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Biomedical subjects

J S Duker

Publications and source records attributed to J S Duker.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Endophthalmitis after pediatric strabismus surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To report 6 cases of endophthalmitis after pediatric strabismus surgery. METHODS: Retrospective review of initial signs, clinical findings, treatment, culture results, and visual and anatomical outcomes in 6 eyes of 6 children treated at 2 tertiary care institutions between 1983 and 1998. RESULTS: Four boys and 2 girls aged 8 months to 6 years (median age, 2 years) developed lethargy and asymmetric eye redness, with or without eyelid swelling or fever, within 4 days of surgery. At diagnosis (median, postoperative day 6) clinical findings included periorbital swelling, redness and leukocoria due to vitritis, and, in some cases, hypopyon. Treatment included pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal and systemic antibiotics in all cases. Vitreous cultures grew Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Within 6 months of strabismus surgery, visual acuity was no light perception in all eyes and 3 eyes had been enucleated. The 3 remaining eyes were prephthisical. CONCLUSIONS: Endophthalmitis after pediatric strabismus surgery is rare. Children may not recognize or verbalize symptoms. Causative organisms are virulent. Visual and anatomical outcomes are poor. Lethargy, asymmetric eye redness, eyelid swelling, or fever in the postoperative period, even if initial postoperative examination results are normal, should prompt urgent ocular examination. The diagnosis of endophthalmitis may be made when biomicroscopic or indirect ophthalmoscopic examination confirms the presence of vitreous opacification with or without hypopyon. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118:939-944

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Use of the ganciclovir implant for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in the era of potent antiretroviral therapy: recommendations of the International AIDS Society-USA panel.

PURPOSE: To describe the risks, benefits, and recommended use of the ganciclovir implant for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-related cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in the era of potent antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: A panel of physicians with expertise in the use of the ganciclovir implant and in the management of CMV retinitis was convened by the International AIDS Society-USA. The panel reviewed and discussed available data, and developed recommendations for the use of the ganciclovir implant, the surgical technique, and related management issues. Recommendations were rated according to the strength and quality of the supporting evidence. RESULTS: The effect of potent antiretroviral therapy on the immunologic status of patients with human immunodeficiency virus disease has changed the manifestation and course of CMV retinitis in many patients. The clinical management of CMV retinitis and the role of the ganciclovir implant are thus changing. Factors in the decision to choose the ganciclovir implant include the patient's potential for immunologic improvement, location and severity of CMV retinitis, and the risks and costs associated with implantation and concomitant oral ganciclovir therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The ganciclovir implant is safe and effective for the treatment of CMV retinitis. The indications for its use should be modified to account for increased patient survival and the potential for CMV retinitis to be controlled by effective antiretroviral therapy. Optimal use of the ganciclovir implant and discontinuation of therapy in selected patients with improvement in immunity may result in better long-term visual outcomes.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Differentiation of degenerative retinoschisis from retinal detachment using optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to differentiate retinoschisis from retinal detachment. Optical coherence tomography is a noninvasive, noncontact imaging method that produces high-resolution, cross-sectional images of ocular tissue. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen eyes of 12 patients with the differential diagnosis of retinoschisis versus retinal detachment. METHODS: Differentiation between retinoschisis and retinal detachment was established from both ophthalmoscopic and OCT examinations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Ability of OCT to differentiate retinoschisis from retinal detachment was measured. RESULTS: Thirteen eyes of 12 patients with retinal elevation were examined with OCT. The cross-sectional view produced by OCT was effective in distinguishing retinoschisis from retinal detachment. Optical coherence tomography images of retinoschisis show a splitting of the neurosensory retina. The OCT images of retinal detachment show separation of full-thickness neurosensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium band. The OCT images correlated with the clinical impression in all 13 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this series of cases, OCT is a potentially useful new test that may be used to distinguish retinoschisis from rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Adult↗

