Reinforcement of the sclera with new types of synthetic materials in progressive myopia

The possibility of using a new synthetic material mersilene for scleroplastic operations has been evaluated in experiments and clinical trials were carried out in patients with progressive myopia subjected to sclera fortification. Morphological studies showed the formation of a connective tissue capsule round mersilene; new collagen fibers grow through its cellular structures, thus fortifying the strength of the sclera-graft complex. Clinical results indicate that sclera fortification by a mersilene graft arrested the progress of myopia in almost all (98%) patients by the end of the first year postoperation; by the end of the second year, myopic refraction stabilized in 92% patients. Hence, mersilene transplants are recommended for scleroplasty in progressive myopia.     

Normal and pathological structural features of lacrimal gland based on spatial ultrasound digital examination

For the first time vital morphological structure of lacrimal gland was investigated based on spatial ultrasound digital examination. Structural characteristics of lacrimal gland are described considering anatomic topography and blood supply. These characteristics are analyzed based on planar and volumetric sonography depending on the patient age and pattern of changes. Their correlation is studied. The results of lacrimal gland examination allowed us to analyze a number of ultrasound diagnostic signs and compare them with changes in acute dacryoadenitis, MALT-lymphoma, Sjogren disease, sarcoidosis and thyroid eye disease. Revealed features may be useful for understanding of nature of clinical presentation. The results of the study may help to interpret diagnostic signs and follow up their evolution in a clinical course of a disease.     

Biometry of anterior segment structures: comparative study

We studied different methods of biometry (spatial ultrasonography, ultrasound biomicroscopy, optical principles) of anterior segment structures: lens, anterior chamber and its angle. 20 patients (40 eyes) with immature cataract were examined. Ultrasonography showed to be the most informative method. Some subjectivity of this technique due to echogram analysis has slightly influenced the estimation of linear and volumetric biometric parameters. Spatial ultrasonography may be recommended as a unique biometry technique for anterior segment structures.     

The effect of tularemia live vaccine on contrasuppression of lymphocytes in patients with cancer of the corpus uteri during combined therapy and long term

A significant decrease in the percentage of women showing contrasuppression of blood lymphocytes, as compared with control, was identified (p < 0.1); it was particularly low at terminal stages (III-IV). Surgery and subsequent radiotherapy were followed by further inhibition, particularly in terminally-ill patients. Two or three years after treatment, the numbers of patients in all stage groups showing contrasuppression increased, reaching the initial, i.e. lower than normal, levels. However, contrasuppression indices rose to normal in patients immunized with tularemia live vaccine (p > 0.05). This effect was observed in patients of all stage groups, immunized prior to treatment, on days 15-20 after immunization. Normal levels of contrasuppression were maintained during treatment and 2-3 years on. Both contrasuppression level and stage of tumor may serve as a criterion of gravity of disease and prognosis.     

The clinical and echographic features of tear in the dry eye syndrome

The paper presents the results of three-dimensional combined tear ultrasound analysis in various diseases accompanied by the dry eye syndrome. Sixty-five patients with clinical manifestations of the dry eye syndrome were examined. Of them, there were 20 patients with Sjogren's syndrome and disease, 25 with dry eye syndrome of unknown genesis, 5 with lachrymal gland tumorous lesion, 5 with cystic lacrimal gland changes (dacryops), and 10 persons above 65 years of age (a risk group). In each of the study group the study determined the mean sizes of a ultrasound section of the lacrimal gland, its mean volume, and densitometric indices, such as density and vasculogenicity index, as well as the mean values of hemodynamic parameters in the lacrimal artery. The characteristic echographic signs of lacrimal gland structural changes and vascularization are described in Sjogren's disease and syndrome, dry eye syndrome of unknown genesis, dacryops, neoplastic processes involving the lacrimal gland. The proposed algorithm of lacrimal gland ultrasound study can enhance the accuracy and validity of results of the differential diagnosis of various lacrimal gland diseases with the clinical manifestations of the dry eye syndrome. The findings may be further used for the monitoring and detection of three-dimensional and structural changes in the lacrimal gland, which result from various pathological processes with the clinical manifestations of the dry eye syndrome.     

Morphometric and functional features of macula in patients with high congenital myopia

Combined use of OCT and ERG allowed us to study correlation of functional changes and morphological retinal features in patients with congenital myopia with or without myopic maculopathy. The study revealed the following features of retinal contour in macula region in congenital myopia compared to emmetropia: increase of neuroepithelial thickness in fovea centre, trend to decrease of its thickness in perifoveolar zone, significant (1,7-fold) reduction of neuroepithelial thickness difference between central and pericentral zones and subsequently change of retinal profile. Revealed data should be considered in retinal thickness evaluation of adults with high myopia and in assessment of normal postnatal macula development in children with high myopia. Combination of ophthalmoscopy, OCT and m-ERG may help in early diagnosis and monitoring of progressing macula changes.     

Impact of skull fracture on neuropsychological functioning following closed head injury

The role of skull facture in affecting morbidity following closed head injury (CHI) has received a significant amount of attention from researchers. While there is fairly widespread agreement that skull fractures increase the risk of complications such as haematoma, it us unclear whether the presence of skull fracture has predictive value in terms of the neuropsychological sequelae of CHI. The purpose of the current study was to further investigate the role of skull fracture in predicting neuropsychological dysfunction following CHI. Subjects included patients admitted to the trauma service of a large teaching hospital who were suspected of having suffered CHI. All patients completed neuropsychological testing and had normal computerized tomography (CT) scans. Patients who had suffered skull fracture were compared to those who had not suffered skull fracture on selected neuropsychological measures. Groups did not differ in terms of CHI severity as assessed by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the groups did differ in terms of neuropsychological functioning. Results are interpreted as suggesting that the presence of a skull fracture is predictive of additional neuropsychological dysfunction, even in the absence of intracranial pathology or more severe disturbance of consciousness on the GCS.