Biomedical subjects

Katia Novak-Laus

Publications and source records attributed to Katia Novak-Laus.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Analysis of the qualitative dermatoglyphics of the digito-palmar complex in patients with primary open angle glaucoma.

The primary open-angle glaucomas are a group of diseases that have in common characteristic morphological changes at the optic nerve head and retinal nerve fiber layer, progressive retinal ganglion cells death and characteristic visual field loss. The risk for primary open angle glaucoma rises continuously with the level of the intraocular pressure. The disease advances slowly and there are no symptoms. Primary open angle glaucoma is caused by abnormal aqueous humour outflow in the trabecular meshwork in the open angle. Etiopathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma is unclear. The increased risk of glaucoma in relatives has long been recognized. Frequency for manifestation of the disease is 10-30% in family members. The discovery of the specific gene loci responsible for the manifestation of glaucoma has helped us to understand its mechanism of origin and definitely confirmed the hereditary nature of this disease. Digito-palmar dermatoglyphs were already used to determine hereditary base of many diseases and it was the reason for investigation of their qualitative patterns in patients with glaucoma (22 males and 23 females), their immediate relatives (19 males and 23 females) in comparison to a group of phenotypically healthy population (52 males and 56 females). The results pointed a connection with the dermatoglyphic traits of the digito-palmar complex between patients with glaucoma and their immediate relatives. There is a possible discrimination of patients and their immediate relatives from phenotypically healthy population, too.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed2006

[Use of antiglaucoma therapy to reduce acute intraocular pressure rise following neodymium: YAG laser iridotomy in angle-closure glaucoma patients].

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of topical antiglaucoma therapy in reducing acute intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation after neodymium: Yag laser iridotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) eyes were randomized to receive premedication with latanoprost and pilocarpine, brimonidine 0.2% and pilocarpine or only with pilocarpine before Yag laser iridotomy. Postoperative IOP changes were compared with Wilcoxon signed-ranks test using the fellow eyes in each group. RESULTS: Postoperative pressure spikes were significantly lower in the groups of patients with local antiglaucoma therapy with pilocarpine than in the control group. Mean elevation of IOP was less in the groups of patients with local antiglaucoma therapy with pilocarpine at 2 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Local antiglaucoma therapy may reduce the acute IOP rise following Yag laser iridotomy in PACG eyes.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

[Triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of inflammation after cataract surgery].

AIM: To compare the use of single injection of triamcinolone acetonide and steroid drops in the treatment of inflammation after cataract surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 80 patients operated on by phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. After the operation, patients were divided into two groups. Group A received dexamethasone-neomycin drops for four weeks, whereas group B received single application of triamcinolone acetonide into the subtenon space. Postoperative evaluation included the degree of inflammation, intraocular pressure and therapeutic response. RESULTS: Triamcinolone acetonide appeared to be an as valuable therapy in minimizing inflammation after cataract surgery as steroid drops on days 7, 14 and 21 postoperatively, a significantly lower intraocular pressure was recorded in the group of patients administered a single injection of triamcinolone acetonide. CONCLUSION: Single application of triamcinolone acetonide appeared to be as efficient as steroid drops in controlling postoperative inflammation after uncomplicated cataract surgery.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

[Primary non-Hodgkin orbital lymphoma: case report].

The aim of this case report is to present a very rare case of primary malignant non-Hodgkin orbital lymphoma, found in an 80-year-old female patient with rapid orbital structure compression. Detailed ophthalmologic, radiologic, hematologic and oncologic examinations and laboratory tests were done before, during and after treatment. Diagnostic ultrasonography and computed tomography images of the right orbital cavity demonstrated a solid naoplastic process which dislocated the eyeball without invasion of orbital structures. Upon diagnostic evaluation, tumor lesion was surgically removed including orbitotomy with lower transpalpebral approach. Histopathologic diagnosis and type of tumor tissue were defined by histology and immunohistochemistry analyses of open biopsy material obtained ex tempore. Finally, the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology of the resected tumor mass: lymphoma malignum non-Hodgkin, diffuse large B-cell type, with high mitotic activity. Neoplastic B lymphocytes showed CD 20 positive surface antigens and kappa light chain expression. The treatment was continued with hematologic therapy. The patient received three cycles of systemic chemotherapy (CHOP protocol). Upon combined therapy completion, control examinations showed the patient to have no signs of disease in the orbital region. Interdisciplinary approach in the diagnostic evaluation, therapy and long-term observation proved to be necessary in patients with malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Aged, 80 and over↗

PubMed2005

Doppler-echocardiographic characteristics of left ventricular function in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma: a preliminary report.

Glaucoma is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and risk factors. The aim of the study was to assess the left ventricular (LV) function in patients with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) glaucoma using doppler-echocardiographic examinations. Two-dimensional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography of transmitral flow was performed in 21 patients with (PEX) glaucoma and 24 controls. LV systolic contraction and ejection were assessed using the LV ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS). LV diastolic filling assessed parameters were: early, fast diastolic filling (E wave), late diastolic filling (A wave), ratio E/A, velocity time integral E wave (VTIE) and A wave (VTIA), their ratio (VTIE /VTIA), pressure at the end of filling (LVEDP) and a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). A significant difference was found concerning LV filling flow parameters in E, E/A, VTIA and ratio VTIA/ VTIE. No significant difference was found in EF, FS, A, VTIE, LVEDP and PCWP tested parameters. Our study indicates the possibility of slightly impaired diastolic function of LV in patients with PEX glaucoma assessed by Doppler-echocardiographic examinations.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in glaucoma associated with uveitis.

The patients with uveitic glaucoma are at high risk for failure following drainage surgery because of young age of these patients, preoperative long-term control of inflammation and postoperative complications. Twenty-two trabeculectomies performed in 22 patients with uveitic glaucoma were retrospectively evaluated to analyze the effect of intraoperative application of mitomycin C (MMC). Success rates, postoperative levels of intraocular pressure (IOP) and postoperative complications were studied. After a mean follow-up of 10.6 months (range, 5-28 months), 15 patients (68.2%) achieved IOP of 21mmHg or less without antiglaucoma medications. There were statistically significant reduction in IOP postoperatively during the period studied (p < 0.001). Early postoperative complications included chorioidal detachment (9.1%), shallow anterior chamber (9.1%), hyphema (13.6%), macular edema (4.5%) and raised IOP (27.3%). Late postoperative complications included exacerbation of uveitis (4.5%), macular edema (4.5%), cataract (22.7%) and raised IOP (31.8%). The eyes with raised IOP needed additional antiglaucoma medication. The results of this retrospective and uncontrolled study suggest that intraoperative application of MMC may be a good option for enhancement of short-term trabeculectomy success rates in patients with uveitic glaucoma.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Full-thickeness anterior blepharotomy and transpalpebral fat decompression in Graves' orbitopathy.

A chief morbidity of Graves eye disease is eyelid retraction and exophthalmus. Transpalpebral orbital fat removal accomplished with full thickness anterior blepharotomy was performed in 4 patients (5 orbits). Preoperative and postoperative ocular exposure symptoms, visual acuity, upper eyelid retraction and proptosis were evaluated. In all 5 operated orbits preoperative symptoms resolved; good results were achieved from the functional and cosmetic point of view. Full-thickness anterior blepharotomy combined with fat decompression is a safe and effective surgery for patients with upper eyelid retraction and exophthalmus due to enlarged orbital fat compartment.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Inapparent visual field defects in multiple sclerosis patients.

To assess inapparent visual field defects in patients with multiple sclerosis free from optic neuritis. During 5 years period 120 patients with multiple sclerosis were examined at the University Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb University Hospital Center. They were divided into three groups with 40 patients each: patients with acute unilateral optic neuritis, referred to ophthalmologist and treated with pulsed steroid therapy; patients with subjective feeling of blurred vision, normal visual acuity and no signs of acute optic neuritis; and patients free from subjective signs of visual impairment. Study patients underwent standard ophthalmologic examination and visual field testing in photopia by use of quantitative kinetic Goldmann perimetry. The initial and control examination by visual field testing were performed at least 6 months apart. Study results showed 65% of multiple sclerosis patients to have visual field defects without subjective signs of impaired vision. The most common defects were mild to moderate visual field narrowing with blind spot enlargement and depression from above. The following results were recorded: acute optic neuritis group: normal in 13/40 (32.5%) for the affected eyes and 27/40 (67.5%) for fellow eyes; mild visual field narrowing in 4/40 (10%) for the affected eyes and 10/40 (25%) for fellow eyes; moderate visual field narrowing with blind spot enlargement in 14/40 (35%) for the affected eyes and 1/40 (2.5%) for fellow eyes; and paracentral and arcuate scotomata in 9/40 (22.5%) for the affected eyes and 2/40 (5%) for fellow eyes; subjective symptom group: normal in 8/40 (20%) for the affected eyes and 11/40 (27.5%) for fellow eyes; mild visual field narrowing in 11/40 (27.5%) for the affected eyes and 16/40 (40%) for fellow eyes; moderate visual field narrowing with blind spot enlargement in 18/40 (45%) for the affected eyes and 10/40 (25%); andparacentral and arcuate scotomata in 3/40 (7.5%) for both affected and fellow eyes; and subjective symptom-free group: normal in 24/80 (30%), mild visual field narrowing in 22/80 (27.5%) moderate visual field narrowing with blind spot enlargement in 24/80 (30%); and paracentral and arcuate scotomata in 10/80 (12.5%). The presence of subclinical form of optic nerve involvement could be demonstrated in a very early stage of multiple sclerosis by the introduction of visual field testing in the standard examination protocol.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Diagnostic and therapeutic doubts in retrobulbar neuritis in children.

Retrobulbar neuritis is often very complicated clinical entity. The most common cause of retrobulbar neuritis is demyelinating disease of CNS. This report is to express some other uncommon causes of it. Three children, age 8 to 12 with sudden and severe visual loss are presented. The diagnosis of retrobulbar neuritis is made by complete ophtalmological examination in consultation with neuropediatrics and neuroradiologist. Different ethiological causes of retrobulbar neuritis are found: pranasal sinusitis, functional visual loss and pseudotumor cerebri. In first two children complete therapeutically effort was as expected, and by child with pseudotumor cerebri there was no improvement of visual acuity, even after 6 months. In this presentation the authors want to emphasise some uncommon causes of retrobulbar neuritis.

Child↗

PubMed2005

Analysis of the quantitative dermatoglyphic traits of the digito-palmar complex in patients with primary open angle glaucoma.

Patient with primary open angle glaucoma (PAOG), which is known to have a genetic predisposition, and their immediate relatives unaffected with PAOG, may have some changes in dermatoglyphic traits of the digito-palmar complex, since the trabecular meshwork develops at the same time and with the same hereditary base like dermatoglyphs, which have high genetic transmission. The objective of this study is to determine whether differences in quantitative dermatoglyphic traits of the digito-palmar complex exist between patients with glaucoma and the phenotipically healthy population and whether their family members have the same dermatoglyphic changes. The quantitative dermatoglyphic traits in patients suffering from glaucoma, first-degree members of their family and the phenotypically healthy population have been screened in this study. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc (Tukey HSD) method have been used. The results have shown that there is a link between the quantitative dermatoglyphic traits of the digito-palmar complex in patients affected by glaucoma and a first-degree healthy member of their family, as well as the difference between patients with glaucoma and their first-degree relatives, which may discriminate them from the phenotypically healthy population. The results of the study mostly affirm the existence of genetic predisposition for the development of primary open-angle glaucoma, thus emphasizing the relevance of hereditary factors in the etiopathogenesis of this disease.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Limbal graft and/or amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of ocular burns.

Limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) and amniotic membrane transplantation may improve corneal recovery after a chemical burn. Amniotic membrane was applied as a patch in 5 eyes; LSCT from healthy contralateral eye was performed in 6 eyes, and a combination of these techniques was performed in 4 eyes. There were no complications during surgical procedure. Epithelization was completed after 2 weeks in patients with LSCT, and after 3 weeks in the amniotic membrane transplantation group. Visual acuity improved in all patients. No complication was observed on either the donor or the recipient eye during a follow-up period of >13 months in all groups. Amniotic membrane is effective in promoting re-epithelization and reducing inflammation when applied alone in patients with 3- to 6-hour limbal involvement, as well as combined with LSCT in patients with >6-hour limbal ischemia. LSCT is an effective procedure for rehabilitation after severe chemical trauma of the eye with more than 50% limbal involvement.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Rare cause of keratitis--Acanthamoeba spp].

Free-living amoebas, members of the genus Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous microorganisms that can be found in the soil, waters and dust. In immunosuppressed patients they are described as etiological agents of granulomatous amoebal encephalitis, pulmonary and skin infections. Acanthamoebal keratitis is described in previously healthy people which wear contact lenses. It is a serious disease which unrecognized at the right moment could cause losing of sight and eye. In this article we describe a female patient in whom acanthamoebal keratitis was diagnosed.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis↗