Spontaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of knees and hip leading to early bilateral total hip arthroplasty: a case report of an 18-year-old man recently diagnosed with Crohn's disease.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) is linked to considerable morbidity, resulting in severe pain and functional impairment. Herein, for the first time, we reported an 18-year-old patient with Crohn's disease during the remission phase under Azathioprine therapy who presented with articular pain. Although no underlying risk factors, the patient was diagnosed with severe AVN of the bilateral femoral head and both knees simultaneously following pain in involved areas. This case highlights the importance of demand multidisciplinary approach to chronic disease. Moreover, clinicians should be aware of articular manifestations in IBD patients to diagnose and treat these conditions as soon as possible. Patients should be evaluated for their psychologic, gastrointestinal, and extra-gastrointestinal comorbidities during each follow-up visit.

Inflammatory bowel disease evolution in the past two decades: a chronological multinational study.

Background: The multifactorial nature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which manifests differently in individuals creates a need for a better understanding of the behaviour and pattern of the disease due to environmental factors. The current study aimed to study the changes in IBD behaviour, presentation, and characteristics in patients over the past two decades with a goal of improving patients' diagnosis, management and outcomes. Methods: During a 6-month period (1/02/2022-30/07/2022), the information of patients with IBD who attended IBD outpatient clinics of 11 referral centre's in six countries was collected, and based on the first time of diagnosis with IBD, they were allocated as group A (those who were diagnosed more than 15 years ago), group B (those who were diagnosed with IBD between 5 and 15 years ago) and group C (IBD cases who diagnosed in recent 5 years). Then the most prevalent subtypes and characters of the disease are evaluated and compared to make clear if the presenting pattern and behaviour of the disease has changed in the last 2 decades. Findings: Overall 1430 patients with IBD including 1207 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) (84.5%) and 205 patients with Crohn's disease (CD; 14.3%) included. Mean age of participants at the first time of diagnosis with IBD was 30 years. The extra-intestinal involvement of IBD in groups A and B was more prevalent in comparison with group C. Most of those in groups A & B had academic education but in group C, the most prevalent educational status was high school or diploma (P = 0.012). In contrast to groups A and B, the relative prevalence of medium socioeconomic level in group C had decreased (65%). Relative prevalence of UC subtypes was similar among groups A and B (extensive colitis as most prevalent) but in group C, the most prevalent subtype is left side colitis (38.17%). The most prevalent subtype of CD in groups A and B was ileocolic involvement while in group C, upper GI involvement is significantly increased. The rate of food sensitivity among groups A and B was more than group C (P = 0.00001). The relative prevalence of patients with no flare has increased with a steady slope (P < 0.00001). Relative prevalence of presenting symptoms among patients with UC in group C differs and nowadays the rate abdominal pain (70.7%) and bloating (43.9%) have increased and frequency of diarrhoea (67.4%) has decreased. Interpretation: In the recent 5 years, the pattern of UC presentation has changed. The rate of upper GI involvement in CD and relative prevalence of patients with no disease flare increased and the rate of extra intestinal involvement decreased. Funding: None.

Levofloxacin+Tetracycline Quadruple Regimen for Eradication of Helicobacter pylori: A Multicenter Multinational Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The ideal combination regimen for Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication has not yet been determined and the success rate of HP eradication has been extensively reduced worldwide due to increasing antibiotic resistance. So this multinational multi-center randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of tetracycline +levofloxacin for HP eradication. Methods: During a 6-month period, all of the cases with HP infection in eight referral tertiary centers of three countries were included and randomly allocated to receive either tetracycline + levofloxacin or clarithromycin plus amoxicillin quadruple regimen for two weeks. For all of the participants, pantoprazole was continued for 4 more weeks and after one to two weeks of off-therapy, they underwent urea breath test C13 to prove eradication. Results: Overall 788 patients were included (358 male (45.4%), average age 44.2 years). They were diagnosed as having non-ulcer dyspepsia (516 cases, 65.5%), peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (234 cases, 29.69%), and intestinal metaplasia (38 cases, 4.8%). Racially 63.1% were Caucasian, 14.5% Arab, 15.6% African, and 6.1% Asian. The participants were randomly allocated to groups A and B to receive either tetracycline + levofloxacin or clarithromycin. Among groups A and B in intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analysis, 75.2% & 82.1% (285 cases) and 67.5% & 70.1% (276 cases) of participants achieved eradication, respectively (P = 0.0001). The complete compliance rate in groups A and B were 84.4% and 83.6%, respectively. During the study, 33.5% of the participants in group A (127 cases) reported side effects while the complication rate among group B was 27.9% (114 cases, P = 0.041). The most common complaints among groups A and B were nausea and vomiting (12.6% & 9.3%) and abdominal pain (4.48% & 2.68%), respectively. The rate of severe complications that caused discontinuation of medication in groups A and B were 2.1% and 1.46%, respectively (P = 679). In subgroup analysis, the eradication rates of tetracycline+levofloxacin among patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia, PUD, and intestinal metaplasia were 79.4%, 88.1%, and 73.9%, respectively. These figures in group B (clarithromycin base) were 71.3%, 67.6%, and 61.5% respectively (P = 0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.043). Conclusion: Overall, the combination of tetracycline+levofloxacin is more efficient for HP eradication in comparison with clarithromycin+amoxicillin despite more complication rate. In areas with a high rate of resistance to clarithromycin, this therapeutic regimen could be an ideal choice for HP eradication, especially among those who were diagnosed with PUD.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused a global pandemic. Since its start, widespread safety measures have been adopted by nations worldwide. Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis are two forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a common inflammatory illness with a high worldwide incidence. Its clinical symptoms include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss. Genetics, microbes, cigarette smoking, appendectomy, lack of personal hygiene, using anti-inflammatory agents, vitamin D deficiency, and stress are the main risk factors for IBD. COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about the exacerbation of COVID clinical manifestations in patients with IBD and increasing the risk of mortality. During COVID-19 pandemic, intestinal inflammation, and promoting adherence need to be controlled using medications and vaccinations as a primary goal. In this review, we reviewed unique concerns about IBD risk in the population as well as management of the disease, and the effectiveness of vaccination during COVID-19 pandemic.

Intra-silicone Oil Injection of Methotrexate in Retinal Reattachment Surgery for Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of intrasilicone oil injection of methotrexate (MTX) at the end of vitrectomy surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).Methods: In this prospective comparative study, pars plana vitrectomy and retinal reattachment were performed for eyes with RRD with grade C PVR. In the MTX group, 250 µg MTX was injected into the silicone oil at the end of surgery. The rate of retinal redetachment associated with PVR was assessed.Results: In total, 44 eyes of 44 patients (22 in the MTX group and 22 controls) were included. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Retinal redetachment occurred in one eye (4.5%) in the MTX group and five eyes (22.7%) in the control group (p = 0.18). The change in visual acuity was similar between the two groups at final visit (p = 0.15).Conclusion: The rate of redetachment associated with PVR was lower after intrasilicone injection of MTX at the end of vitrectomy for RRD with severe PVR compared to control group; however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Mycophenolate Mofetil for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis-associated Uveitis.

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated uveitis. METHODS: In this retrospective, interventional case series, patients with MS-associated uveitis who were treated by MMF as an adjunct therapy to systemic corticosteroid were studied. Patients' demographics, clinical course, response to treatment, and complications were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 30 eyes of 15 patients with a mean age of 34.5 ± 8.3 years were studied. In three patients (20%), onset of uveitis preceded the diagnosis of MS. The course of MS was relapsing-remitting in 11 patients (73.3%) and secondary progressive in four patients (26.7%). At 1 year after institution of MMF, all the patients were on oral prednisolone ≤ 7.5 mg/day, all eyes were quiet without macular edema, and 53.3% of eyes gained visual improvement. Supplemental periocular and intraocular injections were needed during the first 6 months after starting MMF therapy. The systemic adverse effects were transient and minor in severity. CONCLUSIONS: MMF had beneficial effects on vision and intraocular inflammation with an acceptable safety profile.

Retinal Toxicity of Intravitreal Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Rabbit Eyes.

PURPOSE: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has potential ocular neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the retinal toxicity of intravitreal G-CSF in rabbit eye. METHODS: Eight New Zealand albino rabbits, weighing between 2 and 3 kg, were selected for this study. The initial concentration of G-CSF (300 µg/0.5 ml) was titrated to obtain different concentrations of 45 µg, 30 µg, 15 µg, and 7.5 µg in 0.1 ml. Each concentration was injected into two rabbit eyes. For each dose, dextrose was injected in one contralateral eye and the other fellow eye remained non-injected. Electroretinographic (ERG) testing was performed before and 4 weeks after injections. The rabbits were euthanized and the eyes were enucleated 4 weeks after injections and examined using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: One rabbit with the injected dosage of 7.5 µg died at the first post-injection day. No sign of intraocular toxicity was found in clinical examination in other rabbits. A significant decrease in at least one of the a- or b-wave measurements of scotopic or photopic responses was found in 45 µg, 15 µg, and 7.5 µg injected eyes. Eyes with an intravitreal injection dosage of 30 µg G-CSF did not have significant changes compared to the baseline values. Histologic and immunohistochemistric studies were unremarkable for pathologic changes in all injected eyes. CONCLUSION: While histologic and immunohistochemistric examinations revealed no toxicity in all G-CSF-injected eyes, significant ERG changes were observed in all doses except for the dose of 30 µg/0.1 ml.

DOUBLE PSEUDOHYPOPYON FROM EMULSIFIED HEAVY SILICONE OIL.

PURPOSE: To report a patient with double pseudohypopyon from emulsification of heavy silicone oil. METHODS: A 65-year-old woman with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and a large inferior break underwent pars plana vitrectomy and heavy silicone oil (Oxane HD; Bausch and Lomb, Toulouse, France) tamponade. Eighteen months later, she returned for follow-up examination. RESULTS: Slit-lamp examination revealed accumulation of emulsified silicone oil in both the inferior and superior portions of the anterior chamber leading to a "double pseudohypopyon" appearance. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the possibility of decomposition of the Oxane HD silicone oil with time creating an inverted pseudohypopyon from emulsification of light silicone oil in addition to a pseudohypopyon from heavy oil emulsification.

Intravitreal injection of methotrexate in persistent diabetic macular edema: a 6-month follow-up study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME) nonresponsive to intravitreal bevacizumab. METHODS: In this prospective, interventional study, intravitreal injection of 400 µg MTX was performed in eyes with persistent center-involving DME unresponsive to at least three consecutive bevacizumab injections or two consecutive bevacizumab injections plus macular photocoagulation. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), and maximum retinal thickness (MRT) were recorded before and 1, 3, and 6 months after injections. RESULTS: Eighteen eyes of 16 patients with a mean age of 61.1 ± 6.7 years were included. Mean number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections was 3.9 ± 1.8 (range 2-8). The mean change in BCVA was -0.09 ± 0.19, -0.1 ± 0.19, and -0.1 ± 0.19 LogMAR at 1, 3, and 6 months after intravitreal MTX injections, respectively (all P = 0.04). Three eyes (16.6 %) had improvement of at least two lines of BCVA and no eye lost visual acuity. Mean change in CST was -23.7 ± 66.7, -28.7 ± 82.2 and 26.5 ± 83.4 µm at 1, 3, and 6 months after MTX injections, respectively (all P = 0.1). A decrease in CST was found in 13 eyes (72.2 %) at 1 and 3 months, and seven eyes (38.8 %) at 6 months of follow-up. Other eyes showed an increase in CST measurements. Mean change in MRT was -35.1 ± 76.4, -40.6 ± 86.3, and 29.8 ± 68.6 µm at 1, 3, and 6 months after MTX injections, respectively (P = 0.06, P = 0.06, and P = 0.08, respectively). No complication attributable to intravitreal MTX occurred. CONCLUSION: In this study, intravitreal injection of MTX resulted in anatomical improvement in a significant proportion of eyes with persistent DME. Significant visual improvement was found in 16.6 % of eyes.

Determination of the toxicity of intravitreal minocycline in rabbit eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the retinal toxicity of intravitreal minocycline in rabbit eyes. METHODS: Intravitreal injection of minocycline with concentrations of 1000, 500, 250, 125 and 62.5 µg in 0.1 ml was performed in 10 New Zealand albino rabbits. Each concentration was injected into two rabbit eyes. For each dose, normal saline was injected in one contralateral eye and the other fellow eye remained non-injected. Electrophysiologic testing was performed before and 4 weeks after injections. The eyes were enucleated 4 weeks after injections and examined using light microscopy. RESULTS: The clinical examination was unremarkable after injections. Electroretinography recordings were significantly affected at all doses in at least one of the a- or b-waves of photopic or scotopic responses. Histopathologic examination revealed marked atrophy and loss of integrity in all retinal layers in all minocycline injected eyes. Contralateral eyes were normal. CONCLUSION: In our study, intravitreal minocycline was toxic to the retina in albino rabbits even at a concentration of 62.5 µg/0.1 ml.

Posterior sub-tenon's bevacizumab injection in diabetic macular edema; a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term results of sub-tenon's injection of bevacizumab in patients with clinically significant macular edema (CSME). METHODS: In this prospective non-comparative interventional case series, sub-tenon's injection of 2.5 mg/0.1 ml bevacizumab was performed for eyes with CSME. Macular thickness and best corrected visual acuity measurements were performed before and one month after injections. RESULTS: Nineteen eyes of twelve patients with a mean age of 59.8 ± 5.7 years were evaluated. Thirteen eyes (68.4%) had center-involving macular edema. No significant difference was observed between pre- and post-injection central subfield retinal thickness measurements (P = 0.3). Central subfield thickness measurements improved or remained unchanged in 13 eyes (68.4%). Baseline BCVA of 0.48 ± 0.35 LogMAR improved to 0.36 ± 0.26 LogMAR after injection (P = 0.01). Improvement of >2 lines in BCVA was found in 5 eyes (26.3%), and no eye lost >2 lines of BCVA. No complication associated with sub-tenon's injection was observed. CONCLUSION: Sub-tenon's injection of bevacizumab resulted in significant short-term visual improvement in eyes with CSME. Retinal thickness changes were not significant.

Endophthalmitis after resident-performed intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of acute endophthalmitis after resident-performed intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections and to compare the results with those performed by attending retina surgeons. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eight thousand thirty-seven patients treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of the resident-performed IVB injections at Rassoul Akram Hospital and attending-performed IVB injections at a private eye clinic between 2011 and 2014 was undertaken. Cases of clinical endophthalmitis were identified. RESULTS: During the study interval, the overall incidence rate of postinjection endophthalmitis was 0.01% (1/8037). Antibiotic eye drops were prescribed after IVB injection for 2771 eyes (34.5%). The single case of acute endophthalmitis occurred after a resident-performed injection, and vitreous culture showed growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis. The incidence rate of acute endophthalmitis after resident-performed IVB injection was 0.02% (1/4921). No statistically significant difference was found in the rates of endophthalmitis between resident-performed and attending-performed injections (p = 1). Also, the difference in the rates of endophthalmitis between those receiving postinjection antibiotics and those who did not was not statistically significant (p = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: The risk for endophthalmitis after resident-performed IVB injection is low and similar to that of the supervising surgeons performing the procedure.

Macular thickness measurement in clinically significant macular edema before and after meal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the macular thickness changes in diabetic macular edema after meal. METHODS: In this prospective case series, macular thicknesses of diabetic patients with clinically significant macular edema (CSME) were measured after 7 h of fasting and repeated 2 h after breakfast. RESULTS: Thirty six eyes of 20 diabetic patients were evaluated. The mean central subfield thickness (CST) and maximum retinal thickness (MRT) significantly decreased after meal (mean change of -10.3 ± 14.3 µm and -13.1 ± 12.7 µm, respectively, both P < 0.001). A decrease in CST and MRT values was found in 23 (63.8%) and 28 (77.7%) eyes, respectively, and no eye had an increase in retinal thickness measurements. Significant correlation was found between CST and MRT change and fasting thickness measurements (P = 0.001 and P = 0.01, respectively) and intraretinal cystic spaces (P = 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively). Mean MRT change was significantly higher in the presence of subretinal fluid (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Retinal thickness measurements may change after meal. So, fasting state of diabetic patient should be considered in measurement of macular thickness of patients with CSME.

Complement Factor H Y402H and LOC387715 A69S Polymorphisms in Association with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Iran.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of complement factor H (Y402H) and age related macular degeneration susceptibility gene 2 (A69S) single nucleotide polymorphisms in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and in matched non-AMD controls in an Iranian population. METHODS: Seventy patients with AMD and 86 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited and examined. Peripheral blood sample was obtained from all subjects for DNA extraction and direct sequencing of Y402H and A69S genes. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of Y402H and A69S polymorphisms with AMD were determined. RESULTS: The frequencies of both homozygous and heterozygous genotypes were significantly higher in cases than controls for both Y402H and A69S polymorphisms. In comparison to the wild genotypes, OR for AMD associated with Y402H and A69S polymorphisms were 1.9 (95% CI, 1.1-3.2) and 2.2 (95%CI, 1.6-3.1), respectively. Joint risk analysis considering both genes revealed a higher risk of AMD when polymorphisms were present for both genes. CONCLUSION: Y402H and A69S polymorphisms were strongly associated with AMD in this Iranian population.

Recurrence and massive extraocular extension of choroidal malignant melanoma after vitrectomy and endoresection.

Vitrectomy and endoresection is an alternative to enucleation for the treatment of large malignant choroidal melanoma. We report a rare case of extensive recurrence of choroidal malignant melanoma with extraocular extension 11 years after surgical endoresection without adjuvant treatment.

Vitrectomy for posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies, visual and anatomical outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual and anatomic results and determine the prognostic factors after pars plana vitrectomy and posterior segment intraocular foreign body (IOFB) removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviews the patients' charts of 48 consecutive patients with posterior segment IOFB who underwent pars plana vitrectomy and IOFB removal over a 4-year period, recently. Association between visual outcome and various preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables was statistically analyzed. Data were analyzed with the paired t-test and the chi square test. Statistical significance was indicated by P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean interval between the time of injury and IOFB removal was 24 ± 43.1 days and 27 (53%) eyes underwent IOFB removal within 7 days of the injury. Nine (19.1%) patients achieved a visual acuity of 20/40 or better. An improvement of visual acuity of at least three lines occurred in 21 (44.6%) eyes and the vision remained unchanged in 15 (31.9%) eyes. Postoperative retinal detachment occurred in five (10.6%) eyes. Visual improvement was more likely to occur in eyes with lower levels of presenting visual acuity (P = 0.2). Visual improvement was not associated with an entry site and IOFB location, lens injury, time to surgery, and pre- and post-operative retinal detachment. At the end of follow up, anatomical success was achieved in 97.9% of eyes. CONCLUSIONS: High anatomical success could be achieved after the removal of posterior segment IOFBs by vitrectomy, despite a delay in surgery. Poor visual outcome may be mainly due to the initial ocular injury.