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Melina I Morkin,1,2 Rehan M Hussain,2 Ryan C Young,2 Tracy Ravin,2 Sander R Dubovy,2 Eduardo C Alfonso2 1Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Center, University of California – San Diego, San Diego, CA, 2Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA Abstract: A 51-year-old male who had undergone phacoemulsification in his left eye 11 months prior presented with complaint of sudden onset of blurred vision in the same eye. Review of his clinical course, slit-lamp exam, pachymetry, and specular endothelial microscopy led to the diagnosis of acute hydrops caused by Descemet’s membrane dehiscence at the site of the incision. He was initially managed with medical treatment and observation. In the subsequent months of follow-up, the corneal edema and the patient’s visual acuity did not improve. Intracameral gas injection was performed 7 months after presentation, but because of persistent corneal edema and nonattached Descemet’s membrane, penetrating keratoplasty was performed. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis. The patient has had a clear corneal graft since then. Although Descemet’s membrane detachment is a rather common complication after intraocular surgery, its unusually delayed presentation can also occur, and should not be confused with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Many mechanisms have been studied for the development of early tears and detachments after cataract surgery, but little is known about late presentations. The authors explore possible causes, and highlight the importance of instructing patients to avoid eye rubbing and any other type of trauma to the cornea after intraocular surgery. Keywords: Descemet’s membrane tear, detachment, cataract surgery, phacoemulsification

Objectives: Three-dimensional (3-D) selective- and relative-scale texture analysis (TA) was applied to structural magnetic resonance (MR) brain images to quantify the presence of grey-matter (GM) and white-matter (WM) textural abnormalities associated with schizophrenia.Materials and Methods: Brain TA comprised volume filtration using the Laplacian of Gaussian filter to highlight fine, medium and coarse textures within GM and WM, followed by texture quantification. Relative TA (e.g. ratio of fine to medium) was also computed. T1-weighted MR whole-brain images from 32 participants with diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 22) were examined. Five patients possessed marker alleles (SZ8) associated with schizophrenia on chromosome 8 in the pericentriolar material 1 gene while the remaining five had not inherited any of the alleles (SZ0).Results: Filtered fine GM texture (mean grey-level intensity; MGI) most significantly differentiated schizophrenic patients from controls (P = 0.0058; area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve = 0.809, sensitivity = 90%, specificity = 70%). WM measurements did not distinguish the two groups. Filtered GM and WM textures (MGI) correlated with total GM and WM volume respectively. Medium-to-coarse GM entropy distinguished SZ0 from controls (P = 0.0069) while measures from SZ8 were intermediate between the two.Conclusions: 3-D TA of brain MR enables detection of subtle distributed morphological features associated with schizophrenia, determined partly by susceptibility genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcome in children who had undergone release of upper limb burn contractures at the axilla, elbow and wrist. METHODS: We studied a series of 10 patients reconstructed with local flaps (n = 5), Integra artificial skin (n = 10) and micro-vascular free tissue transfer (n = 5) to release contracted axillae (n = 8), elbows (n = 5) and wrists (n = 7). Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 6 years and outcome was assessed by functional improvement. RESULTS: Full functional release was achieved in all cases at the time of the surgery. Local flaps resulted in good or excellent outcomes in all five cases. Six patients reconstructed with Integra were assessed as having an excellent outcome whereas four had a poor outcome. Free tissue transfer with excellent result was achieved in five children. CONCLUSIONS: This series assessed the three treatment options that we have used for the release of upper limb post-burn contractures. We have shown that local flaps fashioned from burnt skin survive, Integra requires extended post-operative care to prevent recontraction and free tissue transfer is safe in young children. Each method when used appropriately has produced excellent results which have been maintained over the follow-up period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the patients admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital Burns Unit, Hong Kong between September 1991 and August 2001 following chemical assault. A total of 2319 burns were admitted during the study period of which 19 had been subjected to chemical assault. All victims sustained a burn injury to the head and neck area and 47% of victims' eyes were burnt. A total of 84% required surgical intervention. Where a reason for the attack was admitted most were due to relationship difficulties. This study has defined the victims of chemical assault in Hong Kong. At a time when the overall number of assaults in Hong Kong is at its lowest level for 5 years it is of concern that there appears to have been a recent increase in the number of chemical assaults in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]