Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Leiba

Publications and source records attributed to H Leiba.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Postpartum optic neuritis: etiologic and pathophysiologic considerations.

The clinical course of four patients with visual loss in the postpartum period due to acute optic neuritis is described. Factors that disclosed the underlying etiology and expression of disease are discussed. The clinical records of four women examined and managed for visual loss after uncomplicated pregnancies and term deliveries were reviewed. Neurodiagnostic examination, treatment modalities, and outcomes were assessed. These four women with varied and confounding medical histories, all with optic neuropathy, eventually were demonstrated to harbor demyelinating disease. Although visual loss in the postpartum period evokes differential diagnostic considerations, the authors' experience suggests that puerperal immune-mediated changes are responsible for activation of optic neuritis associated with relapsing multiple sclerosis.

Adult↗

Poststreptococcal uveitis.

PURPOSE: To report that uveitis may be a manifestation of poststreptococcal syndrome. METHODS: Case report. Documented attacks of bilateral uveitis were clearly associated with streptococcal infection. RESULTS: Group A streptococcal infection was evident in all bilateral uveitis attacks, which were treated with local or systemic corticosteroids and penicillin. The frequency and severity of the attacks were reduced by penicillin prophylaxis and tonsillectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Uveitis should be included as a possible manifestation of poststreptococcal syndrome. If coexisting streptococcal infection is demonstrated, penicillin prophylaxis should be considered.

Administration, Topical↗

The course of age-related macular degeneration following bilateral cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) following cataract surgery has been described. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an uneventful postoperative maculopathic course in one eye (the first eye) may predict a similar prognosis for the fellow eye (the second eye). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with bilateral, similar, early AMD (defined by the presence of drusen and/or pigmentary abnormalities on fundal examinations and by the absence of late leakage as documented by fluorescein angiography) who had undergone unilateral cataract surgery, had had a stable postoperative maculopathic course following the first operation, and were scheduled for cataract surgery in the second eye were prospectively observed for at least 1 year after the second operation. The course of maculopathy of the second eye was compared with that of the first eye during the follow-up period of the second eye. RESULTS: A total of 9 of the second eyes (27.2%) showed progression to wet AMD. Of these, 1 patient (3%) had progression in both eyes and 8 patients (24.2%) had progression in the second eye only. The conditions of 2 of the first operated on eyes (6.1%) deteriorated (P < .05). Hypertension (P < .05), soft drusen (P < .01), and Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy (P < .05) were risk factors for development of wet AMD. CONCLUSION: In this study, 24.2% of the patients with early AMD who underwent bilateral cataract surgery and had an uneventful maculopathic course in the first eye had wet AMD in the second eye. Thus, patients with early AMD and soft drusen undergoing bilateral cataract surgery should be monitored for early detection of progression of maculopathy. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the course of maculopathy following cataract surgery.

Aged↗

Progression of nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion.

Progression of nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) to ischemic CRVO occurs in up to 5-20% of patients with nonischemic CRVO. Eyes presenting with nonischemic CRVO and exhibiting an increase in intraretinal hemorrhages together with angiographic findings of aggravation of venule wall staining were assumed to be showing early signs of progression. Eight eyes of 7 patients were followed prospectively and when they exhibited signs of progression they were assigned to either follow-up or early laser treatment. Four eyes received grid and early panretinal laser photocoagulation. Three of them showed regression of retinopathy and 1 eye progressed to ischemic CRVO. The other 4 eyes did not receive early panretinal photocoagulation; 2 of them received no laser treatment at all and the other 2 received only grid laser photocoagulation. All of these 4 eyes progressed to ischemic CRVO.

Adult↗

Prophylactic laser photocoagulation in Stickler syndrome.

The ocular manifestations in a family with Stickler syndrome and the results of laser photocoagulation as preventive treatment for retinal detachment are described. Forty-two family members with Stickler syndrome were retrospectively reviewed; 22 had ocular abnormalities, 22 had myopia and 16 had high myopia. Ten patients had developed retinal detachment and 9 of them were blind in one or both eyes because of irreparable detachment. Only 2 eyes had been operated on successfully. Ten eyes were lasered prophylactically. In eyes with extensive vitreoretinopathy laser burns were applied 360 degrees around the peripheral retina at the border between the pathological and normal retina. Eyes with isolated lesions received focal treatment around the pathological areas. Four eyes received 360 degrees laser photocoagulation and 6 eyes received focal treatment. Of the treated cases, 9 retinas remained attached for a follow-up period ranging from 1 to 15 years. One patient was lost to follow-up, and 5 years later developed retinal detachment in one eye from a new non-lasered lesion. In conclusion, in this particular family the incidence of retinal detachment was significantly higher in non-lasered eyes than in lasered eyes (p < 0.025).

Adolescent↗

Neurosarcoidosis presenting as an intracranial mass in childhood.

A 13-year-old boy presented with bilateral panuveitis and a superior oblique palsy. Exhaustive laboratory workup was unremarkable, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an enhancing pontine mass. The mass was resected, and histopathology revealed a necrotizing granuloma. Although rare, particularly in the pediatric population, the combination of panuveitis and an intracranial mass likely represents sarcoidosis. Necrosis, although also rare, may similarly be seen in neurosarcoidosis.

Adolescent↗

Results of treatment with topical mitomycin C 0.02% following excision of primary pterygium.

AIMS: The effectiveness of instillation of mitomycin C eyedrops on the recurrence rate of pterygium was assessed in patients undergoing primary pterygium surgery. Any side effects were also noted. METHODS: Primary pterygia in 38 consecutive patients were surgically excised during July to December 1992. After surgery, mitomycin C 0.02% eyedrops twice daily for 5 days as well as dexamethasone 0.1% four times tapered for the next 6 weeks were instilled. Postoperative follow up ranged from 6 to 11 months. RESULTS: In one patient the pterygium recurred after 3 months (recurrence rate 2.6%). The side effects encountered were: avascularised sclera in 13 cases between 1-10 months postoperatively; ocular discomfort and lacrimation in five cases; superficial punctate keratitis during the first month in three cases; pyogenic granuloma in two cases. In one patient steroid induced increased intraocular pressure was found 4 weeks after surgery. The adverse side effects were all mild, self limiting, and easily treated. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that postoperative instillation of mitomycin C 0.02% eyedrops twice daily for 5 days following excision of primary pterygium is an effective and safe treatment to obviate pterygium recurrence.

Administration, Topical↗

Signaling mechanisms controlled by melanocortins in melanoma, lacrimal, and brain astroglial cells.

Melanocortins appear to be involved as regulators in an ever growing number of physiological processes in cells and tissues of diverse functions. While such trends are apparent also in the case of other peptide hormones, it appears that melanocortin receptors can be regarded as unique among G-protein-linked receptors due to their special need for extracellular Ca2+ which may relate to some, yet undetermined selectivity of their actions. The physiological role that Ca2+ may be playing and the diverse signaling mechanisms regulated, as well as the nature of the cell-specific responses elicited in melanocortin-sensitive cells/tissues, have yet to be elucidated. Likewise, it will be of interest to establish the relationship of melanocortins to processes like growth and differentiation of cells, as well as to higher, more complex processes such as those regulated in the CNS.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Variability of Stickler syndrome.

Stickler syndrome is a dominantly inherited disorder characterized by ocular and nonocular manifestations. The phenotype of the affected patients is known to be variable. Our study of 3 families and a review of the literature show that the variability is mostly interfamilial while in each family less variability is present. In one family all the patients had high myopia and most developed a retinal detachment at a young age. In the second family the major symptoms were cleft palate and characteristic facial changes in presence of mild ocular changes. In the third family, all patients had a marfanoid habitus, high myopia, and mental retardation. Interfamilial variability coupled with intrafamilial similarities in clinical manifestation may indicate that the so-called Stickler syndrome represents in fact a phenotype and not a single genetic entity.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Cystoid macular oedema following cataract extraction in patients with diabetes.

The course of cystoid macular oedema (CMO) following extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation was prospectively studied in 44 eyes of 44 consecutive diabetic patients without preoperative CMO. In 50% of eyes CMO was observed 6 weeks after surgery and in 25% was still present at 1 year. The preoperative presence of diabetic retinopathy significantly affected the postoperative onset and persistence of CMO. CMO occurred postoperatively in only 32% of eyes without pre-existing diabetic retinopathy and in 81% of eyes with pre-existing diabetic retinopathy (p < 0.05). CMO persisted at 1 year after surgery in only 7% of eyes without pre-existing diabetic retinopathy and in 56% of eyes in which diabetic retinopathy persisted (p < 0.01). Angiographic CMO (that is, detectable only on fluorescein angiography) was more common than clinical CMO (detectable on ophthalmoscopic examination as well) in eyes with no pre-existing diabetic retinopathy, whereas clinical CMO was seen more often than angiographic CMO when diabetic retinopathy was present preoperatively (p < 0.01). The course and final visual outcome of angiographic CMO were more favourable than in clinical CMO. Final visual acuity of at least 6/12 was achieved in 86% of eyes with angiographic CMO and in only 33% of eyes with clinical CMO. On the basis of the above findings we believe that cataract extraction should not be recommended for eyes with pre-existing diabetic retinopathy until the vision has deteriorated to at least 6/30-6/60.

Adult↗

The course of diabetic retinopathy following cataract surgery in eyes previously treated by laser photocoagulation.

The course of diabetic retinopathy following extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation in eyes previously treated by laser photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy was retrospectively studied in 33 eyes (33 patients). In 20 eyes (61%) there was no change in the retinal status postoperatively. In 13 (39%) there was postoperative progression of diabetic retinopathy compared with the fellow non-operated eye, in which progression occurred in nine eyes (27%). The severity of the preoperative status affected the incidence of progression. Four eyes (12%) developed complications of diabetic retinopathy--that is, rubeosis iridis and vitreous haemorrhage--which regressed after lasering. Cystoid macular oedema developed in 13 eyes (39%) and its incidence varied according to the postoperative course of diabetic retinopathy. The majority of the eyes showed a postoperative improvement in vision.

Adult↗

Subconjunctival injection of 5-fluorouracil following trabeculectomy for congenital and infantile glaucoma.

Trabeculectomy and subsequent subconjunctival injections of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were performed in four eyes (two children) with congenital glaucoma. Each of these eyes had previously undergone either goniotomy, trabeculotomy, or both; these procedures, however, had failed to control intraocular pressure (IOP) and progressive optic nerve damage. Sixteen and a half months (+/- 1.5 months) after the trabeculectomy and 5-FU treatments, the IOP in these eyes was in the low teens and there was no evidence of further optic-nerve or visual-field deterioration. Although trabeculectomy has been shown to be unsuccessful in managing congenital glaucoma, when it is done with the adjunct of subconjunctival injections of 5-FU, it may be advisable in these cases after previous surgery has failed.

Child↗

The melanocortin receptor in the rat lacrimal gland: a model system for the study of MSH (melanocyte stimulating hormone) as a potential neurotransmitter.

The melanocortin receptors in intraorbital and extraorbital rat lacrimal glands were studied with [125I][Nle4,D-Phe7]alpha MSH as radioligand and with several unlabeled melanocortin peptides. The pharmacological properties of the melanocortin receptor in both tissues appeared to be essentially identical. Receptor binding was studied in a membrane fraction sedimented at 12,000-100,000 X g, establishing for [125I][Nle4,D-Phe7]alpha MSH a KD of 0.76 and 2.2 nM for the intra- and extraorbital glands, respectively. Binding of the radioligand was competitively inhibited by alpha MSH (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone) and ACTH-(1-24) with IC50 values in the submicromolar range. MSH binding in both tissues was abolished by EGTA and was increased dose dependently with elevation of free Ca2+ ion concentration. The half-maximal effect on MSH binding was obtained around 200 microM Ca2+ and maximal binding was reached at nearly 2 mM free Ca2+ in membrane preparations from both tissues. The calmodulin-binding peptides, melittin, mastoparan and M5, the latter being the 18-amino acid synthetic analogue of the C-terminal calmodulin-binding domain of myosin light chain kinase, inhibited MSH binding in the concentration range of 1-20 microM. Macroscopic autoradiographic analysis of cryosections prepared from either lacrimal gland to which [125I][Nle4,D-Phe7]alpha MSH was subsequently bound, showed the melanocortin receptor to be uniformly distributed within the acinar lobes. At the microscopic level, MSH was found to be associated with the acinar cells, primarily at the basal perinuclear region. Peroxidase secretion from extraorbital lacrimal slices was stimulated by MSH, epinephrine and carbamylcholine to a similar extent. The response of the tissue to stimulation by MSH was however not blocked by alpha/beta-adrenoceptor blockers or by atropine, suggesting that MSH acts as a primary secretagogue in this tissue. Thus, this system seems to be uniquely suited to serve as a model for the study of both the molecular and pharmacological details of the action of MSH and other melanocortins in a non-melanogenic tissue.

Animals↗

Intraocular pressure fluctuations during regular hemodialysis and ultrafiltration.

The effect of hemodialysis and of ultrafiltration on intraocular pressure (IOP) was studied in 30 non glaucomatous patients (58 eyes) with chronic renal failure. IOP and serum osmolality were measured before and after dialysis and every hour during the procedure. IOP showed a slight but non-significant rise when measured after hemodialysis and a significant drop for ultrafiltration. Serum osmolality decreased significantly when measured after hemodialysis, but remained stable for ultrafiltration. The variations in IOP were found to be significantly correlated with changes in osmolality during hemodialysis.

Adolescent↗

Biochemical, genetic and ultrastructural study of a family with the sea-blue histiocyte syndrome/chronic non-neuronopathic Niemann-Pick disease.

Deficient leucocyte sphingomyelinase activity has been demonstrated in a patient with the sea-blue histiocyte syndrome. Family studies revealed that two other cases previously diagnosed on clinical and histochemical criteria also had a pronounced diminution of sphingomyelinase activity. Both parents of the affected individuals were carriers of the disease as indicated by sphingomyelinase activity intermediate between normal and diseased subjects. Additional heteroxygous carriers were found among the siblings and other relatives of the patients. This family study supports further the hypothesis that the sea-blue histiocyte syndrome and chronic Niemann-Pick (Type B) disease are the same.

Adolescent↗

Combined glucose phosphate isomerase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency of erythrocytes.

A patient with combined deficiency of erythrocyte glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is presented. The propositus has persistent unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. One of his two brothers exhibits the same rare enzymatic defect, but without any clinical symptoms. The electrophoretic pattern of GPI showed GPI type 1. There seems to be a correlation between the unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and the combined enzymopathy in our patient.

Adult↗