The diagnostic yield of vitrectomy specimen analysis in chronic idiopathic endogenous uveitis

Vitreoretinal Surgery in Uveitis: From Old to New Concepts - A Review

PURPOSE

The aim of this article is to do a comprehensive literature review about the current role of pars plana vitrectomy in uveitis and in its different structural complications such as cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membrane, macular hole, and retinal detachment.

METHODS

This comprehensive literature review was performed based on a search on PubMed, BioMed Central, Science Open, and CORE databases, of relevant articles abording pars plana vitrectomy in uveitis.

DISCUSSION

Uveitis is a complex disease with multiple etiologies and pathogenic mechanisms. Therapeutic pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) may aid in uveitic structural complications such as cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membranes, macular hole, and retinal detachments even though some cases may present unpredictable visual outcomes. Diagnostic PPV with appropriate ancillary testing is also a valuable tool for the assessment and diagnosis of uveitis in a large proportion of patients.

CONCLUSION

Over the years, pars plana vitrectomy has undergone significant transformations since its invention nearly 5 decades ago, however, the quality of evidence in the literature regarding its use for uveitis has not improved in the same way. Even though some structural uveitis complications (as previously mentioned) may respond well to surgery, there is still a certain unpredictability regarding its visual outcomes. On the other hand, diagnostic vitrectomy with appropriate ancillary testing is also a valuable tool for the assessment and diagnosis of uveitis in a large proportion of patients.

Panuveitis of undetermined origin after diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy: clinical characterization and long-term outcome from a tertiary referral center

PURPOSE

To identify the characteristics and outcome of panuveitis of undetermined origin (PUO) after diagnostic vitrectomy.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent vitrectomy for diagnostic/therapeutic purposes from 2013 to 2020, whose vitreous biopsies turned out negative and final diagnoses were not clinically supported.

RESULTS

Of 122 operated eyes, 36 eyes (29.5%) were defined as PUO (67.8 ± 14.9 years). The presenting clinical picture revealed a predominantly bilateral condition (70% of eyes) with significant posterior segment involvement: 3.1 ± 0.6 vitritis, 61.1% of eyes with retinal vasculitis, 44.4% with macular edema, and 30.6% with exudative retinal detachment. Presenting visual acuity was 1.2 ± 0.7 logMAR, and up to 90% remained stable or improved vision over a ~ 3.5 year observation period. None of the presenting clinical features turned out to be predictive of final visual outcome or survival.

CONCLUSIONS

PUO is present in up to 30% of cases after diagnostic/therapeutic vitrectomy. This mainly bilateral condition shows chronic and overall stable long-term outcome, generally with retained steady visual function.

INTRAOCULAR LYMPHOMA WITH RETROBULBAR INFILTRATION. A CASE REPORT

Subjective and objective symptoms following intraocular lymphoma could lead to a misdiagnosis at the beginning of the disease, which is the cause for the delay in an effective treatment. The most common manifestation of lymphoma is an inflammatory disease affecting the uvea. A multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis is required. Suspicion based on the ophthalmological examinations has to be verified by histology. We present a case report of a 78-year-old patient examined at our clinic, with progressive loss of vision in the left eye over 6 months, suspected of retinal detachment. Objectively the visual acuity was counting fingers in front of the left eye. Intraocular pressure changed from normotensive to hypertensive values during regular examinations. We realised imaging exams, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance, which proved an intraocular tumour with retrobulbar infiltration and retinal detachment. The patient was indicated for enucleation, which enabled assignment of a histological type of intraocular B-Non-Hodgkin lymphoma from marginal zone B-cells. We sent the patient to a haematologist-oncologist for management of the subsequent treatment and we prescribed an individual prosthesis to the patient after the enucleation. The patient remains under observation; no surgical treatment, chemotherapy or radiotherapy have been used for 15 months after the enucleation. The enucleation was both a diagnostic and treatment modality.

ROLE OF DIAGNOSTIC PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY IN DETERMINING THE ETIOLOGY OF UVEITIS INITIALLY UNKNOWN

PURPOSE

To estimate the success and safety of diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in determining the etiology of uveitis initially unknown and analyze their characteristics.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, and Ovid were searched up to October 2017 to identify relevant studies. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Statistical analyses were performed with R version 3.3.1. Result in proportion were transformed by the Freeman-Tukey variant of arcsine square to attain symmetry of confidence intervals (CIs). The statistical heterogeneity was assessed by the chi-square test and I statistics. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analyses were performed to identify the source of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed by the Egger test.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies involving 1,195 patients were finally included. The pooling result showed the successful rate of diagnostic PPV was 44% (95% CI [39%∼50%]). Among patients whose diagnostic PPV yielded a definitive diagnosis, 69% were infectious uveitis (95% CI [61%∼77%]), 23% were lymphoma (95% CI [17%∼30%]), and 4% were metastatic carcinoma (95% CI [2%∼10%]). Among patients diagnosed with infectious uveitis, the most frequent pathogens identified were viruses, followed by bacteria, Toxocara canis, Toxoplasma gondii, tuberculosis, and fungus. The incidence of postoperative cataract and postoperative retinal detachment was 19% (95% CI [8%∼29%]) and 5% (95% CI [1%∼10%]), respectively, and the rate of secondary vitrectomy surgery was 10% (95% CI [2%∼22%]). Postoperative visual improvement rate was 46% (95% CI [39%∼52%]), and the postoperative treatment strategy was changed in light of the results of diagnostic PPV in 20% of cases (95% CI [10%∼29%]).

