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Biomedical subjects

P Nucci

Publications and source records attributed to P Nucci.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Surgical approaches to cavernous haemangiomas of the orbit.

Cavernous haemangiomas are the most common orbital masses and the second most common cause of unilateral proptosis after thyroid ophthalmopathy. We retrospectively analysed 19 patients with retrobulbar cavernous haemangiomas, 9 of whom had lateral orbitotomy to remove retrobulbar cavernous haemangiomas located superior (n=4), inferior (n=2) or lateral (n=3) to the optic nerve. Seven patients had lateral orbitotomy together with an anterior medial approach to gain access to retrobulbar cavernous haemangiomas located medially to the optic nerve in the posterior half of the orbit. An anterior approach was used in 3 patient with an anteriorly located cavernous haemangioma. We describe here the planning of surgical treatment based on the site of the lesion.

Adult↗

Mortality from second tumour among long-term survivors of retinoblastoma: a retrospective analysis of the Italian retinoblastoma registry.

Survivors of retinoblastoma (Rb) are at high risk of dying from second malignant tumour. The occurrence of second malignant neoplasm (SMN) and related mortality in a cohort of 1111 cases from the Italian Retinoblastoma Registry was analysed, considering the possible role of both genetic and iatrogenic causes. Rb patients had a greater than 10-fold excess in overall mortality compared with the general population (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 10.73, 95% CI 9.00-12.80). Their excess risk attributable to cancers other than Rb was 14.93 95% CI 10.38-21.49). Survivors of hereditary Rb had an SMR for all causes of 16.25 (95% CI 13.20-20.00), whereas their SMR for all cancers was 25.72 (95% CI 17.38-38.07). Survivors of unilateral sporadic Rb had an SMR of 4.12 from all cancers (95% CI 1.55-10.98) and a much higher excess for overall mortality (SMR 13.34, 95% CI 10.74-16.56). As expected, survivors of hereditary Rb had higher mortality from cancers of the bone (SMR 391.90, 95% CI 203.90-753.20) and soft tissue (SMR 453.00, 95% CI 203.50-1008.40), small intestine (SMR 1375.50, 95% CI 344.00-5499.70), nasal cavity (SMR 13.71, 95% CI 1.93-97.35) and cancers of the brain and central nervous system (SMR 41.14, 95% CI 13.2-127.55).

Cohort Studies↗

Unexplained head tilt following surgical treatment of congenital esotropia: a postural manifestation of dissociated vertical divergence.

BACKGROUND: Strabismus surgery for congenital esotropia can be complicated by the development of a postoperative head tilt. PURPOSE: To determine the pathophysiology of acquired head tilting following horizontal realignment of the eyes in children with congenital esotropia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of nine children with congenital esotropia who developed unexplained head tilts following horizontal realignment of the eyes. RESULTS: Shortly after strabismus surgery, each child developed a head tilt in association with asymmetrical dissociated vertical divergence (DVD). Five children maintained a head tilt toward the side of the fixing eye (group 1), which did not serve to control the DVD. Four children maintained a head tilt toward the side of the hyperdeviating eye, which served to control the DVD (group 2). Children in group 2 had earlier horizontal muscle surgery and developed better stereopsis than those in group 1, suggesting that the higher degree of single binocular vision and stereopsis in these children may have led to a compensatory torticollis to control an asymmetrical DVD. CONCLUSIONS: The onset of an unexpected head tilt after congenital esotropia surgery is usually a postural manifestation of asymmetrical DVD. In this setting, a head tilt toward the side of the fixing eye corresponds with a postural manifestation of the underlying central vestibular imbalance that produces DVD, while a head tilt toward the side of the hyperdeviating eye serves to counteract the hyperdeviation and stabilise binocular vision.

Child, Preschool↗

Refractive surgery in children.

