Ralph E. Wesley

Indications for orbital exenteration in mucormycosis.

Purpose: To determine whether evidence-based standards exist regarding the indications for orbital exenteration in patients with orbital mucormycosis. Methods: A literature review was performed of 113 articles (1943 to 2004). Factors possibly related to patient survival were analyzed. Additionally, a survey was sent to all ASOPRS Fellowship Preceptors to ascertain the frequency, outcome, treatment modalities, and indications for exenteration by these practicing physicians. Results: For published cases, parameter estimates (PE ≤ 1.00) indicated that patients with mucormycosis with age >46 years, frontal sinus involvement, and fever were less likely to survive compared with patients without these conditions. Patients treated with amphotericin B (OR, 4.476) and those with diabetes (OR, 4.987) were more likely to survive compared with patients without these conditions. Exenterated patients with fever were more likely to survive compared with nonexenterated patients with fever (P=0.0468). Thirty-four ASOPRS Fellowship Preceptors received surveys; 26 (76%) completed the survey. Responses to specific survey questions showed a varied experience and indication for exenteration throughout the country. Conclusions: Our study underscores the lack of adequate data regarding the evaluation of treatment of orbital mucormycosis. No standard of care currently exists to guide physicians on when exenteration may benefit a mucormycosis patient. Further study is needed to determine which variables indicate the extent of disease and which variables or analytic scheme might predict the progression of orbital mucormycosis with or without exenteration.

Combined procedure for senile entropion.

Entropion of the lower eyelid was corrected in 26 eyelids of 21 patients. All patients were found to have a disinsertion of the capsulopalpebral fascia, but not Mullers muscle layer, of the lower eyelid retractors. All cases were repaired by reattaching the anterior edge of the capsulopalpebral fascia to the inferior edge of the lower tarsus combined with A horizontal eyelid tightening procedure performed at the lateral canthus. With follow-up of six to 32 months, no cases of entropion have recurred. We have found a combined procedure of horizontal eyelid tightening and repair of the capsulopalpebral fascia gives best long-term results.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomographic Scanning of Fresh (green) Wood Foreign Bodies in Dog Orbits

Wooden foreign bodies in the orbit can extend into the intracranial cavity without diagnostic clues from the small eyelid entrance wound, from neurologic examination, and from imaging studies such as ultrasound, plain x-rays, or computed tomography (CT) scans. In cadaver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, dry wood in the orbit can be seen as a negative or hypointense image in contrast to orbital fat. We studied fresh, green wood in dogs to determine the reliability of CT and MRI scans to image hydrated wood. Wood was placed into each orbit of two dogs. After 24 h the wood was removed from one orbit, but not the other. The dogs were then scanned with CT and MRI. Radiologists were asked to determine if any wood had been left in either or both orbits. The fresh wooden foreign bodies could not be detected despite an intensive effort. MRI does not appear to reliably demonstrate fresh wood in the orbit. MRI can show dry wooden foreign bodies that have not become hydrated, but has not yet been reliable in the clinical situation to rule out the presence of wood in the orbit.

