Surgical management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis

Nasal and Lacrimal Sac Histopathology in Patients With Granulomatous Polyangiitis Undergoing Lacrimal Drainage Surgery

PURPOSE

To examine histological changes within nasal and lacrimal sac mucosa harvested from patients with granulomatous polyangiitis (GPA) who required lacrimal drainage surgery. As these patients were considered quiescent on clinical and serological grounds, particular attention was paid to the presence of active vasculitis.

DESIGN

Retrospective noncomparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with GPA who had open lacrimal drainage surgery under the care of a single surgeon between 1991 and 2017. All patients had paired biopsies of both nasal and ipsilateral lacrimal sac mucosa.

METHODS

Biopsies of the nasal and lacrimal sac mucosa, taken from the operative site during either primary or revisional open dacryocystorhinostomy, were reported by experienced ophthalmic histopathologists. Outcome measures were the surgical appearance of the tissues and the proportion of each tissue showing histological evidence of active vasculitis, chronic inflammation with or without fibrosis, marked fibrosis without inflammation, or acute-on-chronic inflammatory changes.

RESULTS

Paired tissues were available from 47 patients (25 females; 53%) who had undergone 64 procedures (57 primary, 7 revisional). All patients had systemic disease, this being known prior to surgery in 43 patients (with 41/43 on long-established systemic immunosuppression) and suspected clinically after the initial lacrimal examination in 4/47. Most lacrimal sacs and nasal spaces showed a variety of abnormalities, this commonly being extensive scarring. Despite most patients being considered to have inactive systemic GPA, active vasculitis was evident in 23/64 (36%) lacrimal sac biopsies and 32/64 (50%) nasal mucosal biopsies-suggesting that serological markers may not be reliable guide to disease activity where disease is of limited volume (as, for example, with limited sino-nasal disease). Chronic lymphocytic inflammation was present in a further 35/64 (55%) sacs-associated with marked fibrosis in 5-and a further 25/64 (41%) nasal biopsies (with fibrosis in 2).

CONCLUSIONS

The lacrimal sac and nasal space are highly abnormal in most patients with GPA undergoing lacrimal drainage surgery. Despite having clinically and serologically inactive disease on established systemic immunotherapy, histological examination often shows unrecognized active vasculitis, which might indicate inadequate systemic immunosuppression for the underlying condition.Lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa from patients with granulomatous polyangiitis undergoing dacryocystorhinostomy usually show chronic lymphocytic inflammation with marked fibrosis, but up to half reveal active vasculitis despite long-established systemic immunosuppression and apparently "quiescent" disease.

The role of surgery in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides affecting the nose and sinuses: A systematic review

Background:

The ear, nose and throat region has been reported to be one of the commonest sites involved in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis diseases and often precedes the diagnosis of ANCA–associated vasculitis by many months. Although treatment for ANCA–associated vasculitis primarily requires systemic immunosuppressive therapy, there are specific indications for sinonasal surgery during the course of the disease process. The three major roles for surgery in sinonasal vasculitis are to aid diagnosis through biopsy, enable symptom relief and nasal reconstructive surgery consideration when in remission.

Purpose:

The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the surgical procedures which can be performed in patients with ANCA–associated vasculitis presenting with sinonasal involvement.

Materials and methods:

A systematic literature search was performed for scientific articles on MEDLINE (PubMed Advanced MEDLINE Search) and EMBASE. The search included all articles up to April 2020.

Conclusion:

Surgical intervention during the active phase of ANCA–associated vasculitis disease can improve the patient’s symptoms and enable histological diagnosis. The surgical decision to manage the nose requires a multidisciplinary approach involving the vasculitis specialist and the ear, nose and throat surgeon. Nasal reconstruction can be performed to restore form and function but only when the disease is in remission so as to maximise success and minimise complications.

