The use of high resolution optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) in the diagnosis of ocular surface masqueraders

INTRODUCTION

Ocular surface masqueraders encompass any ocular surface lesion masquerading as another ocular surface lesion. High resolution optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) has emerged as an adjunctive tool to clinical acumen. This study's purpose is to evaluate the utility of HR-OCT images in guiding the diagnosis and management of those lesions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

22 individuals with a clinically ambiguous ocular surface lesion with slit lamp photographs (SLP), HR-OCT images, and histopathological examination were included in the study. The presumptive clinical diagnosis based on SLP was compared to the diagnosis suggested by HR-OCT findings and to definitive diagnosis by histopathology. The main outcome of this study was the frequency in which HR-OCT findings guided the clinician to the correct diagnosis.

RESULTS

7 lesions were epithelial, 3 had an epithelial and a subepithelial component, and 12 were subepithelial. HR-OCT was most effective in discerning lesion location, successfully identifying the location in 100% of cases. Classic HR-OCT findings were detected in 68.2% of cases while suggestive features were detected in 31.8% of cases. The epithelial lesions' mean epithelial thickness was 265.4 ± 140.6 μm, the subepithelial lesions' mean was 58.0 ± 25.0 μm, and the combined lesions' mean was 140.0 ± 70.0 μm. The epithelium was significantly thicker in epithelial lesions compared to subepithelial and combined lesions. By ROC analysis we identified that using a cut off of 156 μm, the sensitivity was 86% and the specificity was 93%.

DISCUSSION

HR-OCT can be a valuable diagnostic tool, assisting in the differentiation of ambiguous ocular surface pathologies by providing a cross-sectional, morphological image of the lesion.

Gastric Tuberculosis Presenting as a Subepithelial Mass: A Rare Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastric tuberculosis accounts for approximately 2% of all cases of gastrointestinal tuberculosis. Diagnosis of gastric tuberculosis is challenging because it can present with various clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic features. Tuberculosis manifesting as a gastric subepithelial tumor is exceedingly rare; only several dozen cases have been reported. A 30-year-old male visited emergency room of our hospital with hematemesis and melena. Abdominal CT revealed a 2.5 cm mass in the gastric antrum, and endoscopy revealed a subepithelial mass with a visible vessel at its center on gastric antrum. Primary gastric tuberculosis was diagnosed by surgical wedge resection. We report a rare case of gastric tuberculosis mimicking a subepithelial tumor with acute gastric ulcer bleeding.

Gastric Calcifying Fibrous Tumor Manifesting as a Subepithelial Tumor

A gastric subepithelial tumor is a common finding during upper gastric endoscopy. The differential diagnosis of such lesions is broad, and sometimes a rare disease can be diagnosed. A calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a rare, benign mesenchymal tumor that usually affects children and young adults. To our knowledge, a CFT of the tubular gastrointestinal tract is very rare with fewer than 30 cases of gastric CFTs reported in the literature.

Approach to the endoscopic resection of duodenal lesions

Duodenal polyps or lesions are uncommonly found on upper endoscopy. Duodenal lesions can be categorized as subepithelial or mucosally-based, and the type of lesion often dictates the work-up and possible therapeutic options. Subepithelial lesions that can arise in the duodenum include lipomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and carcinoids. Endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration is useful in the characterization and diagnosis of subepithelial lesions. Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors and large or multifocal carcinoids are best managed by surgical resection. Brunner's gland tumors, solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyps, and non-ampullary and ampullary adenomas are mucosally-based duodenal lesions, which can require removal and are typically amenable to endoscopic resection. Several anatomic characteristics of the duodenum make endoscopic resection of duodenal lesions challenging. However, advanced endoscopic techniques exist that enable the resection of large mucosally-based duodenal lesions. Endoscopic papillectomy is not without risk, but this procedure can effectively resect ampullary adenomas and allows patients to avoid surgery, which typically involves pancreaticoduodenectomy. Endoscopic mucosal resection and its variations (such as cap-assisted, cap-band-assisted, and underwater techniques) enable the safe and effective resection of most duodenal adenomas. Endoscopic submucosal dissection is possible but very difficult to safely perform in the duodenum.

Glomus tumour of the colon: dynamic contrast-enhanced CT findings and review of the literature

We describe the peculiar enhancement pattern of a subepithelial colonic glomus tumour on dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Discontinuous, peripheral nodular enhancement of the colonic lesion followed by subsequent centripetal filling-in of contrast was reminiscent of a hepatic haemangioma, which has not been described with a glomus or any other subepithelial tumour of the colon. When encountered, this tumour enhancement pattern raises the possibility of a colonic glomus tumour prior to histological confirmation.

Minimal modifications could decrease fistula rate during tubularized incised plate procedure in distal hypospadias repair

AIM

To report outcome of technical modifications to minimize fistula after TIP procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

369 boys presenting with distal hypospadias were divided into two groups. In group 1, 196 underwent the standard TIP procedure. In the 173 patients in group 2, several modifications were incorporated into the TIP repair: 1) the first proximal suture was U-shaped subepithelial, 2) dartos flap was created on ventral aspect of penis to cover the proximal suture, and 3) the midline release incision was done as a first step. Patients were monitored prospectively for fistulae, chordee, meatal position, stenosis, and evaluated postoperatively at regular intervals.

RESULTS

362 patients had a good cosmetic appearance with slit-shaped meatus. Urethrocutaneous fistula was seen in 9 (4.6%) in group 1 and 4 (2.3%) in group 2. Urinary streams were of good quality and without fistula in 187 in group 1 and 169 in group 2. Glans dehiscence was seen in 7 (4 in group 1 and 3 in group 2), meatal stenosis and new urethral stricture in 15 (6 in group 1 and 9 in group 2). Glanular appearance was excellent except in those 7 patients who had glans dehiscence, and the phallus was straight in all.

CONCLUSION

The Snodgrass repair has revolutionized the treatment of hypospadias. These technical modifications combined with careful patient selection achieved a low fistula rate.

Endoscopic resection of subepithelial tumors

Subepithelial tumors (SETs) are often incidentally found during endoscopic examinations. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a good method for differential diagnosis of SETs, but a definite diagnosis cannot be made based on EUS features alone in some cases. Periodic follow-up examinations by endoscopy and EUS remains the recommended management strategy, which involves issues related to patient compliance, cost-effectiveness, and the risk associated with repeated endoscopic procedures and delayed diagnosis of malignancy. Endoscopic resection of the SETs is another technique to treat them as well as to obtain tissue specimens for accurate histologic diagnosis. Herein, a various endoscopic techniques ranging from simple snare resection to endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection for the management of SETs will be reviewed.