Does clinical T1N0 GGN really require checking for distant metastasis during initial staging for lung cancer?

BACKGROUND: Accurate clinical staging is crucial for selection of optimal oncological treatment strategies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although brain MRI, bone scintigraphy and whole-body PET/CT play important roles in detecting distant metastases, there is a lack of evidence regarding the indication for metastatic staging in early NSCLCs, especially ground-grass nodules (GGNs). Our aim was to determine whether checking for distant metastasis is required in cases of clinical T1N0 GGN. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of initial staging using imaging tests in patients who had undergone complete surgical R0 resection for clinical T1N0 Stage IA NSCLC. RESULTS: A total of 273 patients with cT1N0 GGNs (n = 183) or cT1N0 solid tumors (STs, n = 90) were deemed eligible. No cases of distant metastasis were detected on initial routine imaging evaluations. Among all cT1N0M0 cases, there were 191 incidental findings on various modalities (128 in the GGN). Most frequently detected on brain MRI was cerebral leukoaraiosis, which was found in 98/273 (35.9%) patients, while cerebral infarction was detected in 12/273 (4.4%) patients. Treatable neoplasms, including brain meningioma and thyroid, gastric, renal and colon cancers were also detected on PET/CT (and/or MRI). Among those, 19 patients were diagnosed with a treatable disease, including other-site cancers curable with surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive staging (MRI, scintigraphy, PET/CT etc.) for distant metastasis is not required for patients diagnosed with clinical T1N0 GGNs, though various imaging modalities revealed the presence of adventitious diseases with the potential to increase surgical risks, lead to separate management, and worsen patient outcomes, especially in elderly patients. If clinically feasible, it could be considered to complement staging with whole-body procedures including PET/CT.

Tracheal bifurcation repair for blunt thoracic trauma in a patient with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchial injury (TBI) is a rare but potentially life-threatening trauma that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. We present a case in which a patient with COVID-19 infection was successfully treated for a TBI through surgical repair and intensive care with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. CASE PRESENTATION: This is the case of a 31-year-old man transported to a peripheral hospital following a car crash. Tracheal intubation was performed for severe hypoxia and subcutaneous emphysema. Chest computed tomography showed bilateral lung contusion, hemopneumothorax, and penetration of the endotracheal tube beyond the tracheal bifurcation. A TBI was suspected; moreover, his COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction screening test was positive. Requiring emergency surgery, the patient was transferred to a private negative pressure room in our intensive care unit. Due to persistent hypoxia and in preparation for repair, the patient was started on veno-venous ECMO. With ECMO support, tracheobronchial injury repair was performed without intraoperative ventilation. In accordance with the surgery manual for COVID-19 patients in our hospital, all medical staff who treated this patient used personal protective equipment. Partial transection of the tracheal bifurcation membranous wall was detected and repaired using 4-0 monofilament absorbable sutures. The patient was discharged on the 29th postoperative day without postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: ECMO support for traumatic TBI in this patient with COVID-19 reduced mortality risk while preventing aerosol exposure to the virus.

Outcomes and pulmonary function after sleeve lobectomy compared with pneumonectomy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve lobectomy is recommended to avoid pneumonectomy and preserve pulmonary function in patients with central lung cancer. However, the relationship between postoperative pulmonary functional loss and resected lung parenchyma volume has not been fully characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pulmonary function and lung volume in patients undergoing sleeve lobectomy or pneumonectomy. METHODS: A total of 61 lung cancer patients who had undergone pneumonectomy or sleeve lobectomy were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 20 patients performed pulmonary function tests, including vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) tests, preoperatively and then about 6 months after surgery. VC and FEV1 ratios were calculated (measured postoperative respiratory function/predicted postoperative respiratory function) as the standardized pulmonary functional loss ratio. RESULTS: Thirty-day operation-related mortality was significantly lower after sleeve lobectomy (3.2%) than pneumonectomy (9.6%). The 5-year relapse-free survival rate was 46.67% versus 29.03%, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 63.33% versus 38.71% in patients receiving sleeve lobectomy versus pneumonectomy. The VC ratio in the pneumonectomy group was better than in the sleeve lobectomy group (1.003 ± 0.117 vs. 0.779 ± 0.12; p = 0.0008), as was the FEV1 ratio (1.132 ± 0.226 vs. 0.851 ± 0.063; p = 0.0038). CONCLUSIONS: Both short-term and long-term outcomes were better with sleeve lobectomy than pneumonectomy. However, actual postoperative pulmonary function after pneumonectomy may be better than clinicians expect, and pneumonectomy should still be considered a treatment option for patients with sufficient pulmonary reserve and in whom sleeve lobectomy is less likely to be curative.

