Peripheral Blood Cell Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Myelodysplastic Syndrome Can Be Improved by a Combination of Coenzyme Q10 and Carnitine.

Structural mitochondrial abnormalities and genetic aberrations in mitochondrial proteins have been known in Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), yet there is currently little data regarding MDS's metabolic properties and energy production cells. In the current study, we used state-of-the-art methods to assess OXPHOS in peripheral blood cells obtained from MDS patients and healthy controls. We then assessed the effect of food supplements-Coenzyme Q10 and carnitine on mitochondrial function and hematological response.

Focal Choroidal Elevations: Localized Pigment Epithelial Contour Alterations due to Isolated Choroidal Vessels.

Purpose: The objective of this case series was to describe the clinical and imaging features of focal choroidal elevations (FCE), which are chorioretinal contour changes induced by individual choroidal vessels within an overall thin-appearing choroid.

Methods: A total of 787 enhanced depth imaging (EDI) spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) patient images were initially screened for the presence of FCE. Prospective imaging analysis of 38 patients with FCE was done.

Inner Nuclear Layer Cystic Changes in Phakic Fellow Eyes of Patients With Acute Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Edema.

Improvements in retinal imaging have recently elucidated structural patterns in the development of macular edema, particularly involving the inner nuclear layer. Here, the authors describe two cases of isolated inner nuclear layer cystic changes in the phakic fellow eye of patients with pseudophakic cystoid macular edema. Both cases improved with treatment of their fellow eye and resolution of contralateral macular edema.

Morphology of Peripheral Vitreoretinal Interface Abnormalities Imaged with Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

The objective of this study is to describe the clinical utility and morphologic characteristics of peripheral vitreoretinal interface abnormalities with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). A prospective imaging analysis of 43 patients with peripheral vitreoretinal interface abnormalities seen on binocular indirect examination with scleral indentation was done. SD-OCT was evaluated for image quality and structural findings.

Incidence of Profound Hypogammaglobulinemia and Infection Rate in Lymphoma Patients Following the Combination of Chemotherapy and Rituximab.

Background: The Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody Rituximab suppresses B-lymphocytes and may induce hypogammaglobulinemia in treated patients. The incidence and clinical significance of rituximab induced hypogammaglobulinemia in lymphoma patients is underestimated.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the rates of hypogammaglobulinemia, infection and infection-related mortality in 136 lymphoma patients who were treated with a combination of chemotherapy and rituximab.

Temporal Macular Atrophy as a Predictor of Neovascularization in Sickle Cell Retinopathy.

Background And Objective: To evaluate the association between temporal macular atrophy and the presence of neovascularization in eyes with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Patients And Methods: Retrospective, case-controlled study identifying 64 eyes from 38 consecutive patients with SCD. Dilated funduscopic examination and wide-field fluorescein angiography were used to identify the Goldberg stage of proliferative sickle cell retinopathy.

25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with medium-term postoperative perfluoro-n-octane for the repair of giant retinal tears.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the treatment of giant retinal tears (GRTs) with 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and medium-term postoperative perfluoro-n-octane (MT-PFO).

Methods: The study was a retrospective interventional case series of consecutive patients with GRTs treated with 25-gauge PPV and postoperative MT-PFO for a period of 2-3 weeks. A second, staged procedure was performed in all patients for PFO removal.

Ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.

Ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS) is a chorioretinal disorder with a distinct fundus appearance that is commonly found in regions endemic for Histoplasma capsulatum. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to OHS is considered one of the principal causes of central vision loss among young adults in endemic areas. Although there is no consensus regarding its pathogenesis, evidence points to Histoplasma capsulatum as the most probable etiology.

Pearls and pitfalls in diagnosis and management of coats disease.

Purpose: To review current literature on Coats disease and provide a structured framework for differentiating challenging clinical features in Coats disease patients.

