Francesco P. Bernardini

Solitary fibrous tumor of the orbit. Is it rare? Report of a case series and review of the literature

PURPOSE The real incidence of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the orbit is unknown, but it seems that since it was first described in 1994, orbital SFT has been increasingly recognized. We believe that the orbital SFT is a relatively common tumor and that it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any orbital tumor. DESIGN Interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS Four new cases of orbital SFT. METHODS Four patients affected by solitary fibrous tumor of the orbit are described. One patient experienced a recurrent SFT shortly after initial surgical excision performed elsewhere. Thirty-eight cases have been reported in the literature in 7 years. RESULTS The number of orbital SFTs reported has been increasing, reaching an average of more than five tumors reported per year. Since the first orbital SFT was described in 1994, 37 cases have been reported in the literature. We add four new cases in our series, including a recurrent tumor. A total of 42 cases have now been described, eight with recurrences. Malignant transformation occurred in one case. CONCLUSIONS We believe that before 1994, the diagnosis orbital SFT was confused with other benign orbital tumors, such as fibrous histiocytoma and hemangiopericytoma because of a lack of use of immunohistochemical techniques. This entity should now be considered relatively common and should be included in the differential diagnosis of orbital tumors in any age group. Local recurrences of SFT are possible and usually follow an incomplete initial excision. Recurrent tumors in the orbit have shown the tendency to infiltrate the surrounding tissues and the bone, rendering complete secondary excision more difficult. Recurrent orbital SFT also has the potential for malignant transformation. The treatment of choice of orbital SFT is complete surgical excision and careful follow-up. Considering the more aggressive course followed by recurrent tumor, correct diagnosis and management is essential.

Frontalis suspension sling using a silicone rod in patients affected by myogenic blepharoptosis

The charts of 10 patients affected by myogenic ptosis who underwent surgical correction by means of a frontalis suspension sling using a silicone rod were reviewed. The patients included in the study were affected by ptosis secondary to myasthenia gravis (MG), chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) or mitochondrial myopathy (MM). In every patient the ptosis was severe (MRD 1 <2mm), with the eyelid partially or totally occluding the visual axis; levator function was poor (<5mm), Bells phenomenon was poor or absent and the orbicularis function was reduced. Final eyelid height, patient satisfaction and the presence of complications were our main outcome measures. Analysis of the results showed that the ptosis was corrected in every patient with a clear visual axis. One patient with absent Bells and poor levator function had exposure keratopathy resistant to medical treatment and required surgical revision. We believe that the frontalis suspension sling is safe, effective and is the procedure of choice for patients affected by poor-function acquired ptosis. A silicone rod, because of its elasticity, is the material of choice in this selected category of patients.

Epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland: an update

Purpose of review The goal of this article is to offer an update on the treatment and prognosis of the most common epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland, report on new pathological entities and offer a review of the classification of lacrimal gland tumors. Recent findings Improvements have been made in the understanding of lacrimal gland lesions with the knowledge that lacrimal gland tumors compare to the more common counterparts of the major salivary glands. Therefore, the WHOs classification of salivary gland tumors has been adapted to the lacrimal gland pathology. Until recently, primary adenocarcinomas of the lacrimal gland were not further subclassified, but they can now be divided into low-grade and high-grade malignancies. The adjunctive use of intra-arterial cytoreductive chemotherapy for the management of adenoid cystic carcinoma is one of the most important advancements on the management of these aggressive tumors. Another important step forward has been taken on carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland, which is subclassified into noninvasive carcinoma, with an excellent prognosis after complete excision and invasive carcinoma for which the prognosis is still guarded despite adjunctive radiotherapy. Summary This article offers an update on diagnosis, classification and treatment of common and rare epithelial lacrimal gland tumors.

Chronic eyelid lymphedema and acne rosacea: Report of two cases

OBJECTIVE The authors describe the clinical findings and surgical treatment of two patients affected by chronic eyelid lymphedema associated with facial acne rosacea. DESIGN Two interventional case reports. METHODS AND INTERVENTION: The clinical diagnosis of acne rosacea was based on the physical examination and confirmed by the histopathologic findings obtained from biopsy of the involved tissue. Surgical treatment was required to address the disfiguring chronic eyelid lymphedema and to correct the resultant mechanical lower eyelid ectropion in both patients. RESULTS Surgical debulking of the affected soft tissue resulted in very satisfactory cosmetic and functional improvement in both patients. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first series of cases of chronic eyelid lymphedema secondary to acne rosacea reported in the ophthalmic literature. Six similar cases have been described previously in the dermatologic literature; all of which had been treated medically without satisfactory results. Surgical debulking of the involved eyelids should be considered in patients affected by persistent symptomatic rosacea lymphedema.

