INTRODUCTION Fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) intravitreal implant (ILUVIEN(®); Alimera Sciences Limited, Aldershot, UK) has been approved in the UK for the treatment of chronic diabetic macula edema, insufficiently responsive to available therapies. It is inserted into the vitreous cavity through a 25-gauge needle. Migration of the implant to the anterior chamber (AC) can occur through gaps in the...

A general consensus on the role of testicular biopsy in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is needed. This paper reviews and updates technical aspects and clinical performance of the percutaneous testicular biopsy techniques, in particular large-needle aspiration biopsy (LNAB), and proposes a flow chart for the management of NOA. The English literature and original data were reviewed or analyzed...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To describe a novel technique using a guarded needle to drain suprachoroidal hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS A guarded needle is used to drain suprachoroidal hemorrhage under direct microscope visualization. A scleral buckling sleeve is used to create a guarded 26-gauge needle to avoid over-penetration of the needle beyond the suprachoroidal space. Active extrusion c...

INTRODUCTION We assessed the acoustic transmission, image quality, and vessel integrity of the Blue Phantom™ 2 Vessel Original Ultrasound Training Model with repeated use. METHODS The study consisted of two phases. During the first phase, a portion of the Blue Phantom™ rubber matrix (without a simulated vessel) was placed over a two-tiered echogenic structure and was repeatedly punctured with...

The predominant technique used to draw blood for laboratory testing is a conventional straight needle attached to an evacuated tube system. However, alternative tools might be advantageous in exceptional circumstances. The use of butterfly devices has been traditionally discouraged for reasons of costs and due to the high risk of obtaining unsuitable samples, but there is no convincing evidence...

In the prone knee-chest position the spread of plain 0.5% bupivacaine in the cerebrospinal fluid and associated haemodynamic changes may be different compared with the horizontal position. A randomized comparison was performed in 40 ASA I-II patients, aged 24-61 yr, undergoing lumbar disc surgery. Subarachnoid injection (27-gauge needle) at the L2-3 interspace with 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine was ...

BACKGROUND Root canal irrigation carries a risk of extrusion of irrigant into the periapical tissues which can be associated with pain, swelling, and tissue damage. Studies have shown less extrusion with sonic or apical negative pressure devices compared with syringe and side-port needle or passive ultrasonic irrigation with continuous irrigant flow. This study aimed to evaluate the effectivene...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of genetic testing of uveal melanoma using fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). METHODS We reviewed the clinical records of all patients of the Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital with the diagnosis of uveal melanoma who underwent FNAB for genetic testing for chromosome 3 status between November 1, 2005, and March 1, 2006. The FNAB was performe...