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Introduction: Causes of macular edema are multifactorial, but inflammation, vascular factors and mechanical traction are of major importance. Therapeutic options of macular edema depend on the underlying cause. Intravitreal administration of inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor leads to inhibition of retinal neovascularization and subsequent edema. Objective: Fumaric acid esters are successfully used in dermatology for years according to their antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Result: For the very first time, we describe a successful therapeutic attempt for macular edema, controlled by optical coherence tomography using fumaric acid esters followed up for 60 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desmoplastic squamous cell carcinoma (DSCC) as a rare subtype of cutaneous SCC has specific histological features, characterized by columns, bands, and strands of squamoid cells infiltrating a dense collagenous stroma. To decrease the high rates of local recurrence in DSSC, improvement of diagnostic methods is highly demanded. Objective was to evaluate whether immunohistochemistry (IHC) is suited to increase diagnostic accuracy. A total number of 18 patients were included in this study. After recutting of the original paraffin blocks, parallel staining of serial sections with conventionally H&E and cytokeratin AE1/AE3-immunohistochemical staining was performed. Results were evaluated by an experienced dermatohistopathologist. In 55.6% ( n = 10), the margins of 3D-histology still showed no evidence of neoplastic lesions in both stainings. In contrast, we found neoplastic lesions in 5 of 18 cases (27.8%) with cytokeratin AE1/AE3 staining, while H&E-staining remained negative. In addition, neoplastic lesions were found in both, H&E as well as cytokeratin AE1/AE3 staining in three cases (16.7%). The data presented show improvement of diagnosis in 27.8% of cases using IHC and 3D-histology. This method is suitable to improve the diagnosis of DSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a thermoplastic polymer frequently used in engineering but also in medical devices. Only 1 case of allergic reaction to PEEK used as an implanted medical device has been reported so far; however, the route of sensitization remained unclear. Here we report on a 62-year-old male patient with a preknown, severe type IV allergy to epoxy resin. He reported strong pain in his shoulder after implantation of a PEEK-containing device after a rotator cuff injury. For testing, the device was implanted in a small pouch subcutaneously on the abdomen. The patient reported massive pain starting 8 hours after the implantation, strictly limited to the procedural area and showing perifocal erythema. A possible explanation of the sensitization mode is the source material for PEEK and epoxy resin, as both are mainly based on bisphenols. An allergic reaction to PEEK with preknown epoxy resin sensitization has not been reported so far. As epoxy resins are a frequent cause of occupational contact dermatitis and PEEK is widely used for medical and nonmedical devices, we believe that this is of great clinical relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]