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Cureus Mar 2024A 42-year-old female with a known case of hypertension for three years, symptoms of metamorphopsia, and decreased vision in both eyes reported to the ophthalmology...
A 42-year-old female with a known case of hypertension for three years, symptoms of metamorphopsia, and decreased vision in both eyes reported to the ophthalmology outpatient department. There was no recorded history of ocular injury or surgery. Several observational techniques, such as fundus inspection, fundus camera photography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT), were utilized to assess the patient. We referred her to the Department of Dermatology for additional assessment because of her symptoms as well as the appearance of her neck's skin, which matched "plucked chicken skin." There, the diagnosis of pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PE) was confirmed. She was subsequently scheduled for an intravitreal bevacizumab injection called Avastin, which improved her visual acuity.
PubMed: 38690509
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57342 -
Der Nervenarzt Apr 2024
PubMed: 38683355
DOI: 10.1007/s00115-024-01667-9 -
Translational Vision Science &... Apr 2024To describe the ocular findings of murine pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) models with ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 6 (Abcc6) gene knockout.
PURPOSE
To describe the ocular findings of murine pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) models with ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 6 (Abcc6) gene knockout.
METHODS
This experiment was conducted in four Abcc6-/- rats and compared with six wild-type Abcc6+/+ control rats. The animals underwent necropsy at 6 months of age. Histological examination of the eyes was performed.
RESULTS
Histological examination of eight eyes from four Abcc6-/- rats revealed multiple nodular foci of calcification in the uvea, sclera, and conjunctiva, focally in perivascular distribution, as well as linear and nodular calcification of Bruch's membrane. Calcific foci were not associated with inflammation in the knockout rats. There was no evidence of calcification in control eyes.
DISCUSSION
The Abcc6-/- rat model shows that PXE can affect multiple ocular tissues beyond the calcification in Bruch's membrane noted in human eyes. Nodular calcific foci probably correspond to comet lesions seen in patients with PXE. The presence of ectopic calcium without inflammation distinguishes it from inflammatory calcium deposition in atherosclerosis. Further studies are needed to determine why PXE does not cause inflammatory infiltration.
TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE
The Abcc6-/- murine model may be suitable for studying ocular PXE pathophysiology and ectopic calcification and developing effective therapies.
Topics: Animals; Male; Rats; Bruch Membrane; Calcinosis; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Knockout Techniques; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins; Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum
PubMed: 38656313
DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.4.29 -
Klinische Monatsblatter Fur... Apr 2024Paraneoplastic retinopathy (PNR) is a rapid-onset photoreceptor and post-photoreceptor dysfunction triggered by a cross-reaction between antigens expressed by the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
Paraneoplastic retinopathy (PNR) is a rapid-onset photoreceptor and post-photoreceptor dysfunction triggered by a cross-reaction between antigens expressed by the underlying tumour and retinal proteins. The present study aims to determine the electrodiagnostic biomarkers that support the diagnosis of PNR and evaluate the effect of treatment.
METHODS
A retrospective observational case-controlled study including 25 patients with suspected PNR, of which 11 patients were diagnosed with PNR. The presence of PNR was confirmed based on clinical examination, supported by colour fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, retinal vessel oximetry, colour test, full-field electroretinogram (ffERG), on-/off ERG, S-cone ERG, and multifocal ERG (mfERG). The relationships between the clinical symptomatology and the effect of therapy were evaluated.
RESULTS
All PNR patients (Nr: 11) presented with subjective symptoms of newly reported central vision or visual field deterioration. Posterior segment findings showed a severe patchy-like retinal atrophy, attenuation of the retinal vessels, and a waxy optic disc. Optical coherence tomography revealed a discontinued ISe line, and multiple hyperreflective foci. Retinal vessel oxygen saturation was increased. Multifocal ERG revealed reduced central and paracentral responses and ffERG severely attenuated scotopic-, photopic-, on-/off- and S-cone responses. The colour vision test revealed a tritan-tetartan-weakness. Two of the PNR patients underwent rituximab therapy with no further progression and even recovery of electrodiagnostic responses.In 1 nPNR (non-paraneoplastic retinopathy) patient (total Nr: 14) pseudoxanthoma elasticum-related retinopathy was the reason for impaired vision. In 3 of 13 patients with bronchopulmonary cancer a MEK- and FGFR-inhibitor- drug toxicity was the reason for the visual deterioration.
CONCLUSION
Careful investigation for signs of central and/or peripheral visual field deterioration must be performed in the presence of history of a co-existing malignancy. The possibility of PNR should be taken into account. The electrodiagnostic biomarkers, suggested in this study, may help to promptly recognise PNR and also to evaluate the effect of implemented therapy.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Electroretinography; Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Ocular; Retrospective Studies; Aged; Biomarkers; Case-Control Studies; Adult; Retinal Diseases; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 38653300
DOI: 10.1055/a-2227-3970 -
American Journal of Ophthalmology Apr 2024To assess the onset, treatment frequency, and visual outcome of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment due to secondary choroidal...
PURPOSE
To assess the onset, treatment frequency, and visual outcome of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment due to secondary choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE).
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study METHODS: One-hundred six eyes of 53 patients with PXE were analyzed. The assessment of CNV activity relied on hemorrhage visible on funduscopy and intra- / subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography (OCT), individually defining a shortening or extension of treatment interval. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline, age at anti-VEGF therapy initiation, and BCVA-drop events at exudation onset (worsening of BCVA of 2 or more lines) were documented. Further, we assessed the number of injections during the first year and the total number of injections, the time to treatment initiation of the fellow eye, and BCVA over time.
RESULTS
During a median observation period of 77 months (IQR 49; 126) patients received a median number of 28.0 anti-VEGF-injections (IQR 9.8; 43.5). Eight patients received no injection (median age at baseline 38.1 years), 11 patients underwent anti-VEGF treatment in one eye (median age 47.2 years) and 34 patients in both eyes (median age 51.8 years). The median age at the first anti-VEGF treatment was 52.80 years (IQR 47.2-57.6). Applying Cox regression models, the median "survival" time of fellow eye until treatment initiation was 16.8 months. In the group of bilateral treated patients, the median time difference was 9.6 months (IQR 2.1- 32.4, range 0-122) The median number of injections was 5.5 per eye in the first year of treatment (IQR 3-7) and was associated with the total number of injections in the observation period (2.33, CI 1.22-3.44, P < .001). A better BCVA at the last follow-up visit was associated with a better baseline BCVA (P < .001, R = 0.318) and with the absence of a BCVA drop at the onset of exudation (P = 0.035, R = 0.339).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that anti-VEGF treatment is required for most PXE patients at a relatively young age. Once treatment in one eye is initiated, the time to fellow eye treatment is relatively short. A BCVA drop before treatment initiation is a risk factor for worse visual outcomes, suggesting that treatment is prudent before exudation affects the central retina. Given the young age of onset and intensive treatment needs, patients with PXE might particularly benefit from longer-acting anti-VEGF therapeutics.
PubMed: 38614195
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.03.026 -
European Journal of Ophthalmology Apr 2024Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum (PXE) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder originated by disease-causing variants in ABCC6 gene. The purpose of this study was to characterize...
INTRODUCTION
Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum (PXE) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder originated by disease-causing variants in ABCC6 gene. The purpose of this study was to characterize the genetic landscape, phenotypic spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlations in a Portuguese cohort of PXE patients.
METHODS
Multicentric cross-sectional study conducted in patients with a clinical and genetic diagnosis of PXE. Patients were identified using the IRD-PT registry (www.retina.com.pt). Genotypes were classified into 3 groups: (1) two truncating variants, (2) two non-truncating variants, or (3) mixed variants. Deep phenotyping comprised a comprehensive ophthalmologic and systemic evaluation using the updated Phenodex Score (PS).
RESULTS
Twenty-seven patients (23 families) were included. Sixteen different ABCC6 variants were identified, 7 of which are novel. The most prevalent variant was the nonsense variant c.3421C > T p.(Arg1141*) with an allele frequency of 18.5%. All patients exhibited ocular manifestations. Cutaneous manifestations were present in most patients (88.9%, n = 24/27). A PS score > E2 was strongly associated with worse visual acuity (B = -29.02; = 0.001). No association was found between genotypic groups and cutaneous, vascular or cardiac manifestations.
CONCLUSIONS
This study describes the genetic spectrum of patients with PXE for the first time in a Portuguese cohort. A total of 16 different variants in ABCC6 were found (7 of which are novel), thus highlighting the genotypic heterogeneity associated with this condition and expanding its mutational spectrum. Still, no major genotype-phenotype associations could be established.
PubMed: 38602027
DOI: 10.1177/11206721241247676 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) Apr 2024
PubMed: 38599872
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.3050-23 -
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology Apr 2024
PubMed: 38597853
DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.03.010 -
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology Apr 2024Carotid siphon calcification might contribute to the high prevalence of cerebrovascular disease in pseudoxanthoma elasticum through increased arterial flow pulsatility....
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Carotid siphon calcification might contribute to the high prevalence of cerebrovascular disease in pseudoxanthoma elasticum through increased arterial flow pulsatility. This study aimed to compare intracranial artery flow pulsatility, brain volumes, and small-vessel disease markers between patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum and controls and the association between arterial calcification and pulsatility in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifty patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum and 40 age- and sex-matched controls underwent 3T MR imaging, including 2D phase-contrast acquisitions for flow pulsatility in the assessment of ICA and MCA and FLAIR acquisitions for brain volumes, white matter lesions, and infarctions. All patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum underwent CT scanning to measure siphon calcification. Flow pulsatility (2D phase-contrast), brain volumes, white matter lesions, and infarctions (3D T1 and 3D T2 FLAIR) were compared between patients and controls. The association between siphon calcification and pulsatility in pseudoxanthoma elasticum was tested with linear regression models.
RESULTS
Patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (mean age, 57 [SD, 12] years; 24 men) had significantly higher pulsatility indexes (1.05; range, 0.94-1.21 versus 0.94; range, 0.82-1.04; = .02), lower mean GM volumes (597 [SD, 53] mL versus 632 [SD, 53] mL; < .01), more white matter lesions (2.6; range, 0.5-7.5 versus 1.1; range, 0.5-2.4) mL; = .05), and more lacunar infarctions (64 versus 8, = .04) than controls (mean age, 58 [SD, 11] years; 20 men). Carotid siphon calcification was associated with higher pulsatility indexes in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (β = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.18).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum have increased intracranial artery flow pulsatility and measures of small-vessel disease. Carotid siphon calcification might underlie the high prevalence of cerebrovascular disease in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.
Topics: Male; Humans; Middle Aged; Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum; Calcinosis; Carotid Artery, Internal; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Injuries; Brain; Infarction
PubMed: 38548304
DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A8212 -
Vision (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024: Angioid streaks (ASs) are a rare retinal condition and compromise visual acuity when complicated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV). They represent crack-like... (Review)
Review
: Angioid streaks (ASs) are a rare retinal condition and compromise visual acuity when complicated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV). They represent crack-like dehiscences at the level of the Bruch's membrane. This objective narrative review aims to provide an overview of pathophysiology, current treatment modalities, and future perspectives on this condition. : A literature search was performed using "PubMed", "Web of Science", "Scopus", "ScienceDirect", "Google Scholar", "medRxiv", and "bioRxiv." : ASs may be idiopathic, but they are also associated with systemic conditions, such as pseudoxanthoma elasticum, hereditary hemoglobinopathies, or Paget's disease. Currently, the main treatment is the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) to treat secondary CNV, which is the major complication observed in this condition. If CNV is detected and treated promptly, patients with ASs have a good chance of maintaining functional vision. Other treatment modalities have been tried but have shown limited benefit and, therefore, have not managed to be more widely accepted. In summary, although there is no definitive cure yet, the use of anti-VEGF treatment for secondary CNV has provided the opportunity to maintain functional vision in individuals with AS, provided that CNV is detected and treated early.
PubMed: 38535759
DOI: 10.3390/vision8010010