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Survey of Ophthalmology 2024Among ocular infections, trachoma is the main cause of blindness. Repeated conjunctival Chlamydia trachomatis infections lead to trichiasis, corneal opacification, and... (Review)
Review
Among ocular infections, trachoma is the main cause of blindness. Repeated conjunctival Chlamydia trachomatis infections lead to trichiasis, corneal opacification, and visual impairment. Surgery is often needed to relieve discomfort and preserve vision; however, a high postoperative trachomatous trichiasis (PTT) rate has been observed in various settings. We wanted to know why, whether PTT rates could be reduced, and how to manage the PTT that occurs. We performed a search of the literature. Of 217 papers screened, 59 studies were identified for inclusion as potentially relevant, the majority having been excluded for not directly concerning PTT in humans. Preventing PTT is a major challenge. Only one published trial, the STAR trial in Ethiopia, has reported a cumulative PTT rate <10% one year after surgery. The literature on the management of PTT is sparse. Though no PTT management guidelines are available, high-quality surgery with a low rate of unfavorable outcomes for PTT patients is likely to require enhanced training of a smaller group of highly-skilled surgeons. Based on the surgical complexity and the authors' own experience, the pathway for patients suffering from PTT should be studied further for improvement.
Topics: Humans; Trachoma; Trichiasis; Conjunctiva; Blindness; Vision, Low
PubMed: 36878359
DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.02.008 -
European Review For Medical and... Nov 2023Proteus syndrome (PS) is an extremely rare disorder with ocular manifestations. In this study, we aimed to describe the ophthalmic characteristics and the clinical...
BACKGROUND
Proteus syndrome (PS) is an extremely rare disorder with ocular manifestations. In this study, we aimed to describe the ophthalmic characteristics and the clinical course of an unusual PS patient to acquire a comprehensive and intensive understanding of ocular PS and highlight the importance of collaborative treatment by ophthalmologists.
CASE PRESENTATION
A case of PS with atypical ocular features and syndromes was observed in a Chinese female. Her proptosis and vision impairment were relieved after Endoscope-Navigation system (ENS)-aided optic canal decompression. A 1.5-year follow-up showed that the treatment was temporarily effective, but the disease continued to develop. A review of the literature was conducted: forty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Although ocular manifestations play important roles in PS diagnosis, only a limited number of cases have been reported to have ocular abnormalities. And to date, almost none of these reports have described the treatment in detail. Therefore, PS patients with ocular manifestations were reviewed.
CONCLUSIONS
PS is a complex disorder with variable characteristics and progressive imbalances. In this paper, the clinical symptoms, molecular characteristics, and differential diagnosis of PS are introduced. More importantly, the ocular manifestations, treatment, and prognosis of PS cases to date are summarized and discussed. This study aimed to acquire a comprehensive and intensive understanding of ocular PS and to reveal the importance of collaborative treatment by ophthalmologists.
Topics: Humans; Female; Proteus Syndrome; Eye
PubMed: 37975355
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202311_34306 -
Translational Vision Science &... Feb 2024Retinal images contain rich biomarker information for neurodegenerative disease. Recently, deep learning models have been used for automated neurodegenerative disease...
PURPOSE
Retinal images contain rich biomarker information for neurodegenerative disease. Recently, deep learning models have been used for automated neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and risk prediction using retinal images with good results.
METHODS
In this review, we systematically report studies with datasets of retinal images from patients with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and others. We also review and characterize the models in the current literature which have been used for classification, regression, or segmentation problems using retinal images in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
RESULTS
Our review found several existing datasets and models with various imaging modalities primarily in patients with Alzheimer's disease, with most datasets on the order of tens to a few hundred images. We found limited data available for the other neurodegenerative diseases. Although cross-sectional imaging data for Alzheimer's disease is becoming more abundant, datasets with longitudinal imaging of any disease are lacking.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of bilateral and multimodal imaging together with metadata seems to improve model performance, thus multimodal bilateral image datasets with patient metadata are needed. We identified several deep learning tools that have been useful in this context including feature extraction algorithms specifically for retinal images, retinal image preprocessing techniques, transfer learning, feature fusion, and attention mapping. Importantly, we also consider the limitations common to these models in real-world clinical applications.
TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE
This systematic review evaluates the deep learning models and retinal features relevant in the evaluation of retinal images of patients with neurodegenerative disease.
Topics: Humans; Algorithms; Alzheimer Disease; Deep Learning; Machine Learning; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Datasets as Topic; Retina
PubMed: 38381447
DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.2.16 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Approximately 5-20% of HNSCC patients experience second primary cancers within the first 5 years of treatment, contributing to high mortality rates. Epidemiological... (Review)
Review
Antioxidant Use after Diagnosis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC): A Systematic Review of Application during Radiotherapy and in Second Primary Cancer Prevention.
Approximately 5-20% of HNSCC patients experience second primary cancers within the first 5 years of treatment, contributing to high mortality rates. Epidemiological evidence has linked a low dietary intake of antioxidants to an increased risk of cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma, prompting research into their potential in neoplasm chemoprevention. Cigarette smoking is the primary risk factor for HNSCC, and a diet rich in antioxidants offers protective effects against head and neck cancer. Paradoxically, smokers, who are at the highest risk, tend to consume fewer antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. This has led to the hypothesis that integrating antioxidants into the diet could play a role in both primary and secondary prevention for at-risk individuals. Furthermore, some HNSCC patients use antioxidant supplements during chemotherapy or radiotherapy to manage side effects, but their impact on cancer outcomes remains uncertain. This systematic review explores the evidence for the potential use of antioxidants in preventing second primary cancers in HNSCC patients. In conclusion, none of the antioxidants tested so far (α-tocopherol, β-carotene, JP, Isotretinoin, interferon α-2a, vitamin E, retinyl palmitate, N-acetylcysteine) was effective in preventing second primary tumors in HNSCC patients, and they could only be used in reducing the side effects of radiotherapy. Further research is needed to better understand the interplay between antioxidants and cancer outcomes in this context.
PubMed: 37760056
DOI: 10.3390/antiox12091753 -
Gait & Posture Jan 2024The vestibular system detects head accelerations within 6 degrees of freedom. How well this is accomplished is described by vestibular perceptual thresholds. They are a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The vestibular system detects head accelerations within 6 degrees of freedom. How well this is accomplished is described by vestibular perceptual thresholds. They are a measure of perceptual performance based on the conscious evaluation of sensory information. This review provides an integrative synthesis of the vestibular perceptual thresholds reported in the literature. The focus lies on the estimation of thresholds in healthy participants, used devices and stimulus profiles. The dependence of these thresholds on the participants clinical status and age is also reviewed. Furthermore, thresholds from primate studies are discussed.
RESULTS
Thresholds have been measured for frequencies ranging from 0.05 to 5 Hz. They decrease with increasing frequency for five of the six main degrees of freedom (inter-aural, head-vertical, naso-occipital, yaw, pitch). No consistent pattern is evident for roll rotations. For a frequency range beyond 5 Hz, a U-shaped relationship is suggested by a qualitative comparison to primate data. Where enough data is available, increasing thresholds with age and higher thresholds in patients compared to healthy controls can be observed. No effects related to gender or handedness are reported.
SIGNIFICANCE
Vestibular thresholds are essential for next generation screening tools in the clinical domain, for the assessment of athletic performance, and workplace safety alike. Knowledge about vestibular perceptual thresholds contributes to basic and applied research in fields such as perception, cognition, learning, and healthy aging. This review provides normative values for vestibular thresholds. Gaps in current knowledge are highlighted and attention is drawn to specific issues for improving the inter-study comparability in the future.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Motion Perception; Acceleration; Learning; Vestibule, Labyrinth; Primates; Sensory Thresholds
PubMed: 37778297
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.09.011 -
European Archives of... Oct 2023To review hearing and surgical outcomes after reconstructive middle ear surgery in class 4 congenital middle ear anomalies (CMEA), e.g., patients with oval- or round... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To review hearing and surgical outcomes after reconstructive middle ear surgery in class 4 congenital middle ear anomalies (CMEA), e.g., patients with oval- or round window atresia of dysplasia.
DATA SOURCES
Pubmed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane library.
