Search

Periocular haemorrhage without a preceding history of trauma, and in the absence of vascular malformations is rare. While acute proptosis is well described in the setting of orbital pathology, accompanying periocular haemorrhage has been rarely reported. We describe three cases with these concomitant presenting signs in orbital malignancies - metastatic small cell bladder carcinoma, haemangiopericytoma (solitary fibrous tumour) and myeloma. Clinical photographs and radiology are presented with review of the current literature. All cases had an associated rapid onset of severe proptosis and co-existing periocular bruising on the same side. The presence of ecchymosis of the eyelids in addition to proptosis without a history of trauma warrants thorough investigation to rule out underlying potential sight and life threatening illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed tumour of the skin is a rare entity also known as chondroid syringoma and pleomorphic adenoma. These usually present as slow-growing skin nodules with a smooth surface, clear boundaries, and no ulceration. Case series exist describing pleomorphic adenomas in the periocular region including the lids and orbit, separate to the more familiar lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenoma. These may arise from accessory or ectopic lacrimal gland tissue but in the eyelids are more likely to arise from sweat glands in the skin. Histopathological analysis of these lesions is important to identify complete excision, minimising recurrences and in identifying rare but potential malignant transformation. We describe the clinical features and outcomes in three cases of pleomorphic adenoma with two at the medial canthus (including one recurrence) and one in the brow region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenomas (LGPA) are benign mixed tumors. Diagnosis is based on clinical and radiological findings which usually prompts complete excision of the lesion to minimise recurrence and a cumulative risk of malignant transformation. Necrosis in pleomorphic adenoma has been rarely reported in salivary gland PA, either spontaneously or due to iatrogenic interventions. Necrosis is suggestive of a malignant process and makes interpretation of histology specimens difficult. A 23 year old woman, while awaiting biopsy for a mass in the left lacrimal gland, which had been symptomatic for only several months, presented with acute pain and swelling of the left lateral lid. An incisional biopsy showed an inflamed lacrimal gland with focal necrosis and atypia of adjacent cytology and gland architecture. Subsequent excisional biopsy confirmed an LGPA with some inflammation but no necrosis. Necrosis may occur as an atypical presentation in LGPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Injection of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNTA) to the lacrimal gland (LG) offers a simple and effective treatment in the management of epiphora. However, there is little data on current practice trends or uptake as an alternative to surgery. This study assesses current practice trends of such treatment amongst BOPSS (British Oculoplastic Surgery Society) members. Methods: All consultant BOPSS members were invited to participate in a web-based survey which consisted of 5 questions, with a reminder invitation to participate. The role, dose, potential side effects, use as an alternative to surgical intervention, and impact on service delivery were assessed. Results: Fifty-one BOPSS consultants (43% uptake) completed the survey. Ninety percent of respondents were regularly using LG BoNTA in their management of epiphora. The main indicators for considering BoNTA use were medical comorbidities and elderly patients. The mean first treatment dose of Botox® was 3.6 units (SD 1.5). Diplopia and ptosis complications were always discussed in the consent for treatment in addition to dry eye. Twenty-five percent of surgeons reported doing less conjunctivo-dacryocystorhinostomies (cDCR) due to the availability of LG BoNTA. No respondents felt that the requirement for repeated BoNTA treatments was impacting on their service delivery. Conclusion: Uptake of LG BoNTA in the management of epiphora is at a similar rate to all other available treatments. As a result, respondents are performing less surgical procedures, particularly cDCR in patients at higher surgical morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims Anterior uveitis (AU) is the most common form of intraocular inflammation. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small, non-coding RNAs functioning as post-transcriptional repressors of gene expression. Knowledge of miRNAs can implicate specific genes and pathogenic signalling pathways in disease. This study examines miRNA expression, function and target genes in AU pathogenesis. Methods AU and healthy control (HC) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were initially screened for expression of five miRNAs by real-time PCR. Regulation of the aberrantly expressed miRNAs by TLR1/2, TLR3, TLR4, IL1β and TNFα was quantified by real-time PCR and paired cytokine outputs measured by ELISA. Functional effects of miRNA overexpression using transfected THP1 cells examined IL6, IL8, IL10 and IL1β cytokine outputs by ELISA. Target genes were identified using TargetScan online computational algorithm and relevant targets verified by cloning of the 3′UTR and luciferase reporter gene assays. Results Increased expression of miRNA146a (p<0.01), miRNA155 (p<0.05) and miRNA125a5p (p<0.01) was demonstrated in AU PBMC compared with HC. miRNA155 was increased following TLR1/2 (p<0.05) and TLR4 (p<0.05) stimulation and miRNA146a increased in response to IL1β (p<0.05). In a proinflammatory environment, miRNA155 overexpression in THP1 cells yielded increased cytokine output whereas miRNA146a overexpression showed decreased cytokine output. CD80, PRKCE and VASN were confirmed as novel targets for miRNA146a and SMAD2, TYRP1 and FBXO22 for miRNA155. Conclusion This study identifies overexpression of proinflammatory miRNA155, regulatory miRNA146a and miRNA125a-5p in AU. CD80, PRKCE and VASN are novel miRNA146a targets and SMAD2, TYRP1 and FBXO22 are novel targets for miRNA155. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The outer nuclear layer (ONL) contains mostly photoreceptor bodies and reduced post-operative ONL thickness (ONLT) is associated with poor visual outcome in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: Spectral domain ocular coherence tomography was recorded before and 6 weeks following RRD repair in 27 consecutive patients. Results: The repair consisted of combined 20-guage pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and encirclement in 66.7% of cases, 22.2% underwent PPV alone and 11.1% scleral buckle alone. The mean (± standard deviation) ONLT was reduced in detached retinae (94.1 ± 31.1 microns) compared to the unaffected eye (119.5 ± 26.8 microns). Postoperatively the ONLT increased to 103.3 (± 32.8) microns. ONLT at presentation in the affected eye is significantly and positively correlated with the final ONLT in the affected eye (Pearson’s correlation:r = 0.80,p = 0.029). Conclusion: The finding that ONLT is reduced in detached retinae carries implications for visual prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]