We reviewed the hospital records of 104 consecutive eyes in 101 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy at Presbyterian Medical Center from January 1993 to December 1995 and studied the postoperative visual acuity and postoperative complications. Possible indications for pars plana vitrectomy were follows: complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (30.7%),complications of other types of proliferative retinopathy except proliferative diabetic retinopathy(25.0%),complications of anterior segment surgeries (14.4%), complex retinal detachments(8.7%), intraocular inflammations and uveitis (8.7%), macular diseases (6.7%), and complications of ocular trauma (5.8%), Regarding postoperative final visual acuity, 53 eyes(51.0%) were improved, 30eyes(28.8%) were stabilized, 21eyes(20.2%) were worsened. Intraoperative or postopertive cataract, retinal breaks or retinal detachment were most frequent complications. We expected that pars plana vitrectomy might be indicated in various ocular diseases containing proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Cataract ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Postoperative Complications ; Protestantism ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinal Perforations ; Retinaldehyde ; Uveitis ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy*

We performed standard pars plana vitrectomies in 17 eyes with uveitis which were complicated with vitreous opacities. Postoperatively, visual acuity was improved in 11 eyes(64.7%),maintained in4 eyes(23.5%) and decreased in 2 eyes (11.8%). Four weeks after vitrectomy, inflammatory cells were rarely noticed in the anterior vitreous of all eyes. We suggest that early surgical approach is of value for visual improvement in the management of uvitis eyes with vitreous opacity.
Uveitis ; Uveitis, Intermediate* ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy*

Ectopia lentis, Synonymously with Congenital dislocated lens, is defined as a dislocation of the ocular lens, of greater or less degree, based on a developmental anomaly. It occurs in three conditions, as an isolated anomaly, in association with ocular anomaly, and as a part of a systemic syndrome with other mesodermal, particularly skeletal anomalies. Among these, simple ectopia lentis is a hereditary autosomal dominant disorders without skeletal, connective tissue or metabolic symptomatology. Except for the dislocation of the lens, these eyes are in other respects grossly normal. Regarding its management, there is a continuing debate proponents of active surgical intervention to prevent future problems to those who will not remove the lens and advocates of conservative treatment because lens surgery can be difficult and has a high rate of intraoperative and post operative complication. Recently, the authours have experienced three patients with simple ectopia lentis, which occurred in one family with autosomal dominant inheritance and achieved satisfactory result surgically. Thus these cases are presented with brief review of literatures.
Connective Tissue ; Dislocations ; Ectopia Lentis* ; Humans ; Mesoderm ; Wills

Aniridia, the bilateral total or partial absence of the iris, is a rare congenital often hereditary anomaly which usually leads to blindness in adulthood due to secondary glaucoma and cataract formation. The authors experienced two cases of congenital aniridia associated with nystagmus, foveal hypoplasia, corneal pannus, cataract, secondary glaucoma and strabismus. Extracapsular cataract extraction and trabeculectomy was performed with satisfactory result. Therefore this case was presented with brief review of literatures.
Aniridia* ; Blindness ; Capsule Opacification ; Cataract ; Cataract Extraction ; Glaucoma ; Iris ; Strabismus ; Trabeculectomy

Aniridia, the bilateral total or partial absence of the iris, is a rare congenital often hereditary anomaly which usually leads to blindness in adulthood due to secondary glaucoma and cataract formation. The authors experienced two cases of congenital aniridia associated with nystagmus, foveal hypoplasia, corneal pannus, cataract, secondary glaucoma and strabismus. Extracapsular cataract extraction and trabeculectomy was performed with satisfactory result. Therefore this case was presented with brief review of literatures.
Aniridia* ; Blindness ; Capsule Opacification ; Cataract ; Cataract Extraction ; Glaucoma ; Iris ; Strabismus ; Trabeculectomy

