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Biomedical subjects

R M Siatkowski

Publications and source records attributed to R M Siatkowski.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Optic neuropathy in Hodgkin's disease.

Hodgkin's disease is a rare cause of infiltrative optic neuropathy, which typically evolves late in the disease course. We managed an unusual case of isolated optic neuropathy in a 21-year-old man occurring during clinical remission from Hodgkin's disease. Radiotherapy and treatment with high-dose systemic corticosteroids resulted in dramatic improvement in vision. Even without other evidence of recurrent disease, acute-onset optic neuropathy in a patient with a history of a lymphoproliferative disorder should raise the question of a reemergence of the malignancy.

Adult↗

The Charles Bonnet syndrome. Visual perceptive dysfunction in sensory deprivation.

We present a series of four patients with the Charles Bonnet syndrome, which is characterized by recurrent vivid visual hallucinations in the presence of normal cognition and insight. It usually occurs in elderly people with ophthalmic pathology causing severe visual sensory deprivation. Our experience suggests that this syndrome is frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed by both ophthalmologists and psychiatrists. To our knowledge this is only the second series of cases of the syndrome in the American literature.

Adult↗

Other cancers in uveal melanoma patients and their families.

To determine associations with other cancers, 400 consecutive uveal melanoma patients examined at Wills Eye Hospital between 1984 and 1985 were surveyed regarding personal and family history of cancer. Responses were received from 333 (83%). Sixty patients reported 43 nonbasal cell second primary cancers, which were confirmed pathologically or by physician records. The overall prevalence of nonbasal cell cancers diagnosed in uveal melanoma patients by December 1985 was over two times greater than the expected prevalence, based on the Connecticut Tumor Registry data for an age- and sex-matched population. Gynecologic cancers tended to be more common in uveal melanoma female patients than in the comparison population. Although the observed prevalence of cutaneous melanoma was not significantly greater than expected, three cases with both primary cutaneous and uveal melanoma were reported. Family histories of cutaneous melanoma were confirmed in 14 patients, and uveal melanoma in two patients. Data suggested that the overall cancer prevalence in uveal melanoma patients may be increased, that hormonal factors may play a role in the genesis of this malignancy, and that there may be a link between cutaneous and uveal melanoma.

Aged↗

Blindness from bad bones.

Progressive visual loss is the most common neurologic finding in osteopetrosis. Several mechanisms may explain this phenomenon, including compression of the optic nerves caused by bony overgrowth of the optic canals and retinal degeneration. We report a child with osteopetrosis and progressive visual loss, even though patent optic canals were demonstrated by computed tomography and digital holography. This patient's visual loss was caused by increased intracranial pressure secondary, to obstruction of cerebral venous outflow at the jugular foramen. This case points to the importance of a full evaluation of the skull base foramina in the diagnostic workup of visual loss in patients with osteopetrosis.

Blindness↗

Surgical technique, visual outcome, and complications of pediatric intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively the surgical technique, visual outcome, and complications of pediatric cataract extraction (CE) and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: Forty-three patients ages 2 to 12 underwent CE with IOL implantation with a minimum follow up of 1 month. RESULTS: All IOLs were implanted in the posterior chamber with 17 (40%) in the bag, 25 (58%) sulcus fixated, and one (2%) partially in the bag (one haptic in the bag, one in the sulcus). Primary posterior capsulectomy was performed in 12 (28%) cases. A final visual acuity of at least 20/40 was achieved in 26 (60%) and at least 20/80 in 32 (74%). Posterior capsule opacification developed in 18 (42%) and pupillary capture in 7 (16%). Seventeen (40%) patients had postoperative visual acuity worse than 20/40. Of these, nine (53%) had this visual outcome as a result of presumed amblyopia. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior chamber IOL implantation affords a safe and effective method of visual rehabilitation for cataractous children 2 years of age and older. Amblyopia and antecedent posterior segment trauma, rather than IOL-related or surgical complications, are the limiting factors in final visual outcome.

Cataract↗

Optic neuritis in children.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics of optic neuritis in children, including final visual acuity and development of multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Charts were reviewed of all patients < 15 years of age who presented with optic neuritis to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute or the Miami Children's Hospital between 1986 and 1998. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were identified. There was a slight female predilection in the study group (60%), with a mean age of 9.8 years at presentation. A preceding febrile illness within 2 weeks of visual symptoms was reported in 66% of patients. Initial visual acuity ranged from 20/15 to no light perception. Involvement was bilateral in 66% of patients, and disc swelling was present in 64% of involved eyes. Of the patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging, 33% had focal demyelinating lesions in the brain, and 63% of affected nerves were enlarged or enhanced with gadolinium. Eleven patients were treated with intravenous steroids. Final visual acuity was > or = 20/40 in 58.3% of eyes. Thirty percent of the patients had vision of finger counting or worse. Four (26%) patients developed MS. The mean age of patients with MS was 12 years, compared with 9 years in children who did not develop MS. Patients with unilateral involvement had an excellent visual prognosis (100% > 20/40), but a higher rate of development of MS (75%). Two patients had positive serology for Lyme disease. CONCLUSIONS: Optic neuritis presents differently in children than in adults. Children typically have bilateral involvement with papillitis following an antecedent viral illness. Although visual prognosis is poorer in children than adults, the development of MS is less common in children. Children who present with unilateral involvement have a better visual prognosis; however, they also develop MS at a greater frequency than children with bilateral involvement. Patients who developed MS were, on average, older at presentation with optic neuritis than those who did not develop MS.

Adolescent↗

Preschool vision screening using the MTI-Photoscreener.

Amblyopia is a condition that, if detected and treated early, can improve vision for most children. Thus, both pediatric and ophthalmologic groups have acknowledged the need for preschool vision screening. However, vision screening is the exception rather than the rule for preschoolers, since traditional methods of vision screening are often inappropriate for the preschool population and almost impossible for those children who are preverbal or nonverbal, developmentally delayed, and/or have chronic illnesses or disabilities. This study evaluated the use of a photoscreener to detect vision problems in a preschool population. Fifty-one children ages 3 to 5 years were evaluated using the MTI Photoscreener. Results were compared with a complete ophthalmologic examination, including cycloplegia. The sensitivity and specificity calculated for this study was 83% and 68%, respectively. Findings conclude that the MTI Photoscreener detected a broad range of vision problems, seemed to require less time, and seemed more acceptable to preschoolers when compared with the traditional vision screening methods performed by registered nurses. Although the sensitivity and specificity rates for this study were less than desired, it is likely that both could be improved with additional photo interpretation training.

Child, Preschool↗