Lacrimal intubation during dacryocystorhinostomy utilizing the STENTube.

The traditional use of the Crawford tube for lacrimal intubation during dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) carries several drawbacks. We describe the use of the STENTube for DCR intubation and detail its advantages. Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series; 313 patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) underwent 339 DCRs (216 external, 123 endonasal) with the STENTube from January 2007 - June 2013 by 5 surgeons (RS, QN, TS, SB, TN) across 3 institutions (SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Texas Oculoplastics Consultants, and Moorfields Eye Hospital). Study outcome measures included patient demographics, surgical complications, and epiphora improvement/resolution. 206 (66%) females and 107 (34%) males had a mean age of 63 years (range 2-94 years). Distribution of diagnoses included: 314 complete idiopathic acquired NLDO, 20 partial idiopathic acquired NLDO, and 5 congenital complete NLDO. 316 (93%) were primary DCRs and 23 (7%) were revisions. Epiphora improved in 312 (92%) cases with 294 (86%) experiencing resolution with patent lacrimal irrigation at a mean last follow-up of 9.4 months. Twenty-eight (8%) patients experienced surgical complications with 16 (5%) experiencing tube prolapse, and 20 (6%) requiring re-operation. The STENTube represents a simple method for lacrimal intubation during external or endonasal DCR at a comparable cost to the Crawford tube. It allows for low prolapse rates without the need for additional endonasal fixation procedures, resulting in a simple and comfortable post-operative extraction without risk of lacrimal trauma. The STENTube is our preferred intubation technique during DCR, and should be considered by oculofacial surgeons performing DCR with intubation.

A unique case of asystole secondary to facial injury.

Bradycardia has been reported during intraoperative settings of craniofacial, cerebropontine angle and trigeminal ganglion surgeries (Schaller et al. (2009, 1999); Parbhakar et al. (2009); Koerbel et al. (2005); Roberts et al. (1999)). It is also commonly seen in children undergoing orbital and maxillary fractures repair. This mechanism has been described as the trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) (Schaller et al. (2009, 2004); Kim et al. (2000); Lang et al. (1991); Van Brocklin et al. (1982)). We report an unusual case of posttraumatic bradycardia and recurrent asystole in a previously healthy adult patient from possible TCR in the absence of any surgical intervention to the head and orbital area.

Altered mental status and low anion gap in a patient with sickle cell anemia: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: It is challenging to diagnose two coexisting medical conditions if the symptoms are overlapping. This is further confounded if the patient presents with an unexplained deterioration in mental status. A low anion gap or a zero anion gap is an uncommon clinical finding and has few differential diagnoses. This test therefore has important implications in correctly identifying underlying medical conditions. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old African American male patient with sickle cell disease presented with refractory anemia, recurrent bone pains and encephalopathy. Routine testing failed to explain his mental deterioration. A laboratory finding of a low anion gap pointed in the direction of multiple myeloma as the underlying cause. This in turn led to an appropriate and timely course of treatment and clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: We present a very rare case of sickle cell anemia with coexisting multiple myeloma. This case sparks an interesting discussion on the anion gap, of which a clinician should be aware. It highlights the importance of the use of a verifiable anion gap in diagnosing medical conditions beyond the routine diagnosis of acid base disorders.

Superior rectus transposition and medial rectus recession for Duane syndrome and sixth nerve palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our results using augmented temporal superior rectus transposition (SRT) with adjustable medial rectus muscle recession (MRc) for treatment of Duane syndrome and sixth nerve palsy. METHODS: Retrospective surgical case review of patients undergoing SRT. Preoperative and postoperative orthoptic measurements were recorded. Minimum follow-up was 6 weeks. Main outcome measures included the angle of esotropia in the primary position and the angle of head turn. Secondary outcomes included duction limitation, stereopsis, and new vertical deviations. RESULTS: The review identified 17 patients: 10 with Duane syndrome and 7 with sixth nerve palsy. Combining SRT with MRc improved esotropia from 44 to 10 prism diopters (P < .001), reduced abduction limitation from -4.3 to -2.7 (P < .001), and improved compensatory head posture from 28° to 4° (P < .001). Stereopsis was recovered in 8 patients (P = .03). Three patients required a reoperation: 1 for overcorrection and 2 for undercorrection. A new primary position vertical deviation was observed in 2 patients with complex sixth nerve palsy and none with Duane syndrome. No patient described torsional diplopia. CONCLUSIONS: Superior rectus transposition allows for the option of simultaneous MRc in patients with severe abduction imitation who require transposition surgery. Combining SRT and MRc improved esotropia, head position, abduction limitation, and stereopsis without inducing torsional diplopia.

Amniotic membrane implantation to reduce extraocular muscle adhesions to a titanium implant.

Amniotic membrane grafts are used extensively for ocular surface reconstruction. We describe the case of a 66-year-old man with traumatic, restrictive strabismus. Amniotic membrane was applied to resolve symblepharon between the globe and lids and also to prevent re-formation of adhesions between extraocular muscles and adjacent titanium plates placed during prior surgery.