Justin Gutman

Dilated Superior Ophthalmic Vein: Clinical and Radiographic Features of 113 Cases.

PURPOSE Dilated superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) is an uncommon radiographic finding. The authors review the presentation, etiology, radiography, and visual implications of 113 patients with dilated SOV. METHODS An observational case series and multicenter retrospective chart review were conducted. There were 113 patients with a dilated SOV. Outcome measures included patient demographics, clinical features, radiographic findings, diagnosis, and treatment, and treatment outcomes were assessed. RESULTS Cases included 75 women (66%) and 38 men (34%) with a mean age of 49 ± 24 years (range, 0.4-90 years). Diagnoses fell under 6 categories: vascular malformation (n = 92, 81%), venous thrombosis (n = 11, 10%), inflammatory (n = 6, 5%), traumatic hemorrhage (n = 2, 2%), lymphoproliferative (n = 1, 1%), and infectious (n = 1, 1%). Imaging modalities utilized included MRI (n = 98, 87%), digital subtraction angiography (n = 77, 68%), CT (n = 29, 26%), and ultrasonography (n = 4, 4%). Disease status at last follow up included no evidence of disease (n = 57, 50%), alive with persistent disease (n = 53, 47%), and expired from disease (n = 3, 3%). Treatment and management was tailored to the underlying disease process with a mean follow up of 18 months (range, 1 day to 180 months). Visual impairment observed at presentation and last follow up across all cases was 26% and 22%, respectively. CONCLUSION Dilated SOV is a rare radiographic finding resulting from a wide spectrum of etiologies with clinical implications ranging from benign to sight- and life-threatening. Dilated SOV is most often found with dural-cavernous fistula or carotid-cavernous fistula, orbital or facial arteriovenous malformation, and venous thrombosis. Recognition of this finding and management of the underlying condition is critical.

Facial nerve injury: a complication of superficial temporal artery biopsy.

m i a All investigators have shared the same conclusion that the risk of substantial ocular morbidity from bleeding after vitreoretinal surgery in patients who are also undergoing antiplatelet or anticoagulation treatment is low. As our study found, the frequency of antiplatelet use is increasing, and most vitreoretinal surgeons have come to realize that their use may not always rest on definitive, evidence-based indications, implying that their discontinuance is less risky. Nevertheless, the ophthalmologist should work in concert with the patient’s medical doctor to determine when the risk of withholding such medications presents an undue risk of much higher systemic morbidity. We believe that proceeding to surgery in such cases can be pursued safely in the vast majority of patients.

Idiopathic inflammation of the orbit and contiguous structures

Idiopathic orbital inflammation is a common cause of acute orbital signs and symptoms. It is typically confined to the bony orbit; however, it can rarely involve contiguous structures with or without lytic change raising clinical suspicion for malignancy. Three cases of idiopathic inflammation of the orbit that affected adjacent structures are reported here; 2 cases had maxillary sinus involvement, while a third had extension in the temporal fossa.