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Biomedical subjects

R N Downes

Publications and source records attributed to R N Downes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Choroidal tuberculosis diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction. A clinicopathologic case report.

PURPOSE: To show the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a granulomatous choroidal lesion to support a diagnosis of tuberculosis. DESIGN: Observational case report. TESTING: Nucleic acid target amplification of a choroidal specimen using PCR for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was tested. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Positive nucleic acid target amplification for M. tuberculosis in the ocular sample was measured. RESULTS: PCR was positive for M. tuberculosis with appropriate negative controls. CONCLUSIONS: PCR was thought to be a useful supportive technique in the diagnosis of choroidal tuberculosis.

Choroid Diseases↗
PubMed1998

A clinical algorithm for the management of facial nerve palsy from an oculoplastic perspective.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Facial nerve palsy can be a sight-threatening complication. We have developed a flow diagram to aid in the management of these patients so that corneal complications may be avoided. This involves the recognition of a facial palsy and institution of treatment as guided by the flow chart. METHOD: Fifty-six patients suffered a facial nerve palsy following acoustic neuroma surgery. All received regular topical ocular lubrication, followed by either botulinum toxin A (BTXA)-induced ptosis (if corneal exposure developed despite conservative treatment) or definitive eyelid surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients required regular lubrication only. Of these patients treated for corneal exposure, 20 received BTXA with good resulting corneal cover. Unfortunately, 9 of these suffered diplopia, although in 4 this resolved quickly. Twenty-four patients underwent a total of 64 eyelid procedures including levator recession, lateral tarsorraphy, lateral canthal sling, medical canthoplasty and gold weight insertion. All patients had good corneal cover post-operatively and were cosmetically improved. Of the 56 patients with a facial nerve palsy, 7 presented with a corneal epithelial defect or an infected corneal ulcer. These all responded to treatment with BTXA, topical antibiotics and/or lubrication, and eyelid surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative facial palsy may result in a significant ophthalmic workload. Although a proportion of patients with a facial nerve palsy manage well with regular lubrication, additional help with eyelid closure, either in the way of BTXA-induced ptosis in the short term or definitive eyelid surgery in the long term, is often required. Eyelid surgery seems to be the mainstay of treatment, for both function and cosmesis, with many patients requiring a combination of procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Epiphora: a quick fix?

PURPOSE: To assess whether any simple, easily performed and minimally invasive procedure may help the symptoms of patients with functional nasolacrimal obstruction without recourse to elaborate investigation or major surgery. A randomised study was performed to assess the success of retropunctal cautery (RPC) and one-snip punctoplasty in this condition. METHODS: In the absence of any cause for excess lacrimation, eyelid malposition or nasolacrimal obstruction, patients underwent either syringing alone (group A, n = 15) or syringing with RPC and a one-snip punctoplasty (group B, n = 15). RESULTS: Three months after treatment, six patients in group A were improved, compared with 13 in group B (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.0096). CONCLUSIONS: We would recommend that patients who suffer from a pump or functional nasolacrimal obstruction should receive RPC and a one-snip punctoplasty following the demonstration of a patent system on syringing. These simple procedures would not impair further investigation or lacrimal surgery if required in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Endonasal laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy.

Endonasal laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy allows relief of epiphora caused by nasolacrimal duct obstruction. It can be performed as a day-case procedure and has many advantages over conventional approaches. This article reviews conventional, endoscopic and laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy and describes the technical steps of an endonasal procedure.

Dacryocystorhinostomy↗
PubMed1997

Endoscopic holmium:YAG laser dacryocystorhinostomy-safe and effective as a day-case procedure.

Endoscopic holmium laser dacryocystorhinostomy can be used safely and efficiently to relieve symptoms of distal nasolacrimal duct obstruction. It has great advantages over the conventional external approach as it can be done as a day-case procedure under local anaesthesia. The excellent ablation of bone and soft tissue using this type of laser contribute to the fact that the procedure can be performed in a mean time of 20 minutes. We report on the results of our first 50 patients and review the literature on the subject.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

The sphenoidal sinus in optic nerve decompression.

Surgical decompression of the orbit may be necessary in dysthyroid patients with compressive optic neuropathy. Two-wall decompression with a trans-antral or a trans-conjunctival approach is commonly used. However, in some patients the initial improvement following this surgical procedure is not maintained. Although this may be due to disease progression, a variant of orbital anatomy can contribute to sub-optimal decompression. We report three cases in which recurrence of compressive optic neuropathy occurred following two-wall decompression. The sphenoidal sinus was placed anteriorly in these patients. Further decompression which included the lateral wall of the sphenoidal sinus resulted in improvement. An endoscopic approach provides superior access and visibility for decompression of the optic nerve into the sphenoidal sinus, and this approach may be the surgical treatment of choice in these cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy--medium term results.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy (ELDCR) has many potential advantages over conventional external DCR. Although the short term results of this technique have been reported, little is yet known of the long term results, and the occurrence of late rhinostomy failure. The aim of this study was to examine the results at 3 and 12 months following ELDCR. METHOD: The notes of all consecutive ELDCRs performed between November 1993 and May 1995 were retrieved. Demographic information, details of surgery, and the postoperative results were noted. RESULTS: ELDCR procedures which did not undergo lacrimal stenting showed a short term success rate of 67% at 3 months, and a further failure rate of 9% at 12 months. ELDCRs which did undergo lacrimal stenting showed a short term success rate of 82% at 3 months, and a further failure rate of 21% at 12 months. Lacrimal intubation increased the long term success rate by 8%. The success rate was lower in the presence of local risk factors for nasal mucosal scarring. CONCLUSIONS: ELDCR requires some adjunctive treatment to improve maintenance of the nasal mucosal ostia if it is to complete successfully with external DCR on grounds other than cosmesis and patient convenience.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Dysversion of lateral eyelashes in children: a new diagnosis.

We believe that a previously undocumented cause of recurrent red, watery, sore and itchy eyes in children is dysversion of the lateral eyelashes. Diagnosis requires a close examination of the lateral aspect of the eyelids where dysverted lashes are seen to be growing from normal follicles. The lateral lashes are fine, long and flexible. They curve inwards and rub on the conjunctiva and cornea, and cause the above symptoms. Secondary signs include skin changes, recurrent conjunctivitis, and corneal abrasions. Conservative treatment consisting of manual repositioning of the dysverted eyelashes is recommended so that surgery may be avoided. Recognition of the condition by the primary practitioner, and institution of the straightforward treatment described above, can obviate much morbidity. The inappropriate use of topical antibiotics and frequent return visits to the practitioner may also be thus avoided.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1996

Endoscopic holmium:YAG laser dacryocystorhinostomy.

The early results of the first 50 primary endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomies in 49 patients performed with the holmium:YAG laser are presented. Overall, 35 (70%) were successful in relieving symptoms of nasolacrimal obstruction after a mean follow-up period of 4 months. This improved to 79% in the subgroup of patients who underwent intubation of the naso-lacrimal system. These results were similar to the results of a retrospective study of 67 patients undergoing conventional dacryocystorhinostomy in our unit. Conventional surgery was performed under general anaesthesia in all but 1 case and all were treated as inpatients, with a mean hospital stay of 2.3 days, whereas all but 1 of the laser group had their surgery under local anaesthesia and 46 operations (94%) were performed as an outpatient procedure. Surgery was significantly quicker with the endonasal laser technique and 90% of patients questioned found this technique to be entirely acceptable.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

The mersilene covered intraorbital implant.

The most widely used material for covering spherical intraorbital implants is sclera. Mersilene mesh is an alternative substance combining the advantages of permanent implant cover with low rates of infection and ready availability. We describe our experiences in the use of Mersilene mesh covered intraorbital implants in 14 patients. Our findings suggest that Mersilene mesh could be considered as a possible alternative choice of material for covering intraorbital implants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The use of Q-switched Nd:Yag laser for removal of permanent eyeliner tattoo.

