Image-guided navigation in posterior orbital tumour surgery: a comparative cohort study.

PURPOSE: The posterior orbit is a confined space, harbouring neurovascular structures, frequently distorted by tumours. Image-guided navigation (IGN) has the potential to allow accurate localisation of these lesions and structures, reducing collateral damage whilst achieving surgical objectives. METHODS: We assessed the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of using an electromagnetic IGN for posterior orbital tumour surgery via a comparative cohort study. Outcomes from cases performed with IGN were compared with a retrospective cohort of similar cases performed without IGN, presenting a descriptive and statistical comparative analysis. RESULTS: Both groups were similar in mean age, gender and tumour characteristics. IGN set-up and registration were consistently achieved without significant workflow disruption. In the IGN group, fewer lateral orbitotomies (6.7% IGN, 46% non-IGN), and more transcutaneous lid and transconjunctival incisions (93% IGN, 53% non-IGN) were performed (p = .009). The surgical objective was achieved in 100% of IGN cases, with no need for revision surgery (vs 23% revision surgery in non-IGN, p = .005). There was no statistically significant difference in surgical complications. CONCLUSION: The use of IGN was feasible and integrated into the orbital surgery workflow to achieve surgical objectives more consistently and allowed the use of minimal access approaches. Future multicentre comparative studies are needed to explore the potential of this technology further.

Image-guided orbital surgery: a preclinical validation study using a high-resolution physical model.

OBJECTIVE: Preclinical validation study to assess the feasibility and accuracy of electromagnetic image-guided systems (EM-IGS) in orbital surgery using high-fidelity physical orbital anatomy simulators. METHODS: EM-IGS platform, clinical software, navigation instruments and reference system (StealthStation S8, Medtronic) were evaluated in a mock operating theatre at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, a tertiary academic hospital in Dublin, Ireland. Five high-resolution 3D-printed model skulls were created using CT scans of five anonymised patients with an orbital tumour that previously had a successful orbital biopsy or excision. The ability of ophthalmic surgeons to achieve satisfactory system registration in each model was assessed. Subsequently, navigational accuracy was recorded using defined anatomical landmarks as ground truth. Qualitative feedback on the system was also attained. RESULTS: Three independent surgeons participated in the study, one junior trainee, one fellow and one consultant. Across models, more senior participants were able to achieve a smaller system-generated registration error in a fewer number of attempts. When assessing navigational accuracy, submillimetre accuracy was achieved for the majority of points (16 landmarks per model, per participant). Qualitative surgeon feedback suggested acceptability of the technology, although interference from mobile phones near the operative field was noted. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the feasibility and accuracy of EM-IGS in a preclinical validation study for orbital surgery using patient specific 3D-printed skulls. This preclinical study provides the foundation for clinical studies to explore the safety and effectiveness of this technology.

Platelets and leucocyte counts in pregnancy.

A study involving the obstetric clinic population of 3 major teaching hospitals of Karachi has been conducted to define changes in leucocyte and platelet counts as pregnancy progresses. 573 "normal" pregnant women--183 in the first trimester, 195 in the second trimester and 194 in the third trimester were included in this analysis. We have found leucocytosis to be a feature of normal pregnancy; the change is subsequent to a progressive increase in granulocytes. Platelet counts were found to decrease slightly as pregnancy progresses.

A clinicopathological analysis of ovarian tumours.

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with ovarian tumors who were admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital from January 1985 to December 1989. Sixty one cases were reviewed. Mean age of the whole group was 44 years. Majority of the patients presented with abdominal pain and distention. Most frequent physical finding was a palpable mass on pelvic or abdominal examination. Overall these patients had a higher incidence of breast cancer than expected in the general population. Two-thirds of the tumors were malignant. Comparison of the patients with malignancy against those with benign tumors failed to show any correlation with parity. Majority of the patients with malignant disease were above forty and had ultrasound showing a cystic mass over 10 cms in size. Cancer was mostly epithelial in origin, with widespread disease (stage III or IV) at the time of presentation. Benign tumors, mostly of germ cell type, were predominantly seen in patients under the age of forty with ultrasound showing cystic mass of any size from under 5 cms to over 10 cms.

Clinical features and management of malignant ascites.

Retrospective analysis of 45 patients (33 females, 12 males) with cytologically-proven malignant ascites is presented. Abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom (69%). Fiftythree percent cases had low serum albumin. Ascitic fluid was haemorrhagic or serosanguinous in 48% cases, in the rest it was clear or straw-coloured. Peritoneal effusion was exudative in 84% cases. Mean glucose content of ascitic fluid was 95 mg/dl and the mean white cell count of 919 cells/cmm. Vast majority (82%) of the cases had metastatic adenocarcinomas. Primary malignancy was mostly ovarian (47%) followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (11%) and gall bladder carcinoma (9%). Primary site could not be identified in 13% cases. Sixty-two percent patients received systemic chemotherapy for the underlying malignancy, of these 43% had complete or partial resolution of the ascites. Of the patients whose long-term follow-up is available, 54% were alive with a median follow-up of 9 months.