External dacryocystorhinostomy in patients with granulomatous polyangiitis

AIM

To review the outcome for primary or revisional external dacryocystorhinostomy in patients with granulomatous polyangiitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective case-note review to include age at presentation, duration of prior GPA, immunosuppression at time of surgery, nature of first lacrimal surgery, and symptomatic control.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients (25 female; 52%) presented at an average age of 50.5 years and 7 (15%) had prior lacrimal surgery on one (5/7; 71%) or both sides. The duration of systemic GPA varied, with 40% having disease for up to 3 years prior to lacrimal referral, and 41/48 (85%) being on systemic immunosuppression. Forty-eight patients had 71 affected drainage pathways-having symptoms for an average of 22 months (range <1 month to 7 years). Surgery was undertaken on 70/71 systems-62/70 primary DCRs (20 unilateral; 8 simultaneous bilateral; 13 sequential bilateral). Of nine systems with persistent symptoms after prior surgery, eight underwent revisional surgery (six unilateral; one sequential bilateral). With a follow-up of 2.5 years (range 3 months to 14 years), volume symptoms were cured in all 70 cases. Flow symptoms were controlled in 58/62 (94%) systems after primary DCR, and all eight after revisional surgery. Of four sides with persistent epiphora, one was cured with revisional DCR and three with placement of Jones' canalicular bypass tubes.

CONCLUSION

Mucoid discharge, dacryocystitis and recurrent conjunctivitis were cured in all patients with GPA after either primary and revisional surgery. Continued epiphora was controlled in most patients with additional closed procedures.

Outcomes of Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy in Secondary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: A Case-Control Study

INTRODUCTION

Secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (SANDO), where the obstruction is caused by a known process, is becoming more commonly treated by endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (endoDCR). This study evaluates outcomes of endoDCR for cases of SANDO in comparison to endoDCR outcomes treating primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO).

METHODS

All patients undergoing endoDCR from 2006 to 2015 at a tertiary referral center were reviewed for etiology of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and success of procedure. Inclusion criteria were preoperative determination of NLDO via probing and irrigation, greater than 60-day follow up with assessment of duct patency via probing and irrigation after silicone tube removal, and postoperative survey for recurrent epiphora. Exclusion criteria were cases treating partial NLDO, patients undergoing concurrent conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy, and patients lost to follow up or with incomplete records. Preanalysis stratification was performed for the following preexisting conditions: PANDO, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, sarcoidosis, midfacial radiotherapy, radioactive iodine therapy, severe prolonged sinusitis, prior failed DCR, and midface trauma. The primary outcome was postoperative anatomical patency of the nasolacrimal system with resolution of epiphora. Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact tests were performed comparing each SANDO group to the PANDO group with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine cases of NLDO underwent endoDCR in this series, 21 of which had a diagnosis consistent with SANDO. All patients treated with the aggressive perioperative management protocol the authors describe achieved anatomical patency. Patients with history of radioactive iodine therapy and radiotherapy had statistically worse outcomes compared with patients with PANDO, p = 0.011, p = 0.045, respectively. Stratified groups with increased intranasal sinus inflammation trended toward worse outcomes, but were not statistically different.

CONCLUSIONS

EndoDCR is a viable approach for the treatment of SANDO. In patients with history of radiotherapy or radioactive iodine therapy, however, endoDCR demonstrated decreased success rates as compared with patients with PANDO. Modifications of operative and postoperative management based on underlying etiology of NLDO may improve outcomes of endoDCR in SANDO cases. The authors describe an aggressive protocol for perioperative management of patients with pathologic nasal inflammation undergoing endoDCR.

[Ophthalmologic manifestation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis)]

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly earlier known as Wegener's granulomatosis, is primary system necrotizing vasculitis of small and medium-sized vessels, which is characterized by the formation of foci of granulomatous inflammation. One of the target organs in GPA is the organ of vision. Its affection may not only reduce quality of life, but also may lead to the severest complications even to fatal outcome. The affection varies in severity from slight inflammation of the ocular superficial structures to severe involvement of all orbital and ocular structures to develop complete blindness, including bilateral one. GPA can affect any portion of the organ of vision. The changes are low specific, which makes early diagnosis and timely adequate therapy difficult. Overall all ophthalmologic manifestations can be divide into 4 groups: 1) lesions of the orbit and appendages; 2) those of the conjunctiva and fibrous tunic of the eyeball: 3) those of the retina: 4) those of the optic nerve. Orbital affection is characterized by the development of granulomas, dacryoadenitis with marked inflammatory infiltration of the surrounding tissues, including oculomotor muscles, and destruction of orbital bony walls. Nonspecific conjunctivitis and episcleritis are commonly encountered. Affection of the fibrous tunic of the eyeball is characterized by the development of necrotizing scleritis, peripheral ulcerative or stromal keratitis. The retina is rarely involved and mainly described as sporadic cases in the literature. The optic nerve is most commonly damaged due to the compression of the orbit by inflamed tissue; the lesion is more infrequently ischemic.

