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Conjunctival impression cytology as a tool for clinical diagnosis, follow‐up and treatment of a patient affected by severe keratoconjunctivitis
Author(s) -
PASTOR S,
RODRIGUEZPRATS JL,
WALEWSKASZAFRAN A,
RODRIGUEZ AE,
ALIO SANZ JL
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2008.569.x
Subject(s) - medicine , conjunctiva , keratoconjunctivitis , giemsa stain , transplantation , cytology , vernal keratoconjunctivitis , ophthalmology , surgery , dermatology , pathology
Purpose To use Conjunctival Impression Cytology (CIC) as a tool for the diagnosis, follow‐up and treatment decision of a patient affected by severe keratoconjunctivitis after exposure to alkali. Methods A 48 year‐old female patient affected by severe keratoconjunctivitis on her right eye after air exposure to alkali was monitored by CIC. Polyether sulphone filter papers were used to obtain samples from the superior (SB) and inferior bulbar (IB) conjunctiva from the affected eye and stained by PAS‐Giemsa staining to reveal the status of goblet cell (GC) population. After observing a dramatic decrease of GC by CIC, we decided to perform a limbal‐conjunctiva autograft transplantation from the healthy left eye (LE) to the affected right eye (RE). Results CIC helped in the diagnosis, treatment and follow‐up of a patient affected by severe keratoconjunctivitis after alkali exposure. The decision to perform a limbal‐conjunctival autograft transplantation came after CIC results. This procedure resulted in a significant increase in GC density going from 30 cells / mm2 to 362 cells / mm2 on IB and from 0 cells / mm2 to 430 cells / mm2 on SB conjunctiva of the transplanted right eye, 1 month after the surgery. Conclusion CIC is a very useful tool for the diagnosis and follow‐up of cases of severe keratoconjunctivitis providing very relevant information about the status of GC and helping with the decision of the treatment to follow.