PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical presentation, microbiological evaluation, and management of post-cataract surgery sclerocorneal tunnel infection. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of 11 patients with sclerocorneal tunnel infection after cataract surgery, managed between November 2006 and October 2009. The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients presented within 1 to 10 weeks of primary surgery. The presenting visual acuity ranged from hand motions to 20/50. Ten of 11 patients had sclerocorneal involvement, and 4 patients had associated endophthalmitis. The causative organisms were fungus (n = 6), bacteria (n = 4), or both (n = 1). Deroofing of the tunnel and sclerocorneal patch graft was done in 4 patients. Intensive medication was administered to all patients. The final visual acuity ranged from light perception to 20/50 at a mean follow-up of 119 days (median, 66 days; range, 2-357 days). Five patients had ≥20/100 vision. The mean interval between presentation to resolution of infiltrate and formation of peripheral scarring was 20 days (median, 11 days; range, 2-66 days). CONCLUSIONS: Sclerocorneal tunnel infection must be microbiologically evaluated. Intensive medical management, wound revision and repair may lead to a favorable outcome.
PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical presentation, microbiological evaluation, and management of post-cataract surgery sclerocorneal tunnel infection. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of 11 patients with sclerocorneal tunnel infection after cataract surgery, managed between November 2006 and October 2009. The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients presented within 1 to 10 weeks of primary surgery. The presenting visual acuity ranged from hand motions to 20/50. Ten of 11 patients had sclerocorneal involvement, and 4 patients had associated endophthalmitis. The causative organisms were fungus (n = 6), bacteria (n = 4), or both (n = 1). Deroofing of the tunnel and sclerocorneal patch graft was done in 4 patients. Intensive medication was administered to all patients. The final visual acuity ranged from light perception to 20/50 at a mean follow-up of 119 days (median, 66 days; range, 2-357 days). Five patients had ≥20/100 vision. The mean interval between presentation to resolution of infiltrate and formation of peripheral scarring was 20 days (median, 11 days; range, 2-66 days). CONCLUSIONS:Sclerocorneal tunnel infection must be microbiologically evaluated. Intensive medical management, wound revision and repair may lead to a favorable outcome.
Authors: Sotiria Palioura; Nidhi Relhan; Ella Leung; Victoria Chang; Sonia H Yoo; Sander R Dubovy; Harry W Flynn Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep Date: 2018-06-20