The authors report four cases of ependymal cysts. Among the benign cystic lesions of neuroepithelial origin, ependymal cysts have been reportedly located in the cerebral parenchyme. This usually become symptomatic after 40 years of age, although it is generally thought to be congenital in origin. Symptomatic cases have been treated effectively with resection of the cyst or shunting procedures. Stereotactic removal of the cyst was also a good alternative as management in the authors' cases. Differential diagnosis is mandatory with other benign intraparenchymal cystic diseases.
Diagnosis, Differential

No abstract available.
Epidermal Cyst

The authors performed combined trabeculectomy-cataract extraction on eyes of 8 patients with coexisting glaucoma and cataract. Posterior chamber lens implantation was performed in 2 of 9 eyes. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 12 months. Visual acuity was improved in 8 eyes. The mean intraocular pressure was reduced by approximately 53%, from 28 mmHg preoperatively to 13 mmHg postoperatively. No medications were required in 6 of the 8 eyes, but 2 needed one medication for adequate control of intraocular pressure, postoperatively. No greater incidence of complications were evident with the combined procedure, from that expected with routine cataract extraction or trabeculectomy alone.
Cataract Extraction* ; Cataract* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intraocular Pressure ; Trabeculectomy ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To report polymicrobial keratitis involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Ochrobactrum anthropi. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old female complained of pain and secretion in her right eye, which started 6 weeks before her visit. She applied steroid ointment, which was received from the dermatologist, to her eyelid 7 days prior to her visit but this treatment worsened her symptoms. At the initial visit, the visual acuity of the right eye was light perception, and purulent secretions were observed. Using a slit lamp, severe conjunctival hyperemia, hypopyon, and a ring-shaped central corneal ulcer were observed. The anterior chamber and fundus were not observed due to corneal lesions but ultrasonography showed no intraocular inflammation. Infectious keratitis was suspected and cultured by corneal scraping. During the incubation period, 0.5% moxifloxacin, 2% voriconazole, and 1% cyclopentolate were administered. A total of 400 mg of moxifloxacin and 100 mg of doxycycline were given orally. In the primary culture, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were identified so 5% ceftazidime, which was sensitive for the antibiotic susceptibility results was further instilled. Thereafter, the keratitis improved but the keratitis again worsened while maintaining the topical treatment. A secondary culture was positive for Ochrobactrum anthropi. Treatment with 1.4% gentamicin, which was sensitive for the antibiotic susceptibility test was added and the keratitis improved. A conjunctival flap was performed because of the increased risk of perforation. CONCLUSIONS: We report polymicrobial keratitis involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Ochrobactrum anthropi for the first time in the Republic of Korea.
Acinetobacter baumannii ; Acinetobacter ; Anterior Chamber ; Ceftazidime ; Corneal Ulcer ; Cyclopentolate ; Doxycycline ; Eyelids ; Female ; Gentamicins ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Inflammation ; Keratitis ; Middle Aged ; Ochrobactrum anthropi ; Ochrobactrum ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Pseudomonas ; Republic of Korea ; Slit Lamp ; Ultrasonography ; Visual Acuity ; Voriconazole

PURPOSE: We analyzed time series changes in cataract surgeries in Korea, and provide basic data to enhance the efficiency of medical services for cataract surgery. METHODS: Among cataract surgery statistics registered in the Korean National Health Insurance Cooperation from 2006 to 2012, we used data regarding the number of patients and operations and the number of patients and operations per 100,000 people. We analyzed various time series changes, including differences by sex and age. RESULTS: The total numbers of patients from 2006 to 2012 by year were 207,370; 228,170; 250,289; 268,548; 289,867; 308,111; and 302,182, respectively. The total numbers of operations from 2006 to 2012 by year were 272,920; 305,807; 338,332; 365,874; 398,338; 428,158; and 420,905, respectively. The number of patients and operations per 100,000 people were highest in men 80 to 84 years old and women 75 to 79 years old. Comparing the number of operations in 2006 and after, the patient age group with the highest increase rate changed from over 85 years old to 75–79 years old since 2010 in men and from over 85 years old to 50–54 years old since 2009 in women. For each year investigated, the number of operations performed was higher than the number of patients who received operations. CONCLUSIONS: Over the study period, the number of cataract surgeries increased, while the age of cataract patients decreased. Additionally, the number of cataract-related surgeries increased in relation to the number of patients.
Cataract Extraction ; Cataract* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; National Health Programs

Anomalous unilateral single pulmonary vein is a rare abnormality of the pulmonary venous system characterized by a tortuous pulmonary venous confluence which never crosses the diaphragm and drains all arterialized blood from a lung to the left atrium, into which it normally flows. Cardiac and pulmonary anomalies are not associated. We report a case in which this condition was comfirmed by the findings of chest radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance angiography.
Diaphragm ; Heart Atria ; Lung ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Pulmonary Veins* ; Radiography ; Thorax

OBJECTIVES: In three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT), the cant is evaluated by measuring the distance between the reference plane (or line) and the tooth. The purpose of this study was to determine the horizontal skeletal reference plane that showed the greatest correlation with clinical evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 15 patients who closed their eyes during the CT image taking process. The menton points of all patients deviated by more than 3 mm. In the first evaluation, clinical cant was measured. The distance from the inner canthus to the ipsilateral canine tip and the distance from the eyelid to the ipsilateral first molar were obtained. The distance between the left and right sides was also measured. In the second evaluation, skeletal cant was measured. Six reference planes and one line were used for the evaluation of occlusal cant: 1) FH plane R: Or.R - Or.L - Po.R; 2) FH plane L: Or.R - Or.L - Po.L; 3) F. Ovale plane R: Rt.F.Ovale - Lt.F.Ovale - Or.R; 4) F. Ovale plane L: Rt.F.Ovale - Lt.F.Ovale - Or.L; 5) FZS plane R: Rt.FZS - Lt.FZS - Po.R; 6) FZS plane R: Rt.FZS - Lt.FZS - Po.L, and; 7) FZS line: Rt.FZS - Lt.FZS. RESULTS: The clinical and skeletal cants were compared using linear regression analysis. The FH plane R, FH plane L, and FZS line showed the highest correlation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The FH plane R and FH plane L are the most appropriate horizontal reference plane in evaluation of occlusal cant on 3D-CT.
Cephalometry ; Eye ; Eyelids ; Facial Asymmetry ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Molar ; Tooth

Toxoplasma gondii has been shown to result in life-threatening encephalitis in immunocompromised patients after reactivation of dormant parasites. In order to obtain information on immune responses related to this phenomenon, BALB/c mice were infected with 25 cysts of the 76K strain of T. gondii, then, treated orally with dexamethasone (Toxo/Dexa-treated group) in order to reactivate the chronic toxoplasmosis. None of the T. gondii-infected mice died during the experimental periods, whereas the Toxo/Dexa-treated mice evidenced a significant attenuation of survival periods. Toxoplasma-specific IgG2a, IgA and IgM titers in sera were significantly depressed in the Toxo/Dexa-treated mice; however, the IgG1 sera titers were similar to those seen in the Toxoplasma-infected mice. The percentages of CD4+ and CD8 alpha + T cells in the Toxo/Dexa-treated mice were significantly reduced 2 weeks after dexamethasone treatment. IFN-gamma and IL-10 production levels in the Toxo/Dexa-treated mice were depressed significantly, whereas IL-4 production was increased temporarily. The expression levels of the Toxoplasma-specific P30 and B1 genes were found to have been increased in the Toxo/Dexa-treated mice in comparison with the Toxoplasmainfected mice. Collectively, the findings of this study demonstrate that reactivation of murine toxoplasmosis as the result of dexamethasone treatment induced a depression in Th1 immune responses, whereas Th2 immune responses were not significantly influenced.
Toxoplasmosis/*immunology/parasitology ; Toxoplasma/*immunology ; Th2 Cells/immunology ; Th1 Cells/immunology ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice ; Immunoglobulins/*biosynthesis/immunology ; Female ; Dexamethasone/*pharmacology ; Cytokines/*biosynthesis ; Antibodies, Protozoan/*biosynthesis/immunology ; Animals

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability and sterility of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) after withdrawal into multiple doses from single-use vials. METHODS: Bevacizumab was repeatedly and aseptically drawn from new vials into 1 cc plastic syringes and refrigerated in the dark at 4degrees C for 0, 3, 6, 12, 28, 38, 46, 52, or 63 weeks or at -10degrees C for 0, 3, 6, 12, 38, 46, or 52 weeks. The stability of bevacizumab was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared with that of controls (0 weeks). The contents of the fractionated bevacizumab syringes were analyzed for microbial growth. RESULTS: When we assessed the relative stability of the bevacizumab stored at 4degrees C, there was no concentration change for up to 12 weeks. However, concentration decreased by less than 2% between 28 weeks and 46 weeks. Samples stored at -10degrees C were stable up to 52 weeks. All of the fractionated syringes maintained >90% stability compared with controls for up to one year in both the refrigerated group and the frozen group. The microbial study showed no significant positive results for up to 12 weeks. After intravitreal bevacizumab injection, the statuses of all patients improved, with no signs of intraocular infection. We observed no cases of intraocular infection or complications among the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fractionating and storing smaller amounts from single-use vials is a safe method for intravitreal bevacizumab injection.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Freezing* ; Humans ; Infertility* ; Intravitreal Injections ; Plastics ; Refrigeration* ; Syringes* ; Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: To identify the correlation between final visual outcome after at least 6 months of follow-up and the extent of macular ischemia on the first visit. METHODS: We performed a retrospective clinical analysis of macular ischemia using clinical records, fundus examinations, and fluorescein angiographies in 83 patients (86 eyes) diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion from January 1998 to July 2012 and followed up for over 6 months. We evaluated the extent and the location of macular ischemia, macular edema, initial and final visual acuities and systemic disease based on fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography performed within 2 weeks of the first visit. The patients were divided into the following 4 groups based on the extent and location of macular ischemia and edema: superotemporal, superonasal, inferotemporal, and inferonasal. RESULTS: Retinal vein occlusions (RVOs) consisted of 24 central RVOs (CRVOs) and 62 branch RVOs (BRVOs). Mean initial acuity (log MAR) was 0.35 +/- 0.31 (36 eyes) in the no macular ischemia group, 0.40 +/- 0.21 (11 eyes) in the 1-quadrant macular ischemia group, 0.71 +/- 0.32 (26 eyes) in the 2-quadrant macular ischemia group and 0.73 +/- 0.36 (13 eyes) in the over 3 quadrants macular ischemia group. Mean final acuity (log MAR) was 0.23 +/- 0.23 in the no macular ischemia group, 0.40 +/- 0.30 in the 1-quadrant macular ischemia group, 0.51 +/- 0.32 in the 2-quadrant macular ischemic group and 0.73 +/- 0.31 in the over 3 quadrants macular ischemia group. CONCLUSIONS: The initial and final visual outcomes were worse when more quadrants were affected by macular ischemia. The extent of macular ischemia was correlated with initial visual acuity and final visual outcome but not with macular edema.
Angiography ; Edema ; Fluorescein ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ischemia* ; Macular Edema ; Retinal Vein Occlusion* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity