Patricia Akaishi

Neonatal orbital abscess

PURPOSE To describe two cases of orbital abscess in neonates and to review the literature of orbital cellulitis in neonates. DESIGN Two interventional case reports. METHODS Photographs, orbital computed tomography scans, and full pediatric examination were obtained in two cases of orbital abscess in neonates. RESULTS Acute ethmoiditis with orbital abscess formation was found in both infants. In one of them, Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the source of infection. CONCLUSIONS The clinical findings of our cases concur with the literature (eight cases) indicating that orbital abscess caused by Staphylococcal ethmoiditis is the most common form of orbital cellulitis in neonates.

Graves upper eyelid retraction.

Graves upper eyelid retraction (GUER) is the most common and characteristic sign of Graves orbitopathy. Despite being well recognized since the 19th century, GUER is still a subject of controversy. We review GUER, including historical aspects, diagnosis, methods of measurements, ocular surface abnormalities, etiology, and medical and surgical treatments. There is no consensus about the mechanisms of its etiology or the best surgical correction. There is a need for quantitative studies on the effects of GUER on lid movements.

Exorbitism Correction of Faciocraniosynostoses by Monobloc Frontofacial Advancement With Distraction Osteogenesis

Monobloc frontofacial advancement with internal distraction osteogenesis is still a relatively new technique, and the literature on exorbitism correction of syndromal faciocraniosynostosis with monobloc advancement is scarce. Using a image processing software, we measured on axial computed tomographic scans the effect of monobloc advancement on the correction of exorbitism on a large series of patients (n = 38) with syndromal faciocraniosynostosis who underwent surgery for correction of cranial and facial hypoplasia. A population reference of 23 patients without faciocraniosynostoses was also measured. For each orbit, globe protrusion was expressed as the ratio between the length of the globe that is above the interzygomatic line and eye size. The results indicate that monobloc has a symmetrical effect on both eyes that is correlated to the preoperative degree of exorbitism. Longitudinal data indicate that exorbitism correction changes with time. A mean preoperative globe protrusion of 0.86 dropped sharply to 0.54 at 6 months after distraction and increased to 0.61 at 16 months after distraction removal, a value that is not significantly different from the ratio of the control group (0.60). Overall, the data suggest that a certain degree of enophthalmos in the early postoperative period does not necessarily imply a sustained overcorrection.

Supramaximal Levator Resection for Unilateral Congenital Ptosis: Cosmetic and Functional Results

Purpose: To analyze the cosmetic and functional results of a large series of patients with unilateral congenital ptosis without spontaneous compensatory ipsilateral frontalis hyperaction who underwent supramaximal levator resection (SMLPSr). Methods: A multicenter retrospective review of 35 children (14 girls and 21 boys) of mean age 5.5 ± 3.6 SD years with unilateral congenital ptosis who underwent surgery in 3 different countries: Italy, n = 8; Argentina, n = 11; and Brazil, n = 16. Preoperative evaluation included measurements of upper eyelid margin reflex distance (MRD1) and levator palpebrae superioris muscle excursion, assessment of frontalis hyperaction, and ocular motility examination. At least 6 months postoperatively, photographs were used to measure the upper eyelid contour of OU. The spontaneous blinking amplitude and downward eyelid saccades of OU were quantified in a subset of 14 patients. Quantitative comparison among the 3 centers was performed with nonparametric 1-way analysis of variance (Kruskal–Wallis). Paired t tests were used to compare the pre- and postoperative measurements, and p value < 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: The mean preoperative MRD1 of the operated eyes increased from 0.5 ± 1.1 SD mm to 3.4 ± 0.84 SD mm (t = 15.9; p < 0.000001), consequently the eyelid positional asymmetry decreased from 3.1 ± 1.21 mm to 0.1 ± 0.86 SD mm (t = 16.5; p ⩽ 0.000001). Twenty-nine percent of eyelids had mild contour abnormalities and 31.4% showed some degree of lash ptosis. Spontaneous blinks were abnormal in 93% of the cases (eyelids). The amplitude of the abnormal blinks ranged from 12.9% to 65.4% (mean = 37.1%) of the contralateral eyelids. Downward eyelid saccades were reduced in 79% of the eyelids. The amplitudes the saccades ranged from 2.2% to 84.6% (mean = 54.8%). Conclusions: In unilateral congenital ptosis, SMLPSr effectively reduces the positional asymmetry between eyelids. Mild contour abnormalities and lash ptosis are the main complications of the surgery. Postoperatively, spontaneous blinks and downward saccades were reduced in most eyelids. The reduced postoperative eyelid kinetics indicates that only patients with normal upward Bell signs are good candidates for this procedure.

Orbital abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis: case report

Acute dacryocystitis usually induces preseptal infection. In rare instances the infection that is confined to the lacrimal sac can extend to the orbital contents resulting in orbital cellulitis. We present a case of intraconal abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis and review the literature of orbital cellulitis resulting from acute lacrimal sac infection.

Upper eyelid entropion and dry eye in cicatricial trachoma without trichiasis

PURPOSE to evaluate the position of the upper eyelid margin and eye surface status in cicatricial trachoma without trichiasis (TS). METHODS Slit-lamp biomicroscopy was employed to evaluate the location of the upper lid mucocutaneous transition of 156 eyes of 78 patients with trichiasis and of 130 eyes of 65 control subjects. For each eye the position of the upper lid mucocutaneous junction was graded with respect to the line of meibomian gland orifices into 3 categories: a) anterior, b) at the line, and c) posterior to the line. Ocular surface dye staining with lissamine green was performed in all eyes. All participants answered a questionnaire with queries on the presence and intensity of dry eye symptoms. RESULTS In the eyes with trichiasis the location of the mucocutaneous transition was posterior to the meibomian gland line in 55 (35.3%), at the line in 77 (49.4%) and anterior to the line in only 24 (15.4%). In the control group these figures were: 5 (3.8%); 42 (42%) and 83 (63.8%). Lissamine staining and dry eye symptoms were also associated with trichiasis. CONCLUSION Different degrees of upper lid entropion are already present in cicatricial trachoma even in the absence of trichiasis. Trichiasis is associated with lissamine green staining and dry eye symptoms. Conjunctivalization of the upper lid margin may play a role in the development of trachomatous dry eye.

Functional and cosmetic results of a lower eyelid crease approach for external dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE External dacryocystorhinostomy is routinely performed through a cutaneous vertical incision placed on the lateral aspect of the nose. The lower eyelid crease approach has been seldom reported. The purpose of this study is to report the cosmetic and functional results of the lid crease approach for external dacryocystorhinostomy in a series of patients. METHODS Prospective, interventional case series. Twenty-five consecutive patients (17 women) ranging in age from 3 to 85 years (mean ± SD= 44.84 ± 23.67) were included in the study. All patients but one underwent unilateral external dacryocystorhinostomy with a 10 to 15 mm horizontal incision placed on a subciliary relaxed eyelid tension line. The inner canthus was photographed with a Nikon D70S digital camera with a macrolens and resolution of 3008 x 2000 pixels at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. The resulting scar was judged from the photographs by 3 observers (ophthalmologist, plastic and head and neck surgeons) according to a four level scale (1= unapparent, 2= minimally visible, 3= moderately visible, 4= very visible). RESULTS The surgery was easily performed in all patients with a 90.48% success. Three of the elderly patients (ages 61, 79 and 85 yr) developed mild lacrimal punctum ectropion, which resolved with conservative treatment. One patient had a hypometric blink which spontaneously recovered within one month. The mean score for scar visibility was 2.19 (1(st) mo), 1.65 (3(th) mo) and 1.44 (6(th) mo). CONCLUSIONS The eyelid crease approach is an excellent option for external dacryocystorhinostomy. It leaves an unapparent scar since the first month after surgery, even in younger patients. The functional results are excellent and comparable to other techniques. Care should be taken in elderly patients with lower eyelid laxity in order to prevent lacrimal punctum ectropion.

Giant dacryocystocele and congenital alacrimia in lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital syndrome.

The lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital syndrome, also known as Levy-Hollister syndrome, is a rare multiple congenital dysplasia characterized by malformation of the lacrimal apparatus and by aural, dental, and digital anomalies. Since the first report in 1973, different clinical findings such as urogenital malformations and facial dysmorphism have been described in the affected patients, showing that the phenotypic spectrum of the syndrome is broad. The authors report for the first time an association among giant dacryocystocele, alacrima, and agenesis of the lacrimal puncta in a patient with lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital syndrome.

Posterior scleral tuberculoma: case report

Posterior scleral tuberculoma formation is an extremely rare condition. The few reports on scleral involvement in tuberculosis refer to cases of anterior scleritis. In the present manuscript we describe a patient who had rheumatoid arthritis and developed a large posterior scleral tuberculoma. The lesion provoked retinal detachment and visual loss and was diagnosed only after enucleation due to a misdiagnosis of choroidal melanoma.

Palpebral fissure changes after monobloc frontofacial advancement in faciocraniosynostosis.

There is virtually no literature on the effect of correction of syndromal faciocraniosynostosis with monobloc advancement on the palpebral fissure shape. Using image processing software, we measured the effect of monobloc advancement on the position of the upper and lower eyelids as well as the palpebral fissure slant in a series of 18 patients with syndromal faciocraniosynostosis who had undergone surgery for correction of orbital and midface hypoplasia. For both eyes of each patient, 3 variables were measured on the pre- and postoperative photographs: the linear distances between the upper and lower eyelid margins, the pupil center and the angle between the inner and outer canthi. The globe protrusion was also measured on axial computed tomography scans before and after surgery. The results indicate that the exorbitism reduction induced by monobloc advancement is accompanied by a diminution of the distance between both eyelids and the pupil center. However, the downward slant of the palpebral fissure is increased after surgery. The data suggest that the lower and upper eyelid retraction seen preoperatively in the majority of patients with faciocraniosynostosis tend to be corrected when the frontofacial region is advanced by the monobloc. On the other hand, the surgery tends to lower the outer canthus, increasing the negative slant of the fissure. The postoperative changes induced by the frontofacial monobloc advancement need to be taken into account when the surgery is going to be performed.