Efecto de los segmentos anulares intracorneales en la topografía corneal posterior en ojos con queratocono / Effect of intracorneal ring segments on posterior corneal topography in eyes with keratoconus

Objetivo Analizar los cambios en las superficies corneales anterior y posterior medidos con un dispositivo de imágenes Scheimpflug en pacientes con queratocono implantados con segmentos anulares intracorneales y correlacionar esos cambios con los resultados visuales. Métodos Este estudio prospectivo de serie de casos de intervención incluyó 92 ojos de 60 pacientes con queratocono a los que se implantó segmentos anulares intracorneales de Kerarings (Mediphacos, Belo Horizonte, Brasil). Se evaluaron las lecturas queratométricas (K), la asfericidad corneal (valor Q) y las elevaciones de las superficies corneales anterior y posterior mediante un dispositivo de imágenes Scheimpflug antes de la operación y a los uno, 3, 6 y 12 meses después de la misma. Resultados La mejor agudeza visual corregida (MAVC) mejoró de 0,61 a 0,19 logMAR a los 12 meses de la cirugía. Tanto la superficie corneal anterior como la posterior mostraron un aplanamiento significativo con una reducción estadísticamente significativa de la lectura K anterior media en 3,39 D y de la lectura K posterior media en 0,39 D (p<0,001) a los 12 meses. Se observó un cambio estadísticamente significativo del Q anterior a un valor menos negativo (de −1,05 a −0,36) (p<0,001) sin que se produjera ningún cambio significativo en el valor del Q posterior. La mejora del Q anterior se correlacionó significativamente con una mejor MAVC postoperatoria (p=0,03). Una mejor MAVC postoperatoria se correlacionó significativamente con una mejor MAVC preoperatoria, una K anterior y posterior más plana, un valor Q anterior menos prolato y menores elevaciones anteriores. Conclusiones La implantación de segmentos anulares intracorneales tiene un efecto de aplanamiento significativo en las superficies corneales anteriores y posteriores. La mejora de la asfericidad corneal se correlaciona con un mejor resultado visual. Algunos parámetros preoperatorios fueron factores predictivos de la mejora visual postoperatoria (AU)

Purpose To analyze the changes in the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces measured with a Scheimpflug imaging device in keratoconus patients implanted with intracorneal ring segments and to correlate those changes with the visual outcomes. Methods This prospective interventional case series study included 92 eyes of 60 patients with keratoconus who underwent Kerarings (Mediphacos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) intracorneal ring segments implantation. Keratometric (K) readings, corneal asphericity (Q value) and elevations of both anterior and posterior corneal surfaces were evaluated using a Scheimpflug imaging device preoperatively and at one, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Result The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 0.61 to 0.19 logMAR at 12 months after surgery. Both anterior and posterior corneal surfaces showed significant flattening with statistically significant reduction of the mean anterior K reading by 3.39 D and the mean posterior K reading by 0.39 D (P<.001) at 12 months. Statistically significant change of the anterior Q to a less negative value (from −1.05 to −0.36) was observed (P<.001) with no significant change of the posterior Q value. Improvement of the anterior Q was significantly correlated to better postoperative BCVA (P=.03). Better postoperative BCVA significantly correlated to better preoperative BCVA, flatter preoperative anterior and posterior K, less prolate anterior Q value and lower anterior elevations. Conclusions Implanted with intracorneal ring segments implantation has a significant flattening effect on both anterior and posterior corneal surfaces. Improvement of corneal asphericity is correlated to better visual outcome. Certain preoperative parameters were predictive factors of the postoperative visual improvement (AU)

Effect of intracorneal ring segments on posterior corneal topography in eyes with keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To analyze the changes in the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces measured with a Scheimpflug imaging device in keratoconus patients implanted with intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) and to correlate those changes with the visual outcomes. METHODS: This prospective interventional case series study included 92 eyes of 60 patients with keratoconus who underwent Kerarings (Mediphacos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) ICRS implantation. Keratometric (K) readings, corneal asphericity (Q value) and elevations of both anterior and posterior corneal surfaces were evaluated using a Scheimpflug imaging device preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 0.61 to 0.19 logMAR at 12 months after surgery. Both anterior and posterior corneal surfaces showed significant flattening with statistically significant reduction of the mean anterior K reading by 3.39 D and the mean posterior K reading by 0.39 D (p<0.001) at 12 months. Statistically significant change of the anterior Q to a less negative value (from -1.05 to -0.36) was observed (p<0.001) with no significant change of the posterior Q value. Improvement of the anterior Q was significantly correlated to better postoperative BCVA (p=0.03). Better postoperative BCVA significantly correlated to better preoperative BCVA, flatter preoperative anterior and posterior K, less prolate anterior Q value and lower anterior elevations. CONCLUSIONS: ICRS implantation has a significant flattening effect on both anterior and posterior corneal surfaces. Improvement of corneal asphericity is correlated to better visual outcome. Certain preoperative parameters were predictive factors of the postoperative visual improvement.

