Predicting the Surgical Margin of Resection in Periocular Cutaneous Neoplasms and the Significance of Reconstruction Following Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the features of periocular cutaneous malignancies that may contribute to larger surgical defects or require more complex reconstructive procedures. METHODS: A retrospective review of 181 patients with biopsy proven periocular cutaneous malignancies seen between April 2005 and September 2010, and undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery was performed. The longest horizontal and vertical diameters of the tumor and the post-Mohs surgical defect were measured in each patient. These measurements were used to calculate the relative margin of resection (MOR) required for tumor eradication as well as the size of the surgical defect. The date of surgery, histologic diagnosis and location of the tumor, type of reconstruction, and the presence of recurrence were also recorded. RESULTS: The average MOR for all tumor subtypes taken together was 3.4 mm horizontally and 2.6 mm vertically for basal cell carcinomas (BCCA). The post-Mohs defect area was 3.2 times greater than the preoperative tumor area for all BCCA subtypes, and 3.9 times greater for morphea type (p = 0.8083). The average MOR for squamous cell carcinomas (SCCA) was 5.1 mm horizontally and 3.7 mm vertically. The post-Mohs defect area was 3.8 times greater than the preoperative tumor area for SCCAs. When comparing the preoperative horizontal tumor diameter to the horizontal MOR of BCCAs and SCCAs, the correlation was 0.23 (p < 0.0001) and 0.31 (p < 0.0001), respectively. While the average MOR was within standard limits, a significant number of tumors required a greater MOR. On review of the data, 30.6% of patients with BCCA required a MOR greater than 3 mm, 17.3% of patients with BCCA required a MOR greater than 4 mm, and 29.1% of patients with SCCA required a MOR of greater than 5 mm. Tumors located at the lateral canthus required the largest MOR (p < 0.01), while those on the lower eyelid were associated with the smallest MOR in BCCAs. As expected from anatomical considerations, tumors at the medial canthus required significantly more complex reconstruction procedures (p < 0.01). An ordered logistic regression model demonstrated that BCCA preoperative clinical tumor surface area was a significant indicator for the degree of reconstruction required (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Standard 3 mm to 4 mm MOR for BCCAs, and 5 mm MOR for SCCAs could result in an unacceptable risk of tumor recurrence if the surgical margins are not examined histologically. With increasing preoperative tumor size, there is an increase in the MOR required for BCCA and SCCA, supporting that large tumors require a greater MOR.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the orbit with multiple cavities.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare spindle cell neoplasms of mesenchymal origin that most commonly arise within pleura and have also been reported in many extrapleural sites including the orbit. Cavitary changes within SFT of both pleura and extrapleural sites have been documented, but remain very rare. To the authors' knowledge, the third known case of an orbital solitary fibrous tumor containing large pseudocystic cavities is described. MRI demonstrated a heterogeneous enhancing mass with multiple cavities. Excisional biopsy revealed solid tumor with large cavities filled with straw-colored fluid and tumor cells that stained positive for CD34 and CD99 antigens, consistent with SFT. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course with no sign of recurrence and resolution of the proptosis after 12 months of follow up. SFT are rare benign orbital neoplasms that rarely present with cavitary changes. Current treatment options include complete surgical excision, which was performed in this case. Close follow up is advised to monitor for recurrence.

Epithelioid hemangioma responsive to oral propranolol.

An 11-year-old boy presented with progressive right-sided proptosis and an orbital mass on neuroimaging. Incisional biopsy revealed an epithelioid hemangioma. The patient underwent an orbitotomy with subtotal excision of the mass. However, the tumor recurred and progressed to the cavernous sinus, despite oral steroids, tacrolimus, and a second subtotal excision. Because of encouraging results reported with beta-blockers in the treatment of pediatric capillary hemangiomas, the patient was subsequently started on oral propranolol, 2 mg/kg/day, with discontinuation of steroids and tacrolimus. A rapid and impressive interval decrease in tumor size was observed, with improvement in proptosis and exposure keratopathy. The patient remains without recurrence approximately 9 months after initiation of propranolol. Our results suggest that oral propranolol may be a potential alternative therapy when complete excision of an epithelioid hemangioma is not practical.

Dye dependent differences in arteriovenous passage times: a comparison of indocyanine green and fluorescein sodium dye analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the difference in arteriovenous passage time calculated from retinal angiograms using indocyanine green and fluorescein sodium dye in healthy individuals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Examinations of eight healthy individuals (mean age +/- standard deviation: 27.3 +/- 4.2 years) who had four consecutive ophthalmic visits that were 2 weeks apart were analyzed. Indocyanine green and fluorescein angiography were performed sequentially (with the indocyanine green angiography occurring first) using scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. Arteriovenous passage times were calculated offline using digital angiogram video analysis. RESULTS: Mean arteriovenous passage times calculated from indocyanine green angiography (1.417 +/- 0.136 seconds) recordings were significantly shorter than fluorescein sodium times (2.539 +/- 0.421 seconds) (P < .0001) and intra-group variability was similar. There were no significant correlations between indocyanine green and fluorescein sodium arteriovenous passage times. CONCLUSION: Arteriovenous passage times calculated using indocyanine green and fluorescein angiography are not interchangeable.

Relationship of cerebral blood flow and central visual function in primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relations between middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocities and central visual function measured by foveal cone electroretinograms (ERG) and visual field. METHODS: Fifteen primary open-angle glaucoma patients were recruited. The eye with the more severe visual field defect (full threshold 24-2) and/or optic disc damage was chosen. Measurements included brachial arterial pressure, heart rate, visual acuity (logMAR), contrast sensitivity (CSV-1000), central visual field (Humphrey SITA 10-2), foveal cone ERG, and transcranial Doppler. Pearson correlation coefficients were estimated to assess the strength of the linear relationship between the MCA flow velocity and the other measured parameters. RESULTS: Visual field was successfully completed in 12 eyes. We were unable to obtain ERG responses and MCA velocity readings for 1 patient. A significant correlation was observed between MCA mean flow velocity and focal cone ERG amplitude [r=0.69, n=13, confidence interval (CI) 0.22, 0.90, P=0.009], but correlation between mean foveal cone ERG implicit time and middle cerebral was not statistically significant (r=0.011, n=13, CI 0.47, 0.63). A significant correlation was also observed between MCA mean flow velocity and mean sensitivity (r=0.76, n=12, CI 0.32, 0.93, P=0.005), and mean defect (r=0.73, n=12, CI 0.28, 0.92, P=0.007) of the central visual field, logMAR visual acuity (r=0.57, n=14, CI 0.05, 0.84, P=0.036), and contrast sensitivity (r=0.61, n=13, CI 0.09, 0.87, P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that in certain primary open-angle glaucoma patients diminished central visual function may be one manifestation of widespread cerebrovascular insufficiency.