The Treatment of Punctal and Canalicular Stenosis in Patients on Systemic 5-FU

PURPOSE 5-FU administered systemically for cancer treatment can cause punctal and canalicular stenosis leading to symptoms of tearing. While some patients receiving 5-FU have resolution of their tearing with cessation of the drug, many patients require surgical treatment of their lacrimal outflow system. We studied the severity of punctal and canalicular stenosis in patients on 5-FU and the various treatments required to correct symptoms of tearing. METHODS Nineteen patients (16 with colon cancer and 3 with breast cancer) who were treated with systemic 5-FU with complaints of tearing were studied retrospectively. Treatment modalities were based on punctal stenosis evaluated by slit lamp exam, and probing and irrigation of the lacrimal outflow system. RESULTS All patients demonstrated bilateral punctal and canalicular stenosis on exam. Fifteen of the 19 patients underwent surgery with 4 declining any surgical intervention. Of those 15 patients who underwent surgery; 5 had bilateral silicone tube intubation, 3 had bilateral conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomies (CDCR), 1 had a silicone tube on one side and a CDCR on the other side, 1 had a bilateral DCR, 4 had bilateral punctal 3-snip procedures, and 1 failed bilateral silicone tube intubation and will require bilateral CDCR. CONCLUSION This is the largest single study in the literature evaluating patients on systemic 5-FU for the sequela and treatment of tearing. Although we found varying degrees of punctal and canalicular stenosis among our 19 patients, almost all had stenosis severe enough to warrant surgical intervention with either silicone tubes or CDCR. In our study 4 of 15 patients who elected surgery (26.7%) required CDCR, because of the permanent, severe stenosis of the lacrimal outflow system. Physicians should be aware that early recognition and treatment of tearing in patients on 5-FU with silicone tubes may salvage the canalicular system and prevent the need for CDCR.

Surgical microanatomy of the Müller muscle-conjunctival resection ptosis procedure

Purpose: To assess for alterations in the microscopic anatomy that occur as a result of the Müller muscle-conjunctival resection (MMCR) ptosis procedure and to better understand the mechanisms by which MMCR elevates the eyelid. Methods: Sixteen orbits from 8 fresh frozen Caucasian cadaver heads, ranging from 38 to 100 years of age were used. For each head, MMCR was performed on one side. The contralateral, unoperated orbit served as an anatomic control. Each exenterated orbital contents and excised MMCR specimen was evaluated. The histopathology of the eyelids and MMCR specimens were studied microscopically by staining with hematoxylin-eosin, elastic, and Verhoeff-Masson trichrome. Results: Müller muscle and conjunctiva were present in all 8 of the excised MMCR specimens. Elastic fibers consistent with Müller muscle tendon or among the smooth muscle fibers were seen within all excised MMCR specimens. The levator aponeurosis was intact in 8 of 8 operated eyelids; however, the aponeurosis was plicated in all. The accessory lacrimal gland tissues were intact in all of the operated and unoperated eyelids. Conclusions: MMCR works by shortening the posterior lamella, which results in advancement of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle and plication of the levator aponeurosis. Plication of the levator aponeurosis likely contributes to the increased volumetric effect seen clinically after MMCR. Phenylephrine testing can help in fine-tuning the amount of resection, but given the mechanism of action of MMCR, adequate levator muscle function remains a critical factor in the success of the surgery. Moreover, MMCR preserves accessory lacrimal gland tissues.

Inferior Turbinate Fracture in the Treatment of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction and Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Anomaly

A group of 52 pediatric patients with lacrimal obstruction were considered to be high risk since they had been previously probed (27 patients) or were older (average age 23 months). At the time of probe and irrigation, a small, straight hemostat was placed into the nose to grasp the inferior turbinate and rotate it a full 90 degrees inward. All cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (49) resolved following this maneuver. A small muscle hook with the tip directed upward was placed underneath the inferior turbinate to identify three patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct anomaly (absence or atresia of the nasolacrimal duct) who would not have benefitted from further probings and responded to dacryocystorhinostomy. Even though the results of our uncontrolled surgical trial cannot be compared to other treatment methods, the data suggest that even very difficult cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction will respond to a simple turbinate fracture with a hemostat without the necessity of complicated tubes or stents. A small muscle hook can be used to identify those rare cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct anomaly who may require specialized procedures such as dacryocystorhinostomy or inferior turbinectomy.

Brown Recluse Spider Envenomation of the Eyelid: An Animal Model

Summary The authors developed a rabbit model of the brown recluse (BR) spider envenomation of the human eyelid. The spider bite causes cutaneous necrosis and systemic toxicity in human eyelids, possibly leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolysis, and death. The treatment has been controversial. The animal model evaluated the effects of single- and combined-agent therapy in four phases: venom dose response, time course, therapeutic effectiveness (steroid vs. dapsone vs. antivenom), and optimal therapy (steroid and dapsone; steroid and antivenom; and dapsone and anti-venom combination groups). The combination dapsone and antivenom treatment group was the optimal animal regimen, although not completely effective in eliminating microscopic necrosis. The authors also report dramatic clinical improvement in human inflammatory response with dapsone therapy and recommend immediate dapsone therapy combined with specific BR venom, if available, in humans.