REVIEW METHODS
Articles containing data on hearing outcomes and complications after reconstructive ear surgery in class 4 anomalies were analyzed and critically appraised. The following data were included and reviewed: patient demographics, audiometric testing, surgical techniques, complications, revision surgeries and their outcomes. Risk of bias was determined, and GRADE certainty of evidence was assessed. Primary outcomes were postoperative air conduction thresholds (AC), change in AC, and success rates (closure of the ABG to within 20 dB), the occurrence of complications (most importantly sensorineural hearing loss) and the long-term stability of hearing results (> 6-month follow-up) and occurrence of recurrence of preoperative hearing loss.
RESULTS
Success rates varied from 12.5 to 75% at long-term follow-up with larger cohorts reporting success rates around 50%, mean postoperative gain in AC varied from 4.7 to 30 dB and - 8.6 to 23.6 dB at, respectively, short- and long-term follow-up. No postoperative change in hearing occurred in 0-33.3% of ears, and recurrence of hearing loss occurred in 0-66.7% of ears. SNHL occurred in a total of seven ears across all studies of which three experienced complete hearing loss.
CONCLUSION
Reconstructive surgery can be an effective treatment option which should be considered in patients with very favorable baseline parameters, while also considering the substantial risk of recurrence of hearing loss, the possibility of unchanged hearing despite surgery and the rare occurrence of SNHL.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
2c.
Topics: Humans; Ear Ossicles; Ear, Middle; Ear; Treatment Outcome; Hearing Loss, Conductive; Deafness; Retrospective Studies; Ossicular Prosthesis
PubMed: 37410147
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-08091-w -
Physical and Engineering Sciences in... Jun 2024Healthy cornea guarantees the refractive power of the eye and the protection of the inner components, but injury, trauma or pathology may impair the tissue shape and/or... (Review)
Review
Healthy cornea guarantees the refractive power of the eye and the protection of the inner components, but injury, trauma or pathology may impair the tissue shape and/or structural organization and therefore its material properties, compromising its functionality in the ocular visual process. It turns out that biomechanical research assumes an essential role in analysing the morphology and biomechanical response of the cornea, preventing pathology occurrence, and improving/optimising treatments. In this review, ex vivo, in vivo and in silico methods for the corneal mechanical characterization are reported. Experimental techniques are distinct in testing mode (e.g., tensile, inflation tests), samples' species (human or animal), shape and condition (e.g., healthy, treated), preservation methods, setup and test protocol (e.g., preconditioning, strain rate). The meaningful results reported in the pertinent literature are discussed, analysing differences, key features and weaknesses of the methodologies adopted. In addition, numerical techniques based on the finite element method are reported, incorporating the essential steps for the development of corneal models, such as geometry, material characterization and boundary conditions, and their application in the research field to extend the experimental results by including further relevant aspects and in the clinical field for diagnostic procedure, treatment and planning surgery. This review aims to analyse the state-of-art of the bioengineering techniques developed over the years to study the corneal biomechanics, highlighting their potentiality to improve diagnosis, treatment and healing process of the corneal tissue, and, at the same, pointing out the current limits in the experimental equipment and numerical tools that are not able to fully characterize in vivo corneal tissues non-invasively and discourage the use of finite element models in daily clinical practice for surgical planning.
Topics: Cornea; Humans; Biomechanical Phenomena; Computer Simulation; Animals; Finite Element Analysis; Models, Biological
PubMed: 38598066
DOI: 10.1007/s13246-024-01403-2 -
Brain & Spine 2024The appropriate surgical management of insular gliomas is controversial. Management strategies vary considerably between centers. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The appropriate surgical management of insular gliomas is controversial. Management strategies vary considerably between centers.
RESEARCH QUESTION
To provide robust resection, functional and epilepsy outcome figures, study growth patterns and tumor classification paradigms, analyze surgical approaches, mapping/monitoring strategies, surgery for insular glioblastoma, as well as molecular findings, and to identify open questions for future research.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
On behalf of the EANS Neuro-oncology Section we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis (using a random-effects model) of the more current (2000-2023) literature in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
The pooled postoperative motor and speech deficit rates were 6.8% and 3.6%. There was a 79.6% chance for postoperative epilepsy control. The postoperative KPI was 80-100 in 83.5% of cases. Functional monitoring/mapping paradigms (which may include awake craniotomies) seem mandatory. (Additional) awake surgery may result in slightly better functional but also worse resection outcomes. Transcortical approaches may carry a lesser rate of (motor) deficits than transsylvian surgeries.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
This paper provides an inclusive overview and analysis of current surgical management of insular gliomas. Risks and complication rates in experienced centers do not necessarily compare unfavorably with the results of routine neuro-oncological procedures. Limitations of the current literature prominently include a lack of standardized outcome reporting. Questions and issues that warrant more attention include surgery for insular glioblastomas and how to classify the various growth patterns of insular gliomas.
PubMed: 38859917
DOI: 10.1016/j.bas.2024.102828 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2024Prolonged mechanical ventilation, commonly used to assist preterm newborns, increases the risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). In recent decades, studies... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Prolonged mechanical ventilation, commonly used to assist preterm newborns, increases the risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). In recent decades, studies have demonstrated that systemic corticosteroids play a significant role in the prevention and management of BPD. In this systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we evaluated the association between the administration of systemic corticosteroids in preterm infants and its long-term outcomes, such as neurodevelopment, growth, extubation rate, and related adverse effects.
METHODS
We conducted an electronic search in Medline, Scopus, and PubMed using the following terms: "premature infants" and "corticosteroids." We considered all RCTs published up to June 2023 as eligible. We included all studies involving preterm newborns treated with systemic corticosteroids and excluded studies on inhaled corticosteroids.
RESULTS
A total of 39 RCTs were evaluated. The influence of steroids administered systemically during the neonatal period on long-term neurological outcomes remains unknown, with no influence observed for long-term growth. The postnatal administration of systemic corticosteroids has been found to reduce the timing of extubation and improve respiratory outcomes. Dexamethasone appears to be more effective than hydrocortisone, despite causing a higher rate of systemic hypertension and hyperglycemia. However, in the majority of RCTs analyzed, there were no differences in the adverse effects related to postnatal corticosteroid administration.
CONCLUSION
Dexamethasone administered during the neonatal period appears to be more effective than hydrocortisone in terms of respiratory outcomes; however, caution should be taken when administering dexamethasone. Data derived from current evidence, including meta-analyses, are inconclusive on the long-term effects of the administration of systemic steroids in preterm infants or the possibility of neurodevelopmental consequences.
PubMed: 38419972
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1344337 -
Graefe's Archive For Clinical and... Jun 2024Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is the primary treatment for progressive keratoconus which has a significant impact on vision and quality of life. Our study aimed to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is the primary treatment for progressive keratoconus which has a significant impact on vision and quality of life. Our study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of epithelium-on versus epithelium-off CXL to treat keratoconus.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. We included studies that compared standard epithelium-off with epithelium-on CXL. The primary outcome measures were changes in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and maximum keratometry (Kmax), and the secondary outcomes were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), and adverse events. A meta-analysis was performed on the primary and secondary outcomes based on the weighted mean differences between baseline to 12-month follow-up.
RESULTS
The search retrieved 887 publications with 27 included in the systematic review. A total of 1622 eyes (1399 patients; age 25.51 ± 4.02 years) were included in comparisons of epithelium-off to epithelium-on CXL in keratoconus. Epithelium-off CXL treated 800 eyes and epithelium-on CXL for 822 eyes. At 12-month follow-up, CDVA and Kmax showed no significant difference between the epithelium-off and epithelium-on CXL. The secondary outcomes showed that UDVA was better in epithelium-off CXL (- 0.11D, 95% CI - 0.12, - 0.1; p < 0.001) and there was more thinning in CCT in epithelium-off CXL (- 3.23 μm, 95% CI - 4.64, - 1.81; p <0.001).
CONCLUSION
Epithelium-off and epithelium-on CXL were both effective to treat progressive keratoconus. Further research is needed to compare the long-term outcomes and safety of both CXL protocols for adaptation into clinical practice.
Topics: Keratoconus; Humans; Cross-Linking Reagents; Collagen; Photosensitizing Agents; Epithelium, Corneal; Photochemotherapy; Visual Acuity; Riboflavin; Ultraviolet Rays; Corneal Topography; Corneal Stroma
PubMed: 37938377
DOI: 10.1007/s00417-023-06287-8