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H Culver Boldt

Publications and source records attributed to H Culver Boldt.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Structured journal club as a tool to teach and assess resident competence in practice-based learning and improvement.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of the journal club as a tool to teach and assess competency in practice-based learning (PBL) and improvement among residents in ophthalmology. DESIGN: Interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Ophthalmology residents. SETTING: Three academic ophthalmology residency programs in the United States. METHODS: A survey was performed of self-assessed skills in PBL among residents in ophthalmology training before and after the implementation of a structured review checklist during a traditional resident journal club. The survey had 5 domains, including (A) appraise and assimilate evidence, (B) read a journal article critically, (C) use a systematic and standardized checklist, (D) apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods, and (E) maintain a self-documented written record of compliance. The respondents scored their ability (range, 1-5). RESULTS: The use of a structured journal club tool was associated with a statistically significant improvement in self-assessed ability in all 5 domains. CONCLUSIONS: Although validity, reliability, and long-term efficacy studies are necessary, the structured journal club is one method of teaching and assessing resident competency in PBL and improvement.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2006

Subretinal neovascular membrane in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

PURPOSE: To define the prevalence, natural history, treatment, and prognosis of papilledema-related juxtapapillary subretinal neovascular membranes (SRNVMs). DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Of 1140 cases of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, six patients had juxtapapillary SRNVM. Three patients were observed, and their final visual acuities were 20/20, 20/50, and 20/200. Three SRNVM involved the fovea; two of the cases were treated with argon laser therapy, and one case was treated with photodynamic therapy. CONCLUSION: SRNVM in idiopathic intracranial hypertension is rare (0.53%). Most cases of juxtapapillary SRNVM are self-limited and regress, can be observed, and have a favorable visual prognosis. The progression of the SRNVM ophthalmoscopically or angiographically toward the fovea, however, might be an indication for laser treatment. Once subfoveal extension occurs, the visual outcome tends to be unfavorable. No patients had recurrence of SRNVM after the resolution of the papilledema.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed2004

Noninvasive in vivo detection of prognostic indicators for high-risk uveal melanoma: ultrasound parameter imaging.

PURPOSE: Primary malignant melanoma of the choroid and ciliary body has traditionally been treated without histologic staging, using purely clinical indicators. The presence of extravascular matrix patterns (EMP) in histologic sections of uveal melanoma has been shown to be an independent indicator of metastatic risk. These patterns are of a dimension and physical composition that are likely to be detected with ultrasound backscatter analysis. Our aim was to determine whether ultrasound parameter imaging could detect the presence of EMP at a diagnostically significant level for treatment staging and for planning investigational studies of therapeutic modalities. DESIGN: Prospective, masked ultrasound-pathologic correlative study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred seventeen patients diagnosed with previously untreated choroidal melanoma were scanned within 2 weeks before enucleation. METHODS: Tumors were evaluated histologically and divided into high-risk and low-risk groups on the basis of the presence of 2% or more histologic cross-sectional area composed of EMP patterns. Digital ultrasound data were processed to generate parameter images representing the size and concentration of ultrasound scatterers. Histologic and ultrasound images and data were correlated, and linear and nonlinear statistical methods were used to create multivariate models for noninvasive differentiation of high-risk and low-risk tumors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of high-risk EMP and associated ultrasound parameter classification models. RESULTS: Of the 117 tumors, 69 were classified as low risk, and 48 were classified as high-risk with histologic analysis. A classification that used ultrasound parameter image features with linear discriminant analysis could correctly identify 79.5% of cases retrospectively and 75.2% of cases by use of cross-validation, an estimate of prospective classification ability. By use of a more powerful classification technique (support vector machine), 93.1% of cases were correctly classified retrospectively. With a cross-validation procedure, 80.10% of cases were correctly classified. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound can be used noninvasively to classify tumors into high-risk and low-risk groups by detecting the presence of EMP patterns. By the use of previous studies that compared the histologic presence of EMP patterns with patient survival, estimates of hazard rates associated with ultrasound risk groups can be made. The noninvasive ultrasound classification is potentially useful as a prognostic variable and as a tool for stratification of patient populations for tumor treatment evaluation.