Laryngotracheal augmentation using titanium mesh.

BACKGROUND: The management of laryngotracheal stenosis is still a serious surgical challenge. The fact that there are currently numerous reconstruction procedures indicates that there is at present no standard treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Titanium mesh was used instead of traditional homografts in reconstruction of the anterior laryngotracheal wall in 12 tracheostomised patients with benign chronic laryngotracheal stenosis. The anterior laryngotracheal wall was split, followed by excision of scar tissue and fixation of the titanium plate at the split end. A Silastic stent was inserted above the tracheostomy tube and fixed in place by running sutures fixed to the skin by buttons. The stent was removed endoscopically six weeks later and a trial of decannulation was undertaken. RESULTS: Endoscopically, good epithelisation was seen on the inner surface of the mesh in 10 cases and decannulation was possible. Four of these patients required endoscopic debulking of granulation tissue. Decannulation was impossible in two cases, one due to excessive granulation tissue and the other due to prolapse of the titanium mesh into the tracheal lumen (the mesh was removed endoscopically and a Montgomery T-tube inserted). CONCLUSION: Titanium mesh was found to be a good alternative for augmentation of the anterior laryngotracheal wall. It offered rigid support, with fewer of the complications reported with other grafts.

Role of some vasoactive mediators in patients with erectile dysfunction: their relationship with angiotensin-converting enzyme and growth hormone.

The imbalance between vasoconstrictors and vasodilators may play an important role in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED). A total of 36 patients with ED, organogenic [diabetic (n=12) and nondiabetic (n=12)] and psychogenic (n=12) etiology, and 12 healthy adult men as controls were included. The levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), growth hormone (GH), angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (ACE), nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were determined in the flaccid penis cavernosal blood of patients and in cubital blood of patients and controls. In psychogenic ED, systemic ACE activity was elevated compared to controls (P<0.05). In diabetic and nondiabetic ED patients, systemic levels of ET-1 (P<0.0001 for both) and ACE activity (P<0.01 and <0.05) were higher while GH (P<0.0001 and <0.001), NO (P<0.0001 for both) and cGMP (P<0.01 for both) levels were lower compared to controls. In diabetic patients, systemic and cavernosal ET-1 levels (P<0.0001 for both) and cavernosal ACE activity levels (P<0.05) were significantly elevated while systemic and cavernosal NO (P<0.0001 for both) and GH (<0.001 and <0.05) levels were declined compared to psychogenic. In nondiabetic patients, systemic and cavernosal ET-1 levels (P<0.0001 for both) were significantly elevated while systemic and cavernosal NO (P<0.0001 for both) and systemic GH levels (P<0.05) were declined compared to psychogenic. Systemic NO was positively correlated with GH in psychogenic (r=0.616, P<0.05), diabetic (r=0.583, P<0.05) and nondiabetic (r=0.615, P<0.05) patients and correlated positively with cGMP (r=0.605, P<0.05) but negatively with ACE activities (r=-0.585, P<0.05) in diabetic patients. In conclusion, plasma levels of ET-1, ACE activities are elevated and associated with reduction of GH, NO and cGMP levels in the systemic and cavernous blood of ED patients. This disturbance may indicate endothelial dysfunction that may hind at their significance in the pathophysiology of ED.

Management of renal trauma : assiut experience

Objective To conform a rational approach for diagnosis and treatment of renal injuries with either conservative or interventional treatment. Patients and Methods The study included 36 male and 6 female patients (total 42) with renal trauma. The patients' age ranged from 6 to 65 years. Thirty-one patients (73.8) presented with blunt renal trauma; while eleven patients (26.2) presented with penetrating renal trauma. Haematuria was the commonest presenting symptom accounting for 98. All patients were thoroughly evaluated clinically and by abdo-minal ultrasonography; while excretory urography and abdominal computerized tomography were required in some patients only. Results Conservative treatment was successful in 10 patients with minor blunt trauma; while immediate exploration was done for 26 patients and late exploration was required in 6 patients. Conclusion For renal salvage; the traumatized kidney is to be explored in all cases of penetrating and major blunt renal trauma