Esophageal involvement in epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica: Clinical and roentgenographic manifestations

Epidermolysis bullosa is a rare hereditary mechanobullous skin disorder. Four patients with esophageal involvement are reported. These cases and review of reported cases of epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica-recessive (EBD-R) showed distinct clinical and roentgenographie features of esophageal involvement: diffuse inflammatory changes, motility disorders, small blisters or bullae seen as constant nodular-filling defects, esophageal ulcers, scars, pseudodiverticula, transverse and circumferential webs, various size strictures, shortening of the esophagus with development of traction hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux, perforation, and complete obstruction of the esophageal lumen. Dysphagia is reversible when caused by bullae or webs and permanent when due to cicatrizing strictures. The strictures may remain unchanged in size for many years despite variations in dysphagic symptoms.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48155/1/261_2005_Article_BF01948101.pd

Conjunctival repair after glaucoma drainage device exposure using collagen-glycosaminoglycane matrices

Background: To report the results of the repair of conjunctival erosions resulting from glaucoma drainage device surgery using collagen-glycosaminoglycane matrices (CGM). Methods: Case series of 8 patients who underwent revision surgery due to conjunctival defects with exposed tubes through necrosis of the overlying scleral flap and conjunctiva after Baerveldt drainage device surgery. The defects were repaired by lateral displacement of the tube towards the sclera, with a slice of a CGM as a patch, covered by adjacent conjunctiva. Result: Successful, lasting closure (follow-up of 12 to 42 months) of the conjunctival defects was achieved without any side-effects or complications in all eight cases. Conclusions: Erosion of the drainage tube, creating buttonholes in the conjunctiva after implantation of glaucoma drainage devices, is a potentially serious problem. It can be managed successfully using a biodegradable CGM as a patch