IMPACT OF MACULAR INTRARETINAL HEMORRHAGE AND MACULAR HOLE ON THE VISUAL PROGNOSIS OF SUBMACULAR HEMORRHAGE DUE TO RETINAL ARTERIAL MACROANEURYSM RUPTURE.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of macular intraretinal hemorrhage (IRH) and macular hole (MH) on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after displacement of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) due to retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM) rupture. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included 48 eyes with SMH due to RAM rupture. Cases underwent vitrectomy to displace SMH and were followed up for 6 months. We classified cases according to the presence of IRH and MH and compared the postoperative BCVA among the groups. RESULTS: We classified the eyes into IRH(+)MH(+) group (10 eyes), IRH(+)MH(-) group (23 eyes), and IRH(-)MH(-) group (15 eyes). The postoperative BCVA was significantly worse in the IRH(+)MH(+) and IRH(+)MH(-) groups than in the IRH(-)MH(-) group (0.91 ± 0.41 in logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution units, Snellen equivalent 20/163, 0.87 ± 0.45, 20/148, and 0.18 ± 0.21, 20/30, respectively; P < 0.001). The postoperative central retinal thickness was significantly lower in the IRH(+) group (IRH(+)MH(+) and IRH(+)MH(-) groups combined) than in the IRH(-) group (IRH(-)MH(-) group) (121.4 ± 70.1 µ m and 174.3 ± 32.9 µ m, respectively, P = 0.008). The postoperative external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone continuities were significantly discontinuous in the IRH(+) group ( P < 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that both IRH(+)MH(+) and IRH(+)MH(-) were associated with the postoperative BCVA (regression coefficient, 0.799 and 0.711, respectively; P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: Both IRH and MH were poor prognostic indicators in cases with SMH due to RAM rupture.

Inferior pulmonary ligament division during left upper lobectomy causes pulmonary dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: The division of inferior pulmonary ligament (IPL) during upper lobectomy (UL) was believed to be mandatory to dilate the remaining lung sufficiently. However, the benefits, especially postoperative pulmonary function, remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether IPL division leads to pulmonary dysfunction. METHODS: This retrospective study included 213 patients who underwent UL between 2005 and 2018. They were categorized into an IPL division group (D group, n = 106) and a preservation group (P group, n = 107). Postoperative dead space at the lung apex, pulmonary function and complications were assessed using chest X-rays and spirometry. Changes in bronchial angle, cross-sectional area and circumference of the narrowed bronchus on the excised side were measured on three-dimensional computed tomography. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the postoperative complication rate, the dead space area, forced vital capacity (FVC), or forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) between the 2 groups after right UL (FVC; P = 0.838, FEV1; P = 0.693). By contrast, after left UL pulmonary function was significantly better in the P than in the D group (FVC; P = 0.038, FEV1; P = 0.027). Changes in bronchial angle did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. The narrowed bronchus's cross-sectional area (P = 0.021) and circumference (P = 0.009) were significantly smaller in the D group than in the P group after left UL. CONCLUSIONS: IPL division during left UL caused postoperative pulmonary dysfunction and airflow limitation due to bronchial kinking. IPL preservation may have a beneficial impact on postoperative pulmonary function.

Rapid intraoperative Ki-67 immunohistochemistry for lung cancer using non-contact alternating current electric field mixing.

OBJECTIVES: Locoregional recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) occurs even among patients with stage I disease, as a result of tumor proliferative activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical reliability of a new rapid immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique for assessing malignant potential through detection of tumoral Ki-67 expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rapid IHC method uses non-contact alternating current (AC) mixing to achieve more rapid/stable staining within 20 min during surgery. First, to investigate the association between clinical outcomes and tumoral Ki-67 labeling with rapid IHC, 21 pairs of surgical patients treated between 2012 and 2020 for pStage IA1-3 NSCLC with/without recurrence were retrospectively reviewed. Second, 40 frozen section (FS) samples in patients with NSCLC for whom radical surgery was planned between April 2021 and February 2022 were deemed eligible for comparison of the clinical performance of conventional IHC and intraoperative rapid Ki-67 IHC with FS. RESULTS: Detection of tumoral Ki-67 expression using rapid IHC with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks was significantly associated with clinical outcomes in R0 pStage IA NSCLC surgical patients, including overall and recurrence-free survival (P = 0.0043 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Levels of Ki-67 expression among resectable NSCLC patients detected using rapid IHC with FS significantly correlated with those detected using conventional FFPE-IHC (p < 0.001). An intraoperative cut-off of > 7.5 % tumor cell Ki-67 positivity accurately predicted pathological stage more advanced than IA3 [P = 0.0185, Odds ratio = 20.477, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.660-252.55]. CONCLUSION: Rapid Ki-67 IHC with AC mixing could potentially serve as a clinical tool for intraoperative determination of tumor malignancy status. The present study suggests that segmentectomy for early small NSCLCs is oncologically safe and a reasonable alternative to lobectomy, but only when there is adequate intraoperative selection for primary tumors with low-grade malignancy, which could be verified using intraoperative rapid Ki-67 IHC with FS.

New PET/CT criterion for predicting lymph node metastasis in resectable advanced (stage IB-III) lung cancer: The standard uptake values ratio of ipsilateral/contralateral hilar nodes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to use surgical and histological results to develop a simple noninvasive technique to improve nodal staging using preoperative PET/CT in patients with resectable lung cancer. METHODS: Preoperative PET/CT findings (pStage IB-III 182 patients) and pathological diagnoses after surgical resection were evaluated. Using PET/CT images to determine the standardized uptake value (SUV) ratio, the SUVmax of a contralateral hilar lymph node (on the side of the chest opposite to the primary tumor) was measured simultaneously. The I/C-SUV ratio was calculated as ipsilateral hilar node SUV/contralateral hilar node SUV. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were then used to analyze those data. RESULTS: Based on ROC analyses, the cutoff I/C-SUV ratio for diagnosis of lymph node metastasis was 1.34. With a tumor ipsilateral lymph node SUVmax ≥2.5, an IC-SUV ratio ≥1.34 had the highest accuracy for predicting N1/N2 metastasis; the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of nodal staging were 60.66, 85.11, 84.09, 62.5 and 71.29%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When diagnosing nodal stage, a lymph node I/C-SUV ratio ≥1.34 can be an effective criterion for determining surgical indications in advanced lung cancer.

Using CT to evaluate mediastinal great vein invasion by thymic epithelial tumors: measurement of the interface between the tumor and neighboring structures.

