Tocilizumab use for optic nerve compression in thyroid eye disease: a prospective longitudinal cohort.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of tocilizumab in reverting the signs and symptoms of dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) in thyroid eye disease and the need for emergency orbital decompression. The secondary outcomes are to identify the optimal number of tocilizumab cycles to achieve the primary outcome, to analyze the association between thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI), clinical activity score (CAS) and proptosis in response to the treatment and the need for rehabilitative orbital decompression. METHODS: Prospective longitudinal cohort study that included 13 patients who had unilateral or bilateral dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) due to severe and progressive sight-threatening thyroid eye disease based on the CAS system. Patients were seen in this facility starting from July 2017, and all had received intravenous tocilizumab. RESULTS: Initial visual acuity mean was 0.52 ± 0.38 and the final were 0.93 ± 0.11 with a mean difference of 0.41 and P < 0.00245. The mean CAS prior to the initiation of the treatment was 7.92 ± 0.66 and the final was 2.85 ± 1.03 with mean difference of 5.07 and P < 0.00001. Initial mean proptosis was 24.85 ± 2.31 and the final was 21.78 ± 2.18 with a mean difference of 3.07 and P < 0.000497. No emergency orbital decompression was performed. TSI was high initially in all cases with a wide range of 2.4 to 40 IU/L and with a mean of 10.70 ± 13.40. The final TSI mean was 2.90 ± 3.90 with a mean difference of 7.81 and significant P value (P < 0.0272). CONCLUSION: Tocilizumab use in optic nerve compression showed promising results as it can be the primary or an alternative treatment option.

Conjunctival Sparing Ptosis Correction by White-Line Advancement Technique.

PURPOSE: To describe a modified technique of white line advancement posterior ptosis surgery and to report the success rate of the procedure. METHODS: A retrospective case series of 60 patients who presented with ptosis with good levator function. The success rate was defined as an MRD1 of greater than or equal to 3.5 mm, symmetrical eyelid position with an intereyelid height asymmetry of ≤1 mm, and a satisfactory eyelid contour at 3 months follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty patients (91 eyelids) met the inclusion criteria. Mild postoperative complications occurred in 11 patients that resolved without surgical intervention. Seven patients had recurrence of ptosis: four patients had early recurrence and 3 had late recurrence. The success rate was 88.33% with an average follow-up of 9 months. CONCLUSION: This procedure is a promising technique in cosmetic and functional ptosis correction. The advantage of this posterior approach procedure is that there is no conjunctival resection; it is suitable for young patients who do not have excess eyelid skin. The procedure is quick with a short recovery period. Additionally, it can be combined with another procedure and in different pathology.

Concomitant orbital aspergillosis and mucormycosis in a 17 months old immunocompetent child.

Isolated multiple orbital fungal infection (aspergillosis & mucormycosis) is extremely rare disease in immunocompetent individuals and especially in children. Placement of prosthetic device during the surgery could be one of the risk factors. The presentation is usually masquerading other entities which make early diagnosis a challengeable. This case presenting a 17 months old immunocompetent child who is diagnosed with isolated multiple orbital fungal infection: aspergillosis & mucormycosis. The presentation was mimicking orbital cellulitis and chronic dacryocystitis. The definitive diagnosis was made by tissue biopsy. The child was managed by surgical debridement and IV amphotericin B liposomal. High index of suspicion to fungal infection should be considered after surgical intervention with insertion prosthetic materials. To the best of our knowledge, orbital aspergillosis in immunocompetent young children is exceptionally rare.