[Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy in malnutrition: a case report]. / Lebersche hereditäre Optikusneuropathie bei Mangelernährung: ein Fallbericht.

BACKGROUND: We present a case of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) manifested by malnutrition, tobacco and alcohol abuse. HISTORY AND SIGNS: We report on a 36-year-old patient with alcohol and tobacco abuse for years. 5 months before manifestation of LHON, the alcohol abuse was stopped. Because of congenital cataract the reduction in visual acuity, which occurred after alcohol consumption was stopped, was first misinterpreted. Findings at first exam: visual acuity right eye 0.2, left eye 0.05, temporal optic disc pallor left > right, vitamin B12 and folic acid at the lower level. Molecular genetic analysis: LHON mtDNA 11 778 mutation. Therefore, a pure tobacco-alcohol optic neuropathy could be excluded. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: Under high-dose vitamin-B complex substitution the visual acuity did not improve in the next 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The cause of the manifestation of the LHON is unknown and multifactorial. In this case the manifestation was caused by malnutrition and tobacco abuse.

[Balloon dilatation of the canaliculus communis for chronic epiphora]. / Therapie von Canaliculus-communis-Stenosen mittels Ballonkatheterdilatation.

PURPOSE: To examine the clinical outcome of the balloon dilatation in stenosis of the canaliculus communis. METHOD: 18 nasolacrimal ducts with epiphora and proven obstruction of the canaliculus communis by dacryocystography (DCG) were treated with balloon dilatation in local anaesthesia. All patients were treated electively. RESULTS: In 16/18 cases the balloon dilatation was technically successful, in 2 patients the guide wire failed to pass the obstruction and the wire could not be placed in the nasal cavity. There were no complications. Over a mean follow-up of 6 months there were 2 reobstructions, one of these led to an occlusion of the canaliculus communis. 14/18 (77,8%) cases after DCP were treated successful, 11/18 cases were free of symptoms after DCP, in 4/18 cases the epiphora improved. CONCLUSIONS: Until recently in stenosis of the canaliculus communis the only therapeutic option was surgical procedure followed by silicone tube intubation. The results were often disappointing. In contrast to this balloon dacryocystoplasty is a minimally-invasive alternative in the therapy of stenosis of the canaliculus communis resulting in good clinical outcome during follow up.

[Balloon dilatation and Stentimplantation of the nasolacrimal duct for chronic epiphora]. / Minimal-invasive Therapie der Epiphora durch Ballonkatheterdilatation und Stentimplantation.

PURPOSE: To examine the clinical outcome of the ballon dilatation in stenosis and obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 63 patients (69 nasolacrimal duct systems) with epiphora and proven obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct were treated with ballon dilatation, respectively Stentimplantation. In 55 cases there was a pre- or postsaccal stenosis, in 14 cases an occlusion of the nasolacrimal duct system. The diagnosis was established by dacryocystography. RESULTS: Technical success was obtained in 61 cases (n=50/55 stenosis; n=11/14 occlusions). Over a mean follow-up of 6 months patency of the nasolacrimal duct system was achieved in 83,6% (46/55) in stenosis. In occlusion the clinical outcome was 42,9% (6/14). CONCLUSION: Balloon dacryocystoplasty and Stentimplantation are minimal-invasive alternatives, performed in local anesthesia that recover the normal anatomy of the nasolacrimal duct system. They are a good alternative in the treatment of epiphora caused by nasolacrimal duct obstructions.