Eye Enucleation↗
PubMed2004

Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal and juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization in ocular histoplasmosis syndrome: a retrospective case series.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effect on visual acuity of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in patients with subfoveal and juxtafoveal choroidal neovascular membranes from ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS). METHODS: Retrospective case series. The visual outcome of 11 patients with subfoveal (n = 6) and juxtafoveal (n = 5) choroidal neovascularization treated with PDT was reviewed. At 1 to 3 months of follow-up, retreatment with PDT was performed if angiography showed leakage. RESULTS: Within the subfoveal group, 3 patients (50%) had improved vision (two or more lines better than initial vision), 2 patients (33.3%) had no change in vision (within 1 line), and 1 (16.7%) lost four lines of vision. At last follow-up, 3 patients (50%) had vision between 20/20 and 20/40 compared with only 1 patient (16.6%) at the initial visit. Mean follow-up was 13.7 months. Within the juxtafoveal group, 3 patients (60%) had improved vision, 1 patient (20%) had no change in vision, and 1 patient (20%) lost nine lines of vision. At last follow-up, 3 of 5 patients (60%) had vision between 20/20 and 20/40 compared with 2 patients (40%) at the initial visit. Mean follow-up was 10.2 months. No significant adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION: PDT is a safe and promising option for patients with OHS with choroidal neovascularization that is subfoveal or juxtafoveal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Vitreous amino acid concentrations in patients with glaucoma undergoing vitrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To measure vitreous concentrations of glutamate and other amino acids in patients with glaucoma undergoing vitrectomy. METHODS: Undiluted vitreous samples were collected from patients undergoing vitrectomy at the University of Iowa (Iowa City) between 1997 and 1998 (n = 69). Vitreous concentrations of 16 amino acids, including glutamate, were determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Patients with a history of diabetes mellitus were excluded from the analysis. The study group consisted of those with a history of glaucoma (n = 8), and the control group included those with an epiretinal membrane and/or macular hole with no history of glaucoma (n = 17). Comparison of amino acid concentrations between the 2 groups was performed using a multifactor main effects model that adjusted for the effect of 10 selected covariates. Power analysis was done to determine the level of significant difference in amino acid concentrations. RESULTS: The glaucoma group comprised vitreal specimens from patients with primary open-angle (n = 3) and angle-closure glaucomas that included aqueous misdirection (n = 2), uveitis with secondary angle-closure (n = 2), and Axenfeld Rieger syndrome (n = 1). Indications for vitrectomy in this group included epiretinal membrane, retinal detachment, aqueous misdirection, and uveitis. The control group included specimens from patients with a macular hole (n = 11) and epiretinal membrane (n = 7), with 1 eye having both. Surgical indications in controls were macular hole, retinal detachment, and epiretinal membrane. The mean +/- SD levels of vitreous glutamate, glycine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and alanine were 6.1 +/- 2.4, 16.3 +/- 7.5, 0.8 +/- 0.3, and 260.5 +/- 101.9 microM, respectively, in glaucoma and 5.2 +/- 2.3, 8.5 +/- 2.5, 0.6 +/- 0.2, and 159.5 +/- 54.9 microM in controls (P >.05 for all). None of the 16 amino acid concentrations measured showed a statistically significant difference between glaucoma and controls (P values between.06 and >.99). A power analysis indicated that a 1.8-fold elevation in the glutamate level was needed to reach significance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vitreous amino acid concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: None of the 16 amino acids measured, including glutamate, were significantly elevated in the vitreous of glaucomatous eyes compared with controls. Our results are not consistent with the simple hypothesis of glutamate excitotoxicity in glaucoma. Instead, our findings indicate the dynamic nature of extracellular glutamate, whose concentration is dependent on complex mechanisms not yet fully understood. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the role of glutamate in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Spectral parameter imaging for detection of prognostically significant histologic features in uveal melanoma.

Specific extracellular matrix patterns in uveal melanoma are associated with metastatic risk. The laminin-rich composition and dimensions (on the order of a wavelength or less) of these structures suggest that acoustic backscatter might be affected by their presence. In this study, 10-MHz radiofrequency (RF) ultrasound (US) data were acquired before surgical removal of 117 eyes with uveal malignant melanoma. Histologic sections were evaluated for the presence of matrix patterns and acoustic backscatter was characterized using calibrated spectrum analysis. Statistical correlations between acoustic and histologic patterns were determined and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and radial basis networks (RBN) were used to develop classification models for histologically based risk groups. Statistically significant correlations were found between acoustic parameters and the presence of histologic matrix-rich patterns. Retrospective classification accuracies of 74.4% and 78.6% were obtained with LDA and RBN, respectively. Leave-one-out analyses indicated estimated predictive accuracies of 71.8% and 75.0% for LDA and RBN, respectively.

Extracellular Matrix↗
PubMed2002

Consistency of observations from echograms made centrally in the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study COMS Report No. 13.

PURPOSE: To describe the methods used by the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) Echography Center for grading tumor echograms and to assess reliability of the grading system. METHODS: Tumor echograms were graded at the COMS Echography Center using a specific protocol. To assess consistency, a five-percent random sample of all echographic gradings received as of June 30, 1996 was selected by the COMS Coordinating Center for re-evaluation at the COMS Echography Center. The results were compared with original data. Agreement between the two sets of gradings was evaluated by calculating overall percent agreement, and by using the kappa statistic for categorical features and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) for continuous measures. RESULTS: Overall agreement between original gradings and regradings was high. Agreement, based on the kappa statistic, between the original grading and the regrading was classified as 'moderate,' 'substantial,' or 'almost perfect' for nearly every variable graded. Kappas ranged from 0.47 for extrascleral extension to 0.82 for tumor shape. Intra-class correlation coefficients were 0.99 or higher for tumor height measurements and for the clock hour designation of the tumor apex. The only variable graded by the COMS Echography Center that did not have good agreement was 'confidence in tumor measurement.' CONCLUSIONS: The level of agreement (after adjusting for chance agreement) ranged from 'moderate' to 'almost perfect.' Grading for 'confidence of tumor measurement' differed between the original grading and the regrading but there was little difference in the tumor measurements. The COMS Echography Center has demonstrated that its grading protocol is consistent over time.

Brachytherapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using the Journal Club to teach and assess competence in practice-based learning and improvement: a literature review and recommendation for implementation.

The traditional journal club has historically been used to teach residents about critically reading and reviewing the literature in order to improve patient care. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies mandate requires that ophthalmology residency programs both teach and assess practice-based learning and improvement. A systematically conducted review of the literature regarding the use of the journal club in resident medical education was performed to define specific recommendations for implementation of a journal club tool. Selected best practices for a successful journal club were gleaned from the existing medical literature. These include the following: 1) the use of a structured review checklist, 2) explicit written learning objectives, and 3) a formalized meeting structure and process. The journal club might prove to be an excellent tool for the assessment of competencies like practice-based learning which may be difficult to assess by other means. Future study is necessary to determine if journal club can improve educational outcomes and promote lifelong competence in practice-based learning.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Central serous chorioretinopathy in giant cell arteritis.

A 66-year-old woman started oral prednisone for temporal artery biopsy (TAB) proven GCA and developed central haziness OD > OS. Visual acuity worsened to 20/100 OD and 20/25 OS. Clinical exam, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography (FA) revealed central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). The patient was treated with focal laser therapy for CSCR and steroid taper. Patients with giant cell arteritis on high dose steroids may present with significant loss of visual acuity and field. CSCR (precipitated by steroids) should be considered in the differential diagnosis as increasing the steroid dose for presumed visual loss secondary to GCA might worsen rather than improve the visual outcome.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Teaching and assessing surgical competency in ophthalmology training programs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has mandated implementation of six new competencies in resident training in the United States. An implementation strategy is proposed to teach and assess cataract surgical competence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An intradepartmental Task Force for the ACGME competencies reviewed the literature for assessment tools to develop an implementation matrix for assessing surgical competence. RESULTS: "Good practices" (gleaned from the literature) were adapted for the institution's needs and tested, including (1) written and explicit goals or objectives for each stage of training; (2) substitution of a criterion-referenced (Dreyfus model) scoring rubric for a norm-referenced, peer-benchmarked global evaluation; (3) use of formative rather than summative feedback; (4) incorporation of deliberate practice (Ericsson model); and (5) portfolio-based documentation of sentinel event markers and remediation. CONCLUSION: An implementation matrix for teaching and assessing surgical competence might be useful for local compliance with the ACGME mandate.

Cataract Extraction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Local methotrexate and dexamethasone phosphate for the treatment of recurrent primary intraocular lymphoma.

A 70-year-old patient with recurrent bilateral primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) was treated with local injections of methotrexate and periocular dexamethasone phosphate to both eyes over the course of 5 months. Local therapy consisted of a cycle to each eye of 3 intravitreal injections of methotrexate (200 microg in a total volume of 0.1 cc) administered on days 1, 5, and 8, followed by a subtenon injection of dexamethasone phosphate (7.5 mg in a total volume of 0.3 cc) on day 9. This treatment cycle was administered 4 times for the right eye and 3 times for the left eye, at 4 to 6 week intervals. Electroretinography was used to assess retinal function prior to and during each treatment regimen. Complete regression of the lymphomatous infiltrates and resolution of the vitritis was observed with preservation of visual acuity and no changes on electroretinography. The effect was sustained for 24 months after termination of treatment in the absence of systemic chemotherapy, radiation treatments, or maintenance intravitreal injections. Local combined chemotherapy can be used to treat recurrent PIOL, and can serve as successful palliative therapy in patients for whom further treatment with systemic chemotherapy or radiation is contraindicated.

Aged↗