Transpupillary thermotherapy of occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy for the treatment of occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with age-related macular degeneration. DESIGN: A retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen eyes of 15 consecutive patients who presented with occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration. INTERVENTION: After informed consent was obtained, 16 eyes of 15 patients were treated with transpupillary thermotherapy. All patients underwent pretreatment fluorescein angiography and were deemed untreatable by the Macular Photocoagulation Study standard. Transpupillary thermotherapy was delivered using a diode laser at 810 nm. A variable spot size of 1.2 mm, 2.0 mm, or 3.0 mm was used depending on the size of CNV. The diode laser was delivered through a contact lens, and treatment was initiated in one spot for 60 seconds' duration at a power range between 360 and 1000 mW. The end point was an area of no visible color change to a light-gray appearance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In all eyes, outcome was assessed by Snellen chart visual acuity and clinical examination. In 10 of 16 eyes, preoperative and postoperative fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography were available. In the remaining 6 of 16 eyes, exudation was measured by postoperative clinical examination alone. RESULTS: Three eyes (19%) showed a two-or-more-line improvement in visual acuity over a period of 6 to 25 months. Mean follow-up was 13 months. Visual acuity remained stable (no change or one-line improvement) in nine treated eyes (56%). The remaining four eyes (25%) showed a decline (equal to one-line worsening or greater) in visual acuity. Fifteen eyes (94%) demonstrated decreased exudation on fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and/or clinical examination. CONCLUSIONS: Transpupillary thermotherapy shows no deleterious side effects in treating occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization. A randomized, prospective study is necessary to evaluate treatment efficacy.

Aged↗

Topography of diabetic macular edema with optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a protocol to screen and monitor patients with diabetic macular thickening using optical coherence tomography (OCT), a technique for high-resolution cross-sectional imaging of the retina. DESIGN: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 182 eyes of 107 patients with diabetic retinopathy, 55 eyes from 31 patients with diabetes but no ophthalmoscopic evidence of retinopathy, and 73 eyes from 41 healthy volunteers were studied. INTERVENTION: Six optical coherence tomograms were obtained in a radial spoke pattern centered on the fovea. Retinal thickness was computed automatically from each tomogram at a total of 600 locations throughout the macula. Macular thickness was displayed geographically as a false-color topographic map and was reported numerically as averages in each of nine regions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation of OCT with slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fluorescein angiography, and visual acuity was measured. RESULTS: Optical coherence tomography was able to quantify the development and resolution of both foveal and extrafoveal macular thickening. The mean +/- standard deviation foveal thickness was 174 +/- 18 microns in normal eyes, 179 +/- 17 microns in diabetic eyes without retinopathy, and 256 +/- 114 microns in eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Foveal thickness was highly correlated among left and right eyes of normal eyes (mean +/- standard deviation difference of 6 +/- 9 microns). Foveal thickness measured by OCT correlated with visual acuity (r2 = 0.79). A single diabetic eye with no slit-lamp evidence of retinopathy showed abnormal foveal thickening on OCT. CONCLUSIONS: Optical coherence tomography was a useful technique for quantifying macular thickness in patients with diabetic macular edema. The topographic mapping protocol provided geographic information on macular thickness that was intuitive and objective.

Adult↗

Treatment of relapsed cytomegalovirus retinitis with the sustained-release ganciclovir implant.

PURPOSE: Sustained-release ganciclovir implants are effective in delaying progression of newly diagnosed cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. An uncontrolled case series was assembled to evaluate the efficacy of the intravitreal ganciclovir implant for patients with sight-threatening CMV retinitis who had previously failed to respond to intravenous ganciclovir and/or foscarnet. METHODS: Between August 1993 and March 1995, 72 eyes of 55 patients received intravitreal ganciclovir implants. Patients were examined monthly after implant surgery. RESULTS: A total of 56 eyes (77.8%) were available for evaluation after implant surgery. At the 1-month postoperative visit, 48 eyes (85.7%) of 38 patients had no progression. Implants failed to control progression at the 1-month visit in eight eyes (14.3%) of six patients receiving primary implants. A total of 32 eyes (57.1%) of 29 patients did not experience three-line loss of visual acuity through the follow-up period. The median time to three-line loss was 190 days from implantation. Four eyes (7.1%) developed visual acuity of 20/200 or worse by the 1-month follow up. The median time from implantation to development of visual acuity of 20/200 or less was 224 days. The median survival time was 376 days from study entry. The most common postoperative complication was retinal detachment, which was observed in 12 eyes receiving implants. Additional self-limiting complications included significant vitreous hemorrhage (three eyes) and hypotony maculopathy (two eyes). CONCLUSION: Ganciclovir implants were effective in delaying visual loss in a significant proportion of patients who failed ganciclovir or foscarnet therapy. A number of these patients, however, experienced visual loss. Although the implants can be effective as therapy for relapsed CMV retinitis, the efficacy does not appear to match that noted in initial CMV retinitis therapy.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

