Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterus in a postmenopausal woman. Case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare sarcoma which characteristically occurs in non genitourinary sites in children. CASE: We present a case of uterine embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in a postmenopausal patient who presented with increasing abdominal girth, early satiety, weight loss, and pelvic pain. CONCLUSION: Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma does not commonly originate from the uterine corpus, and it is rarely seen in postmenopausal patients. A review of the literature confirms the unique nature of this case.

Preretinal neovascularisation associated with choroidal melanoma.

BACKGROUND: The rare occurrence of iris neovascularisation and choroidal (subretinal) neovascularisation in patients with choroidal melanoma has been reported. However, the occurrence of preretinal neovascularisation (NVE) fed from the retinal circulation in eyes with choroidal melanoma is far less frequently reported. METHODS: Three case reports of choroidal melanoma with the very rare finding of overlying NVE. RESULTS: The three patients had choroidal melanomas, localised serous retinal detachment, and NVE. Two cases showed definite retinal capillary non-perfusion, and one of these two cases demonstrated retinal telangiectasis. One patient's melanoma responded quickly to iodine-125 plaque radiotherapy; however, the retinal neovascularisation persisted and caused vitreous haemorrhage. Localised scatter photocoagulation was successful in causing the complete regression of the neovascularisation. The other two patients had their eyes enucleated (one with planned pre-enucleation external beam radiotherapy). Demonstration of preretinal vessels in one of the cases was possible in histological sections. CONCLUSION: Preretinal neovascularisation may occur as a complication of choroidal melanoma. Possible aetiologies include the release of tumour angiogenic factors, inflammation, chronic retinal detachment with secondary retinal ischaemia, retinal vascular occlusion secondary to retinal vessel invasion by the tumour, or following radiation therapy. Optimal management of the neovascularisation is not known at this time. Supplemental localised scatter photocoagulation may be of benefit in some cases.

Cystic ovarian metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma: a case report.

Ovarian metastasis from a primary thyroid carcinoma is rare. In this report we describe a woman who manifested the unusual occurrence of metastases of papillary thyroid carcinoma to the ovary. Both clinically and pathologically, such a presentation can be difficult to distinguish from benign cystic neoplasms of the ovary or cystic struma ovarii.

Thyroid nodules with FNA cytology suspicious for follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: follow-up and management.

Thyroid nodules diagnosed as follicular neoplasm on fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) may represent hyperplastic/adenomatous nodules, follicular adenoma or carcinoma, and follicular variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) on histologic follow-up. In our laboratory, we attempted to identify a subset of cases which showed cellular specimens with focal features (nuclear chromatin clearing, membrane thickening, and rare grooves) suspicious for the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. These cases are reported as follicular-derived neoplasms with nuclear features suspicious for FVPTC to distinguish them from those diagnosed as follicular neoplasm. This study documents our experience with 52 cases so diagnosed and followed prospectively with histologic follow-up. A neoplastic nodule was confirmed in 45/52 cases (86%), of which 40 were malignant (77%). FVPTC was identified in 35/52 cases (67%). Four cases were usual papillary carcinoma, 3 were follicular adenoma, 2 were Hürthle-cell adenoma, and 1 was insular carcinoma. In 7 cases, the subsequent histologic findings were nonneoplastic (5 hyperplastic nodules and 2 colloid nodules). Our prospective study shows that in cellular smears from thyroid nodules, a careful search for the nuclear features of papillary carcinoma should be performed, and it is appropriate to diagnose cases as suspicious for FVPTC if the nuclear features of papillary carcinoma are focal. The surgical management of this group may include an intraoperative confirmation of cytologic diagnosis by scrape preparation and/or frozen section in order to avoid a second surgical intervention for completion thyroidectomy.

Actions of Ginkgo Biloba related to potential utility for the treatment of conditions involving cerebral hypoxia.