Refractive surgery techniques, especially those using laser ablation, have revolutionized the treatment of refractive errors. The short-term results have been well studied in adults, but long-term outcomes are not known. No good studies exist to tell us whether the pediatric eye responds the same as the adult eye to these techniques, but there is reason to believe that the pediatric eye will have many differences, both short- and long-term based on other similar surgeries adapted for pediatrics. These techniques have great potential to add to our armamentarium of treatments for frustrating problems such as unilateral high myopia with amblyopia, but they should be used with caution. The patients who are the most attractive to refractive surgeons, namely, teenagers with typical myopia who want to discard their spectacles, are the patients with potentially the most to lose from a procedure with unknown long-term results for a condition easily treated with other modalities. Those who need it most, namely infants and children with high anisometropia who cannot tolerate contact lenses or spectacles, are the least cooperative, the most difficult to treat postoperatively, and the least able to afford expensive treatments not covered by insurance, are therefore the least likely to be offered the procedure, or to have a study designed to evaluate their specific needs and concerns. It behooves ophthalmologists interested in pediatrics to carefully discuss and research the possible indications and theoretical concerns of these powerful techniques in pediatric eyes.

Child↗

Refractive surgery for unilateral high myopia in children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of refractive surgery in children. METHODS: Pediatric patients with unilateral high myopia who were 9 years of age or older were offered refractive surgery to supplement optical correction. The patients and families were informed that the operation may not improve their best-corrected visual acuity. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) was performed on the more myopic eye with the use of topical anesthesia. Cycloplegic refraction, stereopsis, motility, and best-corrected visual acuity were measured before the procedure and at 2 months and 20 months after the procedure. All patients had completed amblyopia therapy before surgery. RESULTS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients aged 9 to 14 years received refractive surgery. Average age at the time of surgery was 11.9 years (+/-1,6). Average corrected preoperative visual acuity was 20/147 (+/-0.065 in decimals). Average preoperative refraction was -7.96 D (+/-2,16) spherical equivalent. Twenty months after refractive surgery, the uncorrected visual acuity averaged 20/129 (+/-0.08 in decimals) and best-corrected vision averaged 20/121 (+/-0.08 in decimals). Average refraction was -0.46 D (+/-0,58) at 2 months and -0.67 D (+/-0,68) D at 20 months. An average myopic shift in refraction of -0.22 D was found in treated eyes during the 20 months of follow-up; this was not statistically significant (P =.69). Three patients had LASIK and 11 patients had PRK. LASIK patients averaged -0.875 D of myopic shift over 20 months of follow-up. Those with PRK averaged -0.025 D. This difference was not statistically significant (P =.10). The vision of 5 of 14 patients improved 1 or 2 lines after refractive surgery. Two patients who had 20/80 vision preoperatively improved to 20/60. No patients lost any lines of vision. Only 4 patients demonstrated stereopsis preoperatively, and all retained stereopsis postoperatively. No patient gained stereopsis. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK and PRK can be performed safely and effectively in children who are cooperative enough to undergo the procedures with topical anesthesia. Refractive surgery does not improve vision in densely amblyopic eyes but may give modest improvement in those that are mildly amblyopic. No significant complications were encountered aside from a myopic shift over time.

Adolescent↗

Congenital aphakia in Peters' anomaly syndrome. A case report.

The authors report a case of congenital bilateral corneal opacities in which one of the eyes was enucleated because of malignant glaucoma and corneal perforation. Corneal defects and iridocorneal adhesion were found, but aphakia was the major pathologic ocular finding. The clinical picture and pathology study indicated this case as a Peters' anomaly presenting congenital aphakia.

Anterior Eye Segment↗

Electronystagmographic investigation in X-linked ocular albinism.

Albinism represents the most frequent cause of nystagmus induced by visual sensory disorders. We studied five patients aged between three and five years with ocular albinism with the aim of identifying the characteristics of nystagmic oscillations. The patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination and electronystagmography (ENG). ENG revealed either pendular or jerk waveforms (or both) with the same complex effects of fixation seen in those with idiopathic congenital nystagmus. Three children presented face turn due to reduced severity of nystagmus in lateroversion. Latent nystagmus was not observed.

Albinism, Ocular↗

Keratoconus and Turner's syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report the association of keratoconus and Turner's syndrome in three patients and to review the ophthalmic manifestations of Turner's syndrome. METHODS: Three patients with keratoconus and Turner's syndrome were identified and reported in a retrospective review. RESULTS: These three cases represent the first series of patients with keratoconus and Turner's syndrome. All three patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty with good visual rehabilitation. None of the patients had other ocular features associated with Turner's syndrome. CONCLUSION: Turner's syndrome is commonly associated with ocular problems. In this series we identify an association of keratoconus with Turner's syndrome. Clearly, a careful ocular examination in this condition with attention to ocular features of Turner's syndrome is important.

Adolescent↗

Atlantoaxial dislocation related to instilling eyedrops in a patient with Down's syndrome.

PURPOSE: To alert ophthalmologists of the risk of hyperextending the neck of patients with Down's syndrome while holding them to instill eyedrops. METHOD: We describe a case of atlantoaxial dislocation related to instilling eyedrops in a 6-year-old girl with Down's syndrome. RESULT: Early recognition of the problem allowed prompt treatment and partial recovery of the patient. CONCLUSION: Examination and clinical maneuvers in a child with Down's syndrome require gentleness and avoidance of hyperextension of the neck to prevent spinal cord injury.

Atlanto-Axial Joint↗

Genetic isolate and preserved para-arteriole retinal pigment epithelium.

Preserved para-arteriole retinal pigment epithelium (PPRPE) is an uncommon form of retinitis pigmentosa, with a very peculiar funduscopic appearance. To our knowledge no patient under age ten, affected by PPRPE, has been reported in the literature. The authors present here a seven-year-old boy, whose fundus examination is consistent with the diagnosis of PPRPE. The case report confirms that PPRPE starts early in childhood, and additionally supports the hypothesis of an autosomal recessive inheritance of this condition, since the proband's family lives in a 'genetic isolate'.

Arterioles↗

Unexpected histological findings in pterygium.

Pterygium is thought to be a common benign lesion of the corneo-conjunctival limbus. We report a case in which the pathological examination of an apparently trivial pterygium disclosed the presence of a conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasm in a 53-year-old white male who has been living in Kenya for 35 years. An atypical grayish area on the lesion convinced the surgeon to request the histological examination.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Compliance in antiamblyopia occlusion therapy.

Antiamblyopia occlusion therapy relies on compliance. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 496 amblyopic subjects. Measures of non-compliance included patient reporting and patient records of broken appointments. Out of 496 subjects, 92 (18%) failed to follow the occlusion regimen. Compliance with treatment was analyzed by age group, refractive error and type of strabismus. The failure rate was 82.6% for the unilateral high myopia group and 37.5% for the monofixation syndrome group. The risk for non-compliance appeared to be higher in the 1 to 2-year-old group (37%). The chi 2-test showed the differences to be highly significant (P less than 0.0001). Children having lower initial visual acuity were also significantly less complaint (P less than 0.007). Several factors such as age, parental understanding, initial visual acuity and improvement rate seem to be involved in compliance.

Amblyopia↗

Ocular pharmacokinetics of rufloxacin a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Ocular pharmacokinetics of rufloxacin (MF 934), a new monofluorinated quinolone derivative, has been investigated in rabbits. A long half-life, good g.i. absorption and a higher tissue/plasma concentration than that of other quinolones, are its interesting pharmacokinetic properties. However, there is reason to believe that drug accumulation may occur in deep body compartments. We determined plasma, aqueous, and vitreous concentrations of the drug at 1, 4, 8, and 24h after a single 50 mg/kg i.v. administration of rufloxacin. Our data show that rufloxacin, administered by the i.v. route, rapidly reaches chemotherapeutically useful levels in aqueous and vitreous fluids. Although still present in plasma 8 hours after administration, it proved to be undetectable in ocular fluids, signifying that the depletion of the deep compartments occurs well in advance of the next invasion. Due to its antibacterial effectiveness and pharmacokinetic properties rufloxacin may take a relevant place among the quinolone derivatives in the treatment of ocular infections.

Animals↗