[A case report of congenital osteogenesis imperfacta with corneal ectasia].

An 8-year-old male patient was admitted to ophthalmology for bilateral progressive blurred vision for 5 years. He had a history of multiple spontaneous fractures. Ocular examination revealed best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.5 in the right eye and 0.6 in the left eye. Slitlamp examination showed bilateral blue sclerae, thining of the entire cornea and corneal ectasia. General physical examination demonstrated multi-site ligamentous laxity. The diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfacta was made. The patient was advised to wear rigid gas permeable contact lens with large diameter and stabilized peripheral curve, and the BCVA achieved 0.8 for both eyes.

Iodine Maps from Dual-Energy CT to Predict Extrathyroidal Extension and Recurrence in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Based on a Radiomics Approach.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Accurate prediction of extrathyroidal extension and subsequent recurrence is crucial in papillary thyroid cancer clinical management. Our aim was to conduct iodine map-based radiomics to predict extrathyroidal extension and to explore its prognostic value for recurrence-free survival in papillary thyroid cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 452 patients with papillary thyroid cancer were retrospectively recruited between June 2017 and June 2020. Radiomics features were extracted from noncontrast images, dual-phase mixed images, and iodine maps, respectively. Random forest and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were applied to build 6 radiomics scores (noncontrast radiomics score_random forest; noncontrast rad-score_LASSO; mixed rad-score_random forest; mixed rad-score_LASSO; iodine radiomics score_random forest; iodine radiomics score_LASSO) respectively. Logistic regression was used to construct 6 radiomics models incorporating 6 radiomics scores with clinical risk factors and to compare them with the clinical model. A radiomics model that achieved the highest performance was presented as a nomogram and assessed by discrimination, calibration, clinical usefulness, and prognosis evaluation. RESULTS: Iodine radiomics scores performed significantly better than mixed radiomics scores. Both of them outperformed noncontrast radiomics scores. Iodine map-based radiomics models significantly surpassed the clinical model. A radiomics nomogram incorporating size, capsule contact, and iodine radiomics score_random forest was built with the highest performance (training set, area under the curve = 0.78; validation set, area under the curve = 0.84). Stratified analysis confirmed the nomogram stability, especially in group negative for CT-reported extrathyroidal extension (area under the curve = 0.69). Nomogram-predicted extrathyroidal extension risk was an independent predictor of recurrence-free survival. A high risk for extrathyroidal extension portended significantly lower recurrence-free survival than low risk (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Iodine map-based radiomics might be a supporting tool for predicting extrathyroidal extension and subsequent recurrence risk in patients with papillary thyroid cancer, thus facilitating clinical decision-making.

[Detection of the spontaneous blinking pattern of dry eye patients using the machine learning method].

Objective: To establish a method to record the spontaneous blink pattern with a machine learning model, and to clarify the spontaneous blink pattern in patients with dry eye. Methods: It was a cross-setional study.We selected 357 dry eye patients (102 males and 255 females), aged (46.2±13.3) years, who visited corneal specialist clinics of Beijing Tongren Eye Center in 2019, as the dry eye group. The control group enrolled 152 normal controls, including 32 males and 120 females, aged (48.1±13.9) years. All participants completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, blink video capture, lipid layer thickness measurement, tear break-up time measurement, corneal fluorescein staining, and Schirmer Ⅱ test. Based on the assembled model built using UNet image segmentation algorithm and ResNet image classification algorithm, single frames of the blink video were analyzed, and then the palpebral opening height of each frame was obtained in order to establish a spontaneous blink wave. Finally, the characteristics of spontaneous blinks in dry eye patients were analyzed based on different types of complete blinks (types A, B and C) and partial blinks (types Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ). Independent sample t test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to judge if there was significant difference between the dry eye group and the normal group. Results: The accuracy of the segmentation model and the classification model was 96.3% and 96.0%, respectively, and the consistency with the manual analysis was 97.9%. In dry eye patients, the number of blinks was 30 (18, 42)/min, which was higher than that in normal controls [20 (9, 46)/min] (U=18 132.50, P=0.002). The number of complete blinks in dry eye cases was significantly lower than that in normal controls [6 (3, 24)/min vs. 12 (3,33)/min; U=12 361.00, P=0.016], and the number of partial blinks was significantly higher than that in normal controls [15 (6, 27)/min vs. 3 (0, 10)/min; U=22 839.00, P<0.001]. In complete blinks, the proportion of type A blinks in dry eye patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls [53.7% (2 796/5 177) vs. 39.3% (633/1 698); χ²=101.83, P<0.001]; in partial blinks, the proportion of type Ⅱ blinks in dry eye patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls [36.0%(2 334/6 477) vs. 29.6%(126/426); χ²=6.99, P=0.007]. The average interblink interval of dry eye patients was 1.2 s, which was not significantly different from that of normal controls (1.1 s; U=15 230.00, P=0.093). The eyelid closed phase of dry eye patients was 0.8 s, which was significantly shorter than that of normal controls (1.3 s; U=16 291.50, P=0.006). There were no significant differences in eyelid closing phase, early opening phase and late opening phase between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: In dry eye patients, the number of partial blinks increased, the number of complete blinks decreased, and the duration of eyelid closed phase shortened significantly. The main blink patterns of dry eye patients included type Ⅱ partial blinks with a reduced closure amplitude and type A complete blinks with a shortened closure time.

[In vivo confocal microscopic characteristics of limbal stem cell deficiency].

Objective: To investigate the cellular changes and quantitative analysis of basal cell density (BCD) and corneal epithelial thickness (CET) in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). Methods: Prospective case-control study. A total of 35 eyes of 23 patients diagnosed with LSCD and 25 eyes from normal subjects were included in this study. Based on slit-lamp presentation and the global consensus on classification, the LSCD patients were classified into LSCD Ⅰ, LSCD Ⅱ and LSCD Ⅲ. Confocal images of the central cornea, and the superior, inferior, nasal and temporal limbus were inspected by IVCM. Morphologic characteristics of LSCD were summarized. The BCD and CET in all locations were measured. ANVOA or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for analysis when appropriate. A receiver operating characteristic was used to detect the diagnosis efficiency of BCD and CET. Results: The characteristics in the corneal epithelium of LSCD on IVCM included nested corneal epithelial cells, goblet cells with hyper-reflective spots, irregular basal cells and decreasing subbasal nerve density. The mean BCD of the LSCD group was (8 976±1 096) cells/mm2 in the central cornea. Compared to the control group, the BCD in the central cornea, superior, inferior, nasal and temporal limbus decreased by 30.2%, 26.0%, 28.7%, 29.3% and 30.2%, respectively (all P<0.007). The CET in the central cornea was (47.3±8.1) µm. The CET in the central cornea, superior, inferior, nasal and temporal limbus decreased by 27.9%, 23.7%, 20.6%, 26.9% and 23.1%, respectively, compared to the control group (all P<0.007). There was a decline of BCD and CET in more serious LSCD. Additionally, the decline of BCD and CET was shown in the unaffected region. The receiver operating characteristic showed the diagnosis efficiency of BCD in the corneal center and limbus (0.931 and 0.916) was superior to CET (0.853 and 0.817). Conclusions: There was a series of characteristic cellular changes in LSCD on IVCM. Both BCD and CET decreased significantly in LSCD. The BCD had higher diagnostic efficiency for LSCD.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56:447-455).

[Therapeutic efficacy of ultraviolet combined with riboflavin for the rabbit bacterial keratitis].

Objective: To study the effects of ultraviolet light combined with riboflavin treatment (corneal collagen-crosslinking, CXL) on infectious control and stromal reconstruction of bacterial keratitis. Methods: Experimental Study. A Staphylococcus aureus rabbit keratitis model was established by injecting Staphylococcus aureus broth into the shallow stromal layer of the right eye cornea of New Zealand white rabbits. Forty-four rabbits that successfully established the model were randomly divided into four groups: corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) group, antibiotic group, CXL+ antibiotic group and untreated group, with 11 rabbits in each group. Before the treatment and at 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after treatment, slit lamp corneal examination, AS-OCT and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) were performed. Clinical efficacy of different treatments were evaluated at different time points. Parameters including conjunctival hyperemia, corneal ulcer, infiltration, edema, and neovascular. Histopathological examinations of corneal lesions were performed in order to detect the infiltration, inflammatory cells and repair in corneal tissue. Normal data were compared with paired t-test and non-normal data were compared with paired rank sum test before and after treatment. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used to compare 4 groups of data and the generalized estimation equation is used to compare the repeated measurement data at each time point and the comparison between the groups of the treatment groups. Results: After treatment, different time points and specimens for pathological observation, we obtained the following results:Conjunctival hyperemia: in CXL and CXL+ antibiotic groups after treatment for 3 days from treatment before 3 (2, -4) and 3 (2, -3),The reduction was 2 (1, -3) and 2 (1, -2), the difference was statistically significant (Z=-3.91, -5.50; P<0.008); 14 days, the antibiotic group changed from 3 (3, -4) to 2 (1, -2) after treatment, the difference was statistically significant (Z=-5.11, P<0.008); the untreated group had no statistical significance before and after treatment. After 14 days of treatment, the area of corneal ulcer (0.08±0.11) cm(2), (0.07±0.05) cm(2) in CXL group and CXL+ antibiotic group was significantly lower than that before treatment (0.40±0.18) cm(2), (0.49±0.24) cm(2). The difference was statistically significant. Significance (Z=-3.29, -3.64; P<0.008); after 14 days of treatment, after 14 days of treatment, neovascularization in the CXL and CXL+ antibiotic groups began to resolve, 1 (1, -2) and 1 (0, -2) at 7 days of treatment. decreased to 1 (1, -1) and 0 (0, -1), the difference was statistically significant (Z=4.57, 3.80; P<0.012 5); The degree of corneal edema was significantly reduced in the CXL group and the CXL+ antibiotic group at 14 days after treatment, which was reduced from (650±154) µm and (785±255) µm before the treatment to (432±95) µm and (455±109) µm, the difference was statistically significant (t=4.50, 4.92; P=0.00); The density of corneal stromal cells was also reduced from (446±257)/mm(2), (321±145)/mm(2) to (107±66)/mm(2), (114±94)/mm(2), the difference was statistically significant (t=4.15, 4.76; P<0.05). Histopathological observation under light microscope showed that most of the corneal ulcers healed in the CXL group and the CXL+ antibiotic group at 7 days of treatment. The epithelial cells were clearly visible and misaligned, and a small amount of neutrophils in the stromal layer. The upper epithelial layer was treated for 14 days. The cells are arranged neatly, the structure is clear, and the inflammatory cells are significantly reduced. Conclusion: Ultraviolet light combined with riboflavin corneal collagen cross-linking has a certain therapeutic effect on rabbit bacterial keratitis infection control and ulcer repair, and can be used as an auxiliary treatment for antibiotics. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54:902-910).

[Genetic typing and susceptibility testing of strains from Staphylococcus aureus keratitis or conjunctivitis patients].

Objective: To study the relationship between genetic typing and the antibiotic susceptibility of staphylococcus aureus (SA) isolated from keratitis or conjunctivitis patients. Methods: Experimental study. Thirty-four (34) strains of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from 34 cases of keratitis or conjunctivitis. The genomic DNA was extracted and amplified with PCR. With the method of multi locus sequences typing (MLST), gene fragments from 7 house-keeping genes were amplified and the products were sequenced. The results were submitted to the MLST website (www.pubmlst.org). In comparison with the allele of the corresponding gene, the allele spectrums of the strain were obtained with 7 housekeeping genes. At last, the MLST genotypes of the isolated strains were determined. With the START software, the evolutionary tree was established with UPGMA method. With the microdilution method, the MIC(90) of 13 antimicrobial agents was determined. The MIC(90) value of antimicrobial agents among different genotypes of Staphylococcus aureus was comparatively analyzed. Results: Ten (10) genotypes were obtained from 34 strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The dominant types were ST239, ST2592 and ST188. The clustering of genotyping was relatively concentrated, mainly in group Ⅰ (25 strains of SA, 83.3% of the total), and followed by group Ⅱ (5 strains of SA, 16.7%). The conjunctival isolates were distributed in the subgroup A of group Ⅰ. The cornea isolates were concentrated in subgroup B and group Ⅱ. With the exact probability method, the R×C chi square tests were used as statistic analysis method. The difference between the bacterial genotyping of two sources was statistically significant (P=0.011). Twenty-four strains of SA in group Ⅰ was sensitive to Vancomycin, Rifampicin and Amikacin (sensitivity ratio was 24/24, 20/24 and 20/24, respectively), and was generally resistant to other antibiotics. The values of MIC(90) of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin to Staphylococcus aureus in subgroup A (0.16±0.07, 0.51±0.42, 0.31±0.14, 0.22±0.33) were significantly lower than the values in subgroup B(0.74±0.11, 0.84±0.45, 0.67±0.03, 0.68±0.26). The difference was statistically significant (P=0.004, 0.026, 0.034, 0.001). There was no significant difference between the MIC(90) values of the other 9 kinds of antibiotics in the subgroup A and in the subgroup B of Staphylococcus aureus (P value 0.047-0.561). Conclusion: The genotype of Staphylococcus aureus of corneal isolations and conjunctival isolations were different. The conjunctival isolates were distributed in the subgroup A of group Ⅰ and the corneal isolates were concentrated in subgroup B and group Ⅱ. There is a significant correlation between the MLST genotypes and antibiotic sensitivity. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54:767-774).

[Histopathology manifestation and imaging characteristics of in vivo confocal microscopy for diagnosis of ocular surface squamous neoplasia].

Objective: To study the histopathology manifestation and imaging characteristics of in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) for diagnosis of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and analyze the reliability of IVCM in differential diagnosis from OSSN cases. Methods: A prospective study. Twenty-three patients (23 eyes) with OSSN were collected from September 2015 to November 2017 in Beijing Tongren Eye center. They were underwent the examinations sequentially as follows: visual examination; slit-lamp microscope examination and ocular surface photography; color fundus image; anterior segment optical coherence tomography examination; IVCM examination and histopathology examination after surgery. With histopathology diagnosis, all subjects were divided into two groups: conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Compared with histopathological findings, the IVCM results (cell morphology, cytoplasm and nucleus) of OSSN were analyzed. The difference analysis between the count data of two groups was carried out by the chi square test or Fisher's exact test. Receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to describe the accuracy of each parameter to differentiate SCC from OSSN. Results: There were 12 males and 11 females among the 23 patients aged (62±15) years. With the histopathological diagnosis, there were 15 cases (15 eyes) in the CIN group and 8 cases (8 eyes) in the SCC group. Eye redness, pain, foreign body sensation and tears were the symptoms of OSSN. There was no significant difference in clinical symptoms between the CIN and SCC groups. The size of tumors and the incidence of trophoblastic vessels in the SCC group were greater than those in the CIN group [8.5(6.5-15.5) mm vs. 5.8(4.0-8.5)mm, Z=4.702,P=0.029; 7/8 vs. 5/15, χ2=6.135, P=0.013). In histopathology, multilayered epithelia with cellular polymorphism, varied cytoplasm staining, and slightly thicker nuclei were observed in the CIN group. The corneal epithelial cells of SCC patients were markedly heterogeneous, and the intercellular bridge structure can be detected. Proliferative cells appeared with spindle shaped cells, nuclear mitotic figures and syncytial cells in the SCC group. The IVCM examination in the CIN group and SCC group showed that the cytoplasm was high and the ratio of nuclear plasma increased. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the size of epithelial cells, cytoplasm reflectivity, and nuclear cytoplasm ratio (P=0.053, 0.108, 0.067). The proportions of nuclear mitotic figures, spindle or chimeric cells, nests of whirlpool cells and the abnormal cells of the superficial stroma layer (8/8, 8/8, 8/8 and 8/8) in the SCC group was higher than those (2/15, 1/15, 4/15 and 0/15) in the CIN group, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001, 0.001, 0.003; P<0.001). Among these IVCM parameters, the abnormal cells of the superficial stroma layer had the highest diagnostic ability with the AUC value of 1.000, and the following AUC values were 0.933 for mitotic or double nuclei, 0.901 for spindle or chimeric cells, and 0.867 for the nests of whirlpool cells. Conclusions: The IVCM characteristics of OSSN are the dysplastic cells, hyper-reflective cytoplasm and increased nuclear plasma ratio in the corneal epithelium. Dysplastic cells appearing in the superficial stroma layer, nuclear mitotic figures and nests of vortex cells are the main IVCM parameters to support the malignant change of OSSN lesions. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 652-660).

[Clinical outcomes of cervical disc herniation treated by posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PPECD) for cervical disc herniation. Methods: A total of 23 patients who underwent PPECD for cervical disc herniation at Department of Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from August 2014 to April 2016 were reviewed. The mean age of the 17 males and 6 females was 49.5 years (range from 31 to 61 years). All patients had unilateral upper limb radiating symptoms, 13 patients with right upper limb radiating pain and 10 patients with left upper limb radiation pain, 17 patients with neck pain symptoms. Responsible segment: left C(4-5) 1 case, right C(4-5) 2 cases, left C(5-6) 4 cases, right C(5-6) 8 cases, left C(6-7) 5 cases, right C(6-7) 3 example.Operating time, length of hospitalization, complications, neck and arm Visual analog scale(VAS), and Neck Disability Index(NDI) were evaluated. The excellent and good rate of surgery was evaluated by using the Odom criteria. Harrison method was used to measure cervical curvature. The Cobb angle of the surgical segment was measured on the X-ray, and the range of motion (ROM) was calculated. The changes of the cervical curvature and the surgical segment ROM were compared pre- and post-operation. Results: The operation time was 94.1 min (range from 80 to 150 min). The average length of hospital stay was 4.8 days. The mean follow-up period was 23.5 months (range from 15 to 35 months). The preoperative arm VAS score was 6.95±0.88, 1-week postoperative arm VAS score was 2.09±0.67, the last follow-up arm VAS score was 1.04±0.98. The preoperative neck VAS score was 3.04±0.77, 1-week postoperative neck VAS score was 1.52±0.51 and the last follow-up neck VAS score was 0.61±0.78. The 1-week postoperative and last follow-up arm and neck VAS scores were significantly reduced compared with pre-operation (P<0.01). Compared with 1 week after surgery, the last follow-up of the arm and neck VAS score further reduced, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The preoperative NDI was (58.52±4.98)%, the 1-week postoperative NDI was (33.74±4.72)%, the last follow-up NDI was (19.22±3.23)%. The 1-week postoperative and last follow-up NDI was significantly improved compared with pre-operation (P<0.01). Compared with 1 week after surgery, the last follow-up of the NDI further improved, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The 1-week postoperative cervical curvature was (14.65±2.89)°, and it was improved compared with preoperative(14.23±3.06)°, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . The last follow-up was cervical curvature(14.64±2.68)°, there was no significant difference compared with preoperative (P> 0.05). The preoperative surgical ROM was(5.37±1.83)°, 1-week postoperative was(5.53±1.52)°, and the last follow-up was (5.62±1.48)°, there was no significant difference pre-operative and post-operation (P> 0.05). The excellent and good rate was 91.3% (excellent in 16 cases, good in 5 cases, 2 cases). There was no nerve root injury, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, wound infection, and other complications. Conclusions: PPECD is a sufficient and safe supplement for cervical disc herniation, its recent clinical efficacy was good. And it has no significant effect on cervical stability.

Combined diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for differentiating radiologically indeterminate malignant from benign orbital masses.

AIM: To evaluate the performance of the combination of diffusion-weighted (DW) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for differentiating radiologically indeterminate malignant from benign orbital masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients with orbital masses (36 benign and 29 malignant) underwent DW and DCE MRI examinations for pre-treatment evaluation. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was derived from DW imaging data using the mono-exponential model. The volume transfer constant (Ktrans), the flux rate constant between the extravascular extracellular space and the plasma (Kep), and the extravascular extracellular volume fraction (Ve) were calculated using modified Tofts model. Differences in quantitative metrics were tested using independent-samples t test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to determine and compare the diagnostic ability of each significant metric. RESULTS: The malignant group demonstrated significantly lower ADC (0.711±0.260 versus 1.187±0.389, p<0.001) and higher Kep values (1.265±0.637 versus 0.871±0.610, p=0.008) than the benign group. Optimal diagnostic performance (area under the ROC curve [AUC], 0.941; sensitivity, 0.966; specificity, 0.917) could be achieved using combined ADC and Kep values as the diagnostic index. The diagnostic performance of the combination of ADC and Kep was significantly better than Kep alone (p=0.006). Compared with ADC alone, combined ADC and Kep values also showed higher AUC (0.941 versus 0.898), although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.220). CONCLUSION: Kep and ADC could help to differentiate radiologically indeterminate malignant from benign orbital masses. The combination of DW and DCE MRI might improve the differentiating performance.

Continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure in Reye's syndrome--5 years experience.

Monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) and efforts to keep the ICP below the critical level are vital in the treatment of Reye's syndrome. Continuous monitoring of ICP was carried out in 21 cases of Reye's syndrome who were at or beyond stage III at the time of admission to the Veterans General Hospital, between January 1981 and August 1986. Seventeen had ICP ranging from 15 mmHg to 67 mmHg. Three patients died, 1 in stage V with an ICP of 67 mmHg received a craniectomy, and 2 others were in stage IV with ICP's of 66 mmHg and 25 mmHg, respectively. The fatality rate was 14% (3/21). Among 18 patients, 5 had moderate psychomotor retardation (PMR), 4 had severe PMR and 2 had mild PMR. The remaining 7 patients survived without sequelae. Blood exchange transfusion could further reduce ICP and seemed to improve neurologic outcome. Blood ammonia higher than 400 micrograms% is indicative of a bad prognosis. Hyperventilation was the most rapid and effective means of reducing moderate degrees of increased ICP. During intensive supportive care, we also found that coughing, endotracheal intubation, seizures, asynchronous respiration to an artificial respirator, suction of the airway and any painful stimulation caused further increases in ICP and worsened the situation. Care should be given to avoid these factors.

[Acute peritoneal dialysis in low birth weight infants].

Between September 1986 and April 1988, five low birth weight infants weighing 950 gm to 2250 gm required acute peritoneal dialysis due to acute anuric renal failure. Severe hyaline membrane disease was the most common explanation for acute renal failure. All infants had severe electrolytes imbalance and fluid retention with generalized edema, which increased ventilation requirements and severely limited fluid intake. The volume of each exchange varied between 10-20 ml/kg. Four of five infants had good ultrafiltration (3.52 +/- 2.43 ml/kg/hr, mean +/- SD). Ultrafiltration was not achieved in one due to poor peripheral perfusion. Electrolytes imbalance were corrected in all patients. Although four infants died, one case given up further care after renal failure had improved, and one died of septic shock after renal function had recovered. Only one infant survived with complete recovery of renal function. We believe that early dialysis is likely to reduce both morbidity and mortality of acute renal failure in low birth weight infants.