Minimal uterine serous carcinoma: diagnosis and clinicopathologic correlation.

The clinicopathologic features of uterine serous carcinoma (USC) lacking myometrial invasion, including its putative precursor lesion endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC), have not been studied extensively. Some USCs may prove fatal even when myometrial invasion is apparently absent, whereas others may be cured with surgery alone. Accordingly, the authors studied eight cases of pure EIC (no invasion identified) and 13 superficial serous carcinomas (SSCs) in which invasion was limited to the endometrial stroma to clarify the behavior of these lesions. The review demonstrated that the most important feature in assessing prognosis is the presence or absence of extrauterine disease at presentation. Thirteen of 14 patients (93%) with EIC or SSC confined to the uterus (stage I or IIA) were disease free and one was dead of unrelated causes at 52 months, whereas seven women who presented with extrauterine disease, even if only microscopic, were either dead of disease or alive with recurrences. Accordingly, patients with EIC or SSC must undergo meticulous surgical staging at the time of hysterectomy. Because the distinction between EIC and SSC based on the identification of stromal invasion is difficult and these lesions share a unique pattern of clinical behavior, the authors regard EIC and SSC measuring 1 cm or less as "minimal uterine serous carcinoma."

Pyramidal anterior polar cataracts.

OBJECTIVE: To document clinical features and subsequent management of pyramidal anterior polar cataracts in children. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series and clinicopathologic correlation. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen patients who presented to the pediatric ophthalmology clinic. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent measurement of visual acuity, assessment of ocular motility, examination of the anterior and posterior segments, and cycloplegic refraction. Amblyopia treatment was instituted when appropriate. When visual impairment occurred from cataract progression or amblyopia or both, cataract removal with or without lens implantation was performed. After surgery, correction of refractive error and treatment of amblyopia were instituted. Several pyramidal opacities were retrieved during cataract extraction and examined by light and electron microscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity at initial presentation, size of lens opacity before surgery, amblyopia status, most recent visual acuity after cataract extraction, and histologic examination of lens opacity. RESULTS: Nine children had bilateral and six had unilateral pyramidal cataracts (24 eyes). There was no discernible inheritance pattern. Patients were followed for 27 months on average. Twenty of 24 eyes developed cortical opacification that extended significantly beyond the base of the pyramidal lesion. Nineteen eyes required cataract surgery: 10 eyes underwent lensectomy with anterior vitrectomy and 9 had extracapsular cataract extraction, 8 of which had insertion of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. Amblyopia was present or developed in all six patients with unilateral cataract and in eight of nine patients with bilateral cataract. Visual acuity in many eyes remained poor despite amblyopia therapy. The pyramidal opacities consisted of hyperplastic lens epithelium, which exhibited a loss of polarity and was surrounded by a collagenous matrix. CONCLUSIONS: Pyramidal anterior polar cataracts are present at birth and may represent a variant of anterior polar lens opacities. They may be unilateral or, if bilateral, they may be either symmetric or asymmetric. They consist of hyperplastic lens epithelium in a collagenous matrix. Patients with pyramidal cataracts are likely to develop amblyopia. This can result from either unilateral occurrence or asymmetry of bilateral opacities and is often worsened by surrounding cortical opacification. Many patients require cataract surgery. All infants and young children with anterior polar opacities showing this configuration should be followed for cataract progression and amblyopia.

Effectiveness and complications of mitomycin C use during pediatric glaucoma surgery.