OBJECTIVES: For thymic epithelial tumors, simple contact with adjacent structures does not necessarily mean invasion. The purpose of our study was to develop a simple noninvasive technique for evaluating organ invasion using routine pretreatment computed tomography (CT). METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the pathological reports on 95 mediastinal resections performed between January 2003 and June 2020. Using CT images, the length of the interface between the primary tumor and neighboring structures (arch distance; Adist) and maximum tumor diameter (Dmax) was measured, after which Adist/Dmax (A/D) ratios were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the Adist and A/D ratios. RESULTS: An Adist cut-off of 37.5 mm best distinguished between invaded and non-invaded mediastinal great veins based on ROC curves. When Adist > 37.5 mm was used for diagnosis of invasion of the brachiocephalic vein (BCV) or superior vena cava (SVC), the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and area under the ROC curve for diagnosis of invasion were 61.9%, 92.5%, 81.25%, 82.2%, 81.97%, and 0.76429, respectively. Moreover, there were significant differences between BCV/SVC Adist > 37.5 mm and ≤ 37.5 mm for 10-year relapse-free survival and 10-year overall survival (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: When diagnosing invasion of the mediastinal great veins based on Adist > 37.5 mm, we achieved a higher performance level than the conventional criteria such as irregular interface with an absence of the fat layer. Measurement of Adist is a simple noninvasive technique for evaluating invasion using CT. Key Points • Simple contact between the primary tumor and adjacent structures on CT does not indicate direct invasion. • Using CT images, the length of the interface between the primary tumor and neighboring structures (arch distance; Adist) is a simple noninvasive technique for evaluating invasion. • Adist > 37.5 mm can be a supportive tool to identify invaded mediastinal great veins and surgical indications for T3 and T4 invasion by thymic epithelial tumors.

[Surgical Resection of the Rib Fragment to Prevent Lung Injury in a Patient with Chest Trauma:Report of a Case].

An 82-year old man was admitted for a left fifth rib fracture with traumatic pneumothorax. Computed tomography showed a sharp rib fragment protruding into the thoracic cavity. Thoracic drainage was not performed before surgery to avoid lung injury by the rib fragment. At surgery, fifth rib fragment protruding into the thoracic cavity was found, but lung injury was not present. The bone fragment was removed, and the patient's postoperative course was uneventful.

Harmonization across programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) assays for lung cancer by immunohistochemistry using noncontact alternating current electric field mixing.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a promising advance in the treatment of patients with lung cancer. However, each ICI has been tested with an independently designed companion diagnostic assay that is based on a unique antibody. Consequently, the different trial-validated programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays should not be considered interchangeable. Our aim was to compare the performance of each available PD-L1 antibody for its ability to accurately measure PD-L1 expression and to investigate the possibility of harmonization across antibodies through the use of a new rapid IHC system, which uses noncontact alternating current (AC) mixing to achieve more stable staining. METHODS: First, 58 resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens were stained using three PD-L1 IHC assays (28-8, SP142, and SP263) to assess the harmonization achieved with AC mixing IHC. Second, specimens from 27 patients receiving ICIs for postoperative recurrent NSCLC were stained using the same IHC method to compare the clinical performance of ICIs to PD-L1 scores. All patients received a tumor proportion score (TPS) with the 22C3 companion diagnostic test. RESULTS: Better staining was achieved with the new AC mixing IHC method than the conventional IHC in PD-L1-positive cases, and the interchangeability of some combinations of assays was increased in PD-L1-positive. In addition, AC mixing IHC provided more appropriate overall response rates for ICIs in all assays. CONCLUSIONS: Stable PD-L1 IHC driven by AC mixing helped to improve TPS scoring and patient selection for ICIs through interchangeable assays.

Intraoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis during segmentectomy for non-small cell lung cancer by rapid immunohistochemistry using noncontact alternating current electric field mixing.

