Stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty with corneal crosslinking for corneal ectasia secondary to FS-LASIK:a case series

●AIM:To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty(SLAK)with corneal crosslinking(CXL)on patients with corneal ectasia secondary to femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK).●METHODS:A series of 5 patients undertaking SLAK with CXL for the treatment of corneal ectasia secondary to FS-LASIK were followed for 4-9mo.The lenticules were collected from patients undertaking small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)for the correction of myopia.Adding a stromal lenticule was aimed at improving the corneal thickness for the safe application of crosslinking and compensating for the thin cornea to improve its mechanical strength.●RESULTS:All surgeries were conducted successfully with no significant complications.Their best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)ranged from 0.05 to 0.8-2 before surgery.The pre-operational total corneal thickness ranged from 345-404μm and maximum keratometry(Kmax)ranged from 50.8 to 86.3.After the combination surgery,both the corneal keratometry(range 55.9 to 92.8)and total corneal thickness(range 413-482μm)significantly increased.Four out of 5 patients had improvement of corneal biomechanical parameters(reflected by stiffness parameter A1 in Corvis ST).However,3 patients showed decreased BCVA after surgery due to the development of irregular astigmatism and transient haze.Despite the onset of corneal edema right after SLAK,the corneal topography and thickness generally stabilized after 3mo.●CONCLUSION:SLAK with CXL is a potentially beneficial and safe therapy for advanced corneal ectasia.Future work needs to address the poor predictability of corneal refractometry and compare the outcomes of different surgical modes.

早期圆锥角膜诊断技术的研究进展

圆锥角膜是导致全球致盲性角膜疾病的重要原因,早期因缺乏典型症状而难以诊断,未能及时干预治疗以至病情严重需要角膜移植才来就诊。而中国角膜库稀缺,给患者复明带来严重困难。目前,随着角膜地形图、角膜生物力学、眼前节光学相干断层扫描(optical coherence tomography,OCT)和角膜共聚焦显微镜(corneal confocal microscopy,CCM)等眼科设备及人工智能(artificial intelligence,AI)技术的进步,大大提高了早期圆锥角膜的诊断效率。各种眼科诊断设备可以从角膜的形态学、生物力学、角膜厚度、活体细胞结构等方面提供多种角膜参数,而AI技术可以综合多种参数,辅助高效诊断早期圆锥角膜,在临床上有较高的实用价值。早期圆锥角膜的诊断技术为及时干预治疗圆锥角膜、帮助挽救患者视力提供了参考依据。

冠状动脉扩张研究现状

冠状动脉扩张现象通常是在冠状动脉造影过程中被偶然发现,其作为一种较为罕见的冠状动脉表型,引起了许多研究者的兴趣。目前尽管有较多关于冠状动脉扩张的研究,但对于其病因和治疗方案仍有较大的争议。本文总结了近年来的冠状动脉扩张相关研究,从多方面阐述了冠状动脉扩张的研究进展,以期为后续研究提供支持和帮助。

冠状动脉扩张症:非冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的特殊类型

冠状动脉扩张症(CAE)是临床上少见的一类心血管疾病,定义为冠状动脉节段性或弥漫性扩张,扩张处直径≥1.5倍相邻的正常血管直径。CAE发病率为0.3%~5.0%,临床表现主要包括典型心绞痛、非典型心绞痛或心肌梗死。该病病因尚未明确。因多数CAE患者合并冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(CAD),早期研究认为CAE是CAD的一种特殊类型。然而此类观点一直存在争议,随着研究的深入,发现CAE患者有着独特的细胞因子环境及血脂谱,因此CAE可能是单独的一类临床疾病。现从动脉粥样硬化、炎症、脂质代谢等方面总结CAE和CAD的差异,并对CAE临床表现、预后、诊断和治疗方面做一综述。

Changes in posterior corneal elevation after small incision lenticule extraction for different myopic diopters

