Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A E Wulc.
BACKGROUND. The interface between the subspecialties of dermatologic surgery and oculoplastic surgery is broad. However, there are many commonly seen oculoplastic conditions that are not foremost in the mind of the dermatologic surgeon. OBJECTIVES. Common oculoplastic problems are detailed in this article and should provide the reader with a basis for understanding the wide spectrum of oculoplastic problems encountered in practice.
We describe a technique for using the monopolar cautery to sculpt ear cartilage to prepare it for use as a graft to reconstruct or support the posterior lamella of the eyelid in oculoplastic procedures. We have used this simple, rapid, and predictable technique in 16 patients with excellent results.
We report a hybrid of procedures for correcting the aging lower eyelid--transconjunctival blepharoplasty, skin blepharoplasty, and skin-muscle blepharoplasty--that maximizes the strengths of these procedures while minimizing their shortcomings. Our procedure, a simultaneous lateral, anterior, and posterior blepharoplasty, simultaneously attacks the lateral canthal angle, the anterior lamella, and the posterior lamella of the eyelid.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Computed tomographic (CT) scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are commonly performed to evaluate neurologic symptoms. Rarely are asymptomatic orbital tumors discovered, creating uncertainty about their management. Eleven patients are presented who were referred for asymptomatic orbital tumors discovered on either CT scanning or MRI performed for unrelated symptoms of headache, vertigo, peripheral numbness, seizures, stroke, or hallucinations. The asymptomatic orbital tumors were diagnosed clinically and radiologically as cavernous hemangiomas. All the patients were followed clinically and neuroradiologically for an average of 37 months (range, 8 to 120 months). None of the tumors enlarged during this time. The authors conclude that patients who have asymptomatic cavernous hemangiomas, discovered by coincidence during neuroimaging, that bear no relation to the indication for obtaining the CT scan or MRI, can be safely followed by observation as an alternative to surgical excision.
Canalicular lacerations are seen commonly in ophthalmic practice, but the pathogenesis of canalicular lacerations has not been explored. The authors retrospectively reviewed 25 cases of canalicular laceration seen at their institutions. Only 4 patients (16%) had injuries attributable to direct trauma; the remaining 21 patients (84%) had diffuse trauma or trauma to the eyelid remote from the canaliculus. The authors postulate that, in many of their cases, canalicular "lacerations" resulted from indirect trauma, where the eyelid was ruptured when it was stretched acutely to the point of avulsion. Two experimental models were derived to test this hypothesis. The results suggest that the canalicular portion of the eyelid is a particularly vulnerable location, and that injuries morphologically similar to canalicular "lacerations" occur predictably if the eyelid is traumatized indirectly or diffusely to the point of rupture.
We report a case of unilateral transient and reversible facial paresis, which was superimposed on a congenital bifacial palsy in a young adult with Moebius syndrome. Our case illustrates the potential for two conditions, both affecting the facial nerve and both of unknown etiology, to be juxtaposed in a single individual. Worsening of facial palsy in the Moebius syndrome may not signify progressive disease.
We present several refinements in technique that simplify the tarsal strip procedure and enhance its results. Among these refinements are: electrosurgical deepithelialization of conjunctiva and lid margin, use of a V-shaped needle, direct needle passage about the lateral orbital tubercle, and the parallel placement of a buried absorbable suture to unite the upper and lower lid margins and to maintain a long-lasting sharp canthal angle. We have used these maneuvers in 45 patients with few complications; patient acceptance has been high. Also, we have found that using these maneuvers is helpful in teaching the procedure to residents.
Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a rare but often fatal fungal infection. We present 2 patients with mucormycosis complicated by internal carotid artery thrombosis. Magnetic resonance imaging was superior to computed tomography in localizing the pathological process. Subtotal resection of devitalized tissue and intravenous amphotericin B therapy resulted in a successful outcome for both patients. Prompt recognition of this disorder by using modern diagnostic and therapeutic modalities promises to improve survival rates.
Treatment of dysthyroid orbitopathy can be enhanced with a modified craniofacial approach using a lateral wall osteotomy, and anterolateral advancement and osteosynthesis in conjunction with medial and inferior wall orbital decompression. The technique of lateral wall advancement is described, and the results are discussed. While the authors advocate orbital decompression for dysthyroid optic neuropathy, advancement of the lateral orbital wall can easily be performed as an adjunct to the two- or three-wall decompression procedure. Advancement appears to increase the overall decompressive effect by providing a potential space where lateral expansion can occur and by enlarging the bony orbital volume. It also appears to lessen lid retraction and facilitates (and in some cases, obviates) the need for further lid retraction surgery.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The suture tensor is a simple stainless steel device that pulls the ends of a running subcuticular suture in opposite directions, maintaining the desired closure. The benefits of the use of this device may include minimization of train-track and excisional scarification (via the enhanced maintenance of "tenting"), time savings, and flexibility and durability for the sporting or physically active patient.
Patients who suffer from epiphora can benefit from reconstructive surgery in many cases of obstructive and nonobstructive lesions of the lacrimal apparatus. We describe our technique of digital subtraction macrodacryocystography (DSM) and discuss its efficacy in the evaluation of various abnormalities involving the lacrimal drainage pathway. A variety of pathologic conditions of the lacrimal apparatus are portrayed. DSM is an accurate, easy to perform, but relatively unrecognized method of anatomic localization of obstructive lesions within the lacrimal drainage system.
We report the simultaneous occurrence of biopsy-proven temporal arteritis in husband and wife. Serologic and viral studies were negative, including viral culture of the wife's temporal artery. The concurrent incidence of giant cell arteritis in a married couple would suggest a common exogenous exposure.
In three cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage complicating orbital exenteration, leakage occurred intraoperatively following relatively low-power (0 to 25 W), high-frequency monopolar cautery to the orbital roof. Six cadaver orbits and 25 dried skulls were examined to investigate possible causes of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage. In this experimental model, monopolar cautery to the orbital roof did not cause cerebrospinal fluid leakage; however, cautery to preexistent foramina or experimentally created defects in the orbital bones did. In exenteration, monopolar cautery may transmit thermal energy through extant body defects in the orbital roof directly to the dura, resulting in its disruption. These defects may be congenital, tumor related, or iatrogenic. Alternative methods of hemostasis should probably be employed to control bleeding that occurs along the orbital roof during exenteration.
In seven cases, optic nerve glioma presented as an expanding orbital mass in previously asymptomatic adults. Clinically and histologically, these tumors were similar to the orbital optic nerve gliomas of childhood; in contrast to the rapidly progressive malignant gliomas of the chiasm well described in adults, the patients with these tumors had a more benign clinical course. Management of optic nerve glioma in adulthood should be conservative in the presence of useful vision.
The blunt dissection offered by liposuction cannulas has greatly aided surgical undermining such as in face-lift surgery. Herein, we propose a new line of instruments that combines bulbous or blunt dissection with intervening lysing segments. The subgaleal version enables the surgeon to quickly undermine the scalp from ear to ear for scalp reductions in the subgaleal plane. In addition, the subgaleal device aids in the maintenance of the proper dissection plane and is useful in browlifts as well. A closely related "general" undermining device greatly facilitates face-life surgery and has found other uses in the undermining or separation of fibrous tissue planes.
A case of congenital double lacrimal fistula is herein reported. Both fistulae were noted at the time of surgery to connect to the common canaliculus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only case of a double fistula that has been reported.