Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive rod which can be isolated from soil, vegetation, and many animal reservoirs. Human disease due to Listeria monocytogenes is uncommon but occurs most frequently in the neonatal period, during pregnancy and in elderly or immuno-suppressed patients. Listeriosis in pregnant women may cause spontaneous abortion, fetal distress, preterm labor, fetal death, or neonatal septicemia/meningitis. Maternal infection alone may occur without infection of the infant, especially at the end of pregnancy. One case of septicemia with Listeria monocytogenes in pregnant women at the 35th weeks of pregnancy with fetal distress is presented.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Aged ; Animals ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Fetal Distress* ; Humans ; Infant ; Listeria monocytogenes ; Listeriosis ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third* ; Pregnant Women ; Sepsis ; Soil

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of acute spontaneous resolution of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (ASRRRD). CASE SUMMARY: (Case 1) A 28-year-old male presented with acute visual loss in his left eye for 5 days. The best corrected visual acuity was 10/200 in the left eye and fovea-off retinal detachment with retinal break at the 11-o'clock location was observed. The retina was reattached after 5 days without any treatment. Prophylactic barrier photocoagulation was performed around the break and 3 months after ASRRRD visual acuity improved to 20/30. (Case 2) A 19-year-old male was referred with a history of blurry vision and visual disturbance in his right eye. He underwent a cataract surgery due to traumatic cataract in his right eye 3 years prior. The best corrected visual acuity was 10/200 in the right eye and fovea-off retinal detachment with retinal break at the 10:30-o'clock location was observed. The retina reattached spontaneously after 5 days. Prophylactic barrier photocoagulation was performed around the break and 3 months after ASRRRD visual acuity improved to 20/30. CONCLUSIONS: It would be better to check the status of fundus and the visual acuity before the surgery in the cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in young age.
Adult ; Cataract ; Humans ; Light Coagulation ; Male ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment* ; Retinal Perforations ; Visual Acuity ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To assess the prognostic factors associated with anatomical success of scleral buckle (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in high myopia patients. METHODS: The medical records of RRD in highly myopic eyes treated with SB from January 2009 to December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Cases with history of intraocular surgery including phacoemulsification and vitrectomy were excluded. Correlations between anatomical success and the parameters of age, sex, preoperative visual acuity, axial length, presence of large tear, presence of horseshoe tear, the number of tears, involved fovea, and extent of detachment were analyzed. RESULTS: This study included 80 eyes of 80 patients. Average age and axial length were 32.3 ± 13.4 and 26.753 ± 0.961 mm, respectively. Sixty-nine eyes (86.3%) were reattached following primary surgery. Univariate analysis revealed that age (p = 0.011), presence of large tear (p = 0.002), and presence of horseshoe tear (p = 0.044) were correlated with anatomical success after SB. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, age was the sole independent prognostic factor (odds ratio = 1.086, 95% confidence interval = 1.022~1.154, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: A younger age is associated with a higher rate of primary anatomical success of SB for RRD in highly myopic eyes. In young, highly myopic patients with RRD, SB should be considered as the primary procedure.