●AIM:To study the changes and effect factors of posterior corneal surface after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)with different myopic diopters.●METHODS:Ninety eyes of 90 patients who underwent SMILE were included in this retrospective study.Patients were allocated into three groups based on the preoperative spherical equivalent(SE):low myopia(SE≥-3.00 D),moderate myopia(-3.00 D>SE>-6.00 D)and high myopia(SE≤-6.00 D).Posterior corneal surfaces were measured by a Scheimpflug camera preoperatively and different postoperative times(1wk,1,3,6mo,and 1y).Posterior mean elevation(PME)at 25 predetermined points of 3 concentric circles(2-,4-,and 6-mm diameter)above the best fit sphere was analyzed.●RESULTS:All surgeries were completed uneventfully and no ectasia was found through the observation.The difference of myopia group was significant at the 2-mm ring at 1 and 3mo postoperatively(1mo:P=0.017;3mo:P=0.018).The effect of time onΔPME was statistically significant(2-mm ring:P=0.001;4-mm ring:P<0.001;6-mm ring:P<0.001).The effect of different corneal locations onΔPME was significant except 1wk postoperatively(1mo:P=0.000;3mo:P=0.000;6mo:P=0.001;1y:P=0.001).Posterior corneal stability was linearly correlated with SE,central corneal thickness,ablation depth,residual bed thickness,percent ablation depth and percent stromal bed thickness.●CONCLUSION:The posterior corneal surface changes dynamically after SMILE.No protrusion is observed on the posterior corneal surface in patients with different degrees of myopia within one year after surgery.SMILE has good stability,accuracy,safety and predictability.

屈光手术联合预防性角膜胶原交联矫正屈光不正的疗效及安全性研究进展

角膜屈光手术是一种安全、有效的屈光不正矫正方式。尽管因术后角膜组织完整性改变,导致角膜生物力学稳定性下降,但术后角膜结构绝大多数是安全的。如果术前存在危险因素,如屈光度数高、角膜薄、角膜地形图形态欠规则、散光度数高、双眼对称性差、过敏体质、有揉眼习惯等,术后有可能发生屈光回退和角膜膨隆。角膜胶原交联术可增强角膜生物力学,有效阻止角膜膨隆、圆锥角膜或其他扩张性疾病的发生和发展。近年来,国内外一些研究者相继尝试一种新型的屈光手术设计,即角膜屈光手术联合预防性角膜胶原交联术,以期改善屈光术后角膜的生物力学稳定性,进而潜在预防角膜扩张和屈光回退。多项研究已经观察到联合手术具有良好的视力和屈光预后,尤其是对于术前评估角膜存在相对扩张风险的患者。本文将主要从有效性、安全性、可预测性、稳定性及并发症5个方面综述该联合手术矫治屈光不正的疗效及安全性。

微创旋切术治疗乳腺导管扩张症的临床效果

目的探讨微创旋切术治疗乳腺导管扩张症的临床效果。方法回顾性分析2018年1月至2021年6月青岛市黄岛区人民医院收治的60例脓肿期乳腺导管扩张症患者,根据不同治疗方法分为对照1组、对照2组与观察组,每组各20例。对照1组采用常规开放手术,对照2组采用经皮穿刺抽液术,观察组采用微创旋切术。比较三组手术相关指标、乳导管直径、视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分、并发症总发生率及复发率。结果观察组手术时间、切口长度、切口愈合时间均短于对照1组,且术中出血量少于对照1组(P<0.05)。观察组手术时间、切口长度、切口愈合时间长于对照2组,且术中出血量多于对照2组(P<0.05)。干预2周后,观察组乳导管直径短于对照1组和对照2组,VAS评分低于其他两组(P<0.05)。观察组复发率低于对照1组及对照2组(P<0.05)。三组并发症总发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论将微创旋切术应用于脓肿期乳腺导管扩张症患者的治疗中,乳导管直径、VAS评分及复发率优于常规开放手术及经皮穿刺抽液术,手术相关指标优于常规开放手术。

Diagnosis and management of gastric antral vascular ectasia

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is an uncommon but often severe cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, responsible of about 4% of non-variceal upper GI haemorrhage. The diagnosis is mainly based on endoscopic pattern and, for uncertain cases, on histology. GAVE is characterized by a pathognomonic endoscopic pattern, mainly represented by red spots either organized in stripes radially departing from pylorus, defined as watermelon stomach, or arranged in a diffused-way, the so called honeycomb stomach. The histological pattern, although not pathognomonic, is characterized by four alterations:vascular ectasia of mucosal capillaries, focal thrombosis, spindle cell proliferation and fibrohyalinosis, which consist of homogeneous substance around the ectatic capillaries of the lamina propria. The main differential diagnosis is with Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy, that can frequently co-exists, since about 30% of patients with GAVE co-present a liver cirrhosis. Autoimmune disorders, mainly represented by Reynaud's phenomenon and sclerodactyly, are co-present in about 60% of patients with GAVE; other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders are occasionally reported such as Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, primary biliary cirrhosis and systemic sclerosis. In the remaining cases, GAVE syndrome has been described in patients with chronic renal failure, bone marrow transplantation and cardiac diseases. The pathogenesis of GAVE is still obscure and many hypotheses have been proposed such as mechanical stress, humoural and autoimmune factors and hemodynamic alterations. In the last two decades, many therapeutic options have been proposed including surgical, endoscopic and medical choices. Medical therapy has not clearly shown satisfactory results and surgery should only be considered for refractory severe cases, since this approach has significant mortality and morbidity risks, especially in the setting of portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. Endoscopic therapy, particularly treatment with Argon Plasma Coagulation, has shown to be as effective and also safer than surgery, and should be considered the first-line treatment for patients with GAVE-related bleeding.

Corneal collagen crosslinking for corneal ectasia of post-LASIK: one-year results

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of corneal collagen crosslinking (01) to prevent the progression of post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) corneal ectasia. METHODS: In a prospective, nonrandomized, single-centre study, CXL was performed in 20 eyes of 11 patients who had LASIK for myopic astigmatism and subsequently developed keratectasia. The procedure included instillation of 0.1% riboflavin-20% dextrane solution 30 minutes before UVA irradiation and every 5 minutes for an additional 30 minutes during irradiation. The eyes were evaluated preoperatively and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals. The complete ophthalmologic examination comprised uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, endothelial cell count, ultrasound pachymetry, corneal topography, and in vivo confocal microscopy. RESULTS: CXL appeared to stabilise or partially reverse the progression of post-LASIK corneal ectasia without apparent complication in our cohort. UCVA and BCVA improvements were statistically significant (P<0.05)beyond 12 months after surgery (improvement of 0.07 and 0.13 logMAR at 1 year, respectively). Mean baseline flattest meridian keratometry and mean steepest meridian keratometry reduction (improvement of 2.00 and 1.50 diopters (D), respectively) were statistically significant (P < 0.05) at 12 months postoperatively. At 1 year after 01, mean endothelial cell count did not deteriorate. Mean thinnest cornea pachymetry increased significantly. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed a long-term stability of post-LASIK corneal ectasia after crosslinking without relevant side effects. It seems to be a safe and promising procedure to stop the progression of post-LASIK keratectasia, thereby avoiding or delaying keratoplasty.

Massive gastric antral vascular ectasia successfully treated by endoscopic band ligation as the initial therapy

Gastric antral vascular ectasia(GAVE) accounted for 4% of non-variceal gastrointestinal hemorrhage.Even though unclear pathogenesis,GAVE often associated with chronic renal failure,autoimmune diseases and cirrhosis.Asymptomatic lesions were reasonably not to treated.The treatment options for GAVE are nonendoscopic and endoscopic treatments.For the pharmacological treatment,some success were reported for the use of octreotide,thalidomide and tranexamic acid.While the endoscopic treatment is the mainstay for treatment of symptomatic lesions.The endoscopic ablative therapies such as argon plasma coagulation was reported with good clinical outcomes.However,these treatment options had some limitation due to the need of special equipment and multiple sessions needed to control the bleeding.We reported another treatment option using the routine-achievable instrument such as endoscopic band ligation as an initial treatment which also provided a good treatment outcome and less sessions.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt as bridge-to-surgery in refractory gastric antral vascular ectasia

Gastric antral vascular ectasia(GAVE) may cause gastrointestinal bleeding(GIB). The treatment of GAVE relies on endoscopic approaches such as electrocoagulation(argon plasma coagulation, laser therapy, heater probe therapy, radiofrequency ablation), cryotherapy, and band ligation. In refractory cases, antrectomy may be considered. In the event of an associated cirrhosis and portal hypertension, it has been suggested that antrectomy could be an option, provided the mortality risk isn't considered too great. We report the case of a 67-year-old cirrhotic patient who presented with GAVE related GIB, unresponsive to multiple endoscopic treatments. The patient had a good liver function(model for end-stage disease 10). After a multidisciplinary meeting, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) procedure was performed, in order to treat the cirrhosis associated ascites. The outcome was successful. An antrectomy was then performed, with no recurrence of GIB and no transfusion need during three months of follow up. In this case, the TIPS procedure achieved a complete ascites regression, allowing a safer surgical treatment of the GAVE-related GIB.

Long term efficacy and stability of corneal collagen cross linking for post-LASIK ectasia: an average of 80mo follow-up

This study was designed to evaluate efficacy and stability of corneal collagen crosslinking(CXL) in halting the progression of post-laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) ectasia and provide long-term follow-up results with an average of 80 mo. Patients with post-LASIK ectasia were treated with CXL between December 2007 and January 2012. Main outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuities(UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuities(CDVA), minimum and maximum keratometry(K) values, spherical and cylindrical refraction, and corneal thickness. The study evaluated 17 eyes for 13 patients(8 men, 5 women) with mean age of 31y(range 23 to 39) and mean follow-up of 80.7±15(range 57 to 102)mo. UDVA and CDVA improved from logMAR 0.53±0.36(20/63) to 0.49±0.4(20/50)(P=0.43) and from 0.18±0.17(20/28) to 0.16±0.16(20/27)(P=0.55) respectively. In 15 eyes UDVA and in 13 eyes CDVA either remained stable or improved ≥1 Snellen lines(88.2%) and(76.5%) respectively. Although statistically insignificant, spherical and cylindrical refraction decreased post-CXL from-1.26±2.87 to-0.38±2.32 diopters(D)(P=0.054) and from-3.80±2.47 to-3.04±2.18 D(P=0.13) respectively. Kmax significantly decreased from 44.23±3.76 to 42.85±3.08 D(P=0.013) and Kmin decreased from 41.07±3.61 to 40.00±2.65 D(P=0.057). Corneal thickness decreased from 470±42 to 460±41 μm, but was statistically non-significant(P=0.063). Therefore, CXL is effective in halting and partially reversing the progression of postLASIK ectasia on the long-term(mean follow-up of more than 80mo), thus highlighting the stability and maintained effect of CXL for such cases.

Clinical outcomes after implantation of a new intrastromal corneal ring with 140-degree of arc in patients with corneal ectasia

AIM：To evaluate the clinical and tomographic outcomes after implantation of a new intrastromal corneal ring segment（ICRS） with 140-degrees of arc in eyes with corneal ectasia.METHODS：We evaluated patients with corneal ectasia implanted with Ferrara 140° ICRS from April 2010 to February 2015.Outcome measures included preoperative and postoperative corrected distance visual acuity（CDVA）,keratometry simulated（K） reading,tomographic astigmatism and asphericity.All patients were evaluated using the Pentacam Scheimpflug system.RESULTS：The study evaluated 58 eyes.The mean followup was 16.81±10.8 mo.The CDVA（logM AR） improved from 0.5±0.20（20/60） to 0.3±0.21（20/40）（P〈0.01）.The average K reduced from 49.87±7.01 to 47.34±4.90 D（P〈0.01）.The asphericity changed from-0.60±0.86 to-0.23±0.67 D（P〈0.01）.The mean preoperative tomographic astigmatism decreased from-8.0±3.45 to-4.53±2.52 D（P〈0.01）.CONCLUSION：The new ICRS model with 140-degrees of arc effectively improve the visual acuity and reduce the high astigmatism usually found in patients with corneal ectasia.

Detection of active bleeding from gastric antral vascular ectasia by capsule endoscopy

Gastric antral vascular ectasia(GAVE) has been recognized as one of the important causes of occult and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.The diagnosis is typically made based on the characteristic endoscopic features,including longitudinal row of flat,reddish stripes radiating from the pylorus into the antrum that resemble the stripes on a watermelon.These appearances,however,can easily be misinterpreted as moderate to severe gastritis.Although it is believed that capsule endoscopy(CE) is not helpful for the study of the stomach with its large lumen,GAVE can be more likely to be detected at CE rather than conventional endoscopy.CE can be regarded as "physiologic" endoscopy,without the need for gastric inflation and subsequent compression of the vasculature.The blood flow of the ecstatic vessels may be diminished in an inflated stomach.Therefore,GAVE may be prominent in CE.We herein describe a case of active bleeding from GAVE detected by CE and would like to emphasize a possibility that CE can improve diagnostic yields for GAVE.

Accelerated versus standard corneal cross linking in the treatment of ectasia post refractive surgery and penetrating keratoplasty: a medium term randomized trial

AIM: To compare the clinical outcomes of the standard corneal cross linking(CXL) and the accelerated CXL in patients with progressive corneal ectasia post refractive surgery and penetrating keratoplasty.METHODS: Totally 120 eyes of 83 patients scheduled to receive either standard CXL(3 m W/cm^2 for a period of 30 min) or accelerated CXL(18 m W/cm2 for a period of 5 min). The main outcomes for comparison were the change in: maximum-K reading(K-max), manifest refractive spherical equivalent(SE), central corneal thickness(CCT), and the best corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA).RESULTS: One hundred and eleven eyes completed the study. The main outcome measurement was the K-max reading. Both group showed significant improvement in the value postoperatively at 6 and 12 mo. The mean change in the standard group was 1.21±0.11 D and in the accelerated group was 0.90±0.05 D at the end of 12 mo postoperatively, with no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. Similarly, CDVA improved significantly from their preoperative value in the standard group by 2.98±0.11 letters, and in the accelerated group by 2.20±0.06 letters, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Both of the SE, and CCT showed no statistically significant difference at the end of follow up period in each group.CONCLUSION: Both standard CXL and accelerated CXL are safe and effective treatment in halting ectasia after corneal refractive surgery. The accelerated CXL results are comparable to the standard CXL with short time exposure of the cornea to ultraviolet irradiation, leading to reduced operation time, reduced operative ocular discomfort, and corneal haze.

Successful treatment of refractory gastric antral vascular ectasia by distal gastrectomy:A case report

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is an uncommon and often neglected cause of gastric hemorrhage. The treatments for GAVE include surgery, endoscopy and medical therapies. Here, we report an unusual case of GAVE. A 72-year-old man with a three-month history of recurrent melena was diagnosed with GAVE. Endoscopy revealed the classical &#x0201c;watermelon stomach&#x0201d; appearance of GAVE and complete pyloric involvement. Melena reoccurred three days after argon plasma coagulation treatment, and the level of hemoglobin dropped to 47 g/L. The patient was then successfully treated with distal gastrectomy with Billroth II anastomosis. We propose that surgery should be considered as an effective option for GAVE patients with extensive and severe lesions upon deterioration of general conditions and hemodynamic instability.

Endoscopic resolution and recurrence of gastric antral vascular ectasia after serial treatment with argon plasma coagulation

To evaluate long-term endoscopic resolution and recurrence rate of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) after argon plasma coagulation (APC) treatment. METHODSThis was an IRB-approved retrospective single center study that included patients endoscopically treated for GAVE between 1/1/2008 to 12/31/2014. The primary and secondary end points of the study were rate of endoscopic resolution of GAVE after APC treatment and recurrence rate of GAVE after endoscopic resolution, respectively. Endoscopic resolution of GAVE was defined as no endoscopic evidence of GAVE after treatment with APC. Recurrence of GAVE was defined as endoscopic reappearance of GAVE after prior resolution. RESULTSTwenty patients met the study criteria. Median age (range) of the patients was 59.5 years (42-74 years). GAVE was associated with underlying cirrhosis in 16 (80%) patients. Indications for initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) included hematemesis and/or melena (9/20, 45%), iron deficiency anemia (6/20, 30%), screening or surveillance of varices (4/20, 20%), and occult gastrointestinal bleeding (1/20, 5%). The patients were treated with a total of 55 APC sessions (range 1-7 sessions). Successful endoscopic resolution of GAVE was achieved in 8 out of 20 patients (40%). There was no correlation between number of treatment sessions and GAVE treatment success (P = NS). Recurrence of GAVE was noted on a subsequent EGD in 2 out of 8 patients (25%) with prior endoscopic resolution of GAVE. Median follow-up period for the study population was 627 d (range 63-1953 d). CONCLUSIONEndoscopic resolution rate of GAVE was low (40%) with a 25% recurrence rate after treatment with APC. These rates suggest that APC treatment of GAVE may not be optimal in many circumstances.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding from duodenal vascular ectasia in a patient with cirrhosis

We report a cirrhotic patient with duodenal vascular ectasia and spontaneous bleeding. The bleeding was successfully controlled with argon plasma coagulation. Duodenal vascular ectasia may be a cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis, and argon plasma coagulation may be effective and safe to achieve hemostasis of this lesion.

Post photorefractive keratectomy corneal ectasia

Dear Editor,We write to describe two cases of corneal ectasia occurred after photorefractive keratectomy.Due to the wide diffusion of refractive surgery,many ophthalmologists attempted to identify the risk factors and prevention methods to avoid such severe complication of this technique.

Clinical features of coronary artery ectasia in the elderly

Objective To investigate the incidence, imaging and clinical characteristics in elderly patients with coronary artery ectasia （CAE）. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with CAE who underwent coronary angiography between January 2006 and December 2012. According to age, the enrolled patients were divided into two groups （elderly group, age≥ 65 years; non-elderly group, age 〈 65 years）. The clinical feature, imaging characteristics and the 5-year survival rate of the two groups were compared.Results The preva-lence of CAE in elderly patients was 0.33%. Patients in elderly group were found to have significantly higher proportion of female （30.1%vs. 10.1%,P〈 0.001）, three-vessel disease （60.5%vs. 45.2%,P = 0.003） and localized ectasia （55.0%vs. 40.2%,P = 0.003）. In addition, body mass index （20.90 ± 2.71 kg/m2vs. 22.31 ± 2.98 kg/m2,P 〈 0.001） and percentage of current smokers （45.0%vs. 64.6%,P 〈 0.001） were significantly lower in elderly group. Cumulative survival curves demonstrated reduced 5-year cumulative survival at the follow-up in the elderly group compared with the non-elderly group （88.0%vs. 96.0%,P = 0.002）. But the 5-year event free survival rate failed to show a significant difference between the two groups （31.0%vs. 35.0%,P= 0.311）.ConclusionThe prevalence of CAE in elderly patients was 0.33%, which was about 1/3 of the entire numbers of CAE patients. There were significant differences between the elderly and the non-elderly patients with CAE in terms of coronary artery disease risk factors and coronary artery ectatic characteristics. CAE might be asso-ciated with increased mortality risk in the elderly.