Bilateral lacrimal drainage obstruction and its association with secondary causes

PURPOSE

Etiologies of lacrimal obstruction requiring a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) have been reviewed previously but most commonly are thought to result from "primary acquired" nasolacrimal duct obstruction, a process of chronic inflammation in a narrowed duct. The authors have observed that secondary causes are frequently associated with bilateral lacrimal outflow disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate this relationship to help the clinician prioritize which patients to evaluate for secondary causes.

METHODS

This is a retrospective case-controlled review of patients who underwent bilateral DCR from 1986 to 2012 at this institution. They are compared with an age and gender-matched control group who underwent unilateral DCR. Statistical analysis was undertaken using the Pearson chi-square test for p value, except for age, which used the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Logistic regression was used for comparing prevalence of secondary issues in bilateral disease versus unilateral disease, with age as covariate.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-five patients underwent bilateral (91) or unilateral DCR (144). Twice as many patients undergoing bilateral DCR had an underlying secondary cause compared with the patients undergoing unilateral DCR. (38%, 19%, p= 0.001, odds ratio 2.59). In patients <50, the odds ratio of a secondary cause in bilateral disease would be 5.34 compared with patients older than 80. (p = 0.0002) Patients in the bilateral DCR group underwent revisions at more than twice the rate as patients in the unilateral DCR group (26%, 12%, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Ophthalmologists should have a high index of suspicion for secondary conditions underlying bilateral lacrimal outflow obstruction, especially in patients <50. These patients should undergo laboratory workup and intraoperative biopsy. They should also be counseled regarding a higher failure rate.

A modified lacrimal sac implant for high-risk dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE

The reported 5% of patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction who fail dacryocystorhinostomy likely include patients with severe mucosal disease or anatomical anomalies. The technique described herein avoids mucosal anastomosis and minimizes mucosal manipulation by inserting a permanent silicone conduit from the lacrimal sac into the nasal cavity.

METHODS

This retrospective review of 9 surgical cases was performed with institutional review board approval. Six patients underwent 9 surgeries (3 sequentially bilateral) for dacryocystitis. Two patients had Wegener granulomatosis, 1 had pemphigoid, 1 sarcoidosis, 1 Rosai-Dorfman disease, and 1 congenital choanal atresia with chronic neonatal dacryocystitis. In each case, a modified Rains sinus stent was inserted through an external lacrimal sac incision with the draining end positioned in the nasal cavity. Two patients underwent concurrent canalicular intubation with Guibor silicone stents to prevent internal punctum obstruction by the lacrimal sac implant. Recurrence of symptoms, patient comfort, and modified Rains stent stability and patency were evaluated.

RESULTS

Mean follow up was 30 months (range 7-59 months). The modified Rains stent remained stable and patent in 7 of 9 cases, and symptoms resolved in 8 of 9 cases. In 1 patient with sarcoidosis, the modified Rains stent became repeatedly obstructed with nasal secretions and ultimately dislodged after intranasal manipulation by a physician unfamiliar with the surgery. In no other case did the patient experience recurrent infection, and in those cases, epiphora resolved entirely. In the patient with pemphigoid, one of the modified Rains stents extruded 6 months postoperatively, but his symptoms remained controlled. No adverse reaction to the implant material was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

A Rains silicone frontal sinus stent can be modified for implantation into the lacrimal sac and can safely and effectively drain the lacrimal sac into the nose in patients with severe mucosal disease or anatomical anomalies. Additional study and a stent specifically designed for this application will likely improve outcomes.

External dacryocystorhinostomy surgery in patients with Wegener granulomatosis

PURPOSE

To determine surgical outcomes after external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery in patients with Wegener granulomatosis (WG).

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of consecutive patients with WG who underwent primary or secondary external DCR surgery between January 2001 and January 2010. Clinical data reviewed included patient demographics, systemic disease involvement and immunosuppression therapy, intraoperative biopsy findings, and postoperative outcomes and complications. Success was defined as resolution of epiphora.

RESULTS

Sixteen primary external DCRs were performed on 9 patients with WG, and 2 secondary external DCRs were performed on 2 patients. At the time of surgery, all patients with WG were on systemic immunosuppressive agents including methotrexate, rapamycin, sirolimus, tacrolimus, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and prednisone, and no patients received increased corticosteroids after surgery. Intraoperative biopsy in patients with WG revealed chronic inflammation (4 patients) and fibrosis (1 patient). Silicone stents were removed at an average of 5.8 months (range, 3-12 months). All surgeries were successful in resolving epiphora with an average follow up of 3.5 years (range, 10 months-6 years) and no complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary and secondary external DCR surgery successfully treats nasolacrimal duct obstruction in patients with WG on systemic immunosuppression.

Ocular manifestations of ANCA-associated vasculitis

The antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides-Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis, and Churg-Strauss syndrome-can present with various ophthalmic manifestations. In a subset of patients, these findings may be the earliest indicators of systemic disease. Orbital and anterior segment findings are most common, whereas posterior segment complications such as retinal vasculitis and optic neuropathy occur much less frequently. This article describes the distinguishing features of associated ophthalmic disease, focusing on the manifestations clinicians are most likely to encounter and those with the most significant ocular morbidity. Although the ANCA-associated vasculitides require systemic workup and treatment, this article discusses diagnostic and therapeutic modalities often used concurrently for ophthalmic disease.

Successful endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy in a patient with Wegener's granulomatosis

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is one form of idiopathic autoimmune vasculitis. The disease has a predilection for the upper and lower respiratory tracts (lungs, nose, sinus), and kidneys. WG may be systemic, severe, and potentially lethal, but it may also be limited to the otolaryngological area or to the eyes and the orbits. Obstruction of the lacrimal pathway is a possible complication of the disease that affects approximately 7% of patients with WG. It usually occurs as a direct extension of sinonasal disease and typically is a late manifestation. Management of such a condition is generally viewed as difficult. We report the case of a patient with a quiescent WG limited to the otolaryngological area. This patient presented a bilateral obstruction of the nasolacrimal ducts caused by bilateral extensive adhesions in the nasal cavity. Because she had several episodes of left-side acute dacryocystitis which necessitated several courses of broad-spectrum antibiotics, she successfully underwent an endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy using a diode laser and powered instrumentation. The authors describe the clinical case, the surgical technique, and review the literature.

Clinical usefulness of endoscopic intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) has the following advantages over external surgery: pain and hemorrhage are minimal; postoperative facial swelling and scarring are absent; and symptoms resolve rapidly after surgery. Furthermore, as no significant differences in postoperative results were apparent between external and endoscopic intranasal DCR, and because no facial skin incision is required, the clinical usefulness of endoscopic intranasal DCR is high.

OBJECTIVES

In the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction or chronic dacryocystitis in which epiphora or ocular discharge are chief complaints, endoscopic intranasal DCR is a safe, easy, minimally invasive, and reliable approach. In the present study, we describe the surgical procedures, techniques, and results of endoscopic intranasal DCR, and investigate its clinical usefulness.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The subjects were 21 patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent a total of 24 endoscopic intranasal DCR procedures. Etiologies of the obstruction were, respectively, cryptogenic (62.5%), secondary to partial maxillectomy (16.7%), complication of sinus surgery (12.5%), and due to underlying disease--Wegener's granulomatosis (4.2%) or nasal T-cell lymphoma (4.2%). To assess the clinical usefulness of this procedure, postoperative courses were assessed by reviewing medical records and conducting telephone interviews. In addition, to assess the therapeutic effects, postoperative results were statistically compared to those of external DCR.

RESULTS

Closure of the surgical opening was seen in two cases (8.3%). In both cases, after the closed region was opened using an endoscopic procedure, symptoms resolved. Finally, lacrimal passage obstruction was not observed by lacrimal irrigation in any patient. None of the patients in the present study experienced major complications during or after surgery, and since their symptoms improved, the degree of satisfaction was high. When compared to external DCR, endoscopic intranasal DCR showed no statistically significant difference in postoperative results, thus confirming that similar therapeutic effects could be obtained for the two procedures.

Diagnosis of limited ophthalmic wegener granulomatosis: distinctive pathologic features with ANCA test confirmation

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical and histopathologic finding of very limited ophthalmic Wegener granulomatosis (WG).

METHODS

Thirteen patients with scleritis, orbitopathy, episcleritis, and panuveitis were studied. They presented without evidence of lung or kidney disease, though eight had sinus involvement. We reviewed the biopsies for histopathologic findings consistent with WG, and tested for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA).

RESULTS

WG was suggested by granulomatous foci, collagen necrosis, neutrophils/nuclear dust, plasma cells and infiltrating eosinophils. Granular degeneration of the interstitial collagen; mummification of the collagen with disappearance of fibroblastic nuclei; and a polymorphous infiltrate exhibiting plasma cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils within the epithelioid granulomas should suggest the diagnosis. ANCA test results supported the diagnosis of WG in all cases.

CONCLUSION

The described histologic characteristics are highly suggestive of WG. These findings along with clinical or laboratory findings, allow the diagnosis of very limited ophthalmic WG in the absence of systemic involvement.

Acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a common problem. Although tearing is the usual complaint, the clinical presentation can range from a patient having no symptoms to one with a life-threatening infection. Despite many studies providing useful clues, the exact pathophysiology of the obstructive process is incompletely understood. The clinician must be able to accurately make the diagnosis, which is often a clinical one, because many treatments with excellent success are available.

Recurrent bilateral dacryocystoceles in Wegener's granulomatosis: a rhinologic perspective

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a rare, idiopathic, systemic vasculitis of small vessels that manifests in multiple organ systems. Otorhinolaryngic manifestations of this disease include recurrent sinusitis and relapsing polychondritis. Periocular involvement is also a well-documented location of Wegener's disease. We present the case of a 13-year-old girl with severe WG who developed multiple recurrent orbital infections. She underwent multiple incision and drainage surgeries of each orbit and multiple courses of intravenous antibiotics. The patient persistently reaccumulated purulence in her nasolacrimal duct system and was referred to an oculoplastic surgeon for evaluation of these recurrent infections. The diagnosis of dacryocystitis as a complication of WG was made. This unique case represents a patient with severe WG developing bilateral dacryocystitis requiring bilateral dacryocystorhinostomies.

Wegener’s Granulomatosis: Ophthalmic Manifestations and Management

OBJECTIVES

To provide an up-to-date and comprehensive review of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) as a disease entity, focusing on the ophthalmic manifestations and management options.

METHODS

A search of Medline was undertaken between 1966 and 2005 regarding WG, systemic vasculitis, and the ocular manifestations of WG. Major ophthalmic and medical textbooks also were reviewed for content, as well as original references.

RESULTS

Involvement of ocular and orbital structures in patients with WG is common and may be a presenting feature. The ocular manifestations range from mild conjunctivitis and episcleritis to more severe inflammation with keratitis, scleritis, uveitis, and retinal vasculitis. Involvement of the nasolacrimal system and orbital tissues also can occur. Except for some cases of anterior segment inflammation, the ocular involvement will not respond to topical agents, but rather to systemic antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive regimens. Surgical intervention may be of value for obtaining tissue diagnosis, in achieving orbital decompression in cases of significant orbital disease with optic nerve compromise, or in cases of nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

CONCLUSION

WG is an important clinical entity that needs to be recognized early and treated appropriately. Ophthalmic manifestations are frequently encountered and can result in significant morbidity and even blindness. The management is challenging and often requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Orbital socket contracture: a complication of inflammatory orbital disease in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis

AIM

To describe the clinical characteristics of orbital socket contracture in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study The medical records of 256 patients with WG examined at the National Institutes of Health from 1967 to 2004 were reviewed to identify patients with orbital socket contracture. Details of the orbital disease including Hertel exophthalmometry readings, radiological findings, and results of eye examinations were recorded. Orbital socket contracture was defined as orbital inflammation with proptosis followed by the development of enophthalmos and radiographic evidence of residual fibrotic changes in the orbit. To examine for risk factors in the development of a contracted orbit, patients with orbital socket contracture were compared to patients without contracture with respect to multiple variables including history of orbital surgery, orbital disease severity, and major organ system involvement. The main outcome measures were the clinical characteristics of orbital socket contracture associated with inflammatory orbital disease in patients with WG.

RESULTS

Inflammatory orbital disease occurred in 34 of 256 (13%) patients and detailed clinical data on 18 patients were available and examined. Orbital socket contracture occurred during the clinical course in six patients; the features included restrictive ophthalmopathy (five), chronic orbital pain (three), and ischaemic optic nerve disease (two) resulting in blindness (no light perception) in one patient. The orbital socket contracture occurred within 3 months of treatment with immunosuppressive medications for inflammatory orbital disease in five patients and was not responsive to immunosuppressive medications. The median degree of enophthalmos in the contracted orbit compared with the fellow eye was 2.8 mm (range 1.5-3.5 mm) by Hertel exophthalmometry. There were no risk factors that predicted development of orbital socket contracture.

