A. Şahap Kükner

Pigmented Paravenous Retinochoroidal Atrophy

Seven patients (4 men and 3 women, ranging in age from 27 to 64 years) with pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy, a rare disorder of unknown origin, were studied. The mean follow-up time was 18.5 months. Fundus examinations were performed, and color fundus photographs were taken. In addition to fluorescein angiography, visual field examinations, color vision and electroretinographic tests were performed. All 7 patients were asymptomatic, with visual acuities ranging from 3/10 to 10/10. Both fundi showed patches of retinochoroidal atrophy and pigmentation along the retinal veins in all patients. Fluorescein angiography showed hyperfluorescence due to the pigment epithelial atrophy together with hypofluorescence corresponding to bone spicule pigment clumping. Visual field tests showed scotomas corresponding with areas of atrophy along the retinal veins. The electroretinography showed reduced responses in 2 cases. Color vision was normal in all cases. The patients had no history of trauma or a previous inflammatory process. Serology for syphilis, Toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus as well as a skin test for tuberculosis were negative. When the patients were seen at the end of the follow-up period, no variation of the findings was noted. Although the fundus abnormalities can be mild or severe, retinal function tests indicated that this is a geographic and not a generalized disorder.

Characteristics of Pellet Injuries to the Orbit

Purpose: To investigate the features of orbital injuries by pellets fired from the front. Design: Retrospective, 4 cases of pellet injuries. Methods: Five orbits of 4 patients who sustained pellet injuries received from the front were reviewed retrospectively. The course of injury and results were assessed. Radiological examinations were reviewed. The patients were evaluated between December 1996 and June 2004. Results: Five orbits of 4 patients sustained injuries caused by pellets fired from an anterior direction. The globe in the injured orbit was intact in 2 cases. Severe loss of vi- sion was also present in these 2 globes due to optic nerve involvement. Final visual acuity was down to no light perception in 4 eyes and limited to light perception in 1 eye. Conclusions: The prognosis of orbital pellet injuries is, unfortunately, poor. A pellet passing through the floor of the orbit often causes double perforation of the globe and, once in the orbital aperture, it travels towards the apex as a result of the conical shape of the orbit and lodges in the optic canal or its entrance, severely damaging the optic nerve. Surgery or other treatments are usually unsuccessful. Even if the globe is intact, vision is usually severely impaired.

Contents Vol. 223, 2009

W. Behrens-Baumann, Magdeburg S. Binder, Wien R. Brancato, Milan A.J. Bron, Oxford J. Cunha Vaz, Coimbra R. Dana, Boston, Mass. S.S. Hayreh, Iowa City, Iowa P.C.P. Ho, Hong Kong Y.-N. Hui, Xian J.B. Jonas, Mannheim A. Kanpolat, Ankara I. Kim, Boston, Mass. T. Kohnen, Frankfurt B. Lorenz, Giessen A. Negi, Kobe U. Pleyer, Berlin T. Reinhard, Freiburg G. Renard, Paris D. Spalton, London K. Tsubota, Tokyo P. Wiedemann, Leipzig X. Xu, Shanghai L. Zografos, Lausanne International Journal of Ophthalmology