The progressive outer retinal necrosis syndrome: successful treatment with combination antiviral therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To assess a two-drug combination of antiviral therapy for the progressive outer retinal necrosis syndrome (PORN), given the current poor outcome with acyclovir alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on six consecutive patients who were diagnosed with PORN and were treated with various combinations of intravenous or oral plus intravenous antiviral therapy. The relative efficacies of these modalities were compared. RESULTS: Six eyes of six patients showed active retinitis at the time of presentation. Three patients had unilateral retinitis, and the remaining patients had necrotic, end-stage disease in their fellow eye. All the patients were treated with combination therapy, consisting of either ganciclovir and acyclovir (three patients), foscarnet and ganciclovir (two patients), or foscarnet and acyclovir (one patient). Standard induction doses were employed. During the combination therapy, all six eyes showed resolution of the retinitis, manifested by complete fading of the original retinal lesions and an absence of new lesion formation. At the final follow-up, the areas of prior active retinitis had resolved and remained quiescent. A mild recurrence developed in one eye when ganciclovir and foscarnet were both tapered to a single daily dose. This recurrence promptly resolved with reinduction (twice daily) dosing. Two patients maintained a visual acuity of 20/50 or better in their involved eye for the duration of follow-up (38 and 27 weeks, respectively). One patient maintained a visual acuity of 20/40 for 14 weeks. The remaining three patients had macula-off retinal detachments despite resolution of active retinitis. In addition, for the duration of follow-up, one of the three patients with unilateral disease had retinitis in the uninvolved eye; all three uninvolved fellow eyes maintained a visual acuity of 20/20. One patient had progressive optic atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged combination antiviral therapy for PORN may successfully arrest the progression of retinitis, maintain remission, and prevent involvement of the fellow eye. Furthermore, if aggressive therapy is begun early, good vision may be preserved.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Melanogenic neuroectodermal tumor of the retina (primary malignant melanoma of the retina).

A 35-month-old girl with leukocoria was clinically diagnosed with unilateral sporadic retinoblastoma. Macroscopic examination of her enucleated eye disclosed a white retinal tumor that appeared to be a retinoblastoma. Histopathologic examination, however, revealed that the tumor was composed of poorly differentiated neuroblastic cells, larger spindle-shaped cells, and anaplastic epithelioid cells, which is inconsistent with retinoblastoma. Immunohistochemical testing disclosed that the tumor cells were immunoreactive for melanoma-specific antigen HMB-45, while electron microscopy showed premelanosomes in the tumor cells, both of which are consistent with melanogenesis. To our knowledge, such an ocular tumor has not been reported previously.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Central serous chorioretinopathy associated with inhaled or intranasal corticosteroids.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between inhaled or intranasal adrenergic agonists and corticosteroids and the development of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). DESIGN: The medical records of three patients with CSC who were found to use inhaled adrenergic agents or corticosteroids or both were identified prospectively. A survey of members of the Retina, Macula, and Vitreous societies and the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects identified three additional cases. RESULTS: Six patients with CSC were found to be chronic users of corticosteroid (four patients) or both beta adrenergic agonist and corticosteroid (two patients) metered dose inhalers or nasal sprays. In three cases, there was a close temporal correlation between the use of a corticosteroid nasal spray and the development of CSC. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that, in patients who are susceptible, the periocular or systemic absorption of inhaled corticosteroids may be sufficient to produce CSC in humans, supporting previous hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of the disorder. Further studies are needed to confirm this association and to determine whether inhaled adrenergic agents also contribute to the development of this disorder. Patients in whom CSC develops while using corticosteroid inhalers or nasal sprays should be alerted to the possible relationship between CSC and these agents.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Choroidal metastases from renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Choroidal metastases from renal cell carcinoma are uncommon. The authors investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with renal cell carcinoma in whom choroidal metastases developed. METHODS: The clinical records of five patients with histopathologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma and choroidal metastases were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: In four patients, choroidal metastases were either the sole initial manifestation of disease or were the initial manifestation of metastatic disease. The interval from nephrectomy to the onset of ocular signs ranged from 6 to 18 years. A reddish-orange appearance of the tumor was present in two patients, but no pathognomonic features distinguishing these tumors from other choroidal metastases were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular metastases may precede the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma or may follow it by years or decades. This interval between its ocular and systemic presentation may be so prolonged as to obscure the relation between the choroidal metastases and the primary tumor. In patients with amelanotic or reddish choroidal lesions without known metastatic disease, evaluation of the kidney may be warranted as part of a metastatic workup to exclude metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Aged↗

Indocyanine green hyperfluorescence associated with serous retinal pigment epithelial detachment in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography may improve visualization of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with serous retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPED) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The features of ICG hyperfluorescence associated with serous RPED and therapeutic effect of ICG-directed laser photocoagulation in eyes with serous RPED is evaluated. DESIGN: Retrospective review of all simultaneous fluorescein/ICG angiograms (n = 918) performed over an 18-month period to identify 44 eyes in 39 patients with serous RPED secondary to AMD on fluorescein angiography. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-nine patients with AMD, aged 53 to 89 years, participated. INTERVENTION: Eyes were nonrandomly treated with ICG-directed laser photocoagulation or observation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Characteristics of ICG hyperfluorescence associated with a serous RPED are reviewed. Final visual acuity and anatomic appearance of the serous RPED are given. RESULTS: Twenty-three (52%) of the 44 eyes had an isolated serous RPED without obvious CNV, and 21 (48%) of the 44 eyes had a serous RPED associated with occult CNV on fluorescein angiography. Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated underlying CNV in 19 eyes (83%) with an isolated serous RPED and in all 21 eyes (100%) with serous RPED and occult CNV. The pattern of ICG hyperfluorescence revealed focal CNV in 15 eyes and plaque CNV in 4 eyes with an isolated serous RPED. In eyes with serous RPED and occult CNV, focal CNV and plaque CNV were noted with ICG in 8 and 13 eyes, respectively. No follow-up was available for two eyes. Twenty eyes were treated with ICG-directed laser photocoagulation. In these eyes, the visual acuity remained stable in 6 eyes (30%) and decreased in 14 eyes (70%). Twenty-two eyes were observed, and the visual acuity remained stable in 8 (36%), improved in 2 (9%), and decreased in 12 eyes (55%). CONCLUSIONS: Although ICG angiography may enhance visualization of CNV associated with serous RPED in AMD, ICG-directed laser treatment did not appear to improve visual acuity when compared with observed eyes in this series.

Aged↗

Densitometric approach to characterizing choroidal neovascular membranes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the nature of the relationship between density of indocyanine green (ICG) and the activity of occult choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVM) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using ICG angiography. Ten eyes of ten patients with AMD and associated CNVM formation were retrospectively classified into either active or silent group on the basis of clinical outcome. Density of ICG for ICG leakage of CNVM was retrospectively determined from baseline ICG angiograms using an image analysis system. The means of relative density of the two groups were significantly different at five minutes after injection of ICG (p = 0.02). Densitometric analysis with ICG angiography may enable the discrimination of active from silent CNVM in patients with AMD, and thereby, prove useful in guiding clinical decision concerning treatment of these patients.

Aged↗

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome--associated herpes simplex virus retinitis. Clinical description and use of a polymerase chain reaction--based assay as a diagnostic tool.

