 4% to 78%) and specificity was 95.2% (95% CI 76% to 100%). Positive predictive value was 66.7% (95% CI 9% to 99%); negative predictive value was 83.3% (95% CI 63% to 95%). CONCLUSIONS: Due to its high specificity, AdenoPlus may be a good diagnostic test, although further study is indicated. Due to its low sensitivity, however, the test should not be used as a screening tool in patients presenting with these features of conjunctivitis.

Medial canthal defects following tumour excision: To reconstruct or not to reconstruct?

Laissez-faire following excision of peri-ocular tumours has been described, but is not universally well established. We describe our experience with laissez-faire for managing medial canthal defects following tumour excision and compare our outcomes with full thickness skin grafts. Retrospective comparative case series of 68 patients who underwent reconstruction of a medial canthal defect using laissez-faire with sutured Sorbsan (LFS) (n = 36) or a full thickness skin graft (FTSG) (n = 32) at the same centre. Tumour diagnosis, defect size, time taken to epithelialise, functional and cosmetic outcomes, complications, follow-up duration and any secondary interventions were recorded. Basal call carcinoma was the most common neoplasm excised (63/68, 93%). Defect size ranged from 7 × 5 mm to 25 × 10 mm. Mean time for wound epithelialisation in LFS group was 33 days. Mean duration of follow-up was 32 months (range 1-80 months) for LFS and 30 months (range 6-60 months) for FTSG. Good functional and cosmetic outcomes were achieved in all 68 patients. Review of clinical photographs showed epicanthic fold in 2 patients and visible scar in 1 patient in the LFS group and 3 cases of hypopigmented scar and 7 hypertrophic scars in the FTSG group. No cases required secondary intervention. There were no cases of postoperative infection. LFS in the medial canthal region is less likely to lead to hypertrophic scarring or cicatricial sequelae compared to FTSG (p = 0.02). Both techniques are associated with excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes even for larger defects.

Pediatric Periocular Keratin Horns: A Case Series.

There are very few published cases of periocular keratin horns that have been reported in children. This study reports 2 pediatric cases of periocular keratin horns. The authors describe a 7-year-old male child who developed a keratin horn on the right lower eyelid and a 16-year-old female who developed a caruncular keratin horn. Both cases underwent excision biopsy, and subsequent histology confirmed that there was no evidence of malignancy. However, on the basis of the current evidence in adults and the difficulty in drawing firm conclusions from the small number of reported pediatric cases, the authors suggest that these lesions should be carefully managed due to the possibility of premalignant or malignant change at the base of the lesion.

Accuracy of clinical diagnosis of benign eyelid lesions: Is a dedicated nurse-led service safe and effective?

This article compares an independent nurse-led benign lesion service with a doctor-led one, and assesses the impact of clinician seniority on diagnostic accuracy rates. Retrospective review of benign lesions referred to a teaching hospital and managed in either a doctor- or nurse-led lid service. All lesions were diagnosed clinically, excised and then sent for histological diagnosis. Lesions were categorized into subtypes. Pre-excision clinical diagnoses were compared with histological diagnoses. Sensitivity, specificity and missed malignancy rates were calculated for each subtype. Accuracy was compared between different grades of doctors and a specialist nurse. 264 and 332 lesions were managed in a doctor-led and nurse-led service, respectively. Rates of accurate sub-typing were 79.6% and 80.4% in the doctor- and nurse-led services, respectively (p > 0.05). Clinician seniority had no bearing. Missed malignancies or pre-malignancies accounted for 1.1% and 1.5% of lesions in the doctor and nurse-led services, respectively (p > 0.05). Overall, the remaining misdiagnoses were benign lesions of another subtype (13.6%) or non-specific histological findings (5.0%) and 98.6% of lesions were confirmed as benign on histology. Overall sensitivity and specificity values were: benign epithelial proliferations 95.6% and 92.2%, epidermal inclusion cysts 92.2% and 88.0%, xanthelasma 97.5% and 100.0%, cysts of Moll 66.7% and 96.6%, naevi 39.4% and 99.8% and molluscum 20.0% and 99.8%, respectively. A dedicated nurse-led service is as effective in managing a range of clinically benign lid lesions as a doctor-led one, and clinician seniority has little impact on the diagnostic accuracy of these lesions.

Endoscopic Medial Rectus Sling: A Window Into the Intraconal Orbital Apex.

PURPOSE: Surgical approaches to the medial orbit especially within the cone of orbital muscles necessitate great precision and care to avoid damage to surrounding structures-most importantly the optic nerve. The authors present a novel technique in which access to the medial orbital contents was achieved through an entirely endoscopic approach. METHODS: A 72-year-old Caucasian female presented with loss of vision in the right eye and reduced extraocular movements. Baseline blood tests were within normal limits. Inflammatory markers were slightly elevated. CT scan revealed bilateral medial orbital apex masses. Biopsy of the right orbital apex lesion was performed through an exclusively endoscopic approach in which the medial rectus muscle was retracted infero-medially. RESULTS: This exclusively endonasal approach to the medial intraconal space provided excellent access to the orbital apex, thus allowing successful biopsy of the medial orbital apex lesion. A video of the surgical technique demonstrates its use in this patient (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at http://links.lww.com/IOP/A123). CONCLUSIONS: Similar reports of endonasal medialization of the medial rectus for accessing intraconal orbital lesions have been previously described in the rhinological literature. The authors describe a modification that allows for a safe and less invasive approach to the medial intraconal space and intraorbital optic nerve. There is minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues and no further damage to the optic nerve along with no associated adverse clinical sequelae. In addition, this negates the need for an adjuvant external or transconjunctival approach.

Floppy eyelid syndrome: the coventry experience.

PURPOSE: Floppy eyelid syndrome is a condition that is difficult to identify and diagnose and with no clear guidelines on its management. We propose a method of reliably grading this syndrome and have proposed a management algorithm based on the grading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data collection of patients diagnosed with Floppy eyelid syndrome and treated under the care of a single oculoplastic surgeon over a 9 year period. RESULTS: First, 102 patients were included and were classified into 3 groups. Grade 1 (F1) 7.5%, Grade 2 (F2) 36.5% and Grade 3 (F3) 56%. Only 12% of our cohort required surgery, and 92% of these patients demonstrated improvement in their symptoms. DISCUSSION: Clinical grading of Floppy eyelid syndrome patients will help determine patient's management plan. In our experience, operating on both upper and lower eyelids at the same time where indicated helps to maintain the normal anatomical relationship and improve epiphora.

Full thickness skin grafts in periocular reconstructions: long-term outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of eyelid reconstruction in patients who underwent full thickness skin grafts. METHODS: A retrospective, noncomparative intervention study of patients who underwent periocular reconstruction with full thickness skin grafts between 2005 and 2011. RESULTS: One hundred consecutive Caucasian patients were included in the study, 54 women and 46 men. Mean follow up was 32 months. Indications for full thickness skin grafts were excision of eyelid tumors (98%) and cicatricial ectropion (2%). Site of lid defects were lower lid (60%), medial canthus (32%), upper lid (6%), and lateral canthus (2%). The skin graft donor sites were supraclavicular (44%), upper eyelid (24%), inner brachial (18%), and postauricular (14%).Early postoperative complications included lower eyelid graft contracture (1%) and partial failure (1%). Late sequelae included lower eyelid graft contracture (4%) and hypertrophic scarring (23%). Of the 23 patients with hypertrophic scar, 21 achieved good outcomes following massage with silicone gel and steroid ointment and 2 had persistent moderate lumpiness. No statistically significant association was found between graft hypertrophy and donor site or graft size. As high as 95% of all patients achieved good final eyelid position. Good color match was seen in 94% and graft hypopigmentation in 6%. An association between hypopigmentation and supraclavicular and inner brachial donor site was found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients (94%) achieved good eyelid position and color match. Majority (91%) of the early postoperative cicatricial sequelae can be reversed by massage, steroid ointment, and silicone gel application. Full thickness skin grafts have excellent graft survival rates and have minimal donor site morbidity.

Visual function and quality of life in patients who had undergone eye removal surgery: a patient survey.

PURPOSE: To measure aspects of self-reported vision-related health status and assess the impact of treatment in patients who have undergone eye removal surgery (evisceration or enucleation), using a patient administered questionnaire. METHODS: In this non-randomised, questionnaire-based cohort study, patients were identified from the Artificial Eye Service referral register from 2003 to 2010. A self-administered questionnaire based upon previously published scales was completed to measure aspects of visual function and the impact of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-six completed questionnaires were obtained. Mean age at surgery was 54.1 years (range 13-90), with 83% male. Indication for eye-removal was trauma in 14(39%) cases. Ten (28%) had ocular co-morbidity in the fellow-eye. The main reported difficulties were with peripheral vision or distance judgements, in 64% patients. The majority of drivers (66%) had maintained the ability to drive. Self-consciousness was reported in 28(78%) patients, and 56% were able to continue work or activities with no perceived limitations. Overall comfort and aesthetic improvement were noted by the majority. Procedure-specific information leaflets for patients were appreciated. CONCLUSIONS: This survey increases our knowledge of aspects of vision-related health status following ocular pathology or trauma that requires eye removal, and may enable improved pre-operative patient counselling. Effects on peripheral vision may be noted most significantly, but the majority can continue normal activities with little difficulty. Overall improvement in comfort and appearance occurs in most patients, although feelings of self-consciousness are common.

