A Pilot Nonrandomized Controlled Trial Examining the Use of Artificial Tears on the Radioactivity of Tears After Radioactive Iodine Treatment for Thyroid Cancer.

Background: Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is an adverse effect of high dose radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy for thyroid carcinoma. There are currently no established preventive measures. This study assesses whether preservative free artificial tears (PFATs) can decrease the 131I sodium iodide (131I) activity in the tears of patients following RAI therapy for thyroid carcinoma, and potentially serve as a preventive measure for RAI-associated NLDO. Methods: This non-randomized prospective pilot clinical trial recruited contact-lens wearing patients undergoing RAI therapy for thyroid cancer to self-administer PFATs into the right eye for four days starting on the day of RAI ingestion. Left eyes were the controls. While wearing contacts, patients self-administered PFATs per the following-Day 1: every 15 minutes for 2 hours, then every 30 minutes until bedtime, day 2: every hour for at least 12 hours, day 3: four times a day, and day 4: two times a day. Contact lenses were changed daily, and all lenses were collected one week later. Levels of 131I activity were measured by a well counter, decay-corrected, and converted to units of becquerel. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the 131I activities of the experimental and control eyes. Results: Sixteen eyes of eight patients treated with an average of 145.7 mCi (range 108-159) of 131I for papillary thyroid cancer were included. On day 1, artificial tears decreased the geometric mean 131I activity by 26% in the experimental eyes (p = 0.008). Artificial tears also decreased the geometric mean area under the curve over four days by 23% (p = 0.002). Conclusions: 131I is present in the tears following RAI therapy for thyroid carcinoma. Frequent PFATs starting on the day of RAI ingestion may decrease the level of 131I in the tears. This finding could have implications for lowering the risk of NLDO. Future multi-center clinical trials are needed to determine whether the use of artificial tears after RAI therapy may decrease the risk of NLDO. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04327999.

Helicobacter pylori Infection of the Gastric Mucosa and Ocular Adnexa-Lack of Association With Ocular Adnexal Lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Helicobacter pylori could theoretically induce ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) via 2 mechanisms: the first is that of infection within the ocular adnexa and the second is that of infection within the gastric mucosa, leading to the malignant transformation of lymphocytes that migrate to the ocular adnexa, forming a primary "ectopic" cancer. This study investigated if an association exists between gastric H. pylori or ocular adnexal H. pylori and OAL. METHODS: Prospective case-control study including cases with OAL and controls with nonlymphomatous pathologies. Gastric H. pylori infection was assessed via serologic antibody testing. Ocular adnexal infection was assessed via polymerase chain reaction testing for H. pylori and Chlamydia psittaci within ocular adnexal samples. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were enrolled, of whom 18 had lymphoma and 54 nonlymphomatous pathologies. H. pylori antibodies were present in 5 cases (28%) and 18 controls (33%) (95% CI, 0.24%-2.50%, p = 0.78). All ocular adnexal specimens were negative for H. pylori and C. psittaci infection. The only relevant statistically significant difference between cases and controls was a history of gastric ulcer (95% CI, 1.23%-44.80%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In the study's population, infection of gastric mucosa with H. pylori does not appear to influence the development of OAL. Also, H. pylori or C. psittaci infection within the ocular adnexa does not appear to influence the development of OAL. In the study's practice, authors do not recommend antibiotic administration or routine gastroscopy for patients with OAL. The authors do recommend referral of OAL patients with gastric symptoms to a gastroenterologist.

Comparison of Two Polypropylene Frontalis Suspension Techniques in 92 Patients With Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To compare the functional outcome of the polypropylene trapezoid frontalis suspension with the polypropylene modified Crawford frontalis suspension in a large cohort of patients with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. METHODS: Retrospective, nonrandomized comparative case series. Patients with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy who underwent bilateral polypropylene frontalis suspension were selected for chart review. Main outcome measures were margin reflex distance, duration of surgery, and ptosis recurrence. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients qualified for chart review; 39 patients underwent the trapezoid sling and 53 patients the modified Crawford sling. There was no difference in preoperative margin reflex distance or levator function between the 2 surgical groups. Postoperative improvement in margin reflex distance was 2.95 ± 1.56 mm in the trapezoid group compared with 2.85 ± 1.65 mm in the modified Crawford group (p = 0.67). Duration of surgery was 40.49 ± 13.33 minutes in the trapezoid group compared with 53.77 ± 16.04 minutes in the modified Crawford group (p < 0.001). Five percent of eyes in the trapezoid group had ptosis recurrence compared with 13% of eyes in the modified Crawford group (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Both polypropylene frontalis suspension techniques generated an equivalent increase in margin reflex distance. However, the trapezoid frontalis suspension required less operative time and trended toward a lower rate of ptosis recurrence.

Nonsurgical retrieval of retained lacrimal stenting material.

PURPOSE: The aim was to describe a novel technique to retrieve retained stenting material from the lacrimal system. METHODS: In this consecutive case series, the authors reviewed charts of 4 children with retained silicone material in their lacrimal sac following intubation. In 2 children, the presence of the retained material was well documented. The other 2 children were examined for the following clinical triad: history of lacrimal intubation, obstructive symptoms characterized by mucopurulent discharge, and a patent nasolacrimal system on irrigation, highly suggesting retained stenting material in the lacrimal system. Retrieval of the foreign body is achieved by performing an intubation of the superior canaliculus with both arms of a Crawford silicone tube. This forms a loop of silicone tubing that can be retrieved from the nose. As the loop passes through the lacrimal sac and duct, the foreign body material is retrieved and extracted through the nose. RESULTS: In the 4 children on whom this procedure was attempted, it was successful in retrieving the retained piece of silicone on every occasion. In all children, there was complete resolution of the epiphora and chronic dacryocystitis without need for dacryocystorhinostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Retained stenting material can be responsible for persistent obstructive symptoms and chronic dacryocystitis. Patients examined for the clinical triad described should raise suspicion of the possibility of a foreign body in the lacrimal system. This technique should be considered in patients where a retained foreign body is known or suspected, prior to considering dacryocystorhinostomy. When successful, it will be both a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure, and will additionally serve to avoid unnecessary dacryocystorhinostomy.

Sellar paraganglioma: a unique route to a rare destination case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Paragangliomas of the sella are rare; 14 cases have been reported in the literature. We describe here the unique case of a sellar paraganglioma that extended into the orbit through the superior orbital fissure. We have also reviewed all reported cases of sellar paragangliomas to better define best management strategies. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old male presented with left eye proptosis and conjunctival vessel dilatation. INTERVENTION: Resection of the intraorbital component of the tumor was accomplished using a transcranial-transorbital approach. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of a sellar/parasellar paraganglioma extending into the orbit through the superior orbital fissure. While an appropriate treatment paradigm has not been established, a review of all previously reported cases suggests that radiotherapy is an important consideration.

Treatment of periocular infantile hemangiomas with propranolol: case series of 18 children.

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of propranolol in the treatment of periocular infantile hemangiomas (IHs). DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen children presenting periocular IH with occlusion of the pupil, anisometropic astigmatism, proliferating eyelid IH, or cosmetically disfiguring periocular IH. METHODS: All patients received treatment with propranolol started at 0.5 mg/kg/day with an incremental increase by 0.5 mg/kg/day every 4 days, up to a maximum of 2 to 3 mg/kg/day. Complete eye examinations and serial photographs were obtained before, during, and after treatment. Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging performed pre- and post-treatment were compared when available. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evolution of the treated IH was evaluated with respect to astigmatism, amblyopia, and size of the lesion. RESULTS: The IH size decreased in 17 of 18 patients. We noted a greater reduction when treatment was administered during the proliferative phase of growth of IHs. At the conclusion of treatment, none of our patients had amblyopia. The mean value of amblyogenic astigmatism (n = 7) decreased from 2.71 diopters (D) pretreatment to 1.03 D post-treatment. On radiology, 8 patients had significant regression of the lesion size of their IH and 1 patient had a limited progression. Propranolol had to be temporarily discontinued in only 1 patient because of symptomatic hypotension. CONCLUSIONS: Propranolol seems to be an effective modality of treatment for periocular IH. It seems to be most efficacious when initiated in the proliferative phase of IH but may be beneficial even in the later stage. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy: a modified technique with preservation of the nasal and lacrimal mucosa.

PURPOSE: In the last 15 years, endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (End-DCR) has become an alternative to external dacryocystorhinostomy. In most series reported, it appears that End-DCR had a higher failure rate than Ext-DCR. Uncontrolled epithelialization of the surgical site as compared with the fashioning of mucosal flaps may explain the somewhat lower success rate. The purpose of our study is to validate a modification of a new technique described by Tsirbas and Wormald in which the nasal mucosa is preserved and brought in contact with the lacrimal mucosa during End-DCR, leaving an epithelialized surgical site at the end of the operation. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed from November 2001 to January 2003. Patients with epiphora and or chronic or recurrent dacryocystitis were evaluated. Patients with symptomatic nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and who met the criteria for End-DCR were selected. NLDO was diagnosed based on symptoms, along with a blocked irrigation or an abnormal bone substract dacryocystogram. The surgical procedure involved a manual osteotomy of the frontal process of the maxilla and removal of the lacrimal bone with the creation of posteriorly hinged lacrimal sac and nasal mucosal flaps. RESULTS: Forty-five patients underwent End-DCR with preservation of the lacrimal and nasal mucosa. Five patients had bilateral surgery. A total of 50 surgeries were performed. Twenty-four surgeries were performed on the right side and 26 on the left. Patients were evaluated at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. Evaluation included asking about subjective symptoms of epiphora, lacrimal irrigation on the 3 visits, and endoscopic evaluation of the surgical site at 3 months. Surgery was considered successful when patients did have relief of their epiphora and had a patent system with irrigation. Forty-nine patients (98%) were asymptomatic at 1 month and at 3 months with both a patent system tested with irrigation and a patent ostium evaluated with the endoscope. One patient who had undergone bilateral surgery had blockage of the fistula on the left side at 3 months. The patient underwent endoscopic revision surgery and was patent 1 year afterward. A phone survey was performed from January to May 2008. Thirty-four patients (75%) were reached. Two patients were still tearing and were brought for reassessment. One had an open lacrimal system and one was blocked. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates the concept of preserving the lacrimal and nasal mucosa through an endoscopic approach to treat NLDO. Early and controlled lining of the fistula with mucosal flaps appears to prevent closure of the ostium and leads to a high success rate comparable with that of external dacryocystorhinostomy. This can be accomplished successfully with a manual osteotomy thus avoiding the use of power drills and burrs.

Muscle prolapse after harvesting autogenous fascia lata used for frontalis suspension in children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term results at the donor site in children who underwent harvesting of autogenous fascia lata for frontalis suspension in ptosis correction. METHODS: The study design consists of a retrospective, nonrandomized case series. Medical records of 30 patients were reviewed. Each patient was reexamined, evaluating bulging at the donor site. Muscle prolapse was graded as not visible and not palpable, not visible but palpable, mildly visible, or obviously visible. Measurement of the width and length of the leg scar was recorded. Discomfort at the donor site was graded as no discomfort, occasional discomfort, or frequent discomfort. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 7 years (range, 1-15), with a mean follow-up period of 27 months (range, 3-63 months). Fifteen patients (50%) had invisible and impalpable bulging, 2 patients (6.7%) had invisible but palpable bulging, 5 patients (16.7%) had mildly visible bulging, and 8 patients (26.7%) had obviously visible bulging. The mean width of the scar was 7.5 mm, and the mean length was 3.6 cm. Twenty-seven patients (90%) had no functional discomfort of the leg, 2 patients (6.7%) had occasional discomfort, and 1 patient (3.3%) had frequent discomfort that occurred during exercise. CONCLUSIONS: After fascia lata harvesting, most patients had no cosmetic complaints or functional complications. The technique of harvesting fascia lata using a Crawford stripper seems to be safe and satisfactory.

Rupture of an aneurysm of the persistent trigeminal artery presenting as a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula.