CONCLUSION

For uveitis of unknown cause, diagnostic PPV is an effective, reliable, and relatively safe procedure for establishing the definite diagnosis and guiding further treatment. Positive therapeutic effect could also be achieved.

[Pharmacological treatment strategies and surgical options for uveitis]

BACKGROUND

Modern treatment of uveitis aims at a complete control of inflammatory activity, preservation of visual function and the prevention of secondary organ damage as a consequence of the underlying inflammatory disease and its treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This article gives an update about the strategies of pharmacological and surgical options for uveitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The outcomes reported here are based on a PubMed search using the terms <"uveitis" AND "therapy"> and <"uveitis" AND "surgery" OR "surgical treatment">. All prospective studies and case series with more than 20 cases as well as review articles from the last 5 years along with cited cross-references were evaluated.

RESULTS

Local and systemic corticosteroids form the foundation of treatment after exclusion of an infectious etiology. If uveitis activity is not controlled within 6 weeks or if the daily corticosteroid dosage is unacceptably high, a treatment escalation using immunomodulatory drugs is required. If a complete control of inflammatory activity is not achieved, in a third phase treatment is supplemented by antibody-based treatment or cytokines, so-called biologics, with the aim of complete long-term freedom from disease without local or systemic steroid treatment. This target is achieved in 65-80% and guarantees long-term functional stability and anatomical integrity. Early treatment escalation in cases of persisting or recurrent activity as a rule prevents new secondary organ damage. Surgical options are utilized for diagnostic purposes, the administration of intravitreal drugs and for treatment of secondary complications.

CONCLUSION

Just like the majority of immunological diseases, uveitis is a chronic disease requiring long-term and possibly lifelong treatment and remission (absence of inflammation without treatment) is achieved in only <20%. Surgical interventions can be performed with a good prognosis, if the optic nerve head and macula are not involved. They have a substantially lower complication rate when freedom from symptoms exists preoperatively for at least 3 months.

Intraocular lymphoma

Intraocular lymphoma (IOL) is a rare lymphocytic malignancy which contains two main distinct forms. Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is mainly a sub-type of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Alternatively, IOL can originate from outside the central nervous system (CNS) by metastasizing to the eye. These tumors are known as secondary intraocular lymphoma (SIOL). The IOL can arise in the retina, uvea, vitreous, Bruch's membrane and optic nerve. There are predominantly of B-cell origin; however there are also rare T-cell variants. Diagnosis remains challenging for ophthalmologists and pathologists, due to its ability to masquerade as noninfectious or infectious uveitis, white dot syndromes, or occasionally as other metastatic cancers. Laboratory tests include flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, interleukin detection (IL-10: IL-6, ratio >1), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Methotrexate-based systemic chemotherapy with external beam radiotherapy and intravitreal chemotherapy with methotrexate are useful for controlling the disease, but the prognosis remains poor. Therefore, it is important to make an early diagnose and treatment. This review is focused on the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the IOL.

The role of pars plana vitrectomy in the diagnosis and treatment of uveitis

PURPOSE

To assess the diagnostic yield of vitreous fluid analysis and the therapeutic effect of pars plana vitrectomy in patients with suspected intraocular inflammation.

METHODS

During 2004-2008, pars plana vitrectomy was performed in 89 patients (101 eyes) out of 1233 patients with uveitis. Vitreous specimens were analyzed by cytologic and histopathologic examination, microbiologic culture, polymerase chain reaction, antibody determination, and flow cytometry. Vitrectomy was performed in 85 eyes for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes; the remaining 16 eyes underwent only diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy. Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected Snellen visual acuity was compared.

RESULTS

Preoperative diagnoses were infection in 40 patients, malignant masquerade syndrome in 10 patients, and idiopathic uveitis in 39 patients. Vitreous analysis contributed to the determination of diagnosis in 54 patients (61%). Final diagnoses were infection in 42 patients, malignant masquerade syndrome in 6 patients, benign masquerade syndrome in 16 patients, and idiopathic uveitis in 25 patients. Vitreous fluid collected from each eye underwent approximately 2.2 (range 1-6) laboratory tests. Therapeutic reasons for vitrectomy were the treatment of complications of uveitis in 42 eyes and/or intravitreal application of anti-infectious or cytostatic drugs in 49 eyes. Overall, the visual acuity improved in 45% of eyes, remained unchanged in 45% of eyes, and decreased in 10% of eyes in 3 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Pars plana vitrectomy with carefully selected testing is a valuable tool for assessment of diagnosis in a large proportion of patients with uveitis. Moreover, the therapeutic effect of vitrectomy can improve the visual outcomes in these patients.