A case of nodular posterior scleritis mimicking choroidal mass

The aim of this study is to report clinical and imaging findings, and treatment outcomes of a patient with nodular posterior scleritis. A 41-year-old woman was diagnosed as nodular posterior scleritis in the light of clinical and imaging findings. At first admission best corrected visual acuity was 20/50 in her right eye. Fundus examination revealed an amelanotic subretinal mass under the superior temporal arcade associated with subretinal fluid surrounding it. B-scan ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography findings confirmed the diagnosis. As treatment, nepafenac eye drops 3 times a day, and flurbiprofen tablet 100 mg twice a day were prescribed. After 4 weeks of treatment, the ocular pain was relieved, BCVA improved to 20/20, and subretinal mass totally regressed. Although the diagnosis of nodular posterior scleritis may be confusing, it has to be kept in mind in patients with a subretinal/choroidal mass. Multimodal fundus imaging may be helpful in differential diagnosis. The condition is usually curable with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or systemic steroids.     

Effects of gastric acid on euro coins: chemical reaction and radiographic appearance after ingestion by infants and children

Objectives: This study investigated whether coins of the new European currency (€) corrode when they are exposed to gastric acid, and whether this change can be detected radiographically.

Methods: The eight different denominations of € coins were immersed for seven days in 0.15 N hydrochloride acid (HCl), which corresponds to the level of post-prandial gastric acid. A Swedish crown coin and three different Austrian schilling coins were used as controls. The coins were weighed and radiographed daily to evaluate visible corrosions and HCl was analysed daily for possible dissolved substances.

Results: All coins lost weight within 24 hours after exposure to HCl. The 1, 2, and 5 € cent coins developed changes that were visible on radiographs. The weights of all coins decreased by 0.43% to 11.30% during one week. The dissolved substances measured in the HCl corresponded to the different metals and alloys of the coins, except for copper, which does not dissolve in HCl. The highest absolute weight loss was observed in the Swedish crown coin (0.67 g), and the highest relative weight loss in the 1 Austrian schilling coin (11.30%). The two € coins that showed the highest absolute and relative weight losses were the 2 € (0.54 g or 6.35%) and the 1 € (0.48 g or 6.39%) coin.

Conclusions: A higher rate of toxicity for the new European coins compared with coins of other currencies is not expected, unless a massive coin ingestion occurs.

     

Erratum to: Evaluation of cardiac functions in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography

Clinical Rheumatology -