Respiratory choristomatous cysts in the temporal orbit.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and histopathological findings in two patients with cystic lesions located in the temporal orbit. METHODS: Case reports. RESULTS: Cystic lesions excised from the temporal orbit of two patients were found to be lined with ciliated pseudostratified epithelium, consistent with a choristoma composed of tissue derived from the respiratory system. A review of the literature suggests that this is an uncommon cause of a cystic orbital mass. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory choristomatous cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the temporal orbit.

Intraocular involvement in multifocal fibrosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical and histopathologic findings of intraocular involvement in a patient with multifocal fibrosclerosis and the response of the patient's choroidal masses to external beam radiotherapy. DESIGN: Case report with clinicopathologic correlation of enucleated eyes. METHODS: The patient was studied by clinical observation, contact B- and A-scan ultrasonography, orbital magnetic resonance imaging, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, choroidal biopsy, and gross and histopathologic examination of the enucleated eyes. Tissue obtained at an earlier laparotomy was also reviewed. External beam radiotherapy was used when high-dose corticosteroid and low-dose methotrexate therapy failed to decrease the size of the choroidal masses or improve the patient's vision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in the clinical and ultrasonographic size of the choroidal masses, the clinical appearance of these masses, and the patient's visual acuity in response to external beam radiotherapy were monitored premortem. Histopathologic findings in the enucleated eyes were compared with the changes in previous abdominal and choroidal biopsy specimens and with tissue alterations reported in multifocal fibrosclerosis. RESULTS: Biopsy of the choroidal mass revealed a fibrosclerosing process similar to that found in the abdomen. The patient received external beam radiotherapy with disappearance of the masses. Fibrosclerosing changes similar to those seen in the abdomen were observed replacing the choroid in the enucleated eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal fibrosclerosis may involve the choroid with histopathologic changes similar to those that have been described in other locations in the body. External beam radiotherapy may be an effective treatment for intraocular involvement by multifocal fibrosclerosis.

Do blue-collar workers perceive the worksite health climate differently than white-collar workers?

A mail survey was distributed to a random sample of 497 both blue- and white-collar workers employed at a large manufacturing company to measure dimensions of worksite health climate: organizational and interpersonal support, and health norms. Statistically significant differences were observed for nearly all aspects of the dimensions with white-collar workers having more positive perceptions than blue-collar workers. The study suggests that future research explore how these perceptions may be enhanced and what role they may play in promoting worker health.

Renal cell carcinoma with involvement of iris and conjunctiva.

PURPOSE: To report a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma with involvement of the iris and bulbar conjunctiva. METHODS: Case report. A 70-year-old man without known systemic disease developed an iris mass in his left eye. Iridocyclectomy was performed to remove the iris mass. RESULTS: Histopathologically, the iris mass was consistent with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Further evaluation disclosed a mass of the left kidney. The patient underwent a left nephrectomy and was found to have renal cell carcinoma, with focal penetration into the renal capsule. One month after the nephrectomy, he developed a highly vascular nodule of the left bulbar conjunctiva. An excisional biopsy was performed, and histopathology disclosed an additional focus of renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Iris and conjunctival involvement may be a clinical manifestation of renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a fleshy, vascular iris and a conjunctival nodule.

The eyes give the clue. Ocular manifestations of systemic disease.

Many systemic diseases have ocular findings that can be seen with flashlight illumination or a direct ophthalmoscope. Many more diseases can be identified with extensive and specialized examination techniques, which are usually not readily available to primary care physicians. However, all physicians can increase their diagnostic accuracy by being aware of and looking for easily observed ocular signs of systemic disease.

Adipose tissue in the lens.

A case of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous with replacement of the lens by adipose tissue was observed in a 31-year-old man. A review of the literature revealed only two other cases in which this particular finding was documented.

Associated injuries in patients with spinal injury.

The associated injuries found in 100 consecutive spinal injuries are described. Fifty-one of the patients had injuries of the cervical cord, 31 per cent complete. A total of 75 per cent of the patients had associated injuries, the commonest being a head injury. Chest injuries were the next most frequent. The management of these injuries in the presence of a severe spinal injury is described. The importance of early tracheostomy and prophylactic anticoagulant therapy is stressed in reducing the mortality to the order of 2 per cent. The value of spinal injury units is emphasized.