BACKGROUND: Although lobectomy is considered the standard surgery for any non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), recent evidence indicates that for early NSCLCs segmentectomy may be equally effective. For segmentectomy to be oncologically safe, however, adequate intraoperative lymph node staging is essential. The aim of this study was to compare the results of a new rapid-IHC system to the HE analysis for intraoperative nodal diagnosis in lung cancer patients considered for segmentectomy. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the pathological reports from NSCLC resections over a six-year period between 2014 and 2020. Using a new device for rapid-IHC, we applied a high-voltage, low-frequency alternating current (AC) field, which mixes the antipancytokeratin antibody as the voltage is switched on/off. Rapid-IHC can provide a nodal diagnosis within 20 minutes. RESULTS: Frozen sections from 106 resected lymph nodes from 70 patients were intraoperatively evaluated for metastasis. Of those, five nodes were deemed positive based on both HE staining and rapid-IHC. In addition, rapid-IHC alone detected isolated tumor cells in one hilar lymph node. Three cStage IA patients with nodal metastasis detected with HE staining and rapid-IHC received complete lobectomies. Five-year relapse-free survival and overall survival among patients receiving segmentectomy with rapid-IHC were 88.77% and 88.79%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid-IHC driven by AC mixing is simple, highly accurate, and preserves nodal tissue for subsequent tests. This system can be used effectively for intraoperative nodal diagnosis. Rapid immunohistochemistry based on alternating-current field mixing (completed within 20 minutes) is simple and highly accurate. This system will assist clinicians when making intraoperative diagnoses of lymph node metastasis and deciding upon the appropriate surgical procedure in segmentectomy for lung cancer. KEY POINTS: SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: Rapid immunohistochemistry driven by alternating-current field mixing (completed within 20 minutes intraoperatively) is simple, highly accurate, and preserves lymph node tissue for subsequent pathological examination, including molecular assessments. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Segmentectomy for lung cancer is oncologically safe, but only when there is adequate intraoperative node staging. Rapid immunohistochemistry will assist clinicians when making intraoperative nodal diagnoses.

A case of congenital bronchial atresia patient with subclinical infection who underwent lung resection.

Congenital bronchial atresia, CBA, is rare and has often asymptomatic benign condition. The CBA condition usually arose during the formation of bronchi, but the CBA patients are able to live well into adulthood. This case highlights a potential surgical intervention for a CBA patient with subclinical infection. A 55-year-old Japanese male had abnormal findings on his chest X-ray at an annual health check-up in March 2018. His chest computed tomography (CT) revealed bronchial stenosis and infiltrative shadow in the right inferior lobe. He was referred to our hospital for further investigation and was diagnosed CBA after a variety of examinations including bronchoscopy. His dilated bronchi were filled with mucus, the end of one of the bronchi had obstructive pneumonia, and subclinical infection in the CBA lesion was suspected. Also, the result of bronchoscopy disclosed intrabronchial infection with Gram-positive bacteria so we performed lobectomy onto the lower lobe. Although no protocol had been established, a surgical intervention would be necessary for this case.

Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane Flap versus Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Macular Hole Retinal Detachment in High Myopia.

PURPOSE: To compare surgical outcomes between the inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique and ILM peeling for macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) in eyes with high myopia. DESIGN: Multicenter cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of consecutive patients treated between June 2008 and September 2018 at 7 hospitals and included 100 eyes with MHRD associated with high myopia in our study. All eyes underwent vitrectomy with the inverted ILM flap technique (57 eyes) or ILM peeling (43 eyes) and were followed up for more than 6 months. METHODS: We estimated odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for macular hole (MH) closure using multivariate logistic regression analysis. We also examined factors associated with the postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the final visit using multiple linear regression analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Macular hole closure and postoperative BCVA at the final visit. RESULTS: The MH closure rate was significantly higher in the inverted ILM flap group (80.7%) than in the ILM peeling group (37.2%; P < 0.001). Moreover, postoperative BCVA at the final visit was significantly better in the former group (0.88 ± 0.48 vs. 0.99 ± 0.48; P = 0.03). The retinal attachment rate (ILM flap, 91.2%; ILM peeling, 79.5%; P = 0.229) and recovery rates for the external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone line (ILM flap, 10.9%; ILM peeling, 0%; P = 0.12) showed no significant intergroup differences. After adjustment for age, axis, tamponade substance, and dye for ILM staining, the inverted ILM flap technique was associated strongly and positively with MH closure (odds ratio, 7.14; 95% CI, 2.72-18.7; P = 0.001). Moreover, the inverted ILM flap technique and preoperative BCVA were associated significantly and positively with the postoperative BCVA at the final visit. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the MH closure rate and postoperative visual outcome for eyes with high myopia-associated MHRD are better with the inverted ILM flap technique than with ILM peeling. Thus, vitrectomy with the inverted ILM flap technique should be considered as the initial surgery for MHRD associated with high myopia.

The first case of micropapillary adenocarcinoma associated with cystic airspace in a non-smoking man.

Lung cancers associated with cystic airspaces are attracting increasing attention because of delayed diagnosis. The cancers that usually occur in smokers comprise lepidic, papillary, and/or acinar adenocarcinoma, but a micropapillary type has not been described to date. Pulmonary micropapillary adenocarcinoma was added to the 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) classification system as a new subtype with a notably poor prognosis. We describe the first micropapillary adenocarcinoma of the lung associated with cystic airspaces in a 79-year-old non-smoking man.

Outcome of primary vitrectomy in phakic patients aged younger than 50 years with rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcome, primary anatomic success, and cataract progression of phakic eyes of patients aged younger than 50 years treated for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study. The data from 53 RRD patients undergoing PPV were analyzed. The time course changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and cataract formation were examined. RESULTS: The 53 patients had a mean age of 37.8 years. Forty-eight eyes (90.6 %) achieved anatomic success after the primary surgery. The BCVA improved significantly after surgery (mean ± SD -0.091 ± 0.146) when compared with the baseline (mean ± SD 0.214 ± 0.597; P = 0.0001). No patient aged younger than 40 years (mean 32.5 years; range 17-39) developed significant lens opacity or received cataract surgery within the first 3 years. Of the patients aged older than 40 years (mean 43.8 years; range 40-49), 22 % developed significant lens opacity and received cataract surgery within the first 3 years. A significant difference was found in cataract progression between the two groups within the first 3 years (P = 0.0217), but not over the entire follow-up period (P = 0.1679). CONCLUSIONS: We found that lens-sparing PPV for RRD in patients aged younger than 50 years had a reasonable success rate, although cataract progression was evident during the follow-up period in patients aged older than 40 years.

A comparison of patient pain and visual outcome using topical anesthesia versus regional anesthesia during cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the level of patient pain during the phacoemulsification and implantation of foldable intraocular lenses while under topical, intracameral, or sub-Tenon lidocaine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Three hundred and one eyes subjected to cataract surgery were included in this study. All eyes underwent phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens implantation using topical, sub-Tenon, or intracameral anesthesia. The topical group received 4% lidocaine drops, and the intracameral group received a 0.1-0.2 cc infusion of 1% preservative-free lidocaine into the anterior chamber through the side port combined with topical drops of lidocaine. The sub-Tenon group received 2% lidocaine. Best-corrected visual acuity, corneal endothelial cell loss, and intraoperative pain level were evaluated. Pain level was assessed on a visual analog scale (range 0-2). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in visual outcome and corneal endothelial cell loss between the three groups. The mean pain score in the sub-Tenon group was significantly lower than that in the topical and intracameral groups (P=0.0009 and P=0.0055, respectively). In 250 eyes without high myopia (< -6D), there were no significant differences in mean pain score between the sub-Tenon and intracameral groups (P=0.1417). No additional anesthesia was required in all groups. CONCLUSION: Intracameral lidocaine provides sufficient pain suppressive effects in eyes without high myopia, while sub-Tenon anesthesia is better for cataract surgery in eyes with high myopia.

Posterior subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection as a primary treatment in eyes with acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the effectiveness of isolated subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection (STI) as a primary treatment in eyes with acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study. METHODS: The data from 27 eyes in 14 patients with acute VKH treated with STI therapy were analysed retrospectively. The time course change in ocular inflammation, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and numbers of recurrences were examined. RESULTS: STI led to prompt improvement of BCVA within a week after the primary treatment. After completing therapy, patients with VKH had improved BCVA compared with baseline. In six eyes of three patients (22.2%) treated with STI, ocular inflammation was refractory, or VKH was recurrent despite the treatment. There was significant difference between groups with and without recurrences of inflammation in the frequency of headaches before treatment. In the present study, 21 eyes of 11 patients (77.8%) achieved complete resolution of VKH without recurrence after STI therapy alone. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that isolated STI therapy is a useful, minimally invasive, primary treatment option for patients with acute VKH without systemic disorders.

