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Biomedical subjects

P Luthert

Publications and source records attributed to P Luthert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2008

Outcome of retinoblastoma in east Africa.

We estimated the proportion of patients reaching a pediatric ophthalmology unit (Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation for Tanzania Disability Hospital, CCBRT) or an oncology unit (ORCI) in east Africa and investigated presentation, histology, and treatment outcomes of patients with retinoblastoma. A 5-year retrospective study identified 91 patients, representing approximately 18% of the nationwide total. Mean lag time was 10 months (standard deviation (SD) = 17) and mean follow-up was 8 months (SD = 11, range 0-40, n = 91). Thirty months disease-free survival probability was 0.23 (standard error = 0.07). Outcomes for retinoblastoma in Africa remain poor. The data presented here suggest strategies for improving the outcomes, including encouraging earlier presentation and establishment of multi-disciplinary treatment centers.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2006

Masked orbital abscess in Wegener's granulomatosis.

Two patients with chronic Wegener's granulomatosis presented with worsening proptosis and visual acuity. Both patients had been maintained on long-term corticosteroids, which led to masking of the signs of orbital sepsis with potentially life-threatening implications.

Abscess↗
PubMed2005

Ultrastructure of vitreomacular traction syndrome associated with persistent hyaloid artery.

AIM: To demonstrate the ultrastructure of vitreomacular traction associated with persistent hyaloid artery. METHODS: Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in a 66-year-old man with progressive vitreomacular traction associated with a persistent hyaloid artery. Epimacular tissue was peeled and processed for transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Ultrastructural analysis revealed multiple sheets of cellular and collagenous components. Myofibroblasts and newly formed collagen were the predominant features. Fibrous astrocytes, fibroblasts, macrophages, and basement membrane were also present. CONCLUSION: The cellular composition of the epimacular tissue and high cellular activity suggest that persistence of the hyaloid artery may contribute to the development of vitreomacular traction.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Biopsy-confirmed spontaneous resolution of orbital langerhans cell histiocytosis.

A 17-year-old boy presented with a left upper lid swelling, headaches and diplopia. An orbital computerized tomography (CT) scan showed a mass in the left lacrimal fossa eroding bone and extending into the temporalis fossa and intracranially. An urgent biopsy without curettage was carried out and showed Langerhans cell histiocytosis. He was otherwise well and no other lesion was found. He was therefore observed and reviewed regularly. During follow-up it was noted that the mass was reducing in size. Five months after the initial biopsy a further procedure, involving curettage and an intralesional steroid, was carried out at a tertiary referral center. Histology of the material obtained showed no remaining evidence of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Spontaneous resolution of orbital Langerhans cell histiocytosis has been described clinically and radiologically. This is the first case of spontaneous resolution to be confirmed histologically.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Why do histology on retinal haemorrhages in suspected non-accidental injury?

The detailed documentation of ocular pathology has become an important component in the autopsy investigation of suspected cases of non-accidental injury in infants and young children. Careful histological examination of retinal haemorrhages is of critical importance, but there remains debate about the significance of some findings. This issue has been thrown into sharper relief by recent neuropathological studies questioning the mechanisms of some CNS findings. To discuss the importance of histological findings in the retina and their potential significance and specificity, we have invited contributions from authors in the USA and UK.

Battered Child Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

Surgical removal of choroidal neovascular membranes after laser photocoagulation for diabetic maculopathy.

PURPOSE: Choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) occurs rarely following laser photocoagulation for macular oedema in diabetic retinopathy, and its management is not well established. We report the clinical course and visual outcomes in a series of patients who underwent surgical extraction of the CNV membrane. METHODS: A retrospective review of 4 cases was carried out. RESULTS: Two women and 2 men, mean age 59.5 (range 58-62) years, were reviewed. The CNV developed 2-24 (mean 11) months after laser coagulation and resulted in decreased visual acuity to between 6/60 and HM. All underwent pars plana vitrectomy, extraction of the CNV membrane and fluid-air exchange. Follow-up ranged between 9 and 48 months. In 2 patients, the vision improved by 4 and 1 Snellen lines respectively and remained stable, in 1 patient it improved by 1 line initially but then regressed to CF, and in 1 patient it remained unchanged. Recurrence of CNV occurred in only 1 patient. Histological characteristics were those of CNV without evidence of photoreceptors. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that surgical removal of post-laser CNV is technically feasible despite the previous laser scars and may have beneficial outcome. This surgical approach may provide a therapeutic option in such patients.

Choroidal Neovascularization↗
PubMed2000

Obituaries

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Retinochoroiditis is induced by oral administration of Toxoplasma gondii cysts in the hamster model.

Administration of Toxoplasma cysts by intraperitoneal innoculation in the Syrian Golden Hamster provides a reproducible animal model of acquired Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis and cysts are observed in the brain. However, toxoplasmosis is frequently acquired by oral ingestion of contaminated foodstuffs and it is recognised that the route by which disease is acquired may influence its pathogenesis and clinical expression. This study aimed to determine whether retinochorioiditis and cysts in the brain develop after oral ingestion in the Syrian Golden Hamster model as this is the route of induction akin to that in man and may therefore be more relevant in the study of disease pathogenesis. All animals developed disease by 4 weeks. Ocular and cerebral inflammation was confirmed by histology at 16 weeks and this was milder than in the original model.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Changes in Bruch's membrane and related structures with age.

Age-related macular disease is a major and growing public health burden in developed Caucasian societies, accounting for about 50% of blind registration. Evidence exists that this is an emerging problem in Eastern Asia, although the phenotype appears to differ from that seen in Western society. It is likely that several genes are involved, and that the genes or allelic variants conferring are common. Environment plays a major role in its pathogenesis, and it is believed that genetic susceptibility becomes apparent only if there are sufficient environmental pressures. There is no therapy currently available that will have an impact on the prevalence of blindness from age-related macular disease. It has been shown that visual loss occurs as a reaction to ageing changes in Bruch's membrane, which is interposed between the choriocapillaris and the retinal pigment epithelium. The age changes in all three structures have been partly characterised, and as a consequence, multiple putative pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed. Cross-sectional studies of populations with different genetic background and life styles would serve to prove the importance of inheritance and environment. Molecular genetic analysis of blood from affected sibling pairs from these sources may indicate the relevant genes, the prevalence of which may differ in different communities. Enquiries as to life styles may determine important environmental influences. Examination of donor eyes from these communities may reveal distinctive features that may reflect the variation in genetic predisposition and environmental pressures. It is hoped that the findings from such studies will lead to novel and potentially successful management strategies.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Strain specific variation in IFN-gamma inducible lymphocyte adhesion to rat brain endothelial cells.

We have examined the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induced increase in lymphocyte adhesion to rat brain endothelial cells (BEC) in the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) susceptible LEW and resistant PVG strain. A significant increase in adhesion of mitogen activated lymphocytes could be demonstrated by stimulating LEW BEC with 50 U/ml IFN-gamma for 24 h. In contrast the same treatment failed to induce a significant increase in lymphocyte adhesion in the PVG strain. Flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte integrin expression indicated a marked increase in the number of cells expressing both LFA-1 and VLA-4 following mitogen activation and was similar between the LEW and PVG strain. Depletion of LFA-1 and VLA-4 positive lymphocytes resulted in an equivalent inhibition of adhesion to BBB-EnC indicating that the adherent population was comprised predominantly of the VLA-4 + /LFA-1 + phenotype. We conclude that this strain variation in the IFN-gamma activation of BEC may be related to the disease phenotypes of these strains.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

A clinicopathological study of autism.

A neuropathological study of autism was established and brain tissue examined from six mentally handicapped subjects with autism. Clinical and educational records were obtained and standardized diagnostic interviews conducted with the parents of cases not seen before death. Four of the six brains were megalencephalic, and areas of cortical abnormality were identified in four cases. There were also developmental abnormalities of the brainstem, particularly of the inferior olives. Purkinje cell number was reduced in all the adult cases, and this reduction was sometimes accompanied by gliosis. The findings do not support previous claims of localized neurodevelopmental abnormalities. They do point to the likely involvement of the cerebral cortex in autism.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Prenatal diagnosis of orbital heterotopic brain tissue.

Biopsy of fetal tissues is a relatively new procedure for the diagnosis of congenital malformations. The authors report the first case in which this technique has been applied to an orbital mass, in which heterotopic brain tissue was diagnosed by prenatal biopsy and excised in infancy. The wider implications of such intrauterine procedures are discussed.

Adult↗