Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the radiation-induced adverse effects on ocular structures in head and neck cancer patients and investigate the radiation dose-volume effects on the cornea, lacrimal gland, retina, optic nerve and chiasm. Materials and Methods: A total of 38 eyes of 19 patients were included in this prospective, cohort study. All patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination in addition to contrast sensitivity, visual field and visual evoked potentials (VEP) tests. Ophthalmological examinations and psychophysical tests were performed in 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th months and in the last visit. The relationship between the ophthalmologic findings, and the radiation doses below and above the cut-off values was evaluated. Results: Contrast sensitivity decrease and visual field deterioration were observed in 42% of the patients in the last visit (median 26 months) whereas a prolonged latency and decreased amplitude of P100 wave in VEP was observed in 58% and 33% of the eyes, respectively at 24th month. Totally 16 patients (84.2%) developed dry eye disease and eight of them received radiotherapy below tolerance doses and had mild to moderate dry eye findings. Radiation-induced retinopathy was observed in three of the eyes in eight patients who received radiation above tolerance dose. Conclusion Head and neck cancers treated with radiotherapy, resulted in various ophthalmic complications. All patients who are treating with radiotherapy should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist in terms of anterior and posterior segment damage, even if the radiation dose is below the tolerance limit.

PURPOSE: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a disease that is primarily seen in adults and is comparatively rare in children. Consequently, only a few studies have focused on the pathogenesis of the disease in children. This study investigated the possible role of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the pathogenesis of CSU in children. METHODS: The study group was composed of 54 children with CSU; 34 healthy children comprised the control group. The demographic and clinical features of the study group were extensively evaluated, and laboratory assessments were also performed. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate levels of plasma MMP-9. Disease activity was quantified using the urticaria activity score (UAS). RESULTS: The median value of plasma MMP-9 was 108.9 ng/mL (interquartile range, 93.3-124.1) in the CSU group and 87.8 ng/mL (69.4-103.0) in the control group. The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). Also, MMP-9 levels showed a significant positive correlation with UAS (rho=0.57, P<0.001). Twenty-six percent of patients had positive autologous serum skin test (ASST) results. Neither UAS nor plasma MMP-9 levels were significantly different between ASST-positive and -negative patients (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma MMP-9 levels were elevated in children with CSU and were positively correlated with disease activity. MMP-9 may be both a good biomarker of disease activity and a potential therapeutic target in CSU.
Adult ; Child* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* ; Plasma* ; Skin Tests ; Urticaria*