A 62-year-old Caucasian female presented with spontaneous right-sided eye pain, chemosis and ophthalmoloplegia. A right carotid-cavernous sinus fistula was discovered and successfully treated with transvenous introduction of Guglielmi detachable coils. In addition to complete fistula occlusion, follow-up angiography 6 weeks post-treatment demonstrated the presence of a patent persistent trigeminal artery previously hidden by the caliber of the carotid-cavernous sinus fistula. The spontaneous nature of the presentation and the proximity of the persistent trigeminal artery to the site of coil embolization suggest spontaneous rupture of a persistent trigeminal artery aneurysm as cause of the fistula. Current literature on this finding is discussed here, demonstrating that an aneurysm of the persistent trigeminal artery leading to carotid-cavernous sinus fistula formation is rare. Furthermore, the present case is the first report of its kind in world ophthalmology literature.

Orbital leiomyoma: histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings of a rare tumor.

A 51-year-old man was referred for evaluation of a right orbital hemangioma. Ophthalmologic examination was unremarkable except for 1 mm of proptosis OD. CT revealed a 10-mm lesion with evidence of growth from 6 to 10 mm within a year. The tumor did not compromise other orbital structures. An excisional biopsy was performed. On the basis of the histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings, the diagnosis of orbital leiomyoma was established. Orbital leiomyoma is a slow-growing tumor that can be located anywhere in the orbit. Posterior tumors are believed to originate from smooth muscle cells of vessel walls; anterior lesions may arise from the capsulopalpebral or Müller muscle. Although there are no unique features that help the radiologist to exclude other benign lesions of the orbit, the histopathologic diagnosis using immunohistochemical markers is usually straightforward. Attention to the cytologic features that exclude the malignant variant is of utmost relevance for proper diagnosis and patient counseling.

A case of an enlarged medial rectus muscle.

We present a case of an enlarged medial rectus from mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma that was misdiagnosed as thyroid orbitopathy for over 3 years. Extraocular muscles are most commonly associated with thyroid orbitopathy (TO), however, it is important to remember that they may also be manifestations of other conditions.

Endoscopically assisted strabismus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Strabismus surgery involving open exploration of the posterior orbit is difficult. Exploration is sometimes avoided by considering alternative procedures (transposition and weakening other muscles). Although the use of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) to retrieve medial rectus (MR) muscles lost in the posterior orbit has been described, the use of an endoscopic approach to the posterior orbit in elective strabismus surgery has never been reported. METHODS: A patient with thyroid orbitopathy had severe bilateral restrictive strabismus with bilateral esohypotropia, rendering him functionally blind. The MR was inaccessible via the anterior approach. We describe a transnasal endoscopic approach to the posterior orbit where the MR was identified, sectioned, and reattached to the globe. We also describe two other patients who had endoscopic posterior orbit exploration after ESS-related MR injury. RESULTS: In patient 1, repositioning of the medial rectus muscles facilitated follow-up conventional strabismus surgery and dramatically improved ocular alignment. In patient 2, the medial rectus muscle was severely disrupted. A temporary traction suture was placed endoscapically. Follow-up transposition strabimus resulted in satisfactory alignment. In patient 3, endoscopic exploration and freeing of adhesions was done in anticipation of follow-up strabismus surgery. CONCLUSION: These cases illustrate the expanding frontiers of ESS. The endoscopic approach to the posterior orbit allows enhanced posterior orbit access in elective strabismus surgery and posttraumatic exploration of the MR.

Clinical controversy: congenital unilateral and jaw-winking ptosis.

Paediatric ptosis is routinely more challenging than adult ptosis with considerations such as amblyopia, difficulty of examination and at what age surgery should be performed. Unilateral severe congenital ptosis and jaw-winking ptosis raise additional questions of which surgical procedure and whether unilateral or bilateral surgery should be performed. A panel of international experts answer questions relating to two clinical scenarios.

Orbital metastasis of urinary bladder carcinoma: a clinicopathologic report and review of the literature.