Methods: We critically reappraise historical and current literature and present clinical methods for developing a thorough differential diagnosis and management strategy for Coats disease.

Results: Coats disease is a sporadic, usually unilateral condition typically occurring in young males.

25-gauge pars plana lensectomy with vitrectomy.

Background And Objective: To describe a technique of 25-gauge pars plana lensectomy with primary posterior capsulotomy and sparing of the anterior lens capsule that is suitable for all lens densities.

Patients And Methods: The authors describe a technique they routinely employ for pars plana vitrectomy using primarily a 25-gauge, three-port approach with intraoperative lens density assessment and possible fragmatome use for dense lenses. An analysis of the ability to achieve surgical goals is provided.

Proliferative ischemic retinopathy after arteriovenous malformation embolization in a child with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Purpose: To describe a case of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, presenting with multiple branch retinal artery occlusions, retinal ischemia, neovascularization, and vitreous hemorrhage after cerebral arteriovenous malformation embolization.

Methods: The authors report a 7-year-old patient with decreased vision in his left eye after embolization of a pineal arteriovenous malformation secondary to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Ophthalmic evaluation, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, electroretinogram, examination under anesthesia, and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) were performed.

Retinal angiomatous proliferation with chorioretinal anastomosis in childhood Coats disease: a reappraisal of macular fibrosis using multimodal imaging.

Purpose: To describe the structural characteristics of retinal angiomatous proliferation and chorioretinal anastomosis in childhood Coats disease and redefine the previously described macular fibrosis.

Methods: Prospective observational case series of consecutive patients with Coats disease examined over a 1-year study period. Multimodal imaging, including color fundus photography, wide-field fluorescein angiography, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography, was used to identify the features of macular retinal angiomatous proliferation and chorioretinal anastomosis.

Microcysts in the inner nuclear layer, a nonspecific SD-OCT sign of cystoid macular edema.

Recently, many authors have propagated the notion that a specific form of "microcystic macular edema" occurs in patients with optic neuritis and optic atrophy of various etiology and is due to retrograde synaptic degeneration. The finding is isolated to the inner nuclear layer on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in most cases, and is present in a parafoveal, circumferential, and central macular distribution. This perspective critically reviews the evidence and suggests that inner nuclear layer cystoid changes are an early and nonspecific indicator of typical cystoid macular edema of any cause, and that the finding is likely not a distinct entity.

Smoking and choroidal thickness in patients over 65 with early-atrophic age-related macular degeneration and normals.

Objective: To compare macular choroidal thickness between cigarette smokers, those with a history of smoking, and nonsmokers in patients over 65 years of age with early-atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and normals.

Methods: Prospective, consecutive, observational case series. Enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography 12-line radial scans were performed and choroidal thickness manually quantified at 84 points in the central 3 mm of the macula.

Blood transfusion reactions in elderly patients hospitalized in a multilevel geriatric hospital.

Background/Objectives. Blood transfusion is a critical issue for patients with chronic diseases such as heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and malignancy. However, side effects are not rare.

Anatomical and visual outcomes after two-port pars plana vitrectomy reoperation under silicone oil for epimacular membrane or recurrent retinal detachment.

Purpose: To describe the anatomical and visual outcomes in a series of patients undergoing two-port pars plana vitrectomy reoperation under silicone oil for recurrent retinal detachment (RD) due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy or epimacular membrane (EMM) after RD repair.

Methods: This study is a prospective, consecutive, interventional case series of patients presenting with recurrent RD or EMM under silicone oil. Two-port 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy reoperation without an infusion port was performed in all cases.

Comparison of morphologic features of macular proliferative vitreoretinopathy and idiopathic epimacular membrane.

Background: To compare the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography morphologic features and visual characteristics of a series of patients with epimacular membrane with and without a history of retinal breaks.

Methods: Prospective, comparative case series of patients with epimacular membrane. All patients were evaluated with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and detailed peripheral retinal examination.