Humans ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Myopia ; Phacoemulsification ; Retinal Detachment* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retrospective Studies ; Scleral Buckling* ; Tears ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of recurrent Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) endophthalmitis after uneventful phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. CASE SUMMARY: Case 1: A healthy, 75-year-old female presented with a sudden visual loss and ocular pain 2 days after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. After successful treatment with intravitreal antibiotics injection, the infection was apparently cleared. At 1 month after the initial presentation, recurrent endophthalmitis occurred and was resolved with vitrectomy, silicon oil tamponade, and intravitreal antibiotics injection. Two months after vitrectomy, the silicone oil was removed and the patient's final visual acuity improved to 20/400 5 months later. Case 2: A healthy, 74-year-old female presented with a sudden visual loss 2 days after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. After successful treatment with intravitreal antibiotics injection, the infection was apparently cleared. One month later, recurrent endophthalmitis occurred and was resolved with vitrectomy, posterior capsulotomy, and intravitreal antibiotics injection. Forty days later, the patient had a similar relapse. The infection resolved with IOL explantation, silicon oil tamponade, and repeated intravitreal antibiotics injections. E. faecalis was identified at the first and recurrent episode. Vancomycin and ceftazidime were used for each intravitreal administration. Silicone oil removal and IOL scleral fixation were performed and the patient's final visual acuity was 20/40 5 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Close monitoring for recurrences is recommended in endophthalmitis due to E. faecalis after phacoemulsification even after a successful initial treatment.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cataract* ; Ceftazidime ; Endophthalmitis* ; Enterococcus faecalis* ; Female ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Phacoemulsification ; Posterior Capsulotomy ; Recurrence ; Silicone Oils ; Vancomycin ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

The Stellate ganglion block (SGB) could be used to treat sympathetic dependent circulatory insufficiency. We report a 36-year-old female patient with burn-induced refractory ischemic ulcer in distal phalanges. The patient admitted in department of plastic surgery for second degree burn wound in the right second through fifth fingertips. Continuous dressing treatment was conducted. However digital burn wounds were not healed but seems to be refractory. The upper extremity angiography revealed decreased perfusion and the fingertip wounds were diagnosed as ischemic ulcer. Despite of botulinum toxin injection into the perineural tissue and aspirin prescription, burn wounds showed ulcerative necrotic change. The SGBs were performed twice a week for 3 weeks to restore vasoconstriction of the upper extremity arteries. The follow-up angiography showed significant improvement of fingertip perfusion. Consequently, wounds were completely healed. In conclusion, SGB could be a rational option to overcome burn-induced digital ischemia refractory to other medical therapy.
Adult ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Aspirin ; Bandages ; Botulinum Toxins ; Burns ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Perfusion ; Prescriptions ; Stellate Ganglion ; Surgery, Plastic ; Ulcer ; Upper Extremity ; Vasoconstriction ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: Retinal detachment (RD) complicated in acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is difficult to be treated and a main cause of blindness. The factors associated with RD in ARN were investigated. METHODS: Patients with ARN who were diagnosed and treated from Jan, 2008 to Dec, 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The eyes were classified into the group I without RD, and the group II with RD. Early vitrectomy, history of ARN in the other eye, extent of necrosis, symptom duration and intravitreal injection of anti-viral drug were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 22 eyes of 20 patients, 11 eyes were included in each group. Symptom duration of 8.0 days in the group I was shorter than 15.8 days in the group II (p = 0.005). There were no macular involvement at initial exam in the group I and 5 eyes (45%) in the group II (p = 0.017). Five eyes (45%) in the group I and 0 eye (0%) in the group II had history of ARN in the other eye (p = 0.017). Six eyes (55%) in the group I and 1 eye (9%) in the group II underwent early vitrectomy (p = 0.031). Age, baseline visual acuity, and intravitreal injection of antiviral agent were not related to RD (p = 0.294-0.699). CONCLUSIONS: Broader necrosis and longer symptoms duration were related to occurrence of RD. Correlation of Lower risk of RD with ARN history in the other eye would result from earlier diagnosis and treatment. Early vitrectomy seems to be effective to prevent RD in ARN.
Blindness ; Diagnosis ; History ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Necrosis ; Retinal Detachment* ; Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

Lymphedema is a common complication associated with cancer itself or with cancer treatment. Lymphedema infrequently occurs after drug therapy. Bee venom is one of the materials used in acupuncture, and it has been used in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases including arthritis. We report a 74-year-old male patient with late-onset post-radiation lymphedema provoked by bee venom therapy. He was free of lymphedema for 5 years after the complete remission of prostate cancer which had been treated with transurethral resection and radiation therapy. The patient developed left leg swelling after undergoing bee venom therapy for left hip pain. Computed tomography and lymphoscintigraphy showed lymphedema without tumor recurrence or infection. The lymphatic system was suspected to be injured by bee venom therapy and lymphedema was provoked. Bee venom therapy should be used cautiously in patients prone to lymphedema.
Acupuncture ; Aged ; Arthritis ; Bee Venoms* ; Bees* ; Drug Therapy ; Hip ; Humans ; Leg ; Lymphatic System ; Lymphedema* ; Lymphoscintigraphy ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of the pediatric blood culture bottle for vitreous sample culture in endophthalmitis patients. METHODS: All consecutive cases with clinically suspected endophthalmitis treated and cultured in our institution between January 2009 and June 2013 were included in the study. Vitreous samples were obtained by vitreous needle aspiration (tap), anterior chamber aspiration, or mechanized vitreous biopsy (vitrectomy). The samples obtained using the conventional method until August 2011 were classified as group I. Since August 2011, the BacT/Alert PF pediatric blood culture bottle (bioMerieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) was used for culture in group II. We investigated age, gender, biopsy method, cause of infection, use of antibiotics, bacterial culture, and culture positive rate. RESULTS: Thirty-three cases were included in group I and 17 cases in group II. There was no significant difference in age, gender, sampling technique, cause of infection, and use of antibiotics between the 2 groups. The culture positive rate in group II (60.7%) was significantly higher than group I (33.3%, p = 0.032). In group II, Enterococcus feacalis was the most common pathogen (8 eyes). In group I, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were confirmed in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The pediatric blood culture bottle can be used successfully in the examination of clinically suspected endophthalmitis. The method showed higher culture positive rate compared with the conventional method. This technique is simple and maintaining a supply of fresh agar media is not necessary.
Agar ; Anterior Chamber ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Endophthalmitis* ; Enterococcus ; Humans ; Needles ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Streptococcus pneumoniae

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of predictive refraction and the factors influencing the predictability in combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated patients who received combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) and macular hole (MH), followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Preoperative refraction, target refraction, postoperative refraction, predictive refraction error (target refraction - postoperative refraction), accuracy of predictive refraction error (predictive refraction error was within +/-0.5 diopter), intraocular pressure, axial length, central macular thickness, and tools that were used for intraocular lens power calculation (A-scan and IOL master) were assessed by analyzing medical records. RESULTS: A total of 176 eyes (including 132 idiopathic ERM cases and 44 MH cases) were included in this study. The accuracy of predictive refraction error was 60.8% at 6 months and there was no difference between the idiopathic epiretinal membrane group (59.8%) and the macular hole group (63.6%). There was no significant difference in predictive refraction error according to axial length and tools (IOL master vs A-scan). Predictive refraction error correlated positively with preoperative refraction (r = 0.227; p = 0.002). In the ERM group, predictive refraction error correlated negatively with both preoperative central macular thickness and the change in central macular thickness between, before, and 6 months after surgery (r = -0.211; p = 0.015 and r = -0.241; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of predictive refraction error was approximately 60% in combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery. Postoperative refraction appeared to be myopia relative to target refraction with higher preoperative myopia and thicker preoperative central macular thickness. Hence, the intraocular lens power should be determined considering the above factors.
Cataract ; Epiretinal Membrane* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Medical Records ; Myopia ; Refractive Errors ; Retinal Perforations* ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate 0.025% brilliant blue G (BBG) for staining the internal limiting membrane (ILM) during vitrectomy. METHODS: In a retrospective, non-comparative clinical case series, we analyzed consecutive 111 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy and removal of the ILM after staining using BBG solution. BBG was dissolved and diluted with balanced salt solution at a concentration of 0.025% and then sterilized by filtering through a 0.22 microm millipore filter. The prepared BBG solution was injected into the vitreous cavity over the macula after removal of the vitreous and excessive solution was removed immediately. RESULTS: The ILM was successfully removed without use of additional adjuvant in all cases. Mean best corrected visual acuity (log MAR) was significantly improved from 0.80 +/- 0.44 at baseline to 0.40 +/- 0.39 at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). One case each of endophthalmitis and diabetic papillopathy developed. The relationship when using BBG solution was not identified as complications were not observed in the other patients who underwent vitrectomy using the same BBG solution on the same day. One idiopathic epiretinal membrane patient had visual acuity loss more than 2 lines. During the follow-up period, other complications suspected to be associated with the use of BBG solution were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: A BBG solution (0.025%) was effective in staining the ILM for removal. Complications associated with the use of BBG solution were not observed.
Endophthalmitis ; Epiretinal Membrane ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Micropore Filters ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy*