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Biomedical subjects

A T van Balen

Publications and source records attributed to A T van Balen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Ethmoid and upper nasal cavity carcinoma: treatment, results and complications.

From 1970 to 1985, 45 patients with carcinoma of the upper nasal cavity and ethmoid sinuses were radically treated. The tumor parameters, treatment strategy, radiotherapy technique and the results of treatment of these patients are retrospectively analysed in this study with particular reference to complete blindness as a major complication. In most cases tumor was removed by meticulous surgical dissection, and thereafter quality-controlled radiation therapy (external therapy: mean dose 65 Gy in about 7 weeks, or external therapy with brachytherapy boost: mean dose 82 Gy in about 10 weeks) was used for this group of patients. The results show 68% recurrence-free survival at 5 years, adjusted for intercurrent deaths. Complications of treatment were seen in seven patients (16%) who developed eye damage with some loss of visual acuity, none however leading per se to complete blindness. It may be concluded that blindness may be avoided to a major extent while treating carcinomas in the nose-ethmoid areas without compromising loco-regional control.

Blindness↗
PubMed1988

VCTS chart evaluation as a screening test.

Contrast sensitivity curves of 211 randomly selected patients were drawn using the VCTS chart. Depending on the type of curve obtained, patients were grouped in different diagnostic categories following the instructions supplied with the chart. Clinical examination revealed that the VCTS chart curves indicated a false diagnosis of cataract in 65.5% patients and in 54.2% patients a false diagnosis of glaucoma. In a number of additional patients, VCTS chart testing had failed to indicate the presence of cataract or glaucoma. Contrary to the claims of the manufacturer our results demonstrate that the VCTS chart has no value as a screening device in a clinical practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Lens implantation in children.

Two objections to lens implantation in children are answered. After the second year of life the size and the strength of the implanted lens does not have to be changed any more. Long-term follow-up (more than ten years) of Binkhorst 2-platinum loop lenses in traumatic cataract gives indication of slight decrease in visual function. In view of this the indication for lens implantation has still to be very strict, although fewer complications are to be expected in the posterior chamber lenses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

A retrospective study of ocular findings in patients treated with PUVA.

Photochemotherapy combined with psoralen, now widely used in the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, Andrews' disease and some other skin conditions, has been accepted as one of the potential factors that might contribute to the development of cataract. This view is based upon experimental animal studies. In the present study 408 patients receiving PUVA treatment in the period between 1977 and 1983 have been followed up for up to 6 years after the initiation of therapy. Repeated ophthalmological examinations were performed, particularly in order to detect any early signs of lens changes. In 20 patients development or increase of lens opacities could be observed. There is some evidence that in 3 of these 20 patients cataract formation was attributable to PUVA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Cyclosporin A treatment in two cases of corneal peripheral melting syndrome.

One patient with the clinical diagnosis of Wegener's disease suffered from bilateral progressive uveitis and corneal melting which did not react to steroid and immunosuppressive therapy. Cyclosporin A produced dramatic improvement within 5 days, of both the uveitis and the corneal melting. The second patient had severe progressive corneal melting and scleral melting in one eye, which did not react to corticosteroid therapy or grafting of the defects. The corneal melting stopped completely on cyclosporin A therapy for two months. Gum hypertrophy was only seen as a side effect of cyclosporin A therapy in one patient, no severe side effects such as kidney or liver dysfunction were noted.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Aland eye disease: no albino misrouting.

Electrophysiological studies showed that a patient with Aland eye disease had no misrouting of the optic pathways which is always found in all forms of albinism as a consequence of the retino-geniculate anomaly. Also the spontaneous and optokinetic nystagmus did not resemble that of the large majority of human albinos. The marked asymmetry found in this patient seems to be typical for humans with a defective development of foveal binocular vision. These findings are in agreement with clinical, nystagmographic and EM findings that Aland eye disease is distinct from the Nettleship-Falls type of X-linked ocular albinism. Furthermore, Aland eye disease is different from X-chromosomal congenital stationary night blindness with myopia by the fact that the scotopic functions are only moderately affected and there is no restriction of the peripheral photopic visual fields. In addition, there is latent nystagmus of extraocular type that appears also in female carriers. There is no ophthalmoplegia, there is a progression of the myopia and the dyschromatopsia is of secondary type.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Corneal pathology in Crohn's disease: electron microscopic study of a case].

Corneal pathology in Crohn's disease is relatively rare. We had the opportunity to take a biopsy of a bullous mass in the cornea of a man with Crohn's disease. Analysis of electronic pictures shows an aberrant structure of the nucleus, a very dense nuclear membrane and fragmented nucleoles. The cytoplasm contains many patches without membrane; the basal membrane is composed of filaments, and the stroma possesses figures of fingerprint-type. This unclassified description of the cornea might be typical for Crohn's disease.

Cornea↗
PubMed1985

Fluorescein angiography in potential carriers for choroideremia. An additional aid for final diagnosis, when funduscopy shows equivocal symptoms.

As an extension of a large pedigree with choroideremia, described by Kurstjens in 1965, a family will be presented. A daughter of an affected male presented with her two carrier daughters and her three unaffected sons. In one daughter, funduscopy did not reveal characteristics specific for the diagnosis of the carrier state for choroideremia. Special attention will be paid to the diagnostic value of fluorescein angiography for final diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Congenital corneal opacity (Peters' anomaly) combined with buphthalmos and aniridia.

A case history of a newborn infant is discussed. At birth he showed bilateral buphthalmos with aniridia and congenital corneal opacities, agreeing with Peters' anomaly. A keratoplasty was performed. The dysgenesis mesenchymalis classification is mentioned briefly. High resolution banding technique of chromosomes revealed no abnormality.

Cornea↗
PubMed1985

François' syndrome. An intermediate between mandibulofacial and craniofacial dysostoses.

Because of the presence of microphthalmos and cataract and the absence of auricular deformations the François syndrome belongs to neither the craniofacial nor the mandibulofacial dysostoses. TeleXray measurements revealed forward dislocation of the mandibular joint. A proposal to speak of basocraniofacial dysostosis in the cases of Hallermann-Streiff-François is made.

Cataract↗
PubMed1979

[The determination of the maximal angular visual acuity and of the Vernier acuity (author's transl)].

In clinical diagnosis it is important to determine the maximal angular visual acuity by using for example the TNO Landolt C ring chart of Vos. The determination of the Vernier- or Nonius acuity is hardly of any clinical diagnostic significance because in several pathological conditions and in normal eyes the visual acuity is always three times higher than the angular visual acuity. Therefore this does not contribute to further differentiation.

Amblyopia↗