A 53-year-old male presented with a progressive mass of the left orbit. His medical history included an invasive carcinoma of the bladder diagnosed three weeks earlier. An orbital biopsy was performed and the diagnosis was that of an orbital metastasis of urinary bladder carcinoma. The patient developed widespread metastatic disease and unfortunately died one month after the diagnosis of orbital metastasis. Orbital metastasis of urinary bladder carcinoma is associated with a poor prognosis and is more frequently observed in older people. In addition, it is five times more prevalent in men than in women.

Intralesional injection of Tisseel fibrin glue for resection of lymphangiomas and other thin-walled orbital cysts.

PURPOSE: Surgical removal of orbital lymphangiomas is often difficult because the capsule of these lesions is fragile, and, once violated, it tends to collapse, making identification of residual tumor difficult and dissection often incomplete. A surgical technique combining partial controlled decompression of the lesion with intralesional injection of Tisseel fibrin glue is evaluated to determine its effectiveness in resecting the lesion and preventing recurrences. METHODS: This is a retrospective interventional case series. Three young patients, two with lymphangiomas and one with congenital hydrocystoma, underwent surgical resection of their thin-walled cystic lesions of the orbit with the use of intralesional injection of Tisseel fibrin glue. Resolution of the signs and symptoms, complications of the surgery, and recurrence of bleeding are the parameters studied. RESULTS: All 3 patients had improvement of their signs and symptoms. None had complications related to the surgery, and no recurrence of bleeding occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that this surgical technique with intralesional injection of Tisseel fibrin glue is an effective treatment modality for the resection of lymphangiomas and other orbital thin-walled cystic lesions.

PABPN1 overexpression leads to upregulation of genes encoding nuclear proteins that are sequestered in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy nuclear inclusions.

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is an adult-onset disease caused by expanded (GCN)12-17 stretches encoding the N-terminal polyalanine domain of the poly(A) binding protein nuclear 1 (PABPN1). OPMD is characterized by intranuclear inclusions (INIs) in skeletal muscle fibers, which contain PABPN1, molecular chaperones, ubiquitin, proteasome subunits, and poly(A)-mRNA. We describe an adenoviral model of PABPN1 expression that produces INIs in most cells. Microarray analysis revealed that PABPN1 overexpression reproducibly changed the expression of 202 genes. Sixty percent of upregulated genes encode nuclear proteins, including many RNA and DNA binding proteins. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that all tested nuclear proteins encoded by eight upregulated genes colocalize with PABPN1 within the INIs: CUGBP1, SFRS3, FKBP1A, HMG2, HNRPA1, PRC1, S100P, and HSP70. In addition, CUGBP1, SFRS3, and FKBP1A were also found in OPMD muscle INIs. This study demonstrates that a large number of nuclear proteins are sequestered in OPMD INIs, which may compromise cellular function.

Benign ocular adnexal tumours of apocrine, eccrine or hair follicle origin.

BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis of malignant eyelid tumours, particularly basal cell carcinoma (BCC), includes tumours of skin appendages. The incidence of these adnexal tumours has not been well established. This study aimed to determine the incidence and review the main clinicopathological features of benign tumours arising from skin appendages of the eyelid with apocrine, eccrine or hair follicle differentiation. METHODS: The histopathological diagnoses of 7751 ophthalmic specimens retrieved from 6967 patients between September 1993 and March 2002 at the Henry C. Witelson Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory and Registry, McGill University, Montreal, were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data and histopathological diagnoses were obtained for 228 benign adnexal tumours of apocrine, eccrine or hair follicle origin. New histopathological slides were made from the paraffin-embedded specimens and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiffs reagent. RESULTS: Of the 228 benign adnexal tumours, 182 were diagnosed as apocrine or eccrine hydrocystoma (79.8%), 12 pilomatrixoma (5.3%), 12 syringoma (5.3%), 11 trichilemmoma (4.8%), 5 syringocystadenoma papilliferum (2.2%), 3 trichoepithelioma (1.3%) and 3 trichofolliculoma (1.3%). Discrepancies between clinical and histopathological diagnoses were noted in 22 cases (9.6%). INTERPRETATION: Benign tumours originating from skin appendages of the eyelid are rare and frequently have apocrine or eccrine differentiation. These tumours, particularly those originating from the hair follicle, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of BCC of the eyelid.