OBJECTIVES: To describe 2 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who experienced a rapidly progressive, bilateral retinitis due to herpes simplex virus (HSV) (1 case due to HSV type 1 [HSV-1] and 1 case due to HSV type 2 [HSV-2] and to present a novel diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay. METHODS: The presentation, clinical course, and diagnostic PCR-based assay used to make the diagnosis of HSV retinitis in 2 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are described. RESULTS: Both patients experienced a rapidly progressive, bilateral retinal necrosis associated with intraretinal hemorrhages and a diffuse vasculitis. The PCR-based assays demonstrated HSV DNA in the vitreous specimens from the 2 patients. Restriction analysis on the amplified DNA showed HSV-1 in 1 patient and HSV-2 in the second patient. The diagnosis was supported in both patients by the occurrence of a herpes simplex-like encephalitis, and in 1 patient by a positive vitreous culture. The HSV-1-associated vasculitis affected primarily the retinal arterioles, with marked capillary dropout and occlusion of larger arcade vessels. In contrast, the HSV-2-associated vasculitis affected the retinal veins more than the arterioles, and was associated with an exudative retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, these are the first 2 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in whom HSV has been implicated as the sole cause of a rapidly progressing, necrotizing retinitis. Combined PCR and restriction analysis of vitreous samples from such patients is a useful and highly specific means of diagnosing HSV-1 and HSV-2 retinitis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Characterization of epiretinal membranes using optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate optical coherence tomography (OCT), a novel noncontact and noninvasive imaging technique, for the diagnosis and quantitative characterization of epiretinal membranes. METHODS: Optical coherence tomography is similar to an ultrasound B-scan, except that light rather than sound is used, which enables higher resolution. Over a 2-year period, OCT was used to examine 186 eyes of 160 patients who had a diagnosis of an epiretinal membrane. Optical coherence tomograms were correlated with visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fluorescein angiography, and funds photography. RESULTS: Based on OCT, the epiretinal membrane was clearly separated from the retina with focal points of attachment in 49 eyes and globally adherent (no observed separation) in 125 eyes. Globally adherent membranes were associated with the following features: macular pseudohole (32 eyes), a difference in optical reflectivity between the membrane and retina (65 eyes), and/or a visible membrane tuft or edge (92 eyes). The membrane was undetectable on OCT in 12 eyes. The membrane thickness (mean +/- standard deviation) was 61 +/- 28 microns in the 169 eyes in which the thickness could be measured with OCT. Mean central macular thickness measured with OCT correlated with visual acuity (R2 = 0.73). CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography was able to provide a structural assessment of the macula that was useful in the preoperative and postoperative evaluation of epiretinal membrane surgery. Quantitative measurements and the assessment of membrane adherence with OCT may be useful in characterizing the surgical prognosis of eyes with an epiretinal membrane.

Aged↗

Optical coherence tomography of age-related macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization.

OBJECTIVE: The authors used optical coherence tomography (OCT), a new technique for cross-sectional imaging of the retina, to morphologically study eyes with nonexudative and exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In patients with untreated exudative AMD, OCT was compared with fluorescein angiography in the identification and classification of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: Optical coherence tomography imaging is analogous to ultrasound, except that the use of light rather than sound enables higher longitudinal resolution with a noncontact and noninvasive measurement. Optical coherence tomography was performed on 391 patients with the clinical diagnosis of AMD and was compared with conventional clinical examination to establish the cross-sectional morphology of different lesions and to develop a classification scheme for CNV. Optical coherence tomograms and fluorescein angiograms then were reviewed and correlated independently in 90 eyes of 86 patients who had exudative AMD without previous laser treatment. RESULTS: Pigmentary changes, soft drusen, and detachments of the neurosensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium all had distinct presentations on OCT. Subretinal and intraretinal fluid caused changes in retinal thickness or elevation that could be quantified directly from the images. Choroidal neovascularization was evident in the tomograms as a thickening and fragmentation of a reflective layer, which corresponded to the retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris. Changes in the reflection from this layer were observed during the progression of neovascularization, and after laser photocoagulation treatment. Classic CNV consistently presented with well-defined boundaries on OCT, whereas occult CNV had a variable cross-sectional appearance. CONCLUSIONS: Optical coherence tomography was useful in quantitatively evaluating subretinal and intraretinal fluid, assessing possible subfoveal involvement of neovascularization, and in monitoring CNV before and after laser photocoagulation. Optical coherence tomography was unable to detect CNV beneath serous pigment epithelial detachments. Optical coherence tomography may have potential in accurately defining the boundaries in a subset of angiographically occult CNV.

Adult↗