Levator-Muller's muscle recession with tarsorrhaphy: a technique for corneal protection in cases with cicatricial upper eyelid retraction.

AIMS: Cicatricial upper eyelid retraction with exposure keratopathy and impending corneal perforation requires prompt intervention. Standard procedures such as isolated levator recession, botulinum toxin, and lid weights will only induce a partial ptosis. Conventional tarsorrhaphy, though ideal to achieve complete closure, is likely to result in dehiscence in these cases. We describe a one-stage technique of levator and Muller's muscle recession combined with a tarsorrhaphy used in four patients with an impending corneal perforation due to cicatricial lagophthalmos. METHODS: This is an interventional, non-comparative retrospective case series of four patients who had undergone tarsorrhaphy in combination with levator recession. RESULTS: In all four cases, it was not possible to mechanically close the eyelids preoperatively due to cicatricial lid retraction involving the middle lamella. The aetiology for lagophthalmos was varied: (Case 1) bilateral sclerosing metastatic breast cancer involving the lids; (Case 2) severe anterior and middle lamella shortening due to actinic changes; (Case 3) middle and posterior lamella shortening due to glaucoma treatment and multiple surgery (Case 4) due to traumatic facial scarring and seventh nerve palsy. In all cases, the corneal thinning and epithelial defects resolved completely following surgery. In one case, we were able to partially reopen the tarsorrhaphy for further corneal surgery. DISCUSSION: We describe a safe, effective and reversible surgical procedure for managing cases with cicatricial upper eyelid retraction, which would otherwise lead to serious corneal complications.

Atypical fibroxanthoma of the medial canthus: a rare presentation.

PURPOSE: Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is an uncommon skin tumour occurring primarily in the head and neck. It has rarely been reported in the periocular region. We report a rare case of atypical fibroxanthoma of the medial canthus. METHODS: Clinical and histological findings and management of this case are presented. RESULTS: A 90-year-old Caucasian female had primary excision of a medial canthal mass, which was clinically suspected as basal cell carcinoma by our Plastic surgery colleagues. Histology revealed an atypical fibroxanthoma with incomplete excision, with the tumour involving the deep and peripheral resection margins. Within a few weeks she developed a recurrent mass, which was clinically fixed to deep tissues. She was referred to the Oculoplastic service where she underwent a two-stage excision and reconstruction of the right medial canthus with a full thickness skin graft from her arm. Paraffin fixed sections were used to ensure margin clearance. CONCLUSION: This case emphasises the importance of a diagnostic biopsy. A panel of immunohistochemical markers is essential to make the correct diagnosis of AFX and distinguish it from malignant fibrohistiocytoma and non-keratin expressing squamous cell carcinoma. It usually follows a benign course, but can occasionally demonstrate aggressive local recurrence as well as distant metastasis. Invasion beyond the dermis and a rapid rate of recurrence are suggestive of a more aggressive clinical course. Paraffin fixed sections are preferred over frozen section techniques for this tumour. Medial canthal AFX has not been reported previously.

Rhinotillexomania: a rare cause of medial orbital wall erosion.

The authors report a rare case of medial orbital wall erosion with an orbital inflammatory mass and resultant lacrimal obstruction secondary to rhinotillexomania. A 67-year-old male with known history of compulsive nose picking (rhinotillexomania) sought treatment for complaints of watering in his OD. Examination revealed a blocked right inferior canaliculus. Nasal endoscopy showed a large nasal septal defect with multiple areas of crusting and bleeding. Hematologic investigations were normal. CT scan confirmed a large nasal septal and right medial orbital wall defect with an adjacent soft tissue mass in the medial orbit. Investigations ruled out systemic pathology. Histologic examination of medial orbital mass, sinus, and nasal mucosa revealed a reactive inflammatory infiltrate with surface Gram-positive cocci. The authors hypothesized that the patient had enlarged an existing nasal septal defect due to repetitive nose picking resulting in recurrent infection and inflammation of sinuses, leading to erosion of his medial orbital wall.

A case report of orbital haemorrhage associated with endoscopic sinus surgery and reversible sight loss: a multidisciplinary approach to management.

We report a case of intraoperative orbital haemorrhage as a complication of endoscopic sinus surgery performed under general anaesthesia. Initial unilateral complete visual loss occurred, but recovered due to accurate and early diagnosis combined with urgent surgical intervention. This patient's case is reported to illustrate the importance of early recognition of clinical signs and how a stepwise approach to management can result in a favourable visual outcome. Moreover, the mechanisms and pathophysiology of visual loss due to orbital haemorrhage following endoscopic sinus surgery are discussed.