[Current aspects of eyelid, lacrimal and orbital surgery in childhood]

Retrospective Analysis of Bicanalicular Lacrimal Silicone Tube Intubation in Patients with Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: A Long-term Follow-up Study

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is the most common cause of epiphora in the first year of life. In addition to conservative therapy, there are several invasive methods available. The aim of this retrospective study was to conduct a long-term follow-up of bicanalicular lacrimal duct intubation as the primary intervention in a large cohort of patients with CNLDO. The electronic medical records of 487 patients with CNLDO who underwent bicanalicular tube intubation were reviewed. To determine the long-term outcomes, a telephone interview was conducted. A total of 328 eyes of 235 patients were included in the study. The median average follow-up period was 6.67 (5.58 - 8.67) years. At the time of the survey, 218 patients (92.8%) were symptom free. Mean patient satisfaction with surgical outcome was 10/10. To our knowledge, this study provides the longest follow-up of the largest patient cohort in the literature consisting of patients who underwent probing with bicanalicular lacrimal silicone tube intubation as a primary intervention for CNLDO. This study showed a high long-term postoperative success rate, with high postoperative satisfaction, few complications, and a low need for reintervention.

[Diagnostics of benign and malignant tumors of the orbit]

BACKGROUND

Orbital space-occupying lesions can have a significant impact on the quality of life. Depending on the dignity and etiology of the mass, they can even represent a life-threatening process, which must be timely treated in an interdisciplinary cooperation.

OBJECTIVE

To achieve a comprehensive overview about the diagnostics and frequency of malignant and benign masses of the orbit.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A literature search was carried out in PubMed and Google scholar.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Clinically, orbital lesions can show symptoms, such as exophthalmos with an increase in the vertical lid fissure, visual impairment and motility dysfunction with diplopia. Depending on the extent, an exposure keratopathy can occur due to failure to close the eyelids. For the diagnostics several tests should be carried out. Following a thorough anamnesis and clinical examination, these should include a blood sample to test for various parameters, an ultrasound examination with subsequent computed tomography (CT) in cases of bone involvement or thin slice magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbit for assessment of soft tissues. In adults an endocrine orbitopathy is the most frequent cause of an inflammatory orbital process, where lymphomas are the most frequent entity among malignant tumors and vascular space-occupying lesions are the most frequent benign tumors. In children the most frequent benign masses are dermoid cysts and rhabdomyosarcoma is the most frequent primary malignant orbital tumor. The multimodal interdisciplinary treatment can include surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy, depending on the entity.

[Importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for optimal treatment of orbital tumors]

Optimal treatment of tumors with orbital invasion may exceed the competences of an individual medical specialty and require interdisciplinary cooperation. The aim of this article is to present an interdisciplinary treatment concept based on the examples of intraorbital hemangioma and squamous cell carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses infiltrating the orbit. In addition to a detailed medical history and a complete ophthalmological examination, a detailed imaging technique with standardized echography and tomography methods such as orbital thin-slice CT and/or in many cases MRI is essential for the primary classification of an intraorbital pathology. Depending on the type of pathology, a purely surgical procedure involving various disciplines such as ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, maxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery, and pathology, or an interdisciplinary treatment regimen including (neo)adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy is necessary. Orbital tumors have a wide range of potential pathologies, requiring complex surgical procedures and multimodal therapies. In case of infiltration of the paranasal sinuses or intracranial structures, an interdisciplinary team including neuroradiologists, oral-maxillofacial surgeons, otorhinolaryngologists, neurosurgeons, radiation therapists, ophthalmologists, pathologists, oncologists, and psycho-oncologists is essential for successful treatment.

[Pediatric acute dacryocystitis due to frontoethmoidal mucocele]

BACKGROUND

Pediatric acute dacryocystitis typically develops due to persistence of Hasner's membrane. Pediatric paranasal mucoceles are rare entities. In contrast, chronic dacryocystitis in cases of congenital dacryostenosis is one of the most frequent pediatric ophthalmologic issues.

METHODS

The case report of a 10-year-old girl suffering acute dacryocystitis is presented.

RESULTS

The area around the left lacrimal sac showed a painful swelling with edema and hyperemia. Systemic and local antibiotic therapy resulted in only slight improvement. Dacryoendoscopy detected acute dacryocystitis with significant stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct. The nasolacrimal duct was widened dacryoendoscopically and autostable bicanalicular nasolacrimal intubation was performed. Nevertheless, the lacrimal ducts were blocked subtotally and a widening of the ethmoid on the left side was shown by rhinoscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a frontoethmoidal mucocele which was treated by marsupialization. During the 24-month follow-up there was no recurrence of acute dacryocystitis. There were no signs of sinusitis.

