[Influence of TGF-ß cytokine and a number of other biochemical factors on regenerative process]. / Vliianie tsitokina TGF-ß i drugikh faktorov na protsess regeneratsii.

Scarring is one of the main causes of surgical failure in a number of eye diseases, dacryologic conditions in particular. The process of wound healing, including postoperative wound healing, goes through several stages mediated by various biochemical factors, such as growth factors and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The balance between the latter directly influences the wound healing. However, current data on the effect of these factors on postoperative outcomes are few and contradictory. Thus, in dacryology as well as in other areas of ophthalmology, the role of cytokines and growth factors in healing of surgical wounds is being intensively researched.

[Use of optical coherence tomography based lacrimal meniscometry in dacryology]. / Primenenie lakrimal'noi meniskometrii na osnove opticheskoi kogerentnoi tomografii v dakriologii Obzory literatury.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) based lacrimal meniscometry is currently the most accurate method used to determine dimensions of tear meniscus. According to related literature, the latter gets reliably reduced after treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstructions. However, the relationship between morphometric parameters of tear meniscus and the intensity of epiphora has not been established. Even an adequate study parameter has not been yet identified. AIM: To investigate the significance of OCT based lacrimal meniscometry in determining the extent of insufficiency of lacrimal drainage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 108 measurements of the lower tear meniscus were taken. Of them, 23 measurements were taken in healthy volunteers, who had no complaints of epiphora, 59 - in patients with epiphora of different intensity, and 26 - in patients after surgical intervention. Meniscometry was performed with RTVue-100-2 (Optovue, USA) optical coherence tomograph. The tear meniscus 'height', 'depth', and coefficient were evaluated. Munk's scores for epiphora were also collected. Spearman's correlation was applied to assess the morphometry results and Munk's scores. A separate analysis was performed for patients who were examined before and after dacryological treatment. Differences were evaluated with the Kruskal-Wallis H test. RESULTS: Statistically reliable differences were found between the meniscus 'height' and 'depth' values at different epiphora intensities (p<0.001 for both parameters; H=25.35 and 22.01, respectively), however, the meniscus coefficients showed no significant difference in these patients (p=0.8, H=1.57). Moreover, there was a highly reliable (p<0.001) medium strength direct correlation between the meniscus 'height' and 'depth' and the Munk's scores (R=0.46 and R=0,48, respectively), while the correlation between the meniscus coefficient and the Munk's scores appeared weak and lowly reliable (p=0.20, R=0.14). CONCLUSION: Lower meniscus morphometry with 'depth' measurement is a comprehensive method to assess the state of lacrimal drainage system. However, it should not be used alone due to significant variations in morphometric parameters, particularly in patients with intensive epiphora.

[Morphological analysis of reparative process at osteotomy site after endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy]. / Morfologicheskii analiz protsessovreparatsii v oblasti dakriostomy posle endoskopicheskoi endonazal'noi dakriotsistorinostomii.

Ostium closure due to local reparative processes is the most common cause of recurrence after endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), but as yet poorly studied. AIM: To perform morphological study of reparative processes at osteotomy site after endoscopic endonasal DCR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 18 patients (18 women) aged 62.59±10.07 years with nasolacrimal duct obstruction, who underwent endoscopic endonasal DCR (P.J. Wormald modification). Osteotomy site biopsies were taken on days 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 60 after the surgery. All the samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. For further details on cellular composition of inflammatory infiltrate, 54 samples were also processed into semi-thin sections. The slides were then viewed under Leica DM-2500 (Leica, Germany) photomicroscope. Leica DFC320 digital camera and ImageScope Color software were used for image acquisition and analysis. RESULTS: Morphological examination revealed the predominance of inflammatory cells in biopsy material on day 1 after DCR. On day 14, the number of cells would usually be reduced indicating the completion of the exudative phase of inflammation. Since then, activated fibroblasts prevailed over the rest of cellular elements. Twenty eight days after DCR, proliferating fibroblasts and collagen fibers were present. Sixty days after the surgery, fibrillar component prevailed over cells and showed compaction. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the reparation process nears completion before day 60 after the surgery. A series of morphological examinations of biopsy material from osteotomy sites has revealed individual features of reparation in nasal and lacrimal sac mucosa after endoscopic endonasal DCR.