Foveal microstructure in macular holes surgically closed by inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique.

PURPOSE: To evaluate reconstructive foveal anatomical change in surgically closed macular hole (MH) by pars plana vitrectomy with inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique. METHODS: Spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used to evaluate foveal microstructures in 20 eyes of 19 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique to achieve MH closure. Eyes had idiopathic large MH with a diameter >500 µm (n = 7), MH in high myopia (axial length >26.5 mm) without retinal detachment (RD; n = 7), and with RD caused by the MH (n = 6). RESULTS: The 6-month postoperative spectral domain optical coherence tomography examination revealed restoration of the inner segment and outer segment junction in 3 of 7 idiopathic large MH eyes (43%), 2 of 7 highly myopic MH eyes without RD (29%), and 1 of 6 highly myopic MH eyes with RD (17%), and detected the external limiting membrane in 4 of 7 idiopathic large MH eyes (57%), 3 of 7 highly myopic MH eyes without RD (43%), 1 of 6 highly myopic MH eyes with RD (17%). CONCLUSION: Inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique results in more satisfactory anatomical improvements in patients with idiopathic large MH eyes and highly myopic MH eyes without RD than with highly myopic MH eyes with RD. This might suggest that the foveal photoreceptor layer in MH with RD is destroyed and not recoverable even after retinal reattachment with surgical closure of the MH.

Efficacy of inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique for the treatment of macular hole in high myopia.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique for macular hole with or without retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series. METHODS: Ten eyes of 10 patients with macular hole with (4 eyes) or without (6 eyes) retinal detachment in high myopia (axial length more than 26.5 mm) were treated by PPV with inverted ILM flap technique. RESULTS: Macular hole closure was observed in 8 eyes (80%) following the initial surgery (in 5 eyes without retinal detachment and in 3 eyes with retinal detachment). In 4 eyes with retinal detachment caused by macular hole, retinas of 3 eyes were reattached by the initial surgery. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity improved by more than 2 lines in 5 eyes (50%), was unchanged in 4 eyes (40%), and worsened by more than 2 lines in 1 eye (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Inverted ILM flap technique might contribute to a high closure rate of macular hole and be a preferable adjuvant to the treatment of macular hole in high myopia with or without retinal detachment.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -2, and -3 in Japanese with high myopia.

PURPOSE: Polymorphisms in the promoter regions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes can cause variations in the expression of the MMP genes in the sclera that can lead to a greater susceptibility to axial elongation of the eye. The purpose of this study was to determine whether functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MMP1, -2, and -3 promoter regions are associated with high myopia in the Japanese. METHODS: Seven hundred twenty-five unrelated Japanese patients with high myopia (axial length of >or=26.0 mm in both eyes, or refractive error>or=-6.0 D in phakic cases) and >or=40 years of age were studied. Five hundred forty-six healthy, unrelated Japanese who were >or=40 years of age served as population-based control subjects. All the subjects were genotyped for the four functional SNPs MMP1 -1607 1G/2G, MMP2 C-1306T, MMP2 C-735T, and MMP3 -1612 5A/6A with an SNP assay. The distribution of the genotypes in the cases and control subjects was compared by the chi2 test for trend. RESULTS: No significant difference was detected in the distribution of the four SNPs MMP1 -1607 1G/2G (P=0.92), MMP2 C-1306T (P=0.83), MMP2 C-735T (P=0.10), and MMP3 -1612 5A/6A (P=0.62), between the high myopia cases and the general-population controls. CONCLUSIONS: The four functional SNPs in the MMP1, -2, and -3 promoter regions do not play critical roles in the development of high myopia in the Japanese population.