Orbital Leiomyosarcoma After Retinoblastoma

Patients with the inherited, bilateral form of retinoblastoma have an increased incidence of osteogenic sarcoma such that the mortality from the secondary tumor exceeds that of the initial bilateral retinoblastoma. We report a 29-year-old male survivor of bilateral retinoblastomas originally diagnosed at 8 months of age, whose treatment eventually included bilateral enucleation, bilateral orbital radiation, and systemic chemotherapy. At age 26, a tumor removed from his right maxillary sinus was diagnosed as fibroma. At age 29, he developed an inferior orbital mass that extended into the right maxillary sinus. A biopsy and comparison with the previous maxillary sinus mass revealed both lesions to be leiomyosarcoma. Both light and electron microscopy supported the diagnosis. The patient has survived treatment with orbital exenteration and maxillectomy combined with postoperative radiation to the right orbital-maxillary area. This appears to be the fourth case of leiomyosarcoma in the third decade of life in a male patient with a previously irradiated orbit after enucleation for bilateral retinoblastoma. Leiomyosarcoma appears to be another orbital tumor associated with bilateral retinoblastoma.

The effects of tetanus toxin on the orbicularis oculi muscle.

PURPOSE Tetanus toxin can cause localized neuromuscular weakness, but it also can produce systemic tetany. The action of tetanus toxin on the orbicularis muscle has not been studied in animals immunized to prevent systemic tetany. Our objective was to determine whether tetanus toxin could be used to treat orbicularis oculi muscle spasms. METHODS We analyzed the clinical, electrophysiologic, and histopathologic effects of tetanus toxin injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle of rabbits with passive immunity to tetanus toxin. In six rabbits, the orbicularis oculi function in both eyes was assessed clinically, and the baseline orbicularis oculi muscle action potential was measured physiologically with electromyography (EMG). The rabbits then were immunized against tetanus toxin with tetanus immunoglobulin for immediate and definitive immunity. Tetanus toxin was injected into the left orbicularis oculi muscles, leaving the right eyes as controls. Ten days later, the rabbits were again assessed by clinical examination and with EMGs on both the injected side and the noninjected side. The animals were killed at 14 days, and the orbicularis muscle was removed from both sides. The injected and control tissues were examined microscopically for signs of neuromuscular denervation. RESULTS All six rabbits showed weakness in eye closure on the side injected with tetanus toxin. In addition, four rabbits developed complete ear ptosis on the tetanus toxin injected side because of spread of the toxin to adjacent ear muscles. EMGs showed both a denervation of the orbicularis oculi muscle and a poor blink potential on the side injected with tetanus toxin. Histopathologic studies of the orbicularis oculi muscle injected with tetanus toxin showed angulation of both slow and fast types of muscle fibers compatible with neuromuscular denervation. CONCLUSIONS Tetanus toxin can cause localized orbicularis oculi weakness, as documented clinically, physiologically, and microscopically, without producing systemic tetany in immunized rabbits. Tetanus toxin may have a potential application in the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Eyelid as an Indicator of Multifocal Malignancy

Of 30 consecutive patients with ocular adnexal basal cell carcinoma, 18 (60%) had at least one additional unsuspected foci of basal cell carcinoma. The patients most likely to have additional basal cell skin cancer were women, those with previous basal cell carcinoma, and those whose eyelid lesions were recurrent, located at the medial canthus, or of the sclerosing cell type. Using a slit lamp helped us to identify suspicious lesions on the face, but we often required the assistance of a dermatologist to diagnose sclerosing lesions. Comprehensive treatment of basal cell carcinomas should include eradication of the initial lesion, examination for coexisting lesions, prophylaxis for solar exposure, and follow-up examinations for recurrent or new lesions.