ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Retinal vascular disorders are associated with lower fractal dimension (FD). We analyzed FD in birdshot chorioretinopathy (BSCR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. We performed optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and analyzed FD of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choriocapillaris (CC) using ImageJ. For each vascular layer, we analyzed the presence of BSCR, subjects' age, sex, and presence of diabetes mellitus to determine which may predict lower FD. RESULTS: We compared 28 eyes (14 patients) with BSCR to 34 control eyes (17 patients). Mean FD of BSCR was lower in SCP (1.584 [± 0.126] vs 1.706 [± 0.118], P < 0.001), DCP (1.637 [± 0.134] vs 1.780 [± 0.096], P < 0.001), and CC (1.884 [± 0.063] vs 1.917 [± 0.047], P = 0.036). FD of SCP was lower per increasing year (0.005 [P = 0.014]). Male patients had lower FD-DCP (0.101 [P = 0.043]). CONCLUSION: In BSCR, fractal analysis showed significant involvement of the SCP, DCP, and to a lesser extent the CC. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:XX-XX.].
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Retrospective analysis correlating serologic titers of ocular syphilis with posterior segment manifestations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 40 patients (80 eyes imaged, 68 affected) with positive rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and Treponema Pallidum immunoglobulin G. We collected demographic and presentation data including HIV status, absolute CD4 count, RPR, cerebrospinal fluid-venereal disease research laboratory (CSF-VDRL) test, and retinal zone. We categorized imaging into syphilitic outer retinopathy (SOR), acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinopathy, retinitis/chorioretinitis (RC), and papillitis. Multivariate analysis correlated HIV status, RPR, and VDRL titers with posterior segment findings and zone. RESULTS: Mean age of 42.8 ± 10.7 years, with 70% male patients. Presenting visual acuity (logMAR) 0.66 ± 0.74 did not correlate with RPR, nor was it associated with papillitis, RC, or acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinopathy. Higher RPR (≥ 1:128) positively associated with SOR (P = 0.031) and zone 1 (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; P = 0.02), but negatively associated with zone 2 (OR 0.35; P = 0.005). HIV positivity increased RC odds (OR, 4.45; P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Higher RPR correlated with SOR and zone 1, whereas HIV positivity correlated with RC. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:XX-XX.].
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To quantify chorioretinal microvascular damage and recovery post-treatment in patients with acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis (ASPPC) using fractal dimension (FD). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with serologically confirmed syphilitic uveitis. We obtained optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) scans at baseline and follow-up after intravenous penicillin treatment and computed FD of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choriocapillaris (CC) using ImageJ. RESULTS: We enrolled seven patients with ASPPC (11 eyes), and 17 control subjects (34 eyes). Pre-treatment averages of FD-SCP, FD-DCP, and FD-CC were: 1.672 (±0.115), 1.638 (±0.097), and 1.72 (±0.137); post-treatment: 1.760 (±0.071), 1.764 (±0.043), and 1.898 (±0.047). After treatment FD-CC increased in all 11 eyes with an average of 0.163 (p = 0.003); FD-DCP increased in 10 (91%) eyes with an average of 0.126 (p = 0.003); and FD-SCP increased in seven (64%) eyes with an average of 0.089 (p = 0.059). Compared to the post-treatment FD values in the syphilitic group, controls had similar FD-SCP (p = 0.266), FD-DCP (p = 0.078), and FD-CC (p = 0.449). CONCLUSIONS: CC and DCP are mostly affected in ASPPC with minimal changes in the SCP. All vascular layers FD recovered after completing antibiotic treatment.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) creates individualized surgical plans for free flap reconstruction of mandibular defects. Prior studies indicate that VSP can offer cost benefits due to reduced operative time and length of stay (LOS). We assessed the impact of VSP in the context of a validated postoperative abbreviated LOS clinical pathway. METHODS: This study assessed patients undergoing VSP vs conventional fibular free flap reconstruction for mandibular defects (12/2015-10/2020) and their operative time, ischemia time, and LOS were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-four patients underwent VSP reconstruction, while 52 patients underwent conventional reconstruction for mandibular defects. VSP was associated with significantly lower total operative time (6 h and 57 mins vs 7 h and 54 mins, p = 0.011), but not length of stay or ischemia time. Total OR time was significantly increased with increasing number of segments needed in both the VSP group (p = 0.002) and the conventional group (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Shorter operative times and LOS have been attributed to the use of VSP in free tissue transfers. It is argued that these reductions offset the added cost of VSP. Our study indicates that there is no cost benefit for VSP utilization due to a significantly reduced operative time with no impact on length of admission in an abbreviated admission clinical pathway following free tissue transfer.