Unilateral Frontalis Sling for the Surgical Correction of Unilateral Poor-function Ptosis

Purpose: To evaluate the functional and cosmetic results after frontalis sling repair for unilateral ptosis associated with either poor levator function or synkinesis. Methods: Preoperative and postoperative photographs and records of 127 patients who underwent unilateral frontalis sling ptosis repair were retrospectively reviewed. An eyelid crease incision was used in all cases, with suturing of the sling material directly to tarsus. Results: Preoperative diagnosis for all patients was either unilateral poor-function blepharoptosis or ptosis associated with levator synkinesis. Underlying causes included 75 congenital, 13 posttraumatic, 11 congenital “jaw-winking,” 10 cranial nerve III palsies, 9 myasthenia gravis, 5 chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia, and 4 congenital “double-elevator” palsies. There was a mean follow-up of 11.6 months. Twenty-eight eyelids required reoperation: 11 for undercorrection, 6 for overcorrection with keratopathy, 2 for upper eyelid crease revision, 7 for correction of poor contour, 1 for a broken sling, and 1 for removal of an infected exposed polytetraflouroethylene sling. Lagophthalmos of greater than 2 mm was noted in 18 patients, 5 of whom had persistent keratopathy requiring reoperation. No other complications were reported, except for 1 suture granuloma. Good to excellent final postoperative eyelid height was achieved in 121 patients (95%) after all surgeries and with conscious recruitment of the frontalis muscle. A large majority of patients and/or parents expressed satisfaction with the final cosmetic result and were not bothered by any asymmetric lagophthalmos in downgaze or lack of a synchronous blink. However, 19 of 25 amblyopic patients were less satisfied with passive eyelid height as they failed to recruit the ipsilateral frontalis muscle to activate the sling during binocular viewing. In 17 of these 19 patients, good to excellent eyelid height could be achieved with conscious active brow elevation. Conclusions: Unilateral sling provides good to excellent functional and cosmetic results in unilateral poor-function ptosis. However, patients with amblyopia usually require conscious effort to activate the frontalis muscle to achieve satisfactory eyelid height.

Re: "minimally invasive conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with Jones tube".

Purpose: To describe a minimally invasive technique for conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with the Jones tube. This technique creates a direct communication between the conjunctiva and the middle meatus with the use of a 14-gauge angiocatheter. The glass tube is inserted under endoscopic or direct visualization. Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent the minimally invasive technique for conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy for complete bicanalicular lacrimal obstruction was performed. The surgical time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, length of the tubes, long-term patency, tube displacement, and need for secondary revision were evaluated. Results: Fifty-five consecutive patients were included in the study. All surgical procedures were successfully performed without significant complications, in an operating time that averaged 16 minutes. In one early case, a patient had persistent postoperative bleeding that required cauterization of the middle turbinate. In 3 patients, late migration of the Jones tube into the nasal cavity required secondary intervention with successful Jones tube repositioning. Minor office tube cleaning was performed without removal of the tube. The patency of the Jones tube was regularly tested with demonstration of aspiration of 2% fluorescein solution from the tear meniscus in the tear lake opening of the tube at the slit lamp, the passage of the same solution in the nose with endoscopic view, and finally, with irrigation of saline solution in the tube. Conclusions: The minimally invasive technique for conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with the Jones tube can be successfully performed with a simple “poke-through” technique from the conjunctiva to the nose with direct or endoscopic control. This technique has proved to be time-effective and well tolerated by patients.

Superficial Enhanced Fluid Fat Injection (SEFFI) to Correct Volume Defects and Skin Aging of the Face and Periocular Region.

BACKGROUND Although recent research on micro fat has shown the potential advantages of superficial implantation and high stem cell content, clinical applications thus far have been limited. OBJECTIVES The authors report their experience with superficial enhanced fluid fat injection (SEFFI) for the correction of volume loss and skin aging of the face in general and in the periocular region. METHODS The finer SEFFI preparation (0.5 mL) was injected into the orbicularis in the periorbital and perioral areas, and the 0.8-mL preparation was injected subdermally elsewhere in the face. RESULTS The records of 98 consecutive patients were reviewed. Average follow-up time was 6 months, and average volume of implanted fat was 20 mL and 51.4 mL for the 0.5-mL and 0.8-mL preparations, respectively. Good or excellent results were achieved for volume restoration and skin improvement in all patients. Complications were minor and included an oil cyst in 3 patients. The smaller SEFFI quantity (0.5 mL) was well suited to correct volume loss in the eyelids, especially the deep upper sulcus and tear trough, whereas the larger SEFFI content was effective for larger volume deficits in other areas of the face, including the brow, temporal fossa, zygomatic-malar region, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, chin, and lips. CONCLUSIONS The fat administered by SEFFI is easily harvested via small side-port cannulae, yielding micro fat that is rich in viable adipocytes and stem cells. Both volumes of fat (0.5 mL and 0.8 mL) were effective for treating age-related lipoatrophy, reducing facial rhytids, and improving skin quality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Therapeutic.

Treatment of unilateral congenital ptosis: putting the debate to rest.

Purpose of review Frontalis suspension for the surgical correction of poor levator function congenital ptosis has been a matter of debate in the last decade, but recently progress has been made. This study highlights the relevant keystones regarding sling material, surgical steps, and approach that can improve functional and esthetic results, while minimizing risk to the eye. Recent findings The incidence and demographics of ptosis in children have been reported by two recent studies confirming that unilateral, poor levator function congenital ptosis is the most common form, the left eye is most commonly affected, and frontalis suspension is the most commonly performed technique. Significant progress has been made concerning the sling material and the surgical technique of frontalis suspension. Although different surgical designs for sling suspension have proven to have no effect on the final result, a recent study has shown the importance of direct fixation with sutures of the sling material to the tarsal plate to increase the success rate Autologous fascia lata has been found to be an excellent sling material with the lowest complication rate and should be considered the preferred material for long-term correction. A review of the recent literature suggests that unilateral surgery is the preferred approach. Summary Although the surgical treatment of simple congenital ptosis has not radically changed through the years, recent reports have established some keystones that can positively affect the esthetic outcomes and safety of frontalis suspension.

Calcium hydroxyl-apatite (Radiesse) for the correction of periorbital hollows, dark circles, and lower eyelid bags.

Purpose: To describe the authors experience with calcium hydroxyl-apatite (CaHa) injections for the aesthetic correction of tear trough, infraorbital hollows, deep upper sulcus, dark circles and lower eyelid bags. Methods: The records of 63 patients (127 eyelids) injected with CaHa for aesthetic rejuvenation of the periocular region between March 2012 and March 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. All injections were carried out using a 25-gauge cannula after adding 0.5 ml of 2% lidocaine to 1.5 ml vials of the original product. Postoperative visits were scheduled at 1 week and 1 month. Any previous treatment was recorded, and necessity of retreatments and side effects was evaluated. Patient satisfaction was recorded at 1 month with self-evaluation of the treatment result as “worsened,” “unchanged,” or “improved.” Standard pre- and postinjection photographs were taken and compared to analyze the success of the procedure. Pictures were retrospectively graded by the authors on a similar improvement scale of 1 (worse), 2 (no change), and 3 (improvement). Results: Fifty-eight/sixty-three patients were women (92%), with an average age of 42 years (range; 18–57 years). Chief complaints were “hollows” in 94% of patients, “dark circles” in 33%, lower eyelid “bags” in 17%, and deep upper sulcus in 4.7%. Twenty-three patients (36.5%) required an additional correction 1 month after the primary treatment. Satisfaction was as high as 98% among patients treated primarily for hollowness, and the overall satisfaction rate was 92%. Associated dark circles were satisfactorily treated in 68% of the patients. Temporary side effects involved mild erythema and swelling for 2 to 3 days and pseudoxanthalesma effect in 22 eyelids (17.4%) lasting <6 weeks. In 2 patients, erythema lasted longer than 4 weeks. The 2 worse complications in this series were migration of the product above the medial canthal tendon in 1 patient and overcorrection in another patient. These complications were all managed conservatively and resolved spontaneously within 6 to 8 weeks. No case of irregular contour, palpable lumpiness, or unevenness were encountered. In the end, only 1 patient thought she was worsened after the treatment. Conclusions: Treatment of the periocular region with CaHa injections is a safe and effective treatment with high patient satisfaction and low complication rate. Advanced technical skills may have to be acquired for the specific treatment of this area using this particulate material.

Minimal incisions vertical endoscopic lifting and fat grafting as a systematic approach to the rejuvenation of the periocular esthetic unit.

Purpose:The forehead/brow complex, the temporal region, the upper eyelid, the zygomatic area, the lower eyelid, and the cheek comprise the periocular esthetic unit. The combination of variable degrees of tissue descent and fat deflation of the component parts of the unit determine its appearance with age. The authors report the results of tissue repositioning through a minimal incisions vertical endoscopic lift and volume restoration used in combination to restore the natural youthful appearance of the periocular esthetic unit. Methods:The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who underwent minimal incisions vertical endoscopic lift and fat grafting over a 12-year period in 3 different centers. Patients results were evaluated with standardized pre- and postoperative pictures graded by masked observers in a scale from poor, fair, satisfactory, to very satisfactory results. Patient satisfaction was self-graded in the same manner. Results:The study consists of 400 patients, of whom 337 (85%) were women and 63 (14.8%) were men, with a mean age of 46 years (range 38–67) for women and mean age of 53 years (range 48–65) for men. Mean follow up was 16 months (range 6 months–8 years); in 180 patients follow up was 2 years or longer. Additional procedures included lower blepharoplasty in 205 patients (51%), neck lift in 102 patients (26%), upper blepharoplasty in 63 patients (15.7%), lateral canthoplasty in 9 patients (2.3%), and upper eyelid ptosis in 6 patients (1.5%). The results were graded as satisfactory or very satisfactory by 95% of patients and by 91% of observers. Conclusions:On the basis of the anatomical changes that occur in the periocular esthetic unit, tissue repositioning is indicated to address the descent of the superior complex and in minor part of the inferior complex, while volume restoration is indicated to address the volume depletion of the inferior and the lateral complexes and for refinements of the superior complex. The authors propose a systematic combination of lifting and filling to naturally restore the youthful appearance of the periocular esthetic unit. Conservative blepharoplasty can be associated in selected cases for result optimization.