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Background/aim: Surgical resection for soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) is the gold standard for a curative oncologic therapy in combination with neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiation therapy (NRT/ART). The aim of this study was to determine prognostic factors influencing the survival of patients with STS undergoing NRT or ART considering various parameters in a retrospective, single-centre analysis over 15 years., Patients and Methods: We included 119 patients (male 59) and the median follow-up period was 69 months (4-197). The patients received NRT (n=64) or ART (n=55). We recorded the histopathologic subtype of STS, tumour grade, localization, tumour margins, complications, survival, local recurrence, and metastases. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: The overall survival rate was 68.9% at 5 years. The localization (epifascial/subfascial), resection margin and type of radiation therapy (NRT/ART) had no significant impact on survival. Tumour grade, tumour size, local recurrence and metastases were significantly correlated with patient survival (p<0.05). Local recurrence was significantly higher in patients with ART (p=0.044)., Conclusion: Tumour grade and tumour size were independently associated with disease-specific survival, and patients with local recurrence and metastases had lower survival rates., (Copyright© 2021, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background: Macular hole surgery including vitrectomy and peeling of epiretinal membranes and the internal limiting membrane (ILM) has become a standard procedure in retinal surgery. Poor visualization of the ILM is an obstacle for successful surgery. Recently, indocyanine green (ICG) has been reported to be a helpful intraocular substance in identifying these membranes., Patients and Methods: Eighteen eyes with macular holes stages 2-4 were included. Intraoperatively, the ILM was stained with three drops of 1:9-diluted ICG. After 1 min incubation, the vitreous cavity was rinsed with Ringer's lactate solution, and the ILM was peeled. Autologous thrombocytes were applied to the macular hole and the eye was endotamponaded with 20% SF-6 gas. Preoperatively, 6 weeks postoperatively, and in 3-month intervals thereafter, visual acuity, fundus photographs, scanning laser ophthalmoscope imaging, and Humphrey 24-2 static perimetry was performed., Results: Intraoperatively, the ILM could be nicely visualized by ICG, which allowed easier and less traumatic peeling. At 6 weeks follow-up, visual acuity had improved in 14 of 18 patients, and the macular hole was closed 6 weeks after surgery. Scanning laser imaging revealed a strong signal. During prolonged follow-up, visual acuity declined due to cataract formation., Conclusion: ICG as an intraocular tool for staining of the ILM is helpful in macular hole surgery. We observed no negative effects on retinal function, but patients should be followed.

Corneal calcification is a common problem in severe inflammation, chronic glaucoma, renal disorders and other diseases with disturbed calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The pathogenesis of corneal calcifications in ocular diseases is not yet completely understood. We present a model of an induced corneal calcification by local treatment. In a double-masked experiment 16 rabbits underwent eye burn of one cornea followed by immediate rinsing (160 ml) with isotonic phosphate buffer (n=8) or saline solution (n=8) three time a day for 16 days. Tissues were excised, shock frozen and cut into 10 microm slices, freeze dried and coated with evaporated carbon. In the phosphate buffer group an early onset of corneal opacification occurred resulting in completely white corneas after 16 days, combined with corneoscleral ulceration. The other group showed similar corneal erosion and a little corneal ulceration, but no opacifications. The opacifications of the phosphate buffer group could be identified as calcifications by direct measurements of calcium and phosphate (by energy dispersive X-ray analysis on corneal samples). In conclusion, inappropriate application of phosphate leads to uncontrolled calcifications of the cornea after severe burns to the eye. This reflects clinically observed calcifications after eye burns and possibly the adverse side effects of phosphate buffered eye drops being applied in ophthalmology.

Background: The course after severe eye burns is characterized by many complications which require a longlasting and intensive therapy. The success of treatment is menaced especially by superficial problems like persistent erosiones which occur also after keratoplasty., Patient: As a cause of persistent erosions, pathological changes of Bowmans' membrane are discussed. Therefore, it was removed by PTK (phototherapeutic keratectomy) in our patient, in order to allow better adhesion of the epithelium to the deeper, less changed layers., Therapy and Outcome: The patient suffered from a severe burn accident of his right eye with liquid cement. After proliferations were excised twice, we had to glue on a hard contact lens as an artificial epithelium due to a persistent erosion. Later, the development of a bacterial keratitis required keratoplasty. The epithelium remained intact for eleven months, but then an erosion arose and persisted for nine months. Therefore we performed a PTK and the epithelium closed subsequently within four days., Conclusion: The treatment of persistent erosions has been very difficult so far, and often procedures like artificial epithelium or even keratoplasty have been necessary. The astonishing course of our patient indicates, that PTK is a promising and less invasive therapy in these cases.

Previous studies have demonstrated that nonviscous liquids traverse the esophagus more rapidly with the subject in the upright rather than the supine position. Conversely, similar studies have shown that viscous liquids traverse the esophagus at similar rates for both upright and supine positions. Our purpose was to define the motor correlates of these differing responses. Six normal volunteers were studied with an infused catheter system incorporating a Dent sleeve for monitoring lower esophageal sphincter pressure. The subjects were given a series of swallows of a water and a viscous (52 centipoise) bolus in both the supine and upright positions. In the upright position, the water bolus caused an increased velocity of propagation in the proximal esophageal segment that was associated with a shortening of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation time and reductions in amplitude and duration of contraction. No significant changes in the peristaltic wave were noted with the viscous bolus during alterations of body position. We conclude that the more rapid transit of a nonviscous water bolus through the esophagus in the upright position is reflected in specific alterations of esophageal peristaltic parameters. The possible mechanisms for these differing responses are discussed.