PURPOSE: To examine the safety of mitomycin C (MMC) use in pediatric glaucoma surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eighty pediatric glaucoma patients younger than 7 years of age (254 eyes) who underwent glaucoma surgery and were followed for at least 1 year participated. INTERVENTIONS: Surgeries consisted of trabeculectomy or combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy with adjunctive use of MMC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Control of intraocular pressure (IOP) and occurrence of complications were measured. An IOP below 21 mmHg without any additional medical or surgical treatment was considered a success. RESULTS: Primary congenital glaucoma was present in 98% of the patients. Sixty percent had a trabeculectomy, and 40% had a trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy. The combined surgery was performed mostly in infants up to 1 year of age. Complications were cystic bleb (19), bleb leak (4), retinal detachment (3), flat anterior chamber (3), cataract (2), and endophthalmitis (1). Children younger than 2 years of age had fewer complications but higher failure rates. The combined procedure in infants up to 2 years of age was moderately more successful (57%) than trabeculectomy alone (39%). Minimal complications seen in this group were more likely related to young age than to the type of surgery. Complications increased with time after surgery, with most occurring 2 years or more after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Success of MMC-augmented glaucoma filtering surgery increased with age, as did the complication rate. Serious complications were uncommon in the authors' group of pediatric patients up to now. However, complications related to bleb thinning increased with time after surgery, and additional problems can be anticipated with longer follow-up.

Penetrating keratoplasty with a valved glaucoma drainage implant for congenital glaucoma and corneal scarring secondary to hydrops.

The simultaneous management of glaucoma and corneal opacification is sometimes required in infants with severe congenital glaucoma if timely visual rehabilitation is to be achieved. A 1-month-old female infant presented with an enlarged, protuberant, opaque cornea in each eye and elevated intraocular pressure. An intrastromal, fluid-filled cleft was noted in both corneas. It resolved over 3 weeks as corneal scarring progressed. Peripheral corneal clearing allowed a view of an essentially normal anterior chamber. Penetrating keratoplasty and Ahmed (New World Medical Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA) valve implant surgery with mitomycin-C were performed simultaneously in the two eyes 1 months apart. At 15 months of age, the patient's grafts were clear and the intraocular pressure was well controlled in both eyes. One eye required multiple procedures for eventual glaucoma control. No postoperative overfiltration occurred. The authors conclude that the use of a valved implant should be considered in patients who require urgent simultaneous corneal and glaucoma surgery for severe congenital glaucoma. This combination may improve early postoperative control of aqueous outflow and positively affect long-term graft survival in these difficult cases.

Pediatric intraocular lens implantation. Surgical results and complications in more than 300 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to review pediatric intraocular lens (IOL) implantations performed in the authors' institution for the past 7 years. STUDY DESIGN: The study design was a retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: All children who underwent IOL placement between January 1, 1989, and January 31, 1996, at ages 2 to 16 years were studied. Follow-up was a minimum of 6 months up to 4 years with an average of 13 months. INTERVENTION: Placement of a primary or secondary posterior chamber IOL was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity and possible complications were tabulated. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of the cataracts were caused by trauma, and 37% were infantile cataracts. Visual acuities of 20/40 or better were attained in 44% of eyes and visual acuities of 20/50 to 20/80 were attained in 27% of eyes. Visual acuities were better in children older than 4 years of age (P = 0.001). Compliance with amblyopia therapy improved vision (P = 0.004). Fibrinous membranes occurred in 41 eyes (13%), and posterior capsule opacification occurred in 120 eyes (39%). There were no significant differences in visual outcome and complications between primary and secondary implants (17%) or between capsular bag and sulcus fixation (27%). The first stable postoperative refraction was predicted accurately in most patients, based on the Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff II (SRK II) formula and intraoperative corneal curvature and axial length determinations. The mean refraction differed from the goal by only +0.28 diopter and 84% were within +/- 2 diopters. A few patients showed large overcorrections or undercorrections. On average, no myopic shift occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term results of IOLs implanted in children older than 2 years of age were favorable. Visual acuities obtained were better than 20/80 in 71% despite a high prevalence (28%) of penetrating trauma. Major complications were rare.

Pediatric IOL implantation: the KKESH experience.

