Topical silicone gel mistaken for a retained orbital foreign body on MRI

MRI is now a well-regarded imaging technique, but due to its use of strong magnetic fields, some metallic objects are contraindicated. We present a case of a man in his 40s with thyroid eye disease, who underwent bilateral orbital decompression. Following surgery, he was advised to start scar massage with topical silicone gel (Dermatix). He later underwent an MRI head scan which was halted due to concerns of a retained metallic foreign body. Topical silicone gel is widely used clinically for scar management. Due to its properties, it can cause the appearance of an artefact on MRI and be mistaken for a metallic foreign body. We present the first case to our knowledge of an MRI susceptibility artefact which was attributed to topical silicone gel and describe the diagnostic confusion it caused. We recommend asking patients to wash off any topical silicone gel before having an MRI scan.

Patients' perceptions of visual impairment associated with smoking: A cross-sectional study of a United Kingdom tertiary eye centre

Smoking is a well-established risk factor for several eye disorders including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. While many individuals are informed of the various adverse health effects, there is limited research into patients’ awareness of the relationship between smoking and eye disease and the potential impact this might have on reducing smoking behaviour. Our findings document the low level of awareness of the risk of blindness from smoking at a tertiary eye unit in the United Kingdom and highlight the need for increased involvement from eye care professionals, alongside health campaigns to educate the public of this consequence of smoking.

Co-existence of metastatic uterine sarcoma and orbital sarcoidosis: A case report and literature review

A 77-year old lady with previously treated endometrial sarcoma presented with progressive left upper lid mechanical ptosis secondary to superior orbital mass. An orbital biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of orbital sarcoidosis. Further systemic work up revealed suspicious pulmonary nodules which were found to be endometrial sarcoma metastases rather than systemic sarcoidosis on image guided biopsy. She was treated with 20 months of chemotherapy for metastatic sarcoma. The ptosis completely resolved, however, pulmonary metastases progressed despite chemotherapy. The co- existence of malignancy with sarcoidosis should be considered in all cases of new onset sarcoidosis. Biopsy of suspicious lesions, close observation and multidisciplinary team management is advocated for these patients.

Clinical challenges of thyroid eye disease in HIV-positive patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND

Graves' disease (GD) as an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV has previously been reported. However, clinical challenges associated with HIV in the context of thyroid eye disease (TED) are not as well-characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of coexisting HIV and TED, describe TED presentation and course in the context of HIV, and evaluate management difficulties as well as potential solutions.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of all patients with coexisting GD and HIV at University Hospitals Birmingham (2003-2014). Retrospective case note review to identify TED with particular reference to HAART regimen, CD4+ T-cell count, HIV viral load, and TED activity and severity.

RESULTS

Of 783 subjects with GD and 1186 with HIV, 11 were identified with both GD and HIV. Of these, three had clinical features of TED; each was of Afro-Caribbean origin, was in their fourth decade, and initially presented with undetectable CD4 T cells and high HIV viral loads. All went on to develop GD >3 years after commencing HAART, with normal CD4 count and undetectable viral load at the time of GD diagnosis. The full spectrum of TED was represented, with two subjects requiring orbital decompression surgery.

DISCUSSION

TED in the context of HIV is uncommon. Many challenges exist in such patients, particularly HAART drug interactions with antithyroid and immunosuppressant medications. To better understand TED in HIV and to counsel patients with this copathology most effectively, future multicenter surveillance is required.

Combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium

We report two cases of combined hamatoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (CHR-RPE), illustrated with ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography images. CHR-RPE could clinically mimic several other retinal conditions. Failure to distinguish it from serious malignancies such as choroidal melanoma or retinoblastoma has led to unnecessary enucleation in the past. Through these case reports and a review of literature, we show the diagnostic features of CHR-RPE, its key differential diagnoses and the management options.

Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis for the Correction of Hyperopia Using a 7.0-mm Optical Zone With the Schwind ESIRIS Laser

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy of laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for the correction of hyperopia using a 7.0-mm optical zone and a 9.0-mm total ablation zone diameter with the Schwind ESIRIS flying-spot laser.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients (70 eyes) were treated with a mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction of +2.32 diopters (D) (range: 0 to +5.00 D). All eyes underwent LASEK using 15% alcohol with a 20-second application.

