Patterns of Care in Maintenance Therapy in US Patients Undergoing Definitive Chemoradiation for Stage 3 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Objective: The recommended treatment for patients with unresectable stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is definitive chemoradiation followed by 1 year of maintenance durvalumab. Our objective was to assess the rate of maintenance durvalumab use after chemoradiation.

Methods: Analyses were conducted in both open claims (IQVIA pharmacy and medical claims data) and adjudicated closed claims (IQVIA PharMetrics Plus Health Plan Claims Database).

Leveraging unstructured data to identify hereditary angioedema patients in electronic medical records.

Background: The epidemiologic impact of hereditary angioedema (HAE) is difficult to quantify, due to misclassification in retrospective studies resulting from non-specific diagnostic coding. The aim of this study was to identify cohorts of patients with HAE-1/2 by evaluating structured and unstructured data in a US ambulatory electronic medical record (EMR) database.

Methods: A retrospective feasibility study was performed using the GE Centricity EMR Database (2006-2017).

Use of Low-Density Lipoprotein-Lowering Therapies Before and After PCSK9 Inhibitor Initiation.

Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) are used to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. PCSK9i use after initiation, as well as persistence with or alterations to other LDL-lowering therapy after PCSK9i initiation, is not well understood. Methods and Results We conducted a retrospective study of alirocumab or evolocumab (PCSK9i) new users from July 2015 to December 2017 in the MarketScan Early View database of US commercial insurance beneficiaries.

Prevalence of and risk for gastrointestinal bleeding and peptic ulcerative disorders in a cohort of HIV patients from a U.S. healthcare claims database.

The primary study objectives were to estimate the frequencies and rates of gastrointestinal bleeding and peptic ulcerative disorder in HIV-positive patients compared with age- and sex-matched HIV-negative subjects. Data from a US insurance claims database was used for this analysis. Among 89,207 patients with HIV, 9.

Ophthalmic Manifestations of Facial Dog Bites in Children.

Purpose: To characterize ophthalmic manifestations and periocular injuries of pediatric facial dog bites.

Methods: A retrospective review of all children younger than 18 years who sought medical attention after a dog bite to the face between January 1, 2003 and May 22, 2014 was performed at a large tertiary pediatric hospital. Data on type and location of injury, surgical intervention, and complications were collected.

Sphenoid Wing Meningioma With Extraocular Muscle Involvement Mimicking Idiopathic Orbital Inflammation.

Meningiomas are slow growing, typically benign, tumors originating from arachnoid cap cells. Specifically, sphenoid wing or spheno-orbital meningiomas infiltrate the lesser wing of the sphenoid, lateral orbital wall, and orbital roof with occasional extension to the superior orbital fissure, optic canal, anterior clinoid process, and middle cranial fossa where neurologic and ophthalmologic functions are impaired by compressive injury. The extraocular muscles are rarely involved.

Orbital Metastasis Is Associated With Decreased Survival in Stage M Neuroblastoma.

Background: Approximately 30% of patients with metastatic (stage M) neuroblastoma present with periorbital ecchymosis from orbital osseous disease. Though locoregional disease is staged by imaging, the prognostic significance of metastatic site in stage M disease is unknown. We hypothesize that, compared to nonorbital metastasis, orbital metastasis is associated with decreased survival in patients with stage M neuroblastoma, and that periorbital ecchymosis reflects location and extent of orbital disease.

Postoperative shift in ocular alignment following single vertical rectus recession on adjustable suture in adults without thyroid eye disease.

Purpose: To determine whether overcorrection shifts occur after vertical rectus recession on adjustable suture in the absence of thyroid eye disease.

Methods: The medical records of patients without thyroid eye disease who underwent vertical rectus recession surgery from 2001 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed for shifts in alignment between suture adjustment at postoperative day 1 and 2 months' follow-up. Superior rectus and inferior rectus recessions were compared.

Combination topical therapy for conjunctival primary acquired melanosis with atypia and periocular lentigo maligna.

Purpose: To report the case of a patient who initially presented with primary acquired melanosis (PAM) without atypia of the conjunctiva and later developed lentigo maligna of the eyelids and PAM with atypia of the conjunctiva. We illustrate the utility of combination topical therapy with adjunctive cryotherapy to treat extensive eyelid and conjunctival lesions.

Methods: Case report with a review of the current literature.

Predicting the need for surgical intervention in pediatric orbital cellulitis.

Purpose: To investigate the predictive value of the complete ophthalmic examination at first presentation in foreseeing the need for surgery in patients with pediatric orbital cellulitis.

Design: Retrospective observational case series.

Methods: We reviewed 136 cases of radiographically confirmed orbital cellulitis between 2004 and 2012 at Children's Hospital Colorado.

Outcomes of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy without mucosal flap preservation.

Purpose: Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the standard procedure for the treatment of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) that can be performed through an external or endonasal approach. Both techniques create a fistula from the lacrimal sac into the nasal cavity via a bony osteotomy. Historically, external DCR has been considered the gold standard; however, recent reports suggest endonasal DCR is an effective alternative.

Approaches to antifungal therapies and their effectiveness among patients with cryptococcosis.

The goal of this study was to determine the degree to which the persistence of cryptococcosis, overall 1-year mortality, and 1-year mortality due to cryptococcosis were influenced by initial antifungal treatment regimen in a cohort of adults with cryptococcosis treated at a tertiary care medical center. Risk factors, underlying conditions, treatment, and mortality information were obtained for 204 adults with cryptococcosis from Duke University Medical Center (DUMC) from 1996 to 2009. Adjusted risk ratios (RR) for persistence and hazard ratios (HR) for mortality were estimated for each exposure.

Bilateral Candida and atypical mycobacterial infection after frontalis sling suspension with silicone rod to correct congenital ptosis.

In this case report, the authors describe an unusual complication of a frontalis sling suspension with silicone rods. A 5-year-old girl with blepharophimosis syndrome underwent frontalis sling suspension using an open sky technique. Four weeks after surgery, she was noted to have pustules over both upper eyelids and eyebrows.

Comparison and temporal trends of three groups with cryptococcosis: HIV-infected, solid organ transplant, and HIV-negative/non-transplant.

Background: The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) 2010 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of cryptococcosis outlined three key populations at risk of disease: (1) HIV-infected, (2) transplant recipient, and (3) HIV-negative/non-transplant. However, direct comparisons of management, severity and outcomes of these groups have not been conducted.

Methodology/principal Findings: Annual changes in frequency of cryptococcosis diagnoses, cryptococcosis-attributable mortality and mortality were captured.

Orbital implants for fracture repair.

Purpose Of Review: To review the latest advancements in implant materials for orbital fracture repair, including analysis of the last year in research.

Recent Findings: Advances in the manufacture of highly biocompatible alloplastic materials offer an alternative to traditional autologous implants for orbital fracture repair. The emergence of the composite implant offers the stability and strength of traditional titanium mesh, while the porous polyethylene shell allows for greater fibrovascular integration and a potential for decreased risk of postoperative complications.