CONCLUSION

Paranasal mucoceles, e. g., ethmoidal mucoceles, can compress the lacrimal pathways and cause acute lacrimal inflammation in childhood. Paranasal mucoceles should thus be excluded in cases of unclear masses in the lacrimal region.

Spontaneous Unilateral Subperiosteal Hematoma in the Orbit due to Self-Induced Asphyxia: Unusual Cause of Unilateral Exophthalmos

BACKGROUND

To report an unusual case of subperiosteal bleeding of nontraumatic etiology.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 48-year-old female presented with an acute protrusion of the left eye after nonaccomplished suicide by means of asphyxia using a cable around the neck. At the time of presentation, the MRI showed an orbital subperiosteal hematoma causing an exophthalmos. After conservative treatment, there was a complete remission of the lesion.

CONCLUSION

Nontraumatic subperiosteal bleedings without involvement of the intraocular structures and no vision-threatening intraorbital changes should be treated conservatively.

Clinical presentation and management of congenital ptosis

Congenital ptosis is a rare condition characterized by lower positioning of the upper eyelid that is present at birth and is a clinical condition that is persistent if not treated. It may be unilateral or bilateral and may be associated with other ocular disorders or systemic conditions, including Marcus Gunn, Horner, and Duane syndromes. It is a benign condition but causes functional, cosmetic, and psychological problems in children. However, not all patients need to undergo surgery, and usually only patients at risk of amblyopia need a prompt surgical correction, while in other cases, surgery can be postponed. The grade of ptosis, the eyelid function, and the amblyopic risk are the parameters that affect the ophthalmologist’s decision on timing of surgery and the surgical technique to be used. In fact, there are several types of surgical techniques to correct a congenital ptosis, although very often more than one is needed to obtain an acceptable result. This paper reviews the causes of congenital ptosis and associated diseases. Particular emphasis is given to surgical management and different procedures available to correct the upper eyelid anomaly and avoid permanent damage to visual function.

[Results of Cutler-Beard procedure for reconstruction of extensive full thickness upper eyelid defects following tumor resection]

BACKGROUND

The Cutler-Beard bridge flap technique is an established method for reconstruction of large full thickness upper eyelid defects. The purpose of the present study was to report experiences with the surgical technique, complications and results of this cutaneoconjunctival flap procedure following tumor resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 18 patients with extensive full thickness upper eyelid defects after tumor excision underwent a Cutler-Beard procedure. Of the patients four received an additional eye bank scleral implant and one received an additional free tarsal graft from the fellow upper eyelid to enhance eyelid stability.

RESULTS

The Cutler-Beard bridge flap technique was surgically feasible in all patients without causing damage to the lower eyelid bridge or resulting in any infections. Out of the 13 reconstructions without additional stabilizing tissue 3 (23%) developed an upper eyelid entropion that was successfully managed using a secondary scleral implant. None of the five reconstructions using additional scleral or tarsal tissue showed an entropion of the upper eyelid.

CONCLUSION

The Cutler-Beard bridge flap technique, which can be combined with grafting additional stabilization tissue in defects exceeding 75% of the upper eyelid length, is a reliable method for reconstruction of large full thickness upper eyelid defects following tumor excision.

Potential candidate cells for constructing tissue-engineered lacrimal duct epithelium: a histological and cytological study in rabbits

OBJECTIVE

Injury and deficiency of the lacrimal duct epithelium (LDE) can lead to a variety of lacrimal diseases. The purpose of this study was to characterize potential candidate cells for constructing a tissue-engineered LDE.

METHODS

Different areas of the conjunctiva and lacrimal duct tissue were removed from male adult New Zealand white rabbits for histological evaluation. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining of cytokeratin AE1+AE3, cytokeratin 4, Ki-67, and MUC5AC were observed by light microscopy. The surface morphologies of different epithelial tissues and cellular structures were examined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Epithelial cells were isolated from tissues and identified by specific markers. In vitro, proliferative ability and Western blot analyses of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of different epithelial cells cultured in identical environments were investigated and compared.

RESULTS

Histologically, the epithelial specific markers, cytokeratin AE1+AE3 and cytokeratin 4, were expressed in the conjunctiva epithelium and the LDE. Notably, highly proliferative cells stained with Ki-67 were concentrated under the epithelium in a dome structure of the posterior palpebral conjunctiva. Differentiated goblet cells were also found to a lesser extent in this region. Primary palpebral and fornical conjunctival epithelial cells (PFCECs), bulbar conjunctival epithelial cells (BCECs), and lacrimal duct epithelial cells (LDECs) were successfully separated from tissues. In vitro, rabbit PFCECs and LDECs grew faster and expressed more PCNA than BCECs.

CONCLUSIONS

PFCECs are anatomically similar to LDECs. They also have similar morphological characteristics, immune phenotypes, and proliferation features. PFCECs are therefore potential candidate cells to replace LDECs in tissue engineering to treat lacrimal duct diseases.