A case of amblyopia with contralateral optic nerve hypoplasia

We describe an unusual case of unilateral optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) in a patient with contralateral anisometropic/strabismic amblyopia. A seven‐year‐old boy presented with visual acuities of 6/12 R and 6/18 L and eccentric fixation in the left eye. Cycloplegic retinoscopy was R +1.50/‐0.50 × 180 and L +5.25 DS. Funduscopy revealed optic nerve hypoplasia of the right eye. The patient fixated with his better‐seeing right eye, despite the optic nerve hypoplasia. His reduced vision may be attributed to optic nerve hypoplasia in the right eye and amblyopia in the left. Although optic nerve hypoplasia can occur with ipsilateral amblyopia, we believe this is the first reported case of unilateral optic nerve hypoplasia in the fellow eye of an amblyopic patient.     

Pulsarperimetrie

We present a review and update on Pulsar perimetry, which combines temporal frequency, contrast and spatial frequency stimuli. The effects of age, visual acuity, and learning on results are described. Data on threshold fluctuation, signal-to-noise ratio, and the possibility of reducing noise with filtering techniques are provided. We describe its dynamic range and the possibility of compensating for profound defects. Finally, we show the results obtained in normal patients and in those with ocular hypertension or initial glaucoma, as well as an analysis of glaucoma progression. The English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink (under supplemental).     

S cases have increased levels of interleukin-6 in cerebrospinal fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 20 infants who died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), 7 cases of infectious death and 5 cases of violent death were examined with respect to concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6). The measurements were performed by ELISA. IL-6 levels in SIDS were significantly lower than in infectious death (p < 0.02), but significantly higher than in violent death (p < 0.02). Since IL-6 plays an important role in immune responses and may induce fever, the findings may suggest that immune activation plays a role in SIDS. The presence of cytokines in the central nervous system (CNS) may cause respiratory depression, especially in vulnerable infants.     

The insulin–like growth factor axis and collagen turnover in asthmatic children treated with inhaled budesonide

Serum concentrations of growth hormone–dependent insulin–like growth factor I (IGF–I) and insulinlike growth factor binding protein–3 (IGFBP–3), the carboxy terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), the carboxy terminal pyridinoline cross–linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and the amino terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) were studied in 14 prepubertal children with asthma (mean age 9.7 years) during treatment with inhaled budesonide. The study design was a randomized, crossover trial with two double–blind treatment periods (200 and 800 μg) and one open, non–randomized treatment period (400 μg ). All periods were 18 days'duration. Budesonide treatment was associated with a dose–related suppressive trend in serum concentrations of PIIINP when the 400 μg period was included (p < 0.01; z =–2.7) and when it was excluded from the calculations (p < 0.01; z =–2.6), indicating reduced synthesis of type III collagen. A similar trend was observed in ICTP levels when the 400 μg period was excluded from the calculations (p = 0.05; z =–1.9). No other statistically significant variations were seen.