Efficacy of apraclonidine 0.5% in the diagnosis of Horner syndrome in pediatric patients under low or high illumination.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apraclonidine 0.5% in the diagnosis of Horner syndrome in pediatric patients. DESIGN: Prospective, interventional case series. METHODS: Ten pediatric patients with a diagnosis of Horner syndrome and 10 age-matched controls with physiologic anisocoria underwent pharmacological testing with apraclonidine. The difference between the pupil diameters of both eyes under low (room light off) and high (room light on) ambient illumination before and one hour after apraclonidine was instilled was recorded. Any adverse effects during the examination or reported by the patient's parents were recorded. RESULTS: The mean differences in pupil diameters before and after apraclonidine testing in the Horner syndrome group were -2.05 mm and 0.97 mm, respectively, under low illumination (P = .0049) and -1.48 mm and 1.1 mm, respectively, under high illumination (P = .0051). Three patients with Horner syndrome showed positive values (reversal of anisocoria) only under high ambient illumination, but not under low illumination. There was no statistical difference in the mean differences in pupil diameter before and after apraclonidine testing in the control group. Conjunctival hyperemia was noted in two patients with Horner syndrome and in three patients in the control group. No systemic adverse effects were noted during the examination or were reported by patients' parents. CONCLUSIONS: The application of apraclonidine in pediatric patients is safe and effective in the diagnosis of Horner syndrome. The reversal of anisocoria was more obvious under high (room light on) ambient illumination.

Comparing efficacies of 0.5% apraclonidine with 4% cocaine in the diagnosis of horner syndrome in pediatric patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of 0.5% apraclonidine with that of 4% cocaine and to evaluate its safety in the diagnosis of Horner syndrome in pediatric patients. METHODS: This was a randomized, crossover study, wherein 10 patients with a probable diagnosis of Horner syndrome were assigned to undergo pharmacological testing with 4% cocaine and 0.5% apaconidine. The difference in the pupil diameters of each eye was recorded under dim light before and 1 h after 0.5% apraclonidine or 4% cocaine was instilled. Any adverse effects were noted during examination or reported by the patients' parents were recorded. RESULTS: The mean differences in pupil diameter before and after 4% cocaine testing were -2.08 and -2.97 mm, respectively (P = 0.0047). All patients had an anisocoria greater than 1 mm after 4% cocaine testing. The mean difference in pupil diameter before and after 0.5% apraclonidine was instilled were -2.04 and +1.08 mm, respectively (P = 0.005). All patients showed a reversal of anisocoria after 0.5% apraclonidine testing. Conjunctival hyperemia was noted in 2 patients, but systemic adverse effects were not noted during examination nor reported by the patients' parents. CONCLUSIONS: The application of 0.5% apraclonidine in pediatric patients is safe and effective in the diagnosis of Horner syndrome.

Balloon dacryocystoplasty as the primary treatment in older children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of balloon dacryocystoplasty of the lacrimal duct with inferior turbinate infracture as a primary treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children 18 months of age or older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a 3-year, prospective, interventional case series, consisting of 83 consecutive patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent balloon dacryocystoplasty as their primary treatment modality. Outcome evaluations included an ophthalmologic examination and a dye disappearance test at 3 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. We analyzed the different age groups and the types of obstruction noted at surgery to determine their respective influences on patient outcomes. We used the chi-square test for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients aged 18 to 112 months (mean 30 months) were included. Overall, 57 patients (79%) had good outcomes from balloon dacryocystoplasty. When analyzed by type of obstruction, 34/42 patients (81%) with simple membranous obstruction at the valve of Hasner had good outcomes and 23/30 patients (77%) with stenosis that extended along the length of the distal NLD had good outcomes (P = 0.60, power 0.62). Age did not significantly affect outcomes (P = 0.66, power 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: Balloon dacryocystoplasty is probably more effective than simple probing in older children with stenosis extending along the distal nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

The experience with Ritleng intubation system in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

BACKGROUND: To report the clinical experience and success rate with Ritleng intubation system in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (32 eyes) with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction treated with the Ritleng intubation system were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 20.1+/-9.6 months. The technique involved introduction of a Prolene monofilament guide thread, securely fastened to silicone tubing, into a tubular metal probe that opened into the inferior meatus. Success was defined as complete resolution of previous symptoms and a normal result of dye disappearance test in cooperative patients. To establish relationship of success rate with patients' ages, these data were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: All eyes were successfully intubated with the Ritleng system. The Prolene monofilament spontaneously emerged from the nose in 19 (60%) of 32 eyes, making retrieval simple and uncomplicated. The overall success rate (of all aged groups) was 90%. In the group over 24 months of age, there was no significant decrease in the success rate (p > 0.1), but obvious difficulty in intubation and lengthy operation time were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone intubation with the Ritleng system is an effective treatment for patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, especially at young age. Comparing with conventional metal probe system, there was minimal nasal bleeding and trauma to the nasal mucosa with Ritleng intubation system. With the advantage of easy retrieval, operation time can be shortened, thereby improving patient care and decreasing potential morbidity.