[Resection of a submacular traction membrane due to significant visual impairment : Case report]. / Resektion einer submakulären Traktionsmembran bei ausgeprägter Visusminderung : Fallbericht.

An 89-year-old female presented with acute visual impairment and large cells in the vitreous cavity of the left eye. The patient was treated for a suspected intraocular lymphoma. In the follow-up a retinal detachment was diagnosed and treated via pars plana vitrectomy. A resection of the subretinal traction membrane following retinectomy was performed. The histological findings did not reveal any indications of a lymphoproliferative process. A ruptured choroidal neovascularization (CNV) with peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR) and subretinal membrane formation was diagnosed. There were no signs of malignancy. The resection of a subretinal traction membrane poses a challenge for the vitreoretinal surgeon but can provide the possibility of visual improvement.

[Idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome (orbital pseudotumors): diagnosis and therapy]. / Idiopathische entzündliche intraorbitale Fibrosklerose: Diagnostik und therapeutische Möglichkeiten.

BACKGROUND: Pseudotumors of the orbit comprise a group of idiopathic inflammatory processes and are, except for endocrine orbitopathy, the most common reason for exophthalmos in adults. Orbital pseudotumors, also called idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome (IOIS), can be determined from orbital involvement in systemic fibrosing diseases. Finding the correct diagnosis can be challenging. Due to the topographic relations of the orbit to neighbouring structures, a multidisciplinary cooperation is highly recommended. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 42-year-old woman with unilateral exophthalmos. Additionally we found impaired motility of the affected bulbus, ptosis and reduction of visual acuity. Orbital MR imaging demonstrated dense fibrotic masses filling the whole orbita including the extraocular muscles as well as the optic nerve. Tissue specimens were extracted while performing orbital decompression via a lateral orbitotomy. Histological examination revealed a lymphatic infiltration and fibrotically destroyed tissue containing the lacrimal gland. After surgical decompression, oral steroid therapy and immunotherapy, a recovery of the visual loss could be seen. CONCLUSIONS: Intraorbital fibrosclerosing pseudotumors often require a difficult long-term treatment. Therapeutic options are steroid therapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. The diagnostic steps include blood tests, ultrasound, CT and/or MRI as well as histological differentiation. Solid tumors and orbital involvement in diseases of the hematopoetic system have to be excluded. Since intraorbital fibrosis can be accompanied by manifestations in various other organs, a complete investigation of the body and thorough follow up are crucial.

The therapeutic value of cranberries in treating and preventing urinary tract infections.

Studies bearing on the therapeutic value of cranberries in the prevention and/or treatment of urinary tract infections are reviewed. Research results are grouped to address the following questions: 1) Does cranberry juice ingestion acidify urine? 2) Does cranberry juice inhibit the adherence of bacteria to bladder cells? 3) What research evidence exists to support that cranberry juice is an effective intervention for urinary tract infections? And 4) Does cranberry ingestion enhance antibiotic effectiveness?