First Intraoperative Trochlea Reconstruction

Traumatic detachment of the superior oblique muscle from the trochlea is very rare. The authors present a case of cyclovertical diplopia in downgaze due to traumatic trochlear damage where they performed surgery more than 40 years later. For the first time ever, they describe the reconstruction of the trochlea using a silicone tube, thereby regaining superior oblique muscle function.

Recovery of Third, Fourth, and Sixth Cranial Nerve Palsies in Pituitary Adenoma and Meningioma Patients

BACKGROUND

This retrospective, observational cohort study aimed to determine recovery rate and recovery time of ocular motor nerve palsies (OMP) of third (CN III), fourth (CN IV), or sixth cranial nerves (CN VI)-and associated prognostic factors-in meningioma and pituitary adenoma (PA) patients.

METHODS

A total of 25 meningioma (28 eyes) and 33 PA patients (36 eyes), treated at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands from January 1, 1978 to January 31, 2021, were included. OMPs were evaluated according to a newly created recovery scale using on-clinical and orthoptic examinations, which were performed every 3-4 months until palsy recovery, or at 18 months follow-up.

RESULTS

Recovery rates of CN III (meningioma 23.5% vs PA 92.3%), CN IV (meningioma 20% vs PA 100%), and CN VI (meningioma 60% vs PA 100%) palsies were observed at 18 months follow-up, with differences between the 2 tumor types being observed in the treated patients only. Median recovery time of all OMPs combined was significantly longer in meningioma patients (37.9 ± 14.3 months vs 3.3 ± 0.1 months; P < 0.001). No significant protective or risk factors for recovery rate or time were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

OMP recovery rates in treated patients were more favorable in patients with PA compared with patients with meningiomas, independent of OMP cause. With these new insights in OMP recovery, more accurate prognoses and appropriate follow-up strategies can be determined for meningioma and PA patients with OMPs.

[Ocular deviation as the cause of "psychiatric" problems]

We describe two cases with complaints of atypical headache who were initially diagnosed as having psychiatric problems, but who, after careful evaluation, were found to have an underlying eye disorder. Both patients were known to have an ophthalmic history. Patient A, a 21-year-old female, presented with severe headache, which was so disabling that she was declared unfit for work. A diagnosis of tension headache was made and she received psychological treatment with neurofeedback, homeopathy and acupuncture, which had no effect. Patient B, a 26-year-old male, complained of extreme photophobia, nausea and dizziness. The patient was diagnosed as having a conversion disorder and was admitted to a psychiatric clinic and given psychotropic treatment. Careful ophthalmological examination revealed that an ocular deviation was causing the symptoms in both patients and could be treated appropriately with strabismus surgery. These cases emphasise the importance of a thorough general medical and ophthalmic history and proper examination at all times without putting a psychiatric stigma on the patient.

Improvement of horizontal excursion and abduction by vertical muscle transposition in patients with Duane's retraction syndrome type I

PURPOSE

To measure the change in horizontal excursion and improvement of abduction in Duane's retraction syndrome type I after transposition of both vertical rectus muscles and recession of the medial rectus muscle in the affected eye.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing surgery for Duane's retraction syndrome type I. Thirty-six patients were treated by transposition of both vertical rectus muscles in combination with medial rectus recession of the affected eye. Head posture, binocular vision, abduction and adduction of the affected eye, and angle of strabismus were measured before and after surgery.

RESULTS

After surgery, abduction improved by 15.9 degrees +/- 8.1 degrees (mean +/- standard deviation) and adduction decreased by 5.9 degrees +/- 7.2 degrees. Horizontal excursion improved from 43.1 degrees +/- 8.8 degrees to 53.1 degrees +/- 11.8 degrees. One patient had signs of anterior segment ischemia (ie, enlarged, fixed oval pupil and cells in the anterior chamber), which disappeared after local steroid eye drops were administered.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery enlarges the range of horizontal excursion of the affected eye and causes only a limited decrease in adduction. One patient developed transient anterior segment ischemia. Vertical muscle transposition combined with medial rectus recession is an effective procedure to improve horizontal excursion and abduction in patients with Duane's retraction syndrome type I.