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D Benezra

Publications and source records attributed to D Benezra.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Necrotizing choroiditis-retinitis as presenting symptom of disseminated aspergillosis after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Endogenous endophthalmitis due to Aspergillus is rare affecting the severely immunosuppressed population, in particular recipients of heart and lung transplants. Ocular involvement of aspergillosis has always been observed late in the course of the disease. SUBJECT: A young woman noted blurred vision in one eye three weeks after lung transplantation. At this stage, no systemic manifestations of fungal infection were detected and the ocular findings were attributed to viral infection. RESULTS: Twenty-four hours after the original ocular complaint, an aggressive endophthalmitis developed in the left eye. The possibility of fungal endophthalmitis was raised. Within 48 hours of her first ocular complaint the patient died. Cultures from a vitreous tap and from autopsy ocular specimens were positive for Aspergillus fumigatus. CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus endopthalmitis may occur in patients undergoing lung transplantation despite antifungal therapy. Increased awareness of this unusual entity may be life and vision saving in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ocular and orbital complications following the treatment of retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the ocular and orbital complications observed in children treated for retinoblastoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 73 children (39 boys, 34 girls) suffering from retinoblastoma. Thirty-six had bilateral tumor and 37 unilateral disease for a total of 109 eyes affected. The follow-up was 6-180 months (median 36 months). Enucleation was the most common initial treatment approach in the unilateral group, and radiotherapy (by external beam) was the most common initial therapy in the bilateral group. Cryotherapy, photocoagulation, brachytherapy and/or systemic chemotherapy were used as adjuvant treatments when necessary. Ocular complications were recorded at the follow-up examinations. RESULTS: Cataract developed in 20% of the irradiated eyes. The mean time from irradiation until development of cataract was 28.5 months (6-64 months). Radiation retinopathy developed in 12% and was first detected 11-72 months (mean 37 months) after irradiation therapy. Mild transient keratopathy was observed in all eyes undergoing irradiation, and xerophthalmia in one eye. Complications after enucleation included: marked discharge from the socket (11.0%), extrusion of the implant (9.6%), and contraction of the socket (3.0%). No complications were observed after cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation of the tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular complications after treating children with retinoblastoma are common and may seriously affect the quality of life of children surviving the primary malignancy.

Brachytherapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Retinitis pigmentosa, Coats disease and uveitis.

PURPOSE: To study the anamnestic immune response to retinal specific antigens of two patients suffering from a rare triad of retinitis pigmentosa, Coats disease and uveitis. PATIENTS: 17-year-old girl presented with an acute episode of panuveitis, and her 19-year-old brother suffered from chronic uveitis. On examination, both patients showed retinal vascular changes and subretinal exudations typical of Coats disease, with bone-spicule pigmentary changes as observed in retinitis pigmentosa. RESULTS: All routine examinations were unrevealing. However, the peripheral lymphocytes from these two siblings gave a specific anamnestic response to retinal antigens in vitro. A stimulation index of 4.6 was obtained when the sister's lymphocytes were stimulated with interphotoreceptor binding protein, IRBP--during the acute stage of the uveitis. The brother's lymphocytes showed a stimulation index of 2.7 towards S-Ag during the chronic phase of his uveitic condition. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that autoimmunity towards retinal antigens may play some role in specific types of retinitis pigmentosa. Whether these autoimmune reactions are a primary pathological mechanism or are secondary to the extensive destruction of the photoreceptor layer resulting from the retinitis pigmentosa remains debatable.

Adolescent↗