Correlation of pre-operative and post-operative retinal nerve fibre layer thickness with visual outcome following decompression of pituitary macroadenoma.

OBJECTIVE: To (i) correlate preoperative retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness with visual parameters in patients with pituitary macroadenomas. (ii) study the predictive role of preoperative RNFL in visual outcome following surgery for pituitary macroadenomas (iii) correlate change in postoperative RNFL thickness (RNFLT) with visual outcome. METHODS: Preoperative and post-operative RNFL thickness of thirty-three consecutive patients operated for pituitary macro adenoma between June 2022 and May 2023 were measured using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and compared with standard visual examination findings and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measurements. RESULTS: A total of 66 eyes of 33 patients who underwent surgical excision of pituitary macro adenoma between June 2022 and May 2023 were studied. The mean age in years of the study group was 44.36 ± 13.77 and both sexes were equally represented (Male: Female = 16:17). RNFL thinning predominantly involved the temporal (51.21+/-15.19 µm) followed by nasal quadrants (62.67+/- 17.03 µm) and correlated well with the visual field (VF) deficit (p <0.001). Patients with severe disc pallor had extremely thin RNFL (less than 67 +/- 8.68 µm). Patients with moderate to severe visual acuity (VA) deficits had significantly thinner RNFLs (65.08±7.09) compared to patients with normal to mild impairment in vision. (83.185±1.2) (p<0.05). RNFL values were significantly thinner for patients with Wilson Grade C, D and E tumours (66.13 ±12.19 µm) compared to those in Grade A and B (77.67±22.12 µm). The mean preop RNFL of patients who showed post-operative improvement in vision was 87.025± 15.02 µm, of patients in whom vision remained static was 74.58 ±18.31 µm. The mean VA (Decimal) increased from a minimum of 0.60 at the pre-operative timepoint to a maximum of 0.68 at the post-operative timepoint. (Wilcoxon Test: V = 42.5, p = <0.001). The mean RNFLT (µm) increased from 77.14 µm at the pre-operative timepoint to 83.77 µm at the post-operative timepoint. (Wilcoxon Test: V = 218.0, p = <0.001). The mean change of RNFL in patients in whom vision improved was 3.6 µm and the mean change of RNFL in patients in whom vision remained static was 9.51 µm. Absence of postoperative visual improvement was noted despite postoperative RNFL thickness improvement in eyes which showed significant preoperative thinning of the nasal (<65 µm) and temporal (<52µm) quadrants. CONCLUSION: RNFL thinning corelates directly with visual acuity, visual field, and optic disc pallor. Patients with pituitary adenoma have preferential thinning of temporal and nasal quadrants. Visual outcome is better in patients with preserved RNFLT of values more than 82 +/- 5 µm. Reversal of RNFL thinning postoperatively need not necessarily correlate with visual improvement especially in patients who showed significant preoperative thinning of nasal and temporal quadrants.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and its correlation with visual symptoms and radiological features in pituitary macroadenoma.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) with (i) visual symptoms and (ii) suprasellar extension defined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with pituitary macroadenoma. Materials and Methods: RNFL thickness of 50 consecutive patients operated for pituitary macroadenoma between July 2019 and April 2021 were compared with standard visual examination findings and MRI measurements such as optic chiasm height, distance between the optic chiasm and adenoma, suprasellar extension, and chiasmal lift. Results: The study group included 100 eyes of 50 patients operated for pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension. RNFL thinning predominantly involved the nasal (84.26 ± 16.43 µm) and temporal quadrants (70.72 ± 14.80 µm) and correlated well with the visual field deficit (P < 0.001). Patients with moderate-to-severe deficit in visual acuity had a mean RNFL thickness <85 µm and patients with severe disc pallor had extremely thin RNFLs (<70 µm). Suprasellar extension defined as Wilsons Grade C, D, and E and Fujimotos Grades 3 and 4 were significantly associated with thin RNFLs <85 µm (P < 0.01). Chiasmal lift more than 1 cm and tumor chiasm distance of <0.5 mm were associated with thin RNFL (P < 0.002). Conclusion: RNFL thinning correlates directly with the severity of visual deficits in patients with pituitary adenoma. Wilsons Grade D and E, Fujimoto Grade 3 and 4, chiasmal lift more than 1 cm, and chiasm tumor distance <0.5 mm are strong predictors of RNFL thinning and poor vision. Pituitary macro adenoma and other suprasellar tumors need to be excluded in patients with preserved vision but having obvious RNFL thinning.

A Novel Approach to Measuring Binocular Visual Fields in Glaucoma.

PRECIS: Combined average visual field index (VFI) is a simple, novel tool for binocular visual field which agrees with the existing binocular integrated visual field (IVF) model, as well as patient reported activity limitation in glaucoma. PURPOSE: The aim was to determine the correlation between novel models of binocular visual field with the existing IVF and glaucoma activity limitation (GAL-9). MATERIALS AND METHODS: IVFs were calculated from the monocular visual fields of 58 patients with primary glaucoma and the novel binocular visual field models termed binocular summation visual field index (BiSumVFI) and combined average visual field index (CaVFI) were derived from the VFIs of both fields. GAL-9 questionnaire was administered to the patients. The relationship between IVF and the 2 newer models of binocular fields were determined and the correlation of IVF, BiSumVFI, and CaVFI with GAL-9 was estimated. RESULTS: A very strong correlation was seen between IVF and BiSumVFI (r=-0.913, P<0.001, confidence interval: -0.958 to -0.821) and also between IVF and CaVFI (r=-0.896, P<0.001, confidence interval: -0.947 to -0.802). Linear regression analysis showed a significant R2 of 0.902 (P<0.001) to predict IVF from BiSumVFI and R2 of 0.847 (P<0.001) to predict IVF from CaVFI. IVF, BiSumVFI, and CaVFI correlated moderately and significantly with GAL-9 with correlation coefficients of 0.481, -0.499, and -0.505, respectively. CONCLUSION: The binocular summation VFI and combined average VFI models of binocular visual field are good predictors of IVF in glaucoma. They correlate well with the existing IVF model in estimating patients' perception of activity limitation in glaucoma.

Aggressive-fungating retinal hemangioblastoma.

Retinal hemangioblastomas are one of the most common and early manifestations of Von Hippel-Lindau disease. Early detection is the key in their management. When left untreated, these benign neoplasms may continue to grow and result in scleral infiltration and extraocular extension warranting enucleation of the globe.

Spheno-Orbital Meningiomas: Optimizing Visual Outcome.

Background Spheno-orbital meningiomas (SOMs) constitute a rare cause for orbital proptosis and visual impairment. This study aims to share our outcome experience with regard to vision and exophthalmos following the surgical management of 17 patients with SOM. Methods Retrospective analysis of the case records of all surgically treated SOMs in the last 10 years. Exophthalmos index (EI) was calculated based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography imaging. Vision was assessed using the Snellen's chart and Goldman's perimeter. Orbital volume was calculated using three-dimensional volume rendering assisted region-of-interest computation. Preoperative duration of symptoms and extent of surgery were the other predictors analyzed. Results Patients' age ranged from 17 to 72 years (mean, 50.57 y; median, 50.0 years). Women represented 13 (76.4%) of the entire study group. Proptosis (14/17; 82.4%) and visual impairment (14/17; 82.3%) were the two most common presenting complaints followed by headache (12/17; 70.1%). Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in only 2 of the 17 patients (11.8%). Majority of the tumors were benign World Health Organization Grade I meningiomas (14/17; 84%). Mean follow-up time for the entire cohort was 56 months. Postoperatively, proptosis improved in nine (64.3%) and remained static in the rest five (35.7%) of patients. Four patients (28.6%) improved in vision following surgery. Vision remained static in eight patients (57.1%). Vision deteriorated in two (14.3%) patients who had severe preoperative visual deficits. New onset oculomotor palsy, trigeminal dysfunction, and mechanical ocular motility restriction were noticed in three (17.6%), two (11.2%), and six (35.3%) patients, respectively. The mean preoperative orbital volume was 21.68 ± 3.2 cm 3 and the mean postoperative orbital volume was 23.72 ± 3.4 cm 3 . Orbital volume was inversely related to EI. Optic canal (OC) deroofing and extensive orbital wall decompression facilitated visual improvement and proptosis reduction. None of the variables including orbital volume proved to be statistically significant in predicting outcome. Conclusion SOMs constitute a rare subgroup of skull base meningiomas that pose considerable surgical challenges. A surgical strategy aimed at safe maximal resection rather than aggressive GTR provides favorable outcome with less morbidity. Adequate bony decompression of the orbital walls and OC provides satisfactory improvements in proptosis and vision. Residual disease is common, but the risk of symptomatic recurrence is low especially when combined with adjuvant radiotherapy. Visual outcome is likely to be poor in patients presenting with severely compromised vision.