PURPOSE: Cyclooxygenases (COXs) are key enzymes in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and other ecosanoids. There are two isoforms of COX, a constitutive one is COX-1 and inducible counterpart is COX-2. COX-2 promotes colorectal tumorigenesis, metastatic potential and angiogenesis. COX-2 inhibitors induce apoptotic cell death and prostaglandin E2 induces its expression. For examination of the action mechanism of COX-2, we investigated expression of bcl-2 related genes through the treatment of COX-2 selective inhibitor, NS-398 on two prostatic cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two prostatic cancer cell lines, PC-3 and LNCaP, were used. MTT assay was done to estimate the viability of prostatic cancer cells after NS-398 treatment. COX-2, bcl-2, bcl-XL, mcl-1, bfl-1, bax, bak, bik and bcl-Xs mRNA expression levels were evaluated by RT-PCR and cDNA Southern blot. RESULTS: The viability of PC-3 and LNCaP cells were decreased by NS-398 treatment. COX-2 mRNA expression was confirmed in PC-3 and LNCaP cells but faintly expressed in LNCaP cells. Bcl-2, bcl-XL, mcl-1, bfl-1, bax, bak, bik and bcl-Xs mRNA were expressed in both cell lines. After NS-398 treatment, bax-alpha mRNA expression were increased and bfl-1 was decreased in PC-3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398 decreases the viability of PC-3 and LNCaP cells. Its mechanism is probably partially related with bfl-1 and bax-alpha mRNA expression levels. Because NS-398 induced apoptotic cell death can be develped by COX-2 protein independent pathway, additional experiment is needed by COX-2 transfection method.
Apoptosis ; Arachidonic Acid ; Blotting, Southern ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Death ; Cell Line* ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; Cyclooxygenase 2* ; Dinoprostone ; DNA, Complementary ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Prostaglandins ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Protein Isoforms ; RNA, Messenger ; Transfection

A 38-year-old woman with twin pregnancy was referred after detection of hydrocephalus in one fetus at 23+1 weeks' gestation. Sonography showed hydrocephalus, a scalloping of the frontal bone giving a lemon-like configuration, and meningocele. The affected twin was terminated by ultrasonographically guided intracardiac injection of 4 ml (8 mEq/L) potassium chloride solution at 24+5 weeks' gestation. Chromosomal analysis of the other fetus showed normal findings (46, XX). Serial ultrasound scans and coagulopathy tests were unremarkable. Preterm premature rupture of the membrane was developed at 33+3 weeks' gestation, and emergency Cesarian section was done. A healthy 1360 g female was born, with Apgar scores of 7 and 8 at one and five minutes, respectively.
Adult ; Arnold-Chiari Malformation* ; Emergencies ; Female ; Fetus ; Frontal Bone ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Membranes ; Meningocele ; Pectinidae ; Potassium Chloride ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Rupture ; Twins, Dizygotic* ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: Protocols for posterior circulation ischemic stroke have not been established by randomized clinical trials. Mechanical endovascular thrombectomy (MET) devices are evolving, and many of these devices already developed or in development are suitable for posterior circulation MET. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the medical records of patients who underwent MET for posterior circulation ischemic stroke from January 2012 to August 2016. Fifteen patients were included. MET was performed in patients with or without injected intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. MET was considered in patients with a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score of 4 or more, older than 18 years, with definite occlusion of the basilar artery or posterior cerebral artery (PCA), and who arrived at the hospital within 24 hours from onset. RESULTS: The direct catheter aspiration technique was used in five cases, and the stent retrieval technique was used in seven cases. The stent retrieval technique with the direct aspiration technique was used in three cases. Recanalization failed in two cases. Basilar occlusion without PCA involvement is the only effective factor of successful recanalization (p = 0.03). Successful recanalization (p = 0.005) and the presence of a posterior communicating artery (p = 0.005) affected the good outcome at discharge. CONCLUSION: An early diagnosis and active MET may improve the patient outcome. MET may help recanalization and good flow restoration and the potential for a good outcome.
Arteries ; Basilar Artery ; Catheters ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Posterior Cerebral Artery* ; Stents ; Stroke ; Thrombectomy* ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator