Orbital computed tomographic characteristics of globe subluxation in thyroid orbitopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Axial globe subluxation may complicate thyroid orbitopathy. This acute event is defined by anterior displacement of the globe equator beyond the orbital rim, lid retraction behind the equator, and tethering of the optic nerve. The authors explored the factors leading to spontaneous globe subluxation in patients with thyroid orbitopathy. DESIGN: A clinical review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The medical charts and axial and coronal orbital computed tomographic (CT) scans of all the patients with spontaneous globe subluxation were reviewed. The patients were categorized according to their CT scans into type I ("lipogenic" variant) or type II ("myogenic" variant). RESULTS: Four (0.1 %) of approximately 4000 patients with thyroid orbitopathy presented with spontaneous globe subluxation. All of these patients had increased orbital fat without significant enlargement of the extraocular muscles. Thus, they represent type-I thyroid orbitopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Globe subluxation in thyroid orbitopathy requires compliance of the orbital soft tissues and extensibility of the extraocular muscles. These are characteristics of type-I orbitopathy. The increased fat content results in more compliance of the soft tissues, and the normal caliber of the muscles allows them to become more extensible. This permits the acute contraction of the eyelids posterior to the equator of the globe. Patients with type-I orbitopathy and extensive proptosis may be at relatively greater risk of having globe subluxation develop.

Complications of porous spherical orbital implants.

PURPOSE: To determine the complications observed with using porous spherical orbital implants (hydroxyapatite and porous polyethylene) and the factors leading to their occurrence. METHODS: A total of 101 cases of porous spherical orbital implantation by five ophthalmic surgeons were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic data, diagnosis, prior surgery, type and technique of surgery, implant characteristics and prosthesis fitting were described in patients with complications. RESULTS: Eleven of the 101 patients had implant exposure. There were six male (1 with bilateral involvement) and four female patients, ranging in age from 2 to 71 years. Preoperative diagnosis included trauma in five patients, nontrauma in five, and tumor in one. Seven had prior eye surgeries. Three patients underwent evisceration, whereas eight underwent enucleation. Eight hydroxyapatite and three porous polyethylene implants were used with diameters of 16 to 20 mm. Three were unwrapped, six were wrapped in sclera, and two were wrapped in preserved fascia. Exposures, which generally occurred within 1 year, were grouped into small (1-5 mm), medium (6-10 mm), and large (> 10 mm). One delayed case occurred after drilling. Small stable exposures were managed conservatively. Larger exposures were managed either by implant revision or replacement. All patients were fit ultimately with a prosthesis. Histopathologic findings of explanted spheres showed fibrovascularization limited to the periphery with moderate inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSION: Complications were significantly higher in cases of eviscerations than enucleations. Complications occurred in implants either unwrapped or wrapped in homologous grafts. None of the autologous wrapping had exposure. Secondary procedures may initiate exposure when fibrovascular status of implant is inadequate.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the lacrimal drainage system.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has excellent spatial and soft tissue resolution in the periocular and orbital region, especially when combined with surface coil techniques. Other methods, including computed tomography, dacryocystography, and dacryoscintigraphy provide limited information in the area of the lacrimal drainage system. Magnetic resonance imaging was used in conjunction with other imaging modalities to compare the anatomic detail and clinically relevant information obtained about various pathologic processes in the lacrimal drainage area. METHODS: Patients with a variety of lacrimal drainage disorders underwent MRI with either head or surface coils. Contrast agents also were used in selected cases. Seven case reports are presented. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging provided detailed information about local anatomy, extent of pathology, and, in some cases, etiology of the pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging with surface coils provides detailed soft tissue information when compared with dacryocystography and computed tomography in the area of the lacrimal drainage system. In selected cases of lacrimal drainage system pathology, MRI may provide data that affect patient management.

Histological changes in congenital and acquired blepharoptosis.

Histological specimens of eyelids from patients with congenital genuine ptosis and acquired involutional ptosis are compared. In congenital ptosis there is evidence of true muscular dystrophy of the levator muscle as demonstrated by: loss of cross striations, random decrease in muscle fibre diameter, sarcolemmal retraction, nuclei alignment, and fibrous and fatty tissue displacement of the striated fibres. In involutional ptosis disinsertion of the levator aponeurosis from its normal insertion on the inferior-anterior surface of the tarsus is demonstrated. Correlation between clinical presentation and surgical correction is explained in light of these findings.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma involving the lacrimal sac.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lacrimal sac was diagnosed in a 62-year-old woman who presented with epiphora and a fixed painless mass in the area of the lacrimal sac. Histopathologic findings included nests and islands of neoplastic cells in a fibrotic stroma. The tumor nests contained both glandular spaces and solid epithelial areas. Treatment entailed dacryocystectomy with silastic intubation and subsequent medial maxillectomy and ethmoidectomy. The patient was tumor free on 1-year follow-up. Clinical features, histopathological findings, prognosis, and management of this rare tumor are reviewed in this article.

Eyelid necrosis following intralesional corticosteroid injection for capillary hemangioma.

The intralesional injection of corticosteroids has been employed successfully in treatment of adnexal neonatal hemangiomas since 1979. This form of treatment is easily administered, is repeatable and free from serious complications. We present an exceptional case in which full-thickness eyelid necrosis ensued following intralesional injection of corticosteroids in a capillary hemangioma. After eyelid reconstruction the patient's visual axis has remained unobstructed, and amblyopia has been thus far averted.

Orbital implants and prostheses: postoperative computed tomographic appearance.

Computed tomographic (CT) scans of 19 patients with 10 right and nine left orbital implants were reviewed. Except for orbital soft-tissue swelling due to recent surgery or infection, CT scans obtained with both the implant and prosthesis in place showed relative symmetry of the postoperative side and the native globe. Benign air collections were often associated with either the implant or prosthesis interface or with seating of the prosthesis in the conjunctival fornices. Six patients had either cartilage, silicone, or glass beads placed surgically along the orbital floor to elevate the implants, four having had prior depressed orbital floor fractures. CT identified implant migration in five patients. The orbital prosthesis, usually constructed of solid methylmethacrylate, is fitted over the implant and simulates the appearance of the eye of the contralateral side. The operative anatomy and its relation to the CT appearance of the implant and external prosthesis are reviewed.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the palpebral conjunctiva.

A 63-year-old man had a solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the conjunctiva for several years with no history of ocular inflammation or systemic abnormalities. Immunoperoxidase staining was consistent with a neoplastic lesion. This is the only well documented such case in the recent literature to the best of our knowledge. This rare condition is contrasted with reactive plasma cell granuloma, a benign inflammatory condition, which comprises most of the cases previously reported as plasmacytomas. Since extraskeletal plasmacytomas may be the first manifestation of multiple myeloma, these patients deserve appropriate diagnostic evaluation and close follow-up.

Repair of the superior sulcus deformity using autogenous costal cartilage.

Superior sulcus deformity is a late sequela of surgical anophthalmos. Many methods have been proposed to treat this difficult problem. A technique using autogenous costal cartilage that has resulted in satisfactory repair is presented. In addition to standard photographs and exophthalmometry measurements to follow these patients, a specific device to accurately measure orbital volume gain after operation was fashioned.

Desmoplastic malignant melanoma of the upper eyelid.

Desmoplastic melanoma is a rare and unusual variant of malignant melanoma. Its occurrence has not been previously reported in the ophthalmological literature, nor has an occurrence previously been shown to arise from mucosal melanosis. A case is reported of a patient who appeared to have a recurrent chalazion. The clinician should be alert to this entity when evaluating nodular eyelid lesions especially in the presence of acquired melanosis.

Correction of facial contour deformities with prefabricated sculptured implants.

Close collaboration between the ophthalmologist and ocularist is essential to achieve the best results in the correction of facial contour deformities with prefabricated, sculptured implants. We used previously described techniques to make such implants with RTV-382 silicone and methyl methacrylate resin to correct facial defects. One patient with bony defects of the forehead and superior orbital rim, and another patient with a superior sulcus deformity illustrate the value of these procedures.

Involutional blepharoptosis. A histopathological study.

Nineteen eyelids were examined histologically in cases of involutional blepharoptosis. Aponeurogenic defects were demonstrated in the majority of cases. A revised classification of acquired blepharoptosis, and the procedure of choice for the correction of this entity are discussed.

Orbital socket pain after injury.

Total retinal detachment and neovascular glaucoma occurred after a penetrating injury to the left globe that left the eye blind and painful. A retrobulbar injection of alcohol and enucleation modified but did not relieve the orbital discomfort. At surgery, we discovered a neuroma with cartilaginous metaplasia involving the supratrochlear nerve. Excision of this mass produced relief of symptoms. This is, to our knowledge, the first reported case of a neuroma with cartilaginous metaplasia involving the supratrochlear nerve.