Neuronal hypoxia results from a variety of cerebrovascular accidents or 'normal' age-associated anatomic changes. The consequences vary from mild deficits in neurologic function to massive neuropathology. Present pharmacotherapeutic therapy is not ideal. Two apparently disparate approaches to the search for better treatment or prevention-one involving reassessment of herbal remedies as 'alternative' medicine and the other one involving the desirability of increased structural diversity in HTS (high-throughput screening) libraries and as combinatorial chemistry templates-have converged in a rekindling of interest and a reevaluation of the pharmacologic properties of substances such as extract from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba Linne (form. Salisburia adiantifolia Sm.). There are reports of positive results from a small number of controlled clinical trials (albeit with small numbers of patients) sufficient to suggest that 'Ginkgo' might have therapeutic benefit in some situations or subset of patients. The pharmacologic mechanism by which Ginkgo might be able to provide the observed effect is not clear. However, it is believed that the flavonoid and terpenoid components of Ginkgo extract might produce beneficial therapeutic effects through mechanisms acting separately or in concert, such as the antagonism of PAF (platelet activating factor), antioxidant and metabolic actions, and effects on neurotransmitters. These mechanisms are reviewed in this article.

Exposure of primary orbital implants in postenucleation retinoblastoma patients.

PURPOSE: To determine significant factors influencing the exposure of primary orbital implants in patients with retinoblastoma. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred nine consecutive patients (110 sockets) who had undergone enucleation for retinoblastoma from January 1993 to December 1997. METHODS: Two patients with recurrence of orbital retinoblastoma were excluded from further analysis, leaving 107 patients (108 sockets). The parameters analyzed included the patient's age; gender; ocular diagnosis; surgeon; type, covering, and size of the implant; the use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy; and the timing of these treatments in relation to enucleation. Study patients were divided into two main groups: the "treated group"-patients who had undergone adjuvant external beam radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and the "untreated group"-patients had undergone enucleation with or without cryotherapy, laser thermotherapy, or brachytherapy to the index or fellow eye. The following additional parameters were noted in the patients with exposed implants: time to exposure from date of enucleation and treatment of exposure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Exposure of orbital implants. RESULTS: There were two exposures caused by orbital recurrence of retinoblastoma. The rate of nontumor recurrence exposure was 28% (30 of 108). The median time to exposure was 136 days (range, 1-630 days). There were 18 exposures (35%,18 of 51) in the treated group, with a 34% exposure rate (13 of 38) in the chemotherapy group. The exposure rate was 21% (12 of 57) in the untreated group. The rates of exposure according to implant were: Vicryl mesh-wrapped hydroxyapatite (2 of 18, 11%), Medpor (8 of 13, 53%), plain polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) (4 of 50, 8%), Mersilene-wrapped PMMA (9 of 17, 53%) and Castroviejo (7 of 10, 70%). Eight of the exposures (27%) were managed conservatively; the remainder required surgical repair. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggested that implant type and covering (P = 0.000) had a highly significant effect on the rate of exposure in postenucleation retinoblastoma patients. There was no statistical evidence that age, gender, ocular diagnosis, surgeon, size of the implant, or radiotherapy had an effect on implant exposure. There was an increased rate of exposure in the chemotherapy group, although this did not achieve statistical significance (P = 0.058), but a detrimental effect could not be excluded.

Correlation of preoperative computed tomography and postoperative ocular motility in orbital blowout fractures.

PURPOSE: To determine a relationship between preoperative soft tissue disruption and postoperative ocular motility in orbital blowout fractures. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study reviewed 30 patients who met all criteria: retrievable coronal computed tomography (CT) scans; internal fractures of the orbital floor, with or without medial wall extension; preoperative diplopia; repair by a single surgeon; complete release of entrapped tissues; and postoperative binocular visual fields (BVFs). Motility outcomes were quantified by one group of the authors, who measured the vertical fusion within BVFs. Other authors analyzed CT scans, designating each fracture as either A or B, based on lesser or greater soft tissue distortion relative to the configuration of bone fragments. The interval between trauma and surgery was also determined. RESULTS: Among the 15 patients with a postoperative motility outcome poorer than the median (86 degrees or less), four (27%) had A fractures; 11 (73%) had B fractures. Among the 15 patients with an outcome better than the median (88 degrees or more), 10 (67%) had A fractures; five (33%) had B fractures. Differences were more defined away from the median. Among five patients with B fractures and better than the median result, three (60%) had surgical repair during the first week after injury. Among the 11 patients with B fractures and less than the median result, one (9%) had repair during the first week. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative motility is influenced by soft tissue-bone fragment relationships. Whether the outcome can be altered by earlier surgery in selected cases will be determined by prospective studies.

Foamy gland pattern of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a deceptively benign-appearing variant.

Pathologic diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is frequently a challenge, particularly in small biopsies, frozen sections, and in metastatic foci. Here we report a deceptively benign-appearing and morphologically distinctive pattern of ductal adenocarcinoma with prominent microvesicular cytoplasm, giving the cells a foamy appearance similar to that described in the prostate (Am J Surg Pathol 1996;20:419). This variant, which we refer to as foamy gland pattern (FGP), was frequently misdiagnosed in frozen sections or biopsies and its pathologic stage underestimated in surgical specimens. Histologically, the diagnostic features were: (1) white and crisply foamy, "microvesicular" cytoplasm; (2) often basally located and compressed, hyperchromatic nuclei reminiscent of endocervical glands (and so-called "adenoma malignum") or gastric foveolar glands; (3) irregular nuclear contours forming wrinkled (raisinoid) nuclei in some areas; and (4) a distinctive chromophilic condensation of the cytoplasmic material in the luminal aspect of the cells forming a brush border-like zone (BLZ). Histochemically, this BLZ was positive for mucicarmine, alcian blue, and high iron diamine, but not PAS. The remainder of the cytoplasm was negative for all these stains. In contrast, benign mucinous ducts, which constitute the major differential diagnosis, had more homogeneous acidophilic cytoplasm, lacked BLZ, and showed cytoplasmic staining with PAS. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely and strongly positive for CEA and cytokeratin 8 whereas B72.3 staining was focal and weak. MUC1 staining was largely confined to the BLZ. MUC2 was negative. P53 staining was detected in 16 of the 20 cases studied and was strong and diffuse in five. K-ras mutation was detected in 6 of 8 cases studied. The clinical findings in the 20 patients in this study (4 pure and 16 mixed with usual ductal carcinoma) did not appear to differ significantly from those of ordinary ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Eleven patients were men and nine were women; the mean age was 62 years and the mean tumor size was 4.4 cm. Follow-up information was available in 17 patients of whom 7 were alive at an average follow up of 23 months (range, 7-104 mos), and 10 were dead of disease at a median follow up of 15 months (range, 4-42 mos). The median survival of the four patients with pure FGP was 18 months. The median survival did not appear to be significantly longer than that of the patients with resectable ordinary ductal adenocarcinoma in the authors' experience (109 patients, median survival of 12 mos, p = 0.48). In conclusion, foamy gland pattern of invasive pancreatic ductal carcinoma is morphologically distinctive and is prone to misdiagnosis as a benign process. The pathologic stage is often underestimated as a result of the lack of its recognition and misinterpretation as mucinous ducts. Careful attention to its microscopic features is adequate for accurate diagnosis. Histochemical and immunohistochemical stains are useful in confirming the diagnosis of malignancy in challenging cases.

Assessment of carotid artery invasion in patients with head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE: Define radiological and histological features in which patients with head and neck cancer would benefit from a carotid artery resection. Resection of the carotid artery has been advocated for local control of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. To provide appropriate preoperative counseling and optimize the utilization of resources, the criteria for patient selection has to be defined. METHODS: Thirty-four patients underwent carotid artery resection based on the clinical impression of tumor fixation. Eighteen and 28 patients were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) and histological analysis, respectively. The distance between the tumor cells and external elastic lamina was measured. CT scans were examined to determine the circumference of tumor attachment around the carotid artery. RESULTS: Clinical assessment predicted tumor within 1.8 mm of the carotid artery in 68% of cases. The overall survival for patients with tumor greater than 1.8 mm (N = 9) was better than that of patients with less (N = 19) than 1.8 mm (33.3% vs. 5.3%; median 24 versus 9 mo, P = .0899). Three of six patients (50%) with less than 180 degrees circumference tumor attachment had tumor within 1.8 mm from the external elastic lamina. Eight of twelve patients (67%) with tumors encompassing more than 180 degrees of the artery wall had tumor within 1.8 mm from the external elastic lamina. The overall survival rates for patients with tumor attachment greater and less than 180 degrees were 8.3% and 33%, respectively. DISCUSSION: Tumor invasion into the carotid artery was the strongest predictor of outcome. Clinical assessment was as predictive as CT for tumor invasion. If tumor involvement of the carotid artery is less than 180 degrees, peeling the tumor is an alternative to carotid artery resection.

Vision screening of abused and neglected children by the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to present descriptive findings of ocular abnormalities in vision screening examinations of abused and neglected children. We compared the prevalence and the nature of eye diseases and refractive error between abused and neglected boys staying at the Hathaway Home, a residential facility for abused children, and boys from neighboring Boys and Girls clubs. METHODS: The children in the study received vision screening examinations through the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic following a standard format. Clinical data were analyzed by chi-square test. RESULTS: The children with a history of abuse demonstrated significantly higher prevalence of myopia, astigmatism, and external eye disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that children with a history of abuse may be at higher risk for visual impairment. These visual impairments may be the long-term sequelae of child abuse.

Spindle cell tumors associated with mycobacteria in lymph nodes of HIV-positive patients: 'Kaposi sarcoma with mycobacteria' and 'mycobacterial pseudotumor'.

Patients infected with HIV often have unusual manifestations of common infections and neoplasms. One such example is "mycobacterial pseudotumor," an exuberant spindle cell lesion induced in lymph nodes by mycobacteria. Kaposi sarcoma also produces a spindle cell proliferation in lymph nodes of HIV-positive patients. These two entities must be differentiated from one another because of differences in treatment and prognosis. We report here, however, three cases of intranodal Kaposi sarcoma with simultaneous mycobacterial infection, the occurrence of which has not been clearly documented. For comparison, we also studied three cases of mycobacterial pseudotumor, of which 14 cases have been described to date. There was considerable histologic overlap between these two lesions. Acid-fast bacilli were present in all cases, predominantly in the more epithelioid histiocytes in the cases of Kaposi sarcoma, and in spindle and epithelioid cells in the cases of mycobacterial pseudotumor. The morphologic features that favored Kaposi sarcoma over mycobacterial pseudotumor were the prominent fascicular arrangement of spindle cells and slitlike spaces, the lack of granular, acidophilic cytoplasm, and the presence of mitoses. Immunohistochemistry was a reliable adjunct study in the differential diagnosis, as the spindle cells in mycobacterial pseudotumor were positive for S-100 protein and CD68 whereas those of Kaposi sarcoma were CD31- and CD34-positive but negative for S-100 protein and CD68. Awareness that Kaposi sarcoma may coexist with mycobacterial infection in the same biopsy specimen is important because these lesions may be misdiagnosed as mycobacterial pseudotumor. The clinical impact of distinguishing between Kaposi sarcoma with mycobacteria and mycobacterial pseudotumor is significant because the presence of Kaposi sarcoma alters treatment and prognosis.

Eyelid crease incision for lateral orbitotomy.

PURPOSE: The authors describe a surgical incision and technique for lateral orbitotomy that is intended to minimize visible scarring and deformity. METHODS: This is a noncomparative, interventional, retrospective case series. Other surgical approaches for lateral orbitotomy are briefly reviewed. The authors' technique includes incision placement within the natural upper eyelid crease, with minimal extension in a relaxed skin tension line; dissection to the superior and lateral orbital rims in the submuscular plane; and wide dissection within the subperiosteal space. Criteria are described for inclusion of a bone flap in the technique. RESULTS: The eyelid crease incision has been used for exposure of the superolateral diagonal half of the orbit in approximately 600 cases. A variety of pathologic conditions affecting the orbital bones or the subperiosteal, extraconal, or intraconal spaces have been treated. Surgical exposure has been adequate to achieve the goals of surgery in individual cases, and the cosmetic results have been preferable to those the authors achieved using other surgical incisions. CONCLUSIONS: The eyelid crease incision for lateral orbitotomy allows dissection in relatively avascular planes, involves minimal transection of orbicularis muscle and lymphatic channels, and results in negligible postoperative scarring. Depending on the size and location of the lesion and the goal of surgery, the eyelid crease incision may be used without a bone flap. However, when a bone flap is needed, the incision does not restrict its size.

Multiple aesthetic unit flaps for medial canthal reconstruction.

The medial canthal region includes several individual aesthetic units that differ in skin quality and thickness, contour, and associated landmarks. Basal cell carcinomas commonly involve the medial canthal region and extend without respecting the boundaries between units. Reconstruction of tumor-free defects is often complicated by web formation across the medial canthal concavity. To avoid this complication, we evaluate each defect according to the anatomic units involved and develop individual flaps from each component area, anchoring each flap to the medial canthal tendon or associated deep fibrous tissue. This system has been used in 58 cases with excellent results. It allows flexibility for reconstructing the many diverse defects that oculoplastic surgeons encounter and helps to minimize postoperative deformity.

Near-resonance saturation pulse imaging of the extraocular muscles in thyroid-related ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: We examined the utility of near-resonance saturation pulse imaging (magnetization transfer [MT] and spin lock) in characterizing microstructural changes occurring in the extraocular muscles of patients with thyroid-related ophthalmopathy (TRO). METHODS: Eight healthy volunteers and 10 patients with TRO were imaged using an off-resonance saturation pulse in conjunction with conventional spin-echo T1-weighted imaging at frequency offsets of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 Hz from water resonance. The relative contributions of MT and spin-lock excitation to image contrast at each frequency offset were estimated using a computer simulation model. Suppression ratios were calculated for the control and TRO groups from measurements obtained on two successive coronal sections in the widest portion of the inferior and medial rectus muscles bilaterally. A repeated measures analysis of variance and a parametric correlation analysis were performed to evaluate maximum cross-sectional area, MR-generated signal, and suppression ratios for the extraocular muscles examined. RESULTS: Our computer model suggested that saturation of extraocular muscles was due to pure MT effects with our off-resonance pulse at 2000 and 1500 Hz, to a combination of MT and spin lock at 1000 Hz frequency offset, and, primarily, to spin-lock excitation at 500 Hz frequency offset. Suppression ratios for the extraocular muscles of the TRO patients were significantly lower than that observed for the control subjects at 1500, 1000, and 500 Hz frequency offset. This differential saturation effect was maximal at 500 Hz frequency offset, with mean suppression ratios for the inferior and medial rectus muscles of 27% for the healthy subjects and 20% for the TRO group. CONCLUSION: Both MT and spin-lock contrast of the extraocular muscles in patients with TRO differ significantly from that observed in control subjects. Near-resonance saturation pulse imaging may enhance our understanding of the microstructural changes occurring in the extraocular muscles of these patients.

Paralytic ectropion: a complication of malar implant surgery.

The use of the malar implant to augment the malar-zygomatic eminence is rapidly becoming a popular aesthetic procedure; however, this surgery can lead to paralysis or paresis of the facial nerve. Paralytic ectropion may result from orbicularis oculi dysfunction. We report two cases of paralytic ectropion as a result of malar implant placement. Conservative management for mild orbicularis oculi dysfunction consisted of topical lubricants and observation, whereas persistent ectropion required surgical repair. Paralytic ectropion and secondary exposure keratopathy are possible complications of malar implant surgery.

Results of peripheral laser photocoagulation in pars planitis.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of peripheral retinal laser photocoagulation (PLP) on visual acuity, intraocular inflammation, and other ocular findings, including retinal neovascularization in eyes with pars planitis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of eyes with pars planitis that had undergone PLP. RESULTS: Twenty-two eyes in 17 patients with pars planitis had undergone treatment with PLP at 2 centers. The mean age at the time of treatment was 19.3 years. Following treatment, mean follow-up was 16.3 months (range, 6 to 37 months). Mean visual acuity was 20/60 preoperatively and 20/50 postoperatively. This level of improvement was not statistically significant (P > .10), but there was a statistically significant decrease in the use of corticosteroids between the preoperative examination and the last postoperative examination (86% versus 27%, P < .05). There was also a statistically significant decrease in vitritis at the last follow-up (P = .0008) and a decrease in neovascularization of the vitreous base (P = .03) and in clinically apparent cystoid macular edema (P = .02). Epiretinal membranes were noted in 23% of eyes preoperatively and in 45% of eyes postoperatively. Only one of these epiretinal membranes was considered to be visually significant. One eye developed a tonic dilated pupil, which slowly improved. CONCLUSIONS: Although the long-term natural history of clinical findings in pars planitis is not well documented, PLP appears to decrease the need for corticosteroids while stabilizing visual acuity. It also appears to decrease vitreous inflammation. PLP has few complications and should be considered in patients with pars planitis who are unresponsive or have adverse reactions to corticosteroids.

