Predictibility of the efficacy of peripheral iridotomy in primary angle closure: Utility of UBM.

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of UBM in the management of primary angle closure (PAC) and assessing the predictability of peripheral iridotomy (PI) in re-opening the closed angle. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SUBJECTS: Patients with suspicion of PAC. METHODS: This study obtained the consent of all patients and adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki. It was conducted in two ocular imaging centers and based on patients with suspected PAC. Each patient underwent UBM and Visante OCT at each visit, before and after PI when PAC was confirmed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Irido-corneal angle. RESULTS: Out of 202 eyes (101 patients) with a mean age of 62 years and 69.3% female predominance, we found 186 eyes with PAC. In most cases (77.4%), the iridocorneal angle was open after a single PI at the second visit, and only 14% eyes remained closed at the third visit, regardless of any additional treatment performed (complementary PI, iridoplasty, surgical lens extraction). Mechanisms involved in persistent angle closure after PI were: imperforate PI (45.2% of eyes), iris plateau syndrome (8.6% of eyes), significant lens vaulting (30.9% of eyes) and mixed mechanisms (2.3% of eyes). CONCLUSION: PI remains effective as a first-line treatment in most cases of PAC, even when associated with mechanisms other than pupillary block. Nevertheless, the PI must be completely patent, and UBM can help in understanding underlying mechanisms, hence guiding the treatment in these eyes.

Predominantly Superior Retinal Tears Detected by B-Scan Ultrasonography.

INTRODUCTION: When fundus examination is not possible, ultrasonography (US) is an accurate tool for the diagnosis of retinal tears (RT). The aim of this study was to describe the predominant location of RT, the factors influencing their location, and the vitreous status of eyes with RT using US. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in all patients diagnosed with RT by B-scan US (Aviso, Quantel Médical, Clermont-Ferrand, France). The primary endpoint was to assess RT preferential location using US. Secondary endpoints were the rate of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), number of eyes with multiple RT, and axial length (AL). RESULTS: A total of 101 eyes of 100 patients with RT were included. RT main location was in the superior quadrants (either nasal superior, strictly superior, or temporal superior) in 71% of cases. All patients were diagnosed with PVD by US, and 79% had a vitreous hemorrhage. Twelve eyes (13%) were diagnosed with multiple RT. The mean AL was 24.62 ± 2 mm, and it was significantly longer in eyes without superior RT (25.52 mm versus 24.37 mm; p=0.004). CONCLUSION: In this study, we showed a superior location of RT diagnosed by US in more than two-thirds of cases associated with a significantly shorter AL than in other locations. This finding could increase US sensitivity for RT detection and help to improve the US learning curve of ophthalmologists in training and surgical decision-making when the retina is inaccessible due to opacity media.

Assessment of impairment of intelligibility and of speech signal after oral cavity and oropharynx cancer.

BACKGROUND: Perceptual evaluation is a means of assessing speech disorder severity in clinical practice. Although limited in reliability and reproducibility, its ease of application makes it very widely used. Choice of assessment criteria and type of speech sample are key points. OBJECTIVE: To compare a panel's perceptual evaluations on two tasks with different criteria. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The corpus comprised 87 samples from patients treated for oral cavity or oropharynx cancer, assessed by 6 experts on two criteria (impairment of intelligibility and of speech signal) and two kinds of speech sample (semi-spontaneous versus reading speech) RESULTS: Although strong correlations were found between tasks (r>0.8), the speech signal criterion gave a score distribution providing a better metric. Severity was greater in oral cavity (mean, 5.44±2.47) than oropharyngeal cancer (6.46±2.24). Semi-spontaneous speech tended to show less severity score ceiling effect than reading speech (mean, 6.06/10 for picture description and 6.51/10 for reading). CONCLUSION: Speech signal impairment in semi-spontaneous speech seems to be the best clinical measure to assess speech disorder following treatment of oral cavity or oropharynx cancer.

[Therapeutic education of total laryngectomy patients: Influence of social factors].

Current health policies promote patient education, parti­cu­lar­ly in oncology. Therapeutic education program must be tailo­red to the characteristics, needs and expectations of the population. In the ENT Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Larrey Hospital in Toulouse, a therapeutic education program for patient with total laryngectomy has been experienced since 2011. But its propagation remains difficult. The aim of this study is to determine if social factors are nfluencing the parti­cipation of the laryngectomized population in the program. The brochure explaining this program and a registration form coupled with a survey questionnaire were distributed to the regio­nal population of patient with total laryngectomy. After two months of investigation we collected 42 responses. It is clear from their analysis that social factors underlie partici­pa­tion, particularly educational level, available financial resources level and the socio-professional group.

Validity of cervical auscultation in the screening for aspiration.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical auscultation could improve the performance of bedside swallowing test to predict aspiration, especially silent aspiration. The aim of this study is to compare the predictive values of bedside swallowing test performed with and without cervical auscultation by logopedist students who had intensive training on cervical auscultation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 64 patients were included in the study. They all underwent swallowing test alone, combined swallowing test and cervical auscultation, and videofluoroscopic swallowing study as defined gold standard. Two logopedist students, at the end of their training, performed the auscultation and noted their results. RESULTS: 128 tests were performed, 96% of the tests were judged positive for aspiration. When comparing the results of the two different clinical tests, the detection of clinical signs is not improved by the addition of auscultation. Using a penetration aspiration scale threshold >5, the area under the curve measured for the swallowing test alone was significantly higher than that measured for the combined tests (p = 0.03) (0.66 for the swallowing test alone (95% CI between 0.49 and 0.83), and 0.50 for the combined tests (95% CI between 0.31 and 0.69). CONCLUSION: This study showed no advantage in performing cervical auscultation with bedside swallowing test. Cervical auscultation seems to hamper the assessment, mainly the perception of wet voice and laryngeal motion. These results are compatible with literature but need further confirmation using studies performed with trained logopedists.

[Imaging of the iridocorneal angle in glaucoma]. / Imagerie de l'angle iridocornéen dans le glaucome.

Iridocorneal angle assessment is essential in glaucoma diagnosis and management, and gonioscopy remains the clinical reference standard for its evaluation. However, performance and interpretation of gonioscopy requires experience and has several limitations. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and more recently anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT) and Scheimpflug camera have contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms of angle-closure, screening of patients at risk for angle-closure glaucoma, and understanding of angle structures in secondary open angle glaucomas. Rapid and non-contact, AS-OCT has made this analysis easier than with UBM, but it is limited by its weak penetration through iris and scleral tissues.

Models of care for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Most people presenting with incident osteoporotic fractures are neither assessed nor treated for osteoporosis to reduce their risk of further fractures, despite the availability of effective treatments. We evaluated the effectiveness of published models of care for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures. We searched eight medical literature databases to identify reports published between 1996 and 2011, describing models of care for secondary fracture prevention. Information extracted from each publication included study design, patient characteristics, identification strategies, assessment and treatment initiation strategies, as well as outcome measures (rates of bone mineral density (BMD) testing, osteoporosis treatment initiation, adherence, re-fractures and cost-effectiveness). Meta-analyses of studies with valid control groups were conducted for two outcome measures: BMD testing and osteoporosis treatment initiation. Out of 574 references, 42 articles were identified as analysable. These studies were grouped into four general models of care-type A: identification, assessment and treatment of patients as part of the service; type B: similar to A, without treatment initiation; type C: alerting patients plus primary care physicians; and type D: patient education only. Meta-regressions revealed a trend towards increased BMD testing (p = 0.06) and treatment initiation (p = 0.03) with increasing intensity of intervention. One type A service with a valid control group showed a significant decrease in re-fractures. Types A and B services were cost-effective, although definition of cost-effectiveness varied between studies. Fully coordinated, intensive models of care for secondary fracture prevention are more effective in improving patient outcomes than approaches involving alerts and/or education only.

[A case report of transient myopia following blunt trauma]. / Myopie transitoire post-traumatique ? À propos d'un cas.

We present a case report on a young man complaining of transient myopia following a blunt trauma. Clinical and paraclinical (ultrasound) follow-up allowed us to discuss the different physiopathological mechanisms involved. We observed anterior lens displacement, increased lens thickness probably due to lens edema, choroidal detachment, and ciliary body edema. Progression was positive with full regression of the myopia. Ultrasound analysis also underlined an iridocorneal angle closure that could have led to angle-closure glaucoma (preventive peripheric iridotomy was discussed). The spontaneous progression showed spontaneous angle reopening on the main meridians.

[25-Gauge transconjunctival vitrectomy in a case of bilateral epiretinal membrane associated with a Terson syndrome]. / Membrane épirétinienne bilatérale associée à un syndrome de Terson traitée par vitrectomie transconjonctivale sans suture à 25-gauges.

The formation of epiretinal membranes associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy is known to be a complication of Terson syndrome. We report the first case of a 25-Gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy performed in one eye as treatment for an epiretinal membrane secondary to a case of Terson syndrome (most probably due to a history of subdural hematoma in childhood). Following a review of the current literature on the subject we report the physiopathologic mechanisms of Terson syndrome and the explanation for the proliferative vitreoretinopathy formation.

[Validation of a self assessment for speech disorders (Phonation Handicap Index)]. / Validation d'un questionnaire d'auto-evaluation de la parole (Parole Handicap Index).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is the psychometric validation of a self assessment questionnaire about speech in dysarthria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 91 persons to analyze reliability and validity of this new questionnaire. It is composed of 25 items subdivided in 3 domains: Physical, functional and emotional. We first compared 17 normal speakers to 21 dysarthric patients. Then we analysed the intra-individual variability with 53 patients who completed the questionnaire twice with two weeks interval between the completion. The statistical analysis verified internal consistency of each item, intra-subject reliability was analyzed through Pearson test and clinical validity was calculated through the non parametric Mann Whitney test. RESULTS: The internal consistency reliability was correct (Cronbach's alpha > 0.9). It appeared a statically significant difference between normal speakers and dysarthric patients (p < 0.05). The correlations to the handicap and severity felt were fair ensured us of the content's validity. However the absence of difference for 5 items drove us to eliminate them. Also, analysis the test / retest by the correlation matrix allowed to delete 5 other questions. The obtained total score was 0,861. As for the validity of contents, the correlations in the handicap and in the degree of severity felt by the dysarthric patients were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The results of this study allows to resume the validation of this questionnaire, its short form of 15 items is particularly adapted to dysarthric patients. It now remains to test its reliability with the medical evolution of the patients. We propose to name it "Phonation Handicap Index".

[Study of the predictive value of detection tests for silent aspirations]. / Etude de la valeur prédictive des tests de détection des fausses routes silencieuses.

UNLABELLED: Screening for aspiration in patients with swallowing disorders is important in preventing complications. The tests used in this regard are insufficient due to silent aspiration relating to abnormal protective reflexes in many patients with swallowing problems. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the predictive values of simple tests in screening for silent aspiration. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The reference test used was videofluoroscopic examination on swallowing. In the presence of aspiration (FR+) the presence (ME+) or not (ME-) of a cough of throat clearing was noted. The tests being studied were a nasal test with isotonic saline and swallowing according to a set time. RESULTS: For screening for aspiration the presence of a "wet voice" was considered to be a sign of reduced protective reflexes. 1) During the nasal test, the results are 100% for the positive predictive value (VPp) and 83.3% for the negative predictive value (VPn); 2) These results are respectively 84.6% and 35.9% during the swallowing test. Regarding screening for silent aspiration, 1) during the nasal test, the results are 62.5% for the positive predictive value (VPp) and 36.3% for the negative predictive value (VPn); 2) These results are respectively 54.5% and 26.6% during the swallowing test. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study points out the lack of predictive value of the nasal test and the swallow test for the silent aspirations. However the results could be useful for other researchers developing other tests in this area.

[Positioning in the oropharyngeal dysphagia]. / Positionnement dans les dysphagies oropharyngées.

Sitting body posture and the movements for the feeding gesture are interdependent and can worsen an oropharyngeal dysphagia. Their management will have a direct impact on the patient's handicap and will be able to decrease the complications. Clinical process aiming at placing a person having postural disorders, positioning will ensure a base adapted to the person, comfortable, allowing mobility and independence. It requires a methodical accompaniment: evaluation, test, validation, control of adapted equipment for the patient and gesture readjustment.

The seroepidemiology of pertussis in Australia during an epidemic period.

Studying the epidemiology of pertussis and impact of differing vaccine schedules is difficult because of differing methods of case ascertainment. The advent of internationally standardized serological diagnosis for recent infection has allowed comparison of age-specific pertussis infection among European countries and was applied in Australia at the time of a major national epidemic. In 1997 and 1998, a nationally representative serum bank using residual sera from diagnostic laboratories was established. Measurement of pertussis toxin (PT) IgG level was conducted by a reference laboratory using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay standardized for a number of European countries. A titre of 125 EU/ml was interpreted as indicative of recent pertussis infection. The serological data were correlated with age, gender, region and disease epidemiology in Australia. The highest prevalence of recent pertussis infection was in the 5-9 years age group, and the lowest in 1-4 and 25-64 years age groups. In the 5-14 years age group, 29.7% (5-9 years) and 14.6% (10-14 years) of the sample had serological evidence of recent infection, correlating with the pattern of epidemic notifications. The 15- to 24-year-olds had similar high titres but the same notification rate as 25- to 44-year-olds, suggesting ascertainment bias may result in under-notification in the former age group. The prevalence of high titres observed was up to 20-fold higher than some European countries during a similar time period. Although vaccination has reduced the transmission of pertussis in the youngest and most vulnerable age group, pertussis is still endemic in Australia, particularly in older children and the elderly. The Australian vaccination schedule has been changed in an attempt to address this problem, by spacing doses more widely, with the fifth dose at 15-17 years of age. Seroepidemiology for pertussis offers the potential to compare patterns of pertussis between countries and examine the impact of vaccine schedule changes independent of notification and diagnostic bias.

[Validation of a self-assessment questionnaire for swallowing disorders (Deglutition Handicap Index)]. / Validation d'un questionnaire d'auto-évaluation du handicap pour les troubles de la déglutition oropharyngée (Deglutition Handicap Index).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is the psychometric validation of a self-assessment questionnaire about swallowing disorders among adults, insisting on the validity of its content. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Created on the model of the "Voice Handicap Index", this questionnaire is composed of 30 statements on deglutition related aspects in daily life (5 point-rating scale). It is subdivided in three domains of 10 items: physical (S) (symptoms related to swallowing), functional (F) (nutritional and respiratory consequences) and emotional (E) (psychosocial consequences). Our first goal was to verify wether the different domains of the questionnaire were well related to what we wished to quantify or not. Therefore, regarding the domain S we compared the physiopathological mechanisms assessed by videofluoroscopy examination, for the domain F its results compared to the nutritional status and for domain E a scale of quality of life. RESULTS: 96 patients with dysphagia and 53 normal subjects were included in the study. The internal consistency reliability was correct (Cronbach's alpha= 0.9), For the domain S the difference between the normal subjects and the patients was statically significant. Our hypothesis regarding the domains were confirmed but not specifically. The domain S is related to the physiopathological mechanisms but also to the degree of severity. There are some correlations between the domain F and the nutritional status but also the results of the videofluoroscopy and the scale of quality of life. The domain E presents a fair correlation with the quality of life but it's related too much to physiopathological mechanisms, the duration of meal and the severity. As a conclusion, the results of this study allows to resume the validation without modification in the questionnaire. We are thinking, because of its similarity with the "Voice Handicap Index", to name it the "Deglutition Handicap Index".

[OCT3 exploration of anterior segment]. / Exploration du segment antérieur par OCT3.

PURPOSE: Posterior pole imaging with OCT3 provides macular scans with a very high resolution. Use of OCT1 has already been described for anterior segment imaging. This work presents the advantages of OCT3 in anterior segment imaging compared to UBM (50 MHz) and 20-MHz ultrasound imaging with long focal distance (patent pending PCT/FR98/02788). MATERIAL: and methods: We used an OCT3 unit dedicated to the posterior pole. By defocusing the laser beam we obtained high-resolution scans of the cornea, angle, lens and IOLs. Fifty-seven eyes (35 patients) were imaged by OCT3 and high-resolution ultrasound in cases of corneal dystrophy, corneal transplant, LASIK, narrow angle, iris bowing, etc. RESULTS: In all cases OCT3 provided high-resolution information with a limit of penetration at the posterior part of the iris. This limitation was not observed with ultrasound imaging. Nevertheless, OCT3 is a useful tool for corneal imaging in cases of opacities limiting biomicroscope imaging. OCT3 corneal scans at high resolution make it possible to identify the corneal interface in lamellar transplants or LASIK. With a narrow angle, a dynamic test of angle closure can be done. With iris bowing, OCT3 can differentiate iris cysts and iris tumors. Anterior chamber IOLs can be imaged with their relationships to anterior segment structures. CONCLUSION: OCT3 provides non-contact anterior segment imaging with high resolution but with a limit of penetration given by posterior part of the iris.

[The Voice Handicap Index: impact of the translation in French on the validation]. / Le "Voice Handicap Index": impact de la traduction française sur la validation.

The aim of this prospective investigation was to validate a French version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). A population of 52 normal subjects and 63 patients with voice disorders replied to the questionnaire at the day of their first consultation and ten to thirty days after the consultation (before any treatment). Reproducing the methodology of the American authors, the test-retest reliability and the internal consistency reliability were measured. The validity and the sensibility related to a non dysphonic population were also analysed. Regarding the normal subjects, the maximum scores for total score and subscale scores were 20 (total), 12 (physical), 7 (functional), 6 (Emotional). These scores are statistically different when compared with pathological subjects (p < 0.00001). Test-Retest stability of the pathological subjects was found to be satisfactory for both total score and subscale scores (r > 0.87). From this data set, the critical difference scores were derived for the VHI total score (15 points), for the physical subscale (9 points) and for the functional and emotional.subscales (6 points each). As for as the internal consistency reliability, Cronbach's alpha is correct (r > 7) for the pathological subjects. Yet, the analysis of the validity reply by reply, reveals some abnormalities. In conclusion, the validity of the French translation of the VHI is confirmed but the results prompt us to improve the quality of the translation.

[Voice after supracricoid partial laryngectomy: comparison of two phonatory mechanisms]. / La voix après laryngectomie supracricoidienne: comparaison entre deux mécanismes phonatoires.

INTRODUCTION: Different laryngeal phonatory mechanisms may be observed at long term after supracricoid laryngectomy. For this study two mechanisms are differentiated. The "dilated" mechanism is the consequence of a forward movement of the neolarynx creating a new resonance cavity. The "contracted" mechanism tallies with the backward contraction of the base of the tongue and the contraction of the posterior pharyngeal wall compressing the neolarynx. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine if the voice outcome is different between these two kinds of mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The method is based on the selection of a homogeneous group: 12 patients operated by cricoepiglottopexy with a follow up superior to two years and with a stable voice and a full neoglottic closure during phonation. The voice quality and the phonatory mechanism are analysed. Regarding voice assessment, a self evaluation with the vocal handicap index adapted for the study and the GRBAS scale are carried-out. Frequency (usual, minimum, maximum, range) and loudness are used to appreciate the vocal capacities. The phonatory mechanism is studied by videolaryngostroboscopy, performed tongue free, with a normal /e/ and a high-low transition pitch. RESULTS: The outcomes point out a difference between the two mechanisms. The best vocal results are observed in the "dilated" mechanism for the studied parameters and mainly for the frequency parameters. CONCLUSION: The discovery of numerous phonatory mechanisms after supracricoid laryngectomy independent from neoglottic closure lead us to further studies of the impact of this type of surgery on articulatory patterns.

[Glaucoma and high-frequency ultrasound]. / Glaucome et échographie de haute fréquence.

The iridocorneal angle and the ciliary body are imaged with high precision using high-frequency ultrasound. A long-focus 20-MHz probe provides high-resolution imaging of the optic disk and optic nerve. These improvements mean that glaucomatous patients can be imaged by ultrasound with increased precision.