CONCLUSIONS

In six patients with WG and active inflammatory orbital disease, orbital socket contracture occurred during the treatment course with systemic immunosuppressive medications. The orbital socket contracture, presumably caused by orbital fibrosis, led to enophthalmos, restrictive ophthalmopathy, chronic orbital pain, and optic nerve disease and was not responsive to immunosuppressive therapy. Orbital socket contracture has not been previously reported as a complication of inflammatory orbital disease associated with WG and was an important cause of visual morbidity in our cohort of patients.

Vasculitis of the Lacrimal Sac Wall in Wegener Granulomatosis

A 35-year-old woman with a 4-year history of generalized Wegener granulomatosis (WG) had clinically controlled disease. She was evaluated for a 6-month history of right lacrimal sac mass. On examination, a right chronic dacryocystitis and mucocele were observed. A right external dacryocystorhinostomy was performed. The surgical biopsy specimen from the lacrimal sac showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis with more aggressive damage to the small vessels in the deeper mucosa and focal microhemorrhages. The patient was free of symptoms 1 year after surgery. We believe this is the first report of generalized WG presenting features of an active vasculitis of the lacrimal sac wall on surgical biopsy specimen. We conclude that the lacrimal drainage system can be affected directly by focal WG vasculitis, suggesting that nasolacrimal duct obstruction is not always due to contiguous paranasal disease.

Tarsal-conjunctival disease associated with Wegener's granulomatosis

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical characteristics of tarsal-conjunctival disease in a cohort of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG).

DESIGN

Retrospective, case-controlled study.

PARTICIPANTS

The medical records of 82 consecutive WG patients who underwent an eye examination between January 1996 and June 2002 at the National Institutes of Health were reviewed.

METHODS

Details of the ophthalmic examination, results of medical therapy, and histopathologic analysis results were recorded. Tarsal-conjunctival disease was defined by (1). conjunctival hyperemia and granuloma formation, areas of necrosis, or active fibrovascular changes in the tarsus or conjunctiva, or (2). evidence of inactive fibrovascular scar. The association of tarsal-conjunctival disease with major organ system involvement was assessed using Bayesian methods.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The occurrence and clinical characteristics of tarsal-conjunctival disease in a cohort of patients with WG and associations with major organ system involvement.

RESULTS

Tarsal-conjunctival disease occurred in 13 of 82 patients (16%) with WG examined over a 6.5-year period. The palpebral surface of the upper lid was involved most commonly, showing conjunctival hyperemia in seven patients, granulomatous lesions in three patients, tarsal-conjunctival necrosis in four patients, active fibrovascular proliferation in six patients, and inactive fibrous scar tissue in seven patients. Histopathologic analysis of eyelid biopsy specimens showed granulomatous inflammation, focal necrosis, and areas of occlusive vasculitis in the tarsus and conjunctiva. In reviewing the patterns of organ involvement in patients with and without tarsal-conjunctival disease, the association of subglottic stenosis and nasolacrimal duct obstruction with tarsal-conjunctival disease showed a high probability of clinical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Tarsal-conjunctival disease, a previously uncommon finding in patients with WG, was characterized by inflammation of the palpebral conjunctiva and tarsus followed by a fibrovascular proliferation and scar formation. Because of the important association of tarsal-conjunctival disease with subglottic stenosis, which can progress and lead to laryngeal obstruction and respiratory failure, patients with tarsal-conjunctival disease should be referred to an otolaryngologist for evaluation.

Australasian orbital and adnexal Wegener's granulomatosis

OBJECTIVE

To report a retrospective case series of 29 Australian and New Zealand patients with orbital and adnexal Wegener's granulomatosis (WG).

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-nine cases of orbital and adnexal WG were identified.

