Mitomycin-C for mucous membrane overgrowth in OOKP eyes.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report the use of mitomycin-C (MMC) in the treatment of mucous membrane overgrowth in eyes with osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP).

Methods: Records of 4 cases with mucous membrane overgrowth after stage 2 OOKP surgery were reviewed.

Results: All the patients had undergone a mucous membrane trimming procedure followed by MMC application.

Serial 3-dimensional computed tomography and a novel method of volumetric analysis for the evaluation of the osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis.

Purpose: To assess the use of serial computed tomography (CT) in the detection of osteo-odonto-lamina resorption in osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) and to investigate the use of new volumetric software, Advanced Lung Analysis software (3D-ALA; GE Healthcare), for detecting changes in OOKP laminar volume.

Methods: A retrospective assessment of the radiological databases and hospital records was performed for 22 OOKP patients treated at the National OOKP referral center in Brighton, United Kingdom. Three-dimensional surface reconstructions of the OOKP laminae were performed using stored CT data.

Assessing the psychological predictors of benefit finding in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: Some individuals are able to gain psychological benefits from illness and adversity, such as a greater sense of purpose and closer relationships, termed 'benefit finding' (BF). The main aim of this study was to explore the extent to which BF is reported in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Secondary aims were to establish the relationships between BF, other patient-reported outcomes and predictive factors such as coping strategy and level of optimism.

Unusual variant of chorda tympani syndrome, its management, and a proposal on the nervous pathways involved.

Chorda tympani syndrome is an uncommon condition with similarities to Frey syndrome. We describe a variant of chorda tympani syndrome and its management, and put forward a hypothesis for the nervous pathways involved; something that seems to be lacking in published material.

"Cancer doesn't mean curtains": benefit finding in patients with head and neck cancer in remission.

There is an increasing awareness that there are often aspects of the experience of cancer that patients view as positive or beneficial despite substantial physical and psychological impacts. Individuals with head and neck cancer (HNC) are unique with respect to the possible facial disfigurement and functional limitations following disease and treatment. This qualitative study aimed to explore whether patients with HNC experience positive consequences posttreatment, and to investigate the nature of any benefit finding.

Associations between quality of life, coping styles, optimism, and anxiety and depression in pretreatment patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: Head and neck cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage and consequently radical treatment is necessary. The pretreatment phase is a time of high anxiety and depression for patients. This study aimed to investigate whether anxiety and depression are related to quality of life, coping styles, and dispositional optimism.

Vitreoretinal complications of osteoodontokeratoprosthesis surgery.

Purpose: To describe the vitreoretinal complications in a cohort of patients with osteoodontokeratoprosthesis (OOKP) and discuss surgical management.

Methods: Review of notes of 35 OOKP cases performed at the Sussex Eye Hospital (Brighton, United Kingdom) between January 1999 and December 2005 was performed.

Results: The overall incidence of vitreoretinal complications was 22.

Keratoprosthesis surgery.

Purpose: To survey current knowledge of use of keratoprostheses for visual rehabilitation in the dry eye.

Methods: Sections deal with: (1) when a keratoprosthesis is indicated; (2) classification of keratoprostheses; (3) the osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), its history, indications and contraindications, patient assessment, surgical technique, results and complications, and (4) the AlphaCor, its design, indications, results and complications.

Results: The choice of keratoprosthesis in the severely dry eye is straightforward, as only one device - the OOKP - will work.

The osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP).

The osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), although described over 40 years ago, remains the keratoprosthesis of choice for end-stage corneal blindness not amenable to penetrating keratoplasty. It is particularly resilient to a hostile environment such as the dry keratinized eye resulting from severe Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, trachoma, and chemical injury. Its rigid optical cylinder gives excellent image resolution and quality.