Liposomes: a new non-pharmacological therapy concept for seasonal-allergic-rhinoconjunctivitis

Mucosal barrier disorders play an important role in the pathomechanism of the allergic disease. A new approach for their treatment uses liposomes, which consist of phospholipids that make up 75% of the protective nasal surfactant layer. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of liposomal-based therapy, as a comprehensive treatment alternative to guideline cromoglycate-based therapy, in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR). We compared nasal and conjunctival symptom reduction with LipoNasal n nasal spray used as monotherapy (LNM), or LipoNasal n nasal spray and Tears Again eye spray combination therapy (LTC), against standard cromoglycate combination therapy (CGC). This prospective, controlled, open observational study was conducted monocentrically. According to their symptoms and preferences 72 patients with SAR were distributed in three equal groups. The study comprised two visits at an interval of 7 days. The efficacy was examined by daily documenting nasal and conjunctival symptom scores. The Nasal-Spray-Sensory-Scale and the Eye-Drops/Spray-Sensory-Scale were used to investigate the tolerability. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated, using the RHINASTHMA QoL German adapted version. LNM achieved significant improvement in nasal (p < 0.001) and conjunctival symptoms (p = 0.050). The symptom reduction using CGC was equally significant. LTC led to significant nasal symptom relief (p = 0.045). QoL did not improve significantly in all groups (p > 0.05). The tolerability of all treatments was good and no adverse reactions were observed. In all treatment groups the improvement of the nasal and conjunctival symptom scores exceeds the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). The results demonstrate good tolerability and efficacy of non-pharmaceutical liposomal-based treatment (LipoNasal n and Tears Again), given as monotherapy or combination therapy, for nasal and conjunctival symptoms caused by SAR. This study indicates that liposomal-based treatment for SAR may be a comparable alternative to cromoglycate therapy. Further studies are needed to verify these findings

Diagnosis and management of Cornelia de Lange syndrome:first international consensus statement

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is an archetypical genetic syndrome that is characterized by intellectual disability, well-defined facial features, upper limb anomalies and atypical growth, among numerous other signs and symptoms. It is caused by variants in any one of seven genes, all of which have a structural or regulatory function in the cohesin complex. Although recent advances in next-generation sequencing have improved molecular diagnostics, marked heterogeneity exists in clinical and molecular diagnostic approaches and care practices worldwide. Here, we outline a series of recommendations that document the consensus of a group of international experts on clinical diagnostic criteria, both for classic CdLS and non-classic CdLS phenotypes, molecular investigations, long-term management and care planning

Block excision with tectonic corneoscleral graft for traumatic pediatric epithelial implantation cysts

Invasion of corneal epithelium into the anterior chamber can arise after ocular surgery or penetrating injury. This is extremly rare with an incidence of 0-0.2%. Three different types can be distiguished: cystic, diffuse and mixed form. Only cystic epithelial invasion can be treated with a curative therapeutic option that is blockexzision with tectonic corneoscleral transplantation

Pediatric corneal surgery and corneal transplantation

The surgical treatment of congenital corneal diseases or corneal diseases occurring during infancy is demanding even for experienced corneal surgeons. Besides the need for frequent examinations under anesthesia during the postoperative follow-up in young children and infants (e.g. after corneal transplantation), the surgeon frequently encounters intraoperative and postoperative problems, such as low scleral rigidity, positive vitreous pressure and a narrow anterior chamber. Other problems include increased fibrin reaction, an increased risk of rejection in cases of allogenic corneal transplantation and frequent loosening of sutures necessitating replacement or early removal. Lamellar corneal transplantation reduces the risk of graft rejection and the risk of wound leakage. Moreover, posterior lamellar keratoplasty in children offers a faster visual recovery compared to penetrating keratoplasty and thus reduces the risk of amblyopia

Current aspects of eyelid, lacrimal and orbital surgery in childhood

During childhood the spectrum of disorders of the eyelid, the lacrimal drainage system and the orbit as well as the subsequent therapeutic management differ from those in adults. This review outlines the clinical picture and treatment of the most common eyelid, lacrimal drainage and orbital diseases in childhood. The study comprises a PubMed literature review and own clinical results. The most common eyelid disorders in childhood include congenital malpositions, such as ptosis or entropium, which may require fast surgical correction in order to prevent amblyopia. For connatal dacryostenosis a step-by-step therapeutic approach is recommended: (1) conservative treatment using lacrimal sac massage, astringent eye and nose drops, (2) irrigation and probing of the nasolacrimal system and (3) irrigation, probing and silastic tube intubation under general anesthesia. Benign orbital lesions such as dermoid cysts can be removed at pre-school age. Using systemic beta blockers is a novel conservative approach in the treatment of capillary hemangioma, which should precede surgical interventions. Eyelid and orbital diseases during childhood may require fast surgical intervention to prevent amblyopia. Initial conservative treatment is recommended for connatal dacryostenosis and capillary hemangioma