BACKGROUND: Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is increasingly accepted as a means of correcting pediatric aphakia. However, few large series have been reported. We present our experience over the past 6 years. METHODS: Charts were reviewed of 84 patients (88 eyes) 8 years old or younger who underwent IOL implantation at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital between January 1989 and March 1995. An attempt was made to correlate visual outcome with patient variables, and refractive outcome was assessed. RESULTS: Despite a high percentage of patients with penetrating trauma (24%) and a significant level of poor compliance with amblyopia treatment (33%), one third of patients saw 20/40 or better, and 60% had at least 20/80 acuity. Improved visual outcome correlated with later onset and shorter duration of opacity and compliance with occlusion therapy. The posterior capsule was left intact in the majority of cases; opacification occurred in 47 eyes, 25 of which required Nd:YAG capsulotomy. No unexpected complications occurred. Prediction of postoperative pseudophakic refraction was within 2 diopters (D) in 70% of patients. CONCLUSION: IOL implantation in appropriate children can be used as a safe alternative to other methods of correcting pediatric aphakia. Visual outcome often depends on amblyopia management. These patients are appropriately followed by ophthalmologists who are experienced in managing amblyopia and pediatric pseudophakia.

Dissolution of pseudophakic fibrinous exudate with intraocular streptokinase.

A fibrinous exudate developed in 8 children after cataract extraction. Blunt trauma was the cause of cataract formation in 6 children; the other 2 presented with congenital cataract. In 4 of 6 children with traumatic cataract, iris damage was evident. Seven children had an intraocular lens implanted. The development of fibrinous exudate in the anterior chamber was noted despite routine post-operative topically administered steroids. It typically formed 1-4 days after surgery. In all cases topical fortified steroids were unsuccessful in hastening dissolution. Intracameral injection of streptokinase (500-1000 IU) caused dissolution of fibrin in all cases. No adverse effects were apparent clinically with intraocular administration of streptokinase.

Endophthalmitis following pediatric intraocular surgery for congenital cataracts and congenital glaucoma.

The incidence of endophthalmitis following pediatric anterior segment surgery is currently unknown. The paucity of reports of this entity has led some observers to recommend simultaneous bilateral surgery for congenital cataracts or glaucoma. In this study, we surveyed over 500 pediatric ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists concerning their knowledge of, or involvement with, endophthalmitis following pediatric intraocular surgery. Seventeen cases of endophthalmitis were documented to occur out of 24,000 reported surgical cases. This results in an incidence estimate of 0.071%, or 7 cases per 10,000, which is similar to that recently reported following adult extracapsular cataract extraction. The presence of infection was diagnosed by the 3rd postoperative day in 82% of cases. An organism was documented by culture in 65% of cases. The organism was gram positive in all cases. Visual outcome was generally poor with 65% having no light perception. The presence of possible concurrent risk factors for postoperative endophthalmitis, including nasolacrimal duct obstruction and upper respiratory infection, was noted in 8 of the 17 cases.

Anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and intraocular pressure.

Anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy is a stroke syndrome of the distal optic nerve, characterised by disc oedema and optic nerve dysfunction--loss of central vision, loss of colour vision, a relative afferent pupillary defect, and nerve fibre layer field loss. We prospectively evaluated the changes of intraocular pressure throughout the day in 16 patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and 15 normal control subjects of similar age and race. The peak intraocular pressure exceeded 21 mm Hg in five of the ischaemic optic neuropathy patients but none of the controls. The mean peak intraocular pressure was 19.9 mm Hg for the ischaemic optic neuropathy group versus 17.6 mm Hg for controls (p = 0.034). The range of intraocular pressure was also greater for the ischaemic optic neuropathy group (p = 0.030). Eight of 16 ischaemic optic neuropathy patients had a range of intraocular pressure of 6 mm Hg or more, compared with three of 15 control subjects. The intraocular pressure exceeded 21 mm Hg during a subsequent visit in two additional patients in whom the hourly determined intraocular pressure peaked at less than 21 mm Hg. Thus, seven of 16 of our ischaemic optic neuropathy group had an intraocular pressure exceeding 21 mm Hg during the study period. Raised intraocular pressure may be a predisposing factor in some patients who develop anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy.