PURPOSE To analyze the in vivo morphology of corneal cells and nerves in dry eye associated with primary (SSI) and secondary (SSII) Sjögren's syndrome and to study its relationship with the clinical evaluation. METHODS Thirty-five patients with SS and 20 age- and gender-matched control subjects were studied. Confocal microscopy was used to investigate corneal thickness, epithelial and stromal...

PURPOSE To examine the role of Bowman's layer (BL) on the nature of anterior corneal regeneration after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). METHODS A cohort of 13 patients underwent PTK to remove either 7 mum of BL for treatment of primary recurrent corneal erosions (RCE; six patients) or complete BL removal (15-mum ablation) to treat RCE or poor vision secondary to map-dot-fing...

PURPOSE To compare changes in corneal nerve fibers and keratocyte density by confocal microscopy after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK). DESIGN Prospective, nonrandomized comparative clinical trial. METHODS Fifty-six eyes of 28 patients who underwent LASIK and 52 eyes of 26 patients who underwent LASEK were included. Confocal microsco...

Effective brachial plexus blockade requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the plexus, as well as an appreciation of anatomic variations that may occur. This review summarizes relevant anatomy of the plexus, along with variations and anomalies that may affect nerve blocks conducted at these levels. The Medline, Cochrane Library, and PubMed electronic databases were searched in order...

BACKGROUND The alterations of subbasal nerve plexus (SBP) innervation and corneal sensation were estimated non-invasively and compared with the values in healthy volunteers. Additionally, this study addressed the relation of SBP changes to the retinal status, glycemic control and diabetes duration. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Eighteen eyes of diabetic patients with peripheral diabetic neur...

objectives to compare an out-of-plane interscalene catheter technique to the in-plane technique in a randomized clinical trial. patients and methods eighty-four patients undergoing open shoulder surgery were randomized to either the in-plane or out-of-plane ultrasound-guided continuous interscalene technique. the primary outcome was vas pain rating at 24 hours. secondary outcomes included pain ...

Communication between the ovaries and central nervous system occurs by peripheral innervation through celiac plexus, superior ovarian nerve, plexus nerve. The vagus nerve is involved in regulating ovaries, but neuroanatomical pathway that links them not clear. Adult female rats were used for gross anatomy, acetylcholinesterase histochemistry, immunofluorescence analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase ...