A rare skin adnexal gland tumour of the eyelid.

We report a rare and atypical skin adnexal tumour of the eyelid. We highlight this condition for clinicians who treat periocular neoplasia.

Orbital augmentation with injectable calcium hydroxylapatite for correction of postenucleation/evisceration socket syndrome.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the utility of injectable calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) for orbital volume augmentation to correct postenucleation/evisceration socket syndrome (PESS). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all consecutive patients in our practice who received injectable calcium hydroxylapatite placed in the extraconal space to augment orbital volume was conducted. Patients with at least 6 months follow-up were included in the study. RESULTS: Among 26 patients with PESS who received injectable calcium hydroxylapatite for orbital volume augmentation, 15 individuals were identified with adequate follow-up. The mean amount of preoperative relative enophthalmos measured by Hertel exophthalmometry was 4 mm (range 0.5-7 mm). An average reduction of 2.4 mm of enophthalmos per syringe of filler was achieved. The mean follow-up obtained was 46 weeks (range 24-78 weeks). Most patients demonstrated clinical and aesthetic improvement that was observed to continue up to 1.5 years. Complications observed included anterior migration of filler, a peribulbar hemorrhage, and orbital discomfort. Two patients demonstrated little response to filler. CONCLUSIONS: Injectable calcium hydroxylapatite provides a novel, safe, simple, cost-effective technique to treat volume deficiency in the anophthalmic orbit. Augmentation achieved with this semipermanent filler has demonstrated a lasting effect in the orbit with little volume loss. Volume replacement can be titrated to the socket requirements. Correction of PESS using this technique may be limited in orbits that demonstrate significant fibrosis as a result of multiple surgeries, severe trauma, or radiation treatment.

Stereolithographic models to guide orbital and oculoplastic surgery.

PURPOSE: This paper aims to highlight the potential of stereolithographic models (SLM) as a tool in orbital surgical planning, and provides four examples of their role in facilitating successful surgery. METHOD: Retrospective case series report. RESULTS: Case 1: SLM facilitated a successful orbital biopsy of a deep orbital mass by allowing several practice trucut biopsies. Case 2: Complex orbital fracture-repair was facilitated by using a SLM to demonstrate post-trauma and previous post-surgical-intervention bony anatomy. Case 3: Replication of accurate orbital anatomy in a case of severe socket contracture facilitated the selection of Branemark-implant placement sites to prevent inadvertent entry into the cranial cavity. Case 4: SLM prevented unnecessary surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: SLM are useful tools for pre-operative surgical planning, and have applications in selected complex orbital and oculoplastic cases.

Osteoplasty using calcium hydroxylapatite filler.

PURPOSE: To describe a novel method using injectable calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) for aesthetic correction of small bony defects in the skull. METHODS: A prospective, small interventional case series was performed. Three patients were identified with bony defects of the frontal bone from prior trauma or surgery. Calcium hydroxylapatite filler was injected locally to fill the bony defects. The procedure was performed in an ambulatory surgical center with monitored anesthesia care in conjunction with eyelid surgery. RESULTS: Three patients were treated with 1 to 3 vials (1.3-ml vial) of injectable calcium hydroxylapatite with improvement of volume deficiency and cosmesis. There were no complications associated with the procedure. Follow-up ranged from 2 months to 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary report demonstrates that injectable calcium hydroxylapatite filler provides a new, simple, semipermanent technique for aesthetic correction of small bony defects in the skull. The amount of volume replacement is easily titrated, and the procedure can be repeated if necessary until adequate volume is obtained. Although these cases were performed in a surgery center, the technique could easily be done as an office procedure with local anesthesia. A larger cohort and longer follow-up is necessary to establish the duration of effect and success of the procedure.

Upper eyelid myectomy in blepharospasm with associated apraxia of lid opening.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of upper eyelid myectomy surgery on blepharospasm with associated apraxia of lid opening (ALO), dry eye, photophobia, and daily functioning in patients who are refractory to botulinum toxin treatment. DESIGN: Noncomparative, consecutive, interventional case series. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify 100 consecutive patients beginning on January 1, 2000, who underwent upper eyelid myectomy surgery for blepharospasm and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A survey was sent to all patients. Data were entered in an anonymous manner into a spreadsheet and analysis was performed using the Student t test with significance set at P<.05. RESULTS: Forty-five (88%) patients experienced ALO before surgery, among which 15 (33%) patients stated they were completely cured and 20 (44%) others had more than 50% improvement in ALO with surgery. In 20 of 30 patients who continued botulinum toxin treatment after surgery, the effect lasted longer. Twelve (29%) of 42 patients who experienced dry eyes before surgery improved. Eighteen (41%) of the 44 patients who experienced light sensitivity before surgery improved. Thirty-seven (82%) patients noted their cosmetic appearance to be better after surgery. The cumulative preoperative disability score was 14.11+/-5.78 (59%), whereas the cumulative postoperative disability score was 5.20+/-8.25 (22%; P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Upper eyelid myectomy surgery appears to be effective in treating blepharospasm with associated ALO in most patients who are refractory to botulinum toxin injections and can provide improvement in the quality of life.

Injectable calcium hydroxylapatite for orbital volume augmentation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a new method of augmenting orbital volume for anophthalmic enophthalmos correction. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review was conducted of 4 consecutive patients who had injectable calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) placed in the extraconal space to augment orbital volume. RESULTS: Four patients were treated with 1 to 2 vials (1.3 mL per vial) of injectable calcium hydroxylapatite. The mean amount of preoperative enophthalmos measured by Hertel exophthalmometry was 4 mm (range, 2-7 mm). The mean follow-up was 57 weeks (range, 45-71 weeks). A reduction of enophthalmos, ranging from 2 to 5 mm (mean, 2.75 mm), was observed when comparing preoperative with postoperative measurements of the anophthalmic orbit with prosthesis in place. All patients demonstrated clinical and aesthetic improvement that was observed to continue at almost 1 year or more postoperatively. In one patient, injection was complicated by a peribulbar hemorrhage related to local anesthesia administration, which resolved without incident. CONCLUSIONS: Injectable calcium hydroxylapatite provides a new, safe, simple, cost-effective technique to treat volume deficiency in the anophthalmic orbit. Augmentation achieved with this semipermanent filler has demonstrated a lasting effect in the orbit of 1 year or more with little volume loss. The filler seems to last longer in areas with less movement, blood supply, and lymphatic drainage. Injection can even be performed in an office setting using local anesthesia. The amount of volume replacement can be titrated, and the procedure is repeatable until adequate volume is obtained.

Autologous dermis graft at the time of evisceration or enucleation.

AIM: To present a new technique using autologous dermis graft at the time of enucleation or evisceration to replace the ocular surface area lost when the corneal scleral button is excised. METHODS: A retrospective, interventional, non-comparative case series of patients who had an autologous dermis graft placed to assist in closure of Tenon's capsule and conjunctiva at the time of enucleation or evisceration. Medical records were reviewed and the following variables were recorded: age, sex, history of previous ocular surgery or radiation treatment, indication for surgery, type of surgery, laterality, type of orbital implant, size of implant, length of follow up, and complications. RESULTS: Nine patients were identified (three male, six female) Five had enucleation with implant placement and four had evisceration with implant placement. Four individuals received unwrapped porous polyethylene spherical implants, three received silicone implants, and two received hydroxylapatite implants. Follow up ranged from 30 to 112 weeks (mean (SD), 61 (28) weeks). No operative or early complications were observed. One patient who had enucleation after two rounds of brachytherapy for uveal melanoma developed subsequent late exposure of the implant. There were no complications involving the graft donor site. CONCLUSIONS: This small series shows that the use of a dermis graft is a safe and effective new technique to facilitate orbital rehabilitation. It is hypothesised that the extra surface area produced with a dermis graft preserves the fornices and allows a larger implant. It may also allow the implant to be placed more anteriorly which assists with both implant and prosthesis motility.

Preoperative assessment of the eye and periocular region.

Proper preoperative assessment of the eye and periocular region is essential to verify ocular health and vision and to obtain an optimal surgical result. A systematic approach to reviewing the ocular history, review of systems, and pertinent physical exam will be discussed. This is important to identify not only underlying ocular conditions but also potentially serious systemic conditions with ocular manifestations that can impact the patient's overall health. A thorough exam by a qualified provider is needed if there are any management issues regarding the presence of a condition(s) that can impact the surgical outcome.

Towards an understanding of congenital ptosis.

This paper examines the developmental substrate for congenital ptosis with particular emphasis on the transcription factors that are thought to be involved. We summarize my research findings and present a review of the relevant literature.

Pupil block glaucoma after neodymium:YAG capsulotomy in a patient with a partially subluxated posterior chamber intraocular lens.

A 73-year-old-woman presented following neodymium:YAG capsulotomy for posterior capsular opacification with acute glaucoma. Previous cataract surgery had left her with a subluxated lens. Cornea edema obscured detail of the anterior chamber, but the edge of the lens could be seen clearly within the pupillary space. This produced a diagnostic dilemma because no obvious cause for pupil block could be seen. She failed to respond to medical therapy and had a laser iridotomy, following which her symptoms resolved. We believe this case demonstrates the importance of a laser iridotomy to exclude pupil block glaucoma when adequate visualization of the pupillary space is obscured.