Orbital blow-out fractures: correlation of preoperative computed tomography and postoperative ocular motility.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Although the management of orbital blow-out fractures was controversial for many years, refined imaging with computed tomography (CT) helped to narrow the poles of the debate. Many orbital surgeons currently recommend repair if fracture size portends late enophthalmos, or if diplopia has not substantially resolved within 2 weeks of the injury. While volumetric considerations have been generally well-served by this approach, ocular motility outcomes have been less than ideal. In one series, almost 50% of patients had residual diplopia 6 months after surgery. A fine network of fibrous septa that functionally unites the periosteum of the orbital floor, the inferior fibrofatty tissues, and the sheaths of the inferior rectus and oblique muscles was demonstrated by Koornneef. Entrapment between bone fragments of any of the components of this anatomic unit can limit ocular motility. Based on the pathogenesis of blow-out fractures, in which the fibrofatty-muscular complex is driven to varying degrees between bone fragments, some measure of soft tissue damage might be anticipated. Subsequent intrinsic fibrosis and contraction can tether globe movement, despite complete reduction of herniated orbital tissue from the fracture site. We postulated that the extent of this soft tissue damage might be estimated from preoperative imaging studies. METHODS: Study criteria included: retrievable coronal CT scans; fractures of the orbital floor without rim involvement, with or without extension into the medial wall; preoperative diplopia; surgical repair by a single surgeon; complete release of entrapped tissues; and postoperative ocular motility outcomes documented with binocular visual fields (BVFs). Thirty patients met all criteria. The CT scans and BVFs were assessed by different examiners among the authors. Fractures were classified into 3 general categories and 2 subtypes to reflect the severity of soft tissue damage within each category. "Trap-door" injuries, in which bone fragments appeared to have almost perfectly realigned, were classified as type I fractures. In the I-A subtype, no orbital tissue was visible on the sinus side of the fracture line. In the I-B subtype, soft tissue with the radiodensity of orbital fat was visible within the maxillary sinus. In type II fractures, bone fragments were distracted and soft tissue was displaced between them. In the II-A subtype, soft tissue displacement was less than, or proportional to, bone fragment distraction. In the II-B subtype, soft tissue displacement was greater than bone fragment distraction. In type III fractures, displaced bone fragments surrounded displaced soft tissue in all areas. In the III-A subtype, soft tissue and bone were moderately displaced. In the III-B subtype, both were markedly displaced. Motility outcomes were quantified by measuring the vertical excursion in BVFs. The interval between trauma and surgical repair was also determined. RESULTS: Among the 15 patients with a motility outcome in BVFs which was poorer than the median (86 degrees or less of single binocular vertical excursion), 4 patients (27%) had type A fractures; 11 patients (73%) had type B fractures. Among the 15 patients with a better outcome than the median (88 degrees or more), 10 patients (67%) had type A fractures; 5 patients (33%) had type B fractures. These differences became more defined as analysis moved away from the median. Among 5 patients with type B fractures and better than the median result in BVFs, 3 patients (60%) had surgical repair during the first week after injury. Among the 11 patients with type B fractures and less than the median result, 1 patient (9%) had repair during the first week. CONCLUSIONS: When the CT-depicted relationship between bone fragments and soft tissues is considered, a wide spectrum of injuries is subsumed under the rubric of blow-out fractures. In general, greater degrees of soft tissue incarceration or displacement, with presumably greater intrinsic damage and subsequent fibrosis, appear to result in poorer motility outcomes. Although this retrospective study does not conclusively prove its benefit, an urgent surgical approach to selected injuries should be considered.

Single-dose compared with fractionated-dose radiation of the OM431 choroidal melanoma cell line.

PURPOSE: To compare single-dose and fractionated-dose radiotherapeutic effects on choroidal melanoma cells. METHODS: We determined the effects of gamma radiation on OM431 cell survival by exposing cells to either a single 9-Gy dose or two 4.5-Gy fractionated doses at intervals of 20 minutes to eight hours. The effects of single dosing and fractionated dosing at six hours were compared at doses of 2 to 12 Gy. RESULTS: Tumor cell repair was most rapid during the first two hours. Maximum repair had occurred by six hours after radiation. Cell survival curves showed doses greater than 3 Gy of single-dose gamma radiation resulted in a greater number of cells killed than did equivalent fractionated doses. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular melanoma in vitro is relatively radioresistant to low-dose fractionated radiotherapy. High single-dose radiotherapy would be more effective but would also result in more damage to normal tissue unless more focused modalities of radiotherapy are used.