METHODS

A number of oculoplastic surgeons and other clinicians in Australia and New Zealand was asked about their experience with orbital and adnexal WG. Clinical data regarding these cases were conveyed by means of a questionnaire. Cases of ophthalmic WG without features of orbital or adnexal disease were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Data obtained from the questionnaire includes age, gender, limited or generalized disease, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) status, symptoms and signs: nasolacrimal obstruction, sinusitis, fistula/orbital bone erosion, orbital mass/proptosis, extraocular muscle/diplopia, visual acuity reduction caused by optic nerve compression, orbital pain, lid edema/erythema, biopsy status, and treatment status.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients with orbital and adnexal WG were identified and described. Symptoms included awareness of an orbital mass, epiphora, orbital pain and diplopia. Signs included an orbital mass or proptosis (69%), nasolacrimal duct obstruction (52%), limited ocular rotations (52%), lid erythema and edema (31%), bony destruction (21%), and reduced visual acuity (17%). Two patients had a persistent nasolacrimocanthal fistula. Cytoplasmic pattern antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (c-ANCA) were present in 52% of patients, and in 9 of 10 patients with generalized disease. However, c-ANCA was positive in only 32% (6 of 19) of patients with limited WG. Perinuclear pattern antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) was positive in 10% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

To diagnose and treat ophthalmic WG effectively, the clinician must be aware of its protean orbital and adnexal manifestations. WG may occur with or without systemic involvement, and c-ANCA was negative in approximately half our cases. Our cases also demonstrated two orbital fistulae, an observation previously believed to be rare.

Lacrimal drainage surgery in Wegener's granulomatosis

AIM

To examine the results of open lacrimal surgery in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis who underwent lacrimal surgery over a 17 year period.

RESULTS

11 patients were identified and a total of 14 primary dacryocystorhinostomies (DCR) and one revisional DCR were performed; symptomatic relief was achieved in 13/14 operations and one patient required revisional surgery for persistent symptoms. There were no intraoperative and few postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast with some previous reports, open DCR appears to be a safe procedure and it is recommended as a treatment for lacrimal obstruction in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, but an increase of perioperative immunosuppression is recommended in certain cases.

Advances in diagnosis, treatment, and management of orbital and periocular Wegener's granulomatosis

Ophthalmologists are often in a position to diagnose Wegener's granulomatosis and prevent significant morbidity. The past 2 years have seen advances in diagnosis and management strategies for this condition. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging and histologic profiles have been better characterized. Perhaps the greatest advance has been the recognition of promising therapeutic alternatives to the current standard cytotoxic protocol. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or methotrexate may be valuable in selected patients with limited forms of Wegener's granulomatosis. Finally, new insights into the mechanisms of disease activation and tissue injury may lead to better treatment and long-term prognosis.

Epiphora: the role of rhinitis

Inflammation in the nasal mucosa may lead to epiphora by causing edema around the orifice of the nasolacrimal duct. We present and discuss three cases where simple treatment of rhinitis led to the resolution of the presenting symptom of epiphora, avoiding the need for surgery. A randomized prospective trial of topical nasal corticosteroids in the management of epiphora associated with rhinitis is in progress.

Wegener's granulomatosis

Clinical manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis are nonspecific and indistinguishable from a variety of neoplastic, infectious, and inflammatory diseases. Ophthalmic disease is the presenting feature in nearly one sixth of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis and will ultimately develop in a majority. The discovery of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, particularly antiproteinase-3, has changed the clinical approach to evaluating patients suspected of having Wegener's granulomatosis. These antibodies are distinguished from other related autoantibodies because they produce a coarse granular pattern of cytoplasmic staining on indirect immunofluorescence with ethanol-fixed neutrophils. Treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis with oral cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids has decreased morbidity and improved survival, but side effects from long-term immunosuppressive therapy are common and sometimes serious. The effectiveness of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in decreasing the number and severity of recurrences of Wegener's granulomatosis is being investigated. It remains to be determined if wide use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in limited Wegener's granulomatosis could further improve the quality of life for some patients.

The treatment of epiphora with balloon dacryocystoplasty

We examine a new treatment for epiphora: balloon dilatation of the nasolacrimal duct, or dacryocystoplasty. The procedure, which was performed as an out-patient procedure under local anaesthetic, was carried out on 20 patients with epiphora, 17 due to anatomical and 3 due to functional obstruction. There was an overall success rate of 60%, with complete relief of symptoms in 4 patients and a symptomatic improvement in another 8 (follow-up 2-9 months, mean 4.2 months). All patients tolerated the procedure well with minimal per-operative and post-operative discomfort. A higher success rate was seen in those patients with either a low anatomical or a functional obstruction. The procedure can be easily repeated and, if unsuccessful, still allows a dacryocystorhinostomy to be performed at a later date.