RESULTS

An intact epithelial flap was obtained in 66 (94%) eyes. In 70 eyes at 12 months, the mean spherical equivalent refraction was +0.09 D (range: -0.75 to +1.00 D) with all (100%) eyes within +/- 1.00 D of the intended correction and 60 (86%) eyes within +/- 0.50 D. In 40 eyes with 24-month follow-up, the refractive correction remained stable after 6 months. Hyperopic cylindrical corrections were attempted in 49 eyes (range: +0.25 to +5.00 D) with vector analysis demonstrating a mean 102% correction at 12 to 24 months. In 60 non-amblyopic eyes, uncorrected visual acuity was > or = 20/20 in 47 (78%) eyes. Thirty-three (47%) eyes gained 1 to 2 lines of Snellen decimal equivalent best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, 30 (43%) eyes showed no change, and 7 (10%) eyes lost 1 line. Eight (11%) eyes at 12 to 24 months had grade +/- 1 of paracentral corneal haze and 57 (81%) had no haze. At 12 months (n = 70), the safety index was 1.06 with an efficacy index of 0.95. Analysis of higher order wavefront aberrations showed no significant changes in root-mean-square values post-operatively, except for a significant reduction of fourth order spherical aberration (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Laser epithelial keratomileusis for hyperopia up to +5.00 D using a 7.0-mm optical zone with the Schwind ESIRIS laser provides excellent refractive and visual outcomes with minimal complications. In eyes followed for 24 months, the refractive correction remained stable after 6 months.

Reliability of ophthalmic accident and emergency referrals: a new role for the emergency nurse practitioner?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Annual attendances at the accident and emergency (A&E) department of St Bartholomew's and The Royal London NHS Trust exceed 100,000 people of which 6% are ophthalmic. This study evaluated the accuracy of eye referrals from A&E senior house officers (SHOs) and emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) and the impact any inaccuracies may have had on out of hours work.

METHODS

Over a four week period a record of all referrals from the A&E department was made. The doctor receiving the referral made a note of clinical variables as reported by the referring clinician. When the patient was subsequently reviewed by an ophthalmologist, a record was again made of these findings. Any discrepancies were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 67 patients were recruited. ENPs were found to be consistently more accurate than SHOs in every aspect of the assessment, most notably in visual acuity (p = 0.0029), and provisional diagnosis (p = 0.012). Furthermore, had the examination findings been accurate, 58% of all SHO referrals seen after hours would have been triaged to the next available clinic but only 10% of ENP referrals could have been seen at the next clinic session (p = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

This study found ENPs to be more accurate than A&E SHOs in history taking, recording visual acuity, describing ocular anatomy, and making provisional diagnoses. A significant reduction in out of hours ophthalmic workload may be achieved in the authors' unit if ENPs were to see all eye emergencies.

Cerebral malaria versus bacterial meningitis in children with impaired consciousness

Cerebral malaria (CM) and acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) are the two common causes of impaired consciousness in children presenting to hospital in sub-Sahara Africa. Since the clinical features of the two diseases may be very similar, treatment is often guided by the initial laboratory findings. However, no detailed studies have examined the extent to which the laboratory findings in these two diseases may overlap. We reviewed data from 555 children with impaired consciousness admitted to Kilifi District Hospital, Kenya. Strictly defined groups were established based on the malaria slide, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leucocyte count and the results of blood and CSF culture and CSF bacterial antigen testing. Our data suggests significant overlap in the initial CSF findings between CM and ABM. The absolute minimum proportions of children with impaired consciousness and malaria parasitaemia who also had definite bacterial meningitis were 4% of all children and 14% of children under 1 year of age. The estimated maximum proportion of all children with impaired consciousness and malaria parasitaemia in whom the diagnosis was dual or unclear was at least 13%. The finding of malaria parasites in the blood of an unconscious child in sub-Saharan Africa is not sufficient to establish a diagnosis of cerebral malaria, and acute bacterial meningitis must be actively excluded in all cases.