We present the results of a pilot study of the use of Nd:Yag laser in the removal of permanent eyeliner tattoos. Fourteen eyelids were treated, and in all cases a reduction in pigmentation was achieved although responses were variable. The advantages of such therapy over existing techniques are described. The technique offers a useful reduction of permanent eyeliner pigmentation and is particularly suited to treatment of localized areas of imperfect application or pigment migration.

Cosmetics↗
PubMed1992

Micrographically controlled excision (Mohs' surgery) of basal cell carcinoma around the eye. Combined dermatological surgical clearance and oculoplastic surgical repair.

Periorbital infiltrative basal cell carcinomas are notoriously difficult to treat, particularly those around the medial canthus. Micrographically controlled excision with horizontal frozen sections (Mohs' surgery) allows for clearance of the tumour with minimal loss of normal tissue. Once the tumour has been completely removed, the defect can be repaired by the oculoplastic surgeon for the best functional and cosmetic result. This is the ideal treatment for tumours with a contiguous growth pattern that are liable to be seriously over or under treated by other modalities. The technique requires special training for both the operator and the Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer (MLSO). It is costly in time and manpower but in selected cases, where recurrent tumour is most dangerous and where tissue conservation is paramount, it may be invaluable. Close collaboration between dermatological and oculoplastic surgeons in such cases probably offers the patient the best treatment and outcome.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Micrographic (MOHS') surgery in the management of periocular basal cell epitheliomas.

The use of fresh tissue micrographic surgery offers distinct advantages over other currently available forms of treatment in the management of primary and recurrent periocular basal cell epitheliomas. The technique is described and the results of a prospective study of 22 patients are presented. The advantages in terms of both surgery of tumour excision and tissue preservation are discussed. We conclude that micrographic surgery has a definite role to play in the management of certain periocular basal cell epitheliomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The Mersilene mesh ptosis sling.

A variety of materials are currently available for use in brow suspension ptosis surgery when an alternative to autogenous fascia lata is indicated. We describe the use of a Mersilene mesh sling, developed to overcome the problems of failure and extrusion commonly associated with substitute suspensory materials. The results and follow up in 23 cases of blepharoptosis are presented. Our findings suggest that the Mersilene mesh sling has a definite place in ptosis management; we currently use this sling for all cases in which autogenous fascia lata is considered inappropriate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The surgical management of dysthyroid related eyelid retraction using Mersilene mesh.

The use of Mersilene mesh as a spacer material in the surgical management of seven patients with dysthyroid-related eyelid retraction is presented. To date, fourteen eyelids have been operated on using this material with an average follow-up of nine months. It appears that Mersilene mesh is a realistic alternative to preserved sclera in the surgical management of such cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Unusual complication of strabismus and lid surgery.

A patient with longstanding dysthyroid eye disease developed a broad adhesion between the globe and the upper eyelid following simultaneous surgery to recess the levator palpebrae superioris and lateral rectus muscles. This unusual complication may have developed as a consequence of failure to suture the conjuctiva of the upper fornix to the tarsus and also due to the prolonged static contact between the resulting adjacent raw areas due to postoperative eyelid traction and pressure dressings. Periods of such contact may have been further prolonged by the action of diazepam, which reduces the peak velocity of saccadic eye movements and suppresses rapid eye movement of sleep. Eyelid surgery should be performed as a separate procedure, under local anesthetic after healing of areas bare of conjunctiva from strabismus surgery utilizing the adjustable suture technique.

Conjunctiva↗
PubMed1989

The Mersilene mesh sling--a new concept in ptosis surgery.

The use of a Mersilene mesh sling in brow suspension ptosis surgery is presented. Seventeen cases of severe blepharoptosis have been treated by means of this sling with favourable results. Materials used in brow suspension procedures are categorised and discussed, and it is concluded that the Mersilene sling is an alternative to those currently available for the management of severe blepharoptosis requiring brow suspension surgery.

Aged↗