This is the first report indicating that elevated neuroinflammation levels are associated primarily with lipids in the brain and pH, glucose, CO2, basophil, and creatinine in the peripheral parameters in CRPS patients. Our results suggest that characterizing the peripheral biomarkers and central metabolites affecting neuroinflammation is essential to understanding the pathophysiology of CRPS.

BackgroundTo evaluate binocular summation ratio using contrast sensitivity (CS) testing and correlation between binocular summation and stereoacuity, and control scale in intermittent exotropia (IXT).MethodsWe conducted a prospective case-control study. Thirty-seven IXT and 41 controls were evaluated with both monocular and binocular CS testing. We compared the binocular summation ratio of IXT to that of controls. Near and distance stereoacuity was assessed and office-based control scale was evaluated. We investigated correlation between binocular CS summation ratio and stereoacuity, and control scale in IXT, respectively.ResultsIXT had lower binocular CS summation ratio than controls at 1.5 and 3.0 cycles/degree (1.01 ± 1.02 vs. 1.62 ± 1.88 and 1.17 ± 0.96 vs. 1.86 ± 1.75, Both P < 0.05). We found significant correlation between binocular CS summation ratio at 3.0 cycles/degree and both near and distance stereoacuity (r = −0.411, P = 0.012 and r = −0.624, P = 0.005), and ratio at 1.5 cycles/degree also correlated significantly with distance stereoacuity (r = −0.397, P = 0.034) in the IXT. Binocular CS summation ratio was correlated to control scale at 1.5 and 3.0 cycles/degree (r = −0.327, P = 0.041 and r = −0.418, P = 0.028), and the ratio significantly differed in control scale groupings analysis at the same frequencies (Both P < 0.05).ConclusionOur findings of subnormal binocular CS summation ratio in IXT had correlation with stereoacuity and control scale suggest that binocular CS testing may be a useful method in assessing binocular visual function in IXT.

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Objective This study investigated peripheral and central metabolites affecting depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and anger in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) patients. Methods Metabolite levels were determined in the right and left thalamus and insula, in 12 CRPS patients using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Results There were positive correlations between valine (Val)/tNAA (N-acetylaspartate+N-acetylaspartylglutamate) and the anxiety, and a negative correlation between glutamine (Gln)/NAA and the depression. There were positive correlations between alanine (Ala)/Gln and the depression and suicidal ideation, between glutamate (Glu)/Gln and the depression and suicidal ideation, between N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG)/Gln and the depression. There was a positive correlation between Ala/NAAG and the trait anger and a negative correlation between creatine (Cr)/N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and the trait anger. There was a negative correlation between Cr/Glx (Glu+Gln) and the trait anger. High hemoglobin and alkaline phosphatase were associated with low pain levels, but CO2 and chloride showed positive correlations with pain levels in CRPS patients. Peripheral glucose, CO2 and chloride were associated with depression, anxiety, anger and suicidal ideation. Conclusion The specific central and peripheral metabolites were associated with psychological disorders including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and anger in CRPS patients, showing pathological interactions between a painful body and mind.

Purpose To quantitatively evaluate the effects of 0.05% cyclosporine A (CsA) on lipid layer thickness (LLT) and meibomian glands after cataract surgery using the LipiView® ocular surface interferometer. Methods This study was a prospective randomized double-masked clinical trial conducted by Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between April 04, 2019, and November 31, 2019. Sixty-two participants were recruited, and 12 of them were not enrolled because they had undergone previous treatments for ocular surface diseases. The participants were adult patients with cataract, exhibiting normal lid position; they did not present any other ocular disease and did not meet the exclusion criteria of the clinical trial. Fifty subjects were enrolled in the study. The randomized subjects received treatment with 0.05% CsA (group A) or 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (group B) over the 3 months following the cataract surgery. Subjective and objective assessments were performed at preoperative and postoperative visits. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear breakup time (TBUT), and Schirmer’s I test were performed by the same surgeon, and LLT and meiboscore were determined using the LipiView® interferometer. Results Fifty subjects subjects enrolled consisted of men (50%) and women (50%), with a mean (SD) age of 65.94 (10.35) years. Four subjects in group A and five in group B were excluded from the analysis as they were lost to follow-up within 1 month after cataract surgery. Thus, the study comprised 41 eyes of 41 subjects; 21 subjects were treated with CsA and 20 subjects with CMC. Comparing the clinical measurements between groups A and B taken at the last visit, while controlling the effects of the preoperative values, TBUT and LLT showed significant differences (p = 0.035 and p = 0.047, respectively, by ANCOVA). The TBUT between the subjects using CsA and those using CMC after cataract surgery showed a significant difference during follow up (p = 0.003 by repeated measures ANOVA). In the multivariate analysis, preoperative LLT and the use of CsA were found to be independent parameters for postoperative LLT (R2 = 0.303; p = 0.008 and p = 0.045, respectively), whereas the follow-up duration exhibited a positive correlation with the difference between the preoperative and postoperative values of LLT in the group treated with CsA (R2 = 0.738 and p < 0.001). Conclusion Treatment with 0.05% CsA following cataract surgery is effective in improving TBUT and LLT in comparison with 0.5% CMC. A higher preoperative value of LLT and the postoperative use of CsA could be significant determinants of a higher postoperative LLT value. Trial registration ISRCTN registry with ISRCTN 10173448.

Purpose: To evaluate peripapillary and macular vessel density changes in glaucoma patients after lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) by trabeculectomy, using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 20 glaucomatous eyes that underwent trabeculectomy. Preoperative and postoperative IOP, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness, peripapillary and macular vessel density measured by OCT, and OCT angiography were analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A regression analysis was performed to identify the factors influencing the change in vessel density. Results: The mean IOP was 31.0 ± 11.80 mmHg prior to surgery, 11.47 ± 4.52 mmHg at 1 month (p < 0.001), and 11.52 ± 3.34 mmHg at 6 months (p < 0.001). Peripapillary RNFL thickness (p = 0.002) increased significantly 6 months postoperatively. Peripapillary vessel density increased significantly 6 months after surgery (p = 0.007) and the magnitude of the reversal of peripapillary vessel density was significantly associated with a greater reduction in IOP (p < 0.001), and the lower preoperative peripapillary vessel density value (p = 0.003) and change in peripapillary vessel density increased significantly. The improvement in peripapillary RNFL thickness was associated with a greater reduction in the IOP (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Measuring peripapillary vessel density using OCT angiography was useful to identify the reversible changes in optic nerve damage caused by reducing IOP after trabeculectomy.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the macular vessel density layer-by-layer and compare the diagnostic value of each in diagnosing glaucoma. Methods This was a prospective comparative cross-sectional study, and the setting was glaucoma referral practice. The study participants were patients with primary open-angle glaucoma undergoing treatment with drugs, and age-matched normal controls who visited our clinic for regular eye examinations for refractive errors. All participants were investigated using macular optical coherence tomographic angiography, fundus photography, and 24-2 visual field (VF) testing. Average vessel densities in the retinal nerve fiber–ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (IPL), retinal nerve fiber–ganglion cell layer (GCL), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell–IPL, GCL, and IPL segments on optical coherence tomographic angiography. Results Fifty-eight glaucomatous eyes of 58 participants and 52 healthy eyes of 52 normal subjects were included in the study. The average vessel densities of all segments, except the RNFL in the glaucoma group, were significantly lower than that in normal subjects. The average vessel density in the ganglion cell–IPL showed the highest correlation with the mean deviation and VF index of the VF ( r = 0.515 and 0.538, respectively) and the best area under receiver operating characteristic curve to discriminate between patients with glaucoma and patients with normal eyes (0.750). Conclusions The present study demonstrated that macular vessel density in the ganglion cell–IPL has a higher diagnostic ability and better correlation with functional damage in glaucoma than that in the superficial vascular plexus. Translational Relevance These findings suggest that the macular vessel density in the ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer is better than that in the conventional superficial vascular plexus for detecting glaucoma.

Purpose:To report the treatment results of a frontotemporal dermoid cyst with a cutaneous fistula and sinus tract that caused recurrent periorbital cellulitis in a child. Case summary: A 4-year-old girl who presented with left orbital swelling and tenderness visited our hospital. She had a cutaneous fistula with a small amount of purulent discharge at the left frontotemporal area. Orbital computed tomography scans showed a well-defined low density lesion in the fronto-zygomatic suture, and there was a bony defect in the left greater wing of the sphenoid bone of the orbit. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging showed a cutaneous fistula and sinus tract that extended into the middle cranial fossa. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics until the inflammation was resolved. Surgery was performed to remove the dermoid cyst with sinus tract. After surgery, there was no evidence of recurrence, and complications included neurologic and ophthalmic symptoms.