Juan Javier Servat

Biological agents for the treatment of uveitis.

Introduction: The conventional treatment of uveitis includes corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents, which are highly efficacious, but can be associated with serious systemic side effects. Over the last two decades, advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, as well as improved biotechnology, have enabled selective targeting of the chemical mediators of diseases. Recently, a new class of drugs called biologics, that target the various mediators of the inflammation cascade, may potentially provide more effective and less toxic treatment. Areas covered: This article is a review and summary of the peer-reviewed evidence for biologic agents in the treatment of various forms of ocular inflammation and it focuses on the potential use of other biologic agents that have been tested in experimental autoimmune uveitis. Pubmed was used as our main tool for our literature search. Some additional references were taken from books written on the subject. Expert opinion: There are a wide variety of new and emerging biological agents currently being used in the treatment of uveitis which has expanded the therapeutic horizons far beyond previous limitations.

Electromagnetic image-guided orbital decompression: technique, principles, and preliminary experience with 6 consecutive cases.

Abstract Purpose: To assess the feasibility of routine use of electromagnetic image guidance systems in orbital decompression. Methods: Six consecutive patients underwent stereotactic-guided three wall orbital decompression using the novel Fusion ENT Navigation System (Medtronic), a portable and expandable electromagnetic guidance system with multi-instrument tracking capabilities. The system consists of the Medtronic LandmarX System software-enabled computer station, signal generator, field-generating magnet, head-mounted marker coil, and surgical tracking instruments. In preparation for use of the LandmarX/Fusion protocol, all patients underwent preoperative non-contrast CT scan from the superior aspect of the frontal sinuses to the inferior aspect of the maxillary sinuses that includes the nasal tip. Results: The Fusion ENT Navigation System (Medtronic™) was used in 6 patients undergoing maximal 3-wall orbital decompression for Graves’ orbitopthy after a minimum of six months of disease inactivity. Preoperative Hertel exophthalmometry measured more than 27 mm in all patients. The navigation system proved to be no more difficult technically than the traditional orbital decompression approach. Conclusion: Electromagnetic image guidance is a stereotactic surgical navigation system that provides additional intraoperative flexibility in orbital surgery. Electromagnetic image-guidance offers the ability to perform more aggressive orbital decompressions with reduced risk.

Bacillus megaterium delayed onset lamellar keratitis after LASIK.

PURPOSE To report the history and clinical presentation of a 23-year-old man who developed delayed onset lamellar keratitis in his right eye 2 weeks after uneventful LASIK for correction of myopia. METHODS Initial clinical presentation suggested an infectious etiology, which led to therapeutic elevation of the LASIK flap and further microbiologic investigation with bacterial cultures. RESULTS Bacterial cultures revealed Bacillus megaterium, which was sensitive to all antibiotics against which it was tested. Twenty-four hours after initiating aggressive topical and oral antibiotic therapy, symptomatic relief occurred in the affected eye. The patients uncorrected final visual acuity at 1-year follow-up was 20/15 in the right eye, and the stromal bed developed a faint peripheral non-visually significant scar. CONCLUSIONS This case is an unusual presentation and course for microbial keratitis following LASIK, which occurred despite aseptic technique and fluoroquinolone antibiotic prophylaxis. Following refractive surgery one should be prepared to culture the lamellar interface in cases of suspected microbial keratitis and begin aggressive antibiotic therapy.

Necrotizing nocardial scleritis after combined penetrating keratoplasty and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation: a case report and review of the literature

We report the history and clinical presentation of an 88-year-old female with Fuchs dystrophy who developed an acute anterior necrotizing scleritis in her left eye 23 months after an uncomplicated combined penetrating keratoplasty and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation which progressed to slceral perforation with uveal prolapses. The patient underwent a complete systemic work-up for both autoimmune and infectious causes of scleritis. Surgical specimens of the area of scleral perforation were sent for histology and microbiologic studies. Analysis of surgical specimens revealed the presence of culture-proven Nocardia asteroides as a causative agent for the patients scleral perforation. Results of her systemic autoimmune work-up were not conclusive. Successful treatment with tectonic scleral reinforcement with donor corneal tissue and preserved pericardium, oral and topical trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and topical amikacin salvaged the globe and increased vision. The patients final best-corrected visual acuity sixteen months after her last operation remains 20/70. Prompt surgical intervention with submission of appropriate specimens for pathological diagnosis and microbiology, along with consultation with rheumatologic and infectious disease specialists, are mandatory to minimize visual loss in cases of suspected infectious necrotizing scleritis.

Giant Myofibroma of The Orbit in an Adult Male

A 47-year-old male with history of schizophrenia developed painful proptosis and vision loss. Computed Tomography revealed a bone-destructive mass with encroachment on the orbit and compression of the right eye. Superolateral orbitotomy and biopsy revealed a lesion composed of a mixture of spindled and epithelioid cells without significant cytologic atypia or mitotic rate. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for vimentin and multifocally for smooth muscle actin, supporting the diagnosis of orbital myofibroma. Although orbital myofibromas typically present during childhood, they may occur in older patients and act as an expanding mass causing compression of adjacent structures.

Large Frontal Osteoid Osteoma with Orbital Extension

Abstract Osteoid osteomas are benign bone tumors first described by Jaffe in 1935. They are usually located within the cortex of long bones in the lower extremities. These types of tumors are rare in the skull area, representing less than 1% of benign cases. We present a case of a large osteoid osteoma producing proptosis and requiring a frontal sinusotomy with excision of the mass.

Trichoadenoma of an eyelid in an adult mimicking sebaceous cell carcinoma.

The purpose of this report is to detail the clinical and histologic findings of a rare trichoadenoma of the eyelid. A 63-year-old male with a recurrent left lower eyelid lesion underwent a shave biopsy with inconclusive results until referred to an oculoplastic surgeon. The patient presented with a lesion suspicious for sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid. An excisional biopsy was performed, and the specimen was sent for permanent section histologic analysis. The results revealed the lesion to be a trichoadenoma of the eyelid. The remaining lesion was excised, and the lower eyelid was reconstructed.

Aggressive Glabellar Angiomyxoma with Orbital Extension

A 62-year-old male presented with a large non-tender mass in the glabella, extending into the right orbit that had been steadily growing for 6 months. Imaging revealed a 2.5 x 1.8 cm cystic mass with extension into the right anterior orbit. Biopsy with microscopic examination revealed a predominantly myxoid stroma containing spindle-shaped cells with bipolar cigar-shaped nuclei and small caliber capillary-type vascular proliferations. These findings are consistent with an angiomyxoma. Although angiomyxomas typically present in the pelvic region or peritoneum in female patients, there have been rare examples of angiomyxomas with orbital involvement.

Spontaneous subperiosteal orbital hemorrhage.

Abstract Subperiosteal orbital hemorrhage typically results from trauma. Spontaneous subperiosteal orbital hemorrhage (SSOH) is rare and has been reported with sudden elevation of cranial venous pressure, bleeding diathesis, and sinusitis. This article presents a series of 9 patients (11 orbits) with SSOH and review the associated systemic conditions. 10 out of 11 orbits (91%) underwent surgical intervention due to advanced orbital signs or poor vision.

Neonatal Orbital Abscess after Sinus Surgery: Case Report and Brief Review

ABSTRACT Orbital abscess formation in neonates is rare, with only 12 cases reported in the literature. We present a case of orbital cellulitis with orbital abscesses following repair of congenital choanal atresia in a 2-week-old neonate. This is the first reported case of an orbital abscess following a sinus procedure in a neonate.