Does Universal Bypass before Carotid Artery Occlusion Obviate the Need for Balloon Test Occlusion: Personal Experience with Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass in 23 Patients.

AIM: Carotid artery ligation carries a potential risk of ischemic complications even in patients with good collaterals and adequate cross-circulation. Preoperative assessment through balloon test occlusion (BTO) is technically challenging and not feasible in all patients. We analyze our experience with universal bypass without performing detailed cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) studies in 23 patients before carotid artery ligation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the case records of 23 patients who underwent cervical carotid artery ligation for various indications since January 2009. RESULTS: The study included 21 patients with cavernous carotid aneurysms, one patient with a large fusiform petrous carotid aneurysm, and one patient with recurrent glomus jugulare encasing the cervical internal carotid artery. The initial 12 patients underwent preoperative BTO with hypotensive challenge. All patients underwent a bypass procedure followed by carotid artery ligation irrespective of the BTO findings. Patients who successfully completed a BTO underwent a low-flow superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass. A high-flow extracranial-intracranial bypass using a saphenous vein graft from external carotid artery to middle cerebral artery was done in all patients who either failed the BTO or did not undergo BTO. We had two operative mortalities and one poor outcome. All the other patients had a good recovery with a Glasgow outcome score of 5 at the last follow-up. Graft patency rates were 81.1% in both the low-flow and high-flow groups. CONCLUSION: Universal high-flow bypass is safe, effective, and should be preferred in all patients before carotid artery ligation. It obviates the need for detailed CVR assessment, especially in centers with limited resources.

Ocular manifestations in a case of Wernicke's encephalopathy due to hyperemesis gravidarum.

Wernicke's Encephalopathy (WE) is a potentially devastating disorder, which if not diagnosed and treated at the earliest, could lead to dangerous neurological and ophthalmological complications. We report the ocular manifestations of WE in a pregnant woman with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Delayed Visual Loss Following Transcranial Surgery for Tuberculum Sella Meningioma.

Postoperative visual loss is a dreaded complication following transcranial excision of tuberculum sella meningioma. Visual deterioration is commonly noticed immediately after surgery, and delayed deterioration after 72 h is uncommon. We report a case of delayed postoperative deterioration in a 48-year-old female and discuss the possible mechanisms.

Recurrent Optic Nerve Pilocytic Astrocytoma: A Rare Case.

Pilocytic astrocytoma is a low grade glioma that affects mostly children and young adults and can occur anywhere in the central nervous system. Pilocytic astrocytoma of the optic nerve is an equally indolent subtype that is often associated with Neurofibromatosis Type I (NFI). A 40-year-old male presented with left sided axial proptosis and exposure keratopathy. MRI revealed a mass in left proximal orbit, extending posteriorly abutting the chiasma and the right optic nerve on MRI. Enucleation of the left eye along with near total excision of intracranial part of the mass was performed. Histopathology report was suggestive of pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO Grade I). Interestingly, his records showed evidence of surgery for removal of the optic nerve pilocytic astrocytoma twice (27 years and six years ago). We hereby, present an unusual case of recurrent pilocytic astrocytoma of the optic nerve in absence of NFI.

Cavernous Carotid Aneurysms: To Do or Not To Do?

Cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCA) pose considerable dilemmas in management. It is still unclear as to whether an asymptomatic CCA should be subjected to treatment. Similarly, the ideal management strategy for a symptomatic aneurysm is controversial. We present the case of a 60-year-old female with a giant CCA and discuss the management issues.