Steroid-Induced Hiccups in a Patient Managed for Pseudo Foster-Kennedy Syndrome: A Case Report of Good Outcome With the use of Gabapentin.

The use of IV methylprednisolone has been shown to be associated with some adverse effects. The most feared side effect is acute gastrointestinal perforation and accelerated hypertension particularly during pulse therapy. Hiccups occur less frequently but can cause high levels of discomfort to the patient. In intractable cases, respiratory arrest and death can occur. This article reports the occurrence of hiccups in a patient managed for pseudo Foster-Kennedy syndrome. The hiccups were observed shortly after IV methylprednisolone was administered to the patient and abetted over a period of one week after it was discontinued. Hiccups occur through the neuronal pathway of the hiccup reflex arc, comprising the vagus nerve, phrenic nerve, parts of the sympathetic nervous system (T6-T12), and efferent fibers from the phrenic nerve that supply the glottis and the accessory muscles of respiration. The hiccups resolved with the use of gabapentin. This case report aims to add to the existing body of knowledge of the efficacy of gabapentin in the management of hiccups.

Relationship between intraocular pressure, anterior chamber depth and lens thickness in primary open-angle glaucoma patients.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and lens thickness (LT) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and compare with age- and sex-matched controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study of 62 newly diagnosed POAG patients compared with 62 age- and sex-matched control subjects in a tertiary eye clinic. Socio-demographic data and ocular examinations were documented. IOP was measured using the Goldmann applanation tonometer. LT and ACD were measured using A-scan ultrasonography and the IOLMaster, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19.0 and level of significance set at p value <0.05. RESULTS: In the glaucoma group and control groups, respectively, mean age was 60.3 ± 8.9 and 58.5 ± 8.1 years (p = 0.234), mean IOP was 28.27 ± 7.88 and 14.47 ± 2.60 mmHg (p < 0.001), mean ACD was 3.12 ± 0.27 and 3.15 ± 0.24 mm (p = 0.514), mean LT was 4.24 ± 0.46 and 4.23 ± 0.45 mm (p = 0.903), and mean ACD was shallower in females (p = 0.034) and (p = 0.001). In the glaucoma group, there was a positive correlation between IOP and ACD (r = 0.022, p = 0.864), but a negative correlation between IOP and LT (r = -0.04, p = 0.758) and ACD and LT (r = -0.058, p = 0.657). In the control group, there was a positive correlation between IOP and ACD (r = 0.141, p = 0.275), IOP and LT (r = 0.031, p = 0.811) and ACD and LT (r = 0.016, p = 0.901). CONCLUSION: ACD is shallower in females. There is no significant correlation between IOP and ACD or between IOP and LT in POAG as well as normal individuals.

Pattern of ocular injuries in owo, Nigeria.

PURPOSE: To determine the pattern of ocular injuries in patients presenting to the eye clinic and the accident and emergency department of Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between January and December 2009. Federal Medical Center, Owo is the only tertiary hospital in Ondo State, Nigeria. The eye center located at this medical center was the only eye care facility in the community at the time of this study. All patients were interviewed with the aid of an interviewer-administered questionnaire and underwent a detailed ocular examination. RESULTS: Of 132 patients included in the study, most (84.1%) sustained blunt eye injury while (12.1%) had penetrating eye injury. A considerable proportion of patients (37.9%) presented within 24 hours of injury. Vegetative materials were the most common (42.4%) offending agent, a minority of patients (22%) was admitted and none of the patients had used eye protection at the time of injury. CONCLUSION: In the current series, blunt eye injury was the most common type of ocular trauma. The community should be educated and informed about the importance of preventive measures including protective eye devices during high risk activities. Patients should be encouraged to present early following ocular injury.