Endovascular and surgical treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) that were treated with surgery, catheter embolization, or surgery after incomplete embolization. METHODS: The study included 21 consecutive patients with SDAVFs of the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine who were treated in our institution from 1994 to 2007. Thirteen patients were treated with catheter embolization alone. Four patients underwent hemilaminectomy and intradural interruption of the fistula. Four patients were treated by endovascular techniques followed by surgery. The clinical outcome was assessed using the modified Aminoff-Logue scale (ALS) for myelopathy and the modified Rankin scale (MRS) for general quality of life. Patient age ranged from 44 to 77 years (mean 64.7 years). RESULTS: Surgical as well as endovascular treatment resulted in a significant improvement in ALS (-62.5% and -31.4%, respectively, p < 0.05) and a tendency toward improved MRS (-50% and -32%, respectively) scores. Patients that underwent surgery after endovascular treatment due to incomplete occlusion of the fistula showed only a tendency for improvement in the ALS score (-16.7%), whereas the MRS score was not affected. CONCLUSION: We conclude that both endovascular and surgical treatment of SDAVFs resulted in a good and lasting clinical outcome in the majority of cases. In specific situations, when a secondary neurosurgical approach was required after endovascular treatment to achieve complete occlusion of the SDAVF, the clinical outcome was rather poor. The best first line treatment modality for each individual patient should be determined by an interdisciplinary team.

Stent-grafts in the treatment of emergent or urgent carotid artery disease: review of 25 cases

PURPOSE: To report the authors' initial experience with carotid artery stent-grafts in a comparatively large patient series for the treatment of acute bleeding and impending rupture or the prevention of distal embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review boards and performed according to HIPPA standards. Twenty-five patients were treated with 27 carotid artery stent-grafts (Gore Viabahn, n = 10; Bard Fluency, n = 9; polytetrafluoroethylene-covered Palmaz, n = 5; and Wallgraft, n = 3). Thirteen stent-grafts were placed in patients with carotid blow-out syndrome (including three patients with carotid-airway fistula), 12 in patients with either pseudoaneurysm (n = 9) or true aneurysm (n = 3), and two in patients with intractable high-grade bare stent restenosis. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100% (27 of 27 cases). No acute procedural transient ischemic attacks or strokes occurred. Procedural dissections occurred in two of the 27 cases (7.4%). Short-term complications occurred in three of the 27 cases (11%) (repeat hemorrhage, n = 2; common carotid artery occlusion, n = 1). The overall patient mortality rate was 36% (nine of 25 patients, all with carotid blow-out syndrome). Six-month follow-up in 15 of the 16 living patients demonstrated widely patent stent-grafts. Two patients with pseudoaneurysm also demonstrated patent stents at 18- and 33-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Stent-grafts may be useful in the treatment of carotid artery bleeding syndrome, aneurysm, and stenosis, with a high procedural success rate in selected cases. The results of mid-term follow-up are encouraging, but results of long-term follow-up must be evaluated in future studies.

Postmortem imaging of blunt chest trauma using CT and MRI: comparison with autopsy

OBJECTIVE: Postmortem examination of chest trauma is an important domain in forensic medicine, which is today performed using autopsy. Since the implementation of cross-sectional imaging methods in forensic medicine such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a number of advantages in comparison with autopsy have been described. Within the scope of validation of cross-sectional radiology in forensic medicine, the comparison of findings of postmortem imaging and autopsy in chest trauma was performed. METHODS: This retrospective study includes 24 cases with chest trauma that underwent postmortem CT, MRI, and autopsy. Two board-certified radiologists, blind to the autopsy findings, evaluated the radiologic data independently. Each radiologist interpreted postmortem CT and MRI data together for every case. The comparison of the results of the radiologic assessment with the autopsy and a calculation of interobserver discrepancy was performed. RESULTS: Using combined CT and MRI, between 75% and 100% of the investigated findings, except for hemomediastinum (70%), diaphragmatic ruptures (50%; n=2) and heart injury (38%), were discovered. Although the sensitivity and specificity regarding pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, and pericardial effusion were not calculated, as these findings were not mentioned at the autopsy, these findings were clearly seen radiologically. The averaged interobserver concordance was 90%. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and specificity of our results demonstrate that postmortem CT and MRI are useful diagnostic methods for assessing chest trauma in forensic medicine as a supplement to autopsy. Further radiologic-pathologic case studies are necessary to define the role of postmortem CT and MRI as a single examination modality.

Venous thromboembolism after retrieval of inferior vena cava filters

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after removal of retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study was conducted of 67 patients who underwent 72 consecutive filter retrievals at a single institution. Data collected included VTE status at the time of filter placement, anticoagulant medications at the time of filter retrieval and afterward, new or recurrent VTE after filter removal, and insertion of subsequent filters. Patient questionnaires were completed in 50 cases, chart review in all patients. RESULTS: At the time of filter placement, 30 patients had documented VTE, 19 had a history of treated VTE, and 23 were at risk for but had neither previous nor present VTE. Mean duration of follow-up after filter removal was 20.6 months +/- 10.9. A total of 52 patients (57 filters) received anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet medications after filter removal. There were two documented episodes of recurrent deep vein thrombosis (2.8% of filters removed), both in patients who had VTE at the time of filter placement and underwent therapeutic anticoagulation at the time of filter removal. One of these patients (1.4% of filters removed) also experienced pulmonary embolism. Of the 23 patients without VTE when the filter was placed, none developed VTE after filter removal. Four patients (5.5% of filters removed) required subsequent permanent filters, three for complications of anticoagulation, one for failure of anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: VTE was rare after removal of IVC filters, but was most likely to occur in patients who had VTE at the time of filter placement.

Adequacy of an early arterial phase low-volume contrast protocol in 64-detector computed tomography angiography for aortoiliac aneurysms

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was conducted to determine whether a low-volume contrast medium protocol provides sufficient enhancement for 64-detector computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with aortoiliac aneurysms. METHODS: Evaluated were 45 consecutive patients (6 women; mean age, 72 +/- 6 years) who were referred for aortoiliac computed tomography angiography between October 2005 and January 2007. Group A (22 patients; creatinine clearance, 64.2 +/- 8.1 mL/min) received 50 mL of the contrast agent. Group B (23 patients; creatinine clearance, 89.4 +/- 7.3 mL/min) received 100 mL of the contrast agent. The injection rate was 3.5 mL/s, followed by 30 mL of saline at 3.5 mL/s. Studies were performed on the same 64-detector computed tomography scanner using a real-time bolus-tracking technique. Quantitative analysis was performed by determination of mean vascular attenuation at 10 regions of interest from the suprarenal aorta to the common femoral artery by one reader blinded to type and amount of contrast agent and compared using the Student t test. Image quality according to a 4-point scale was assessed in consensus by two readers blinded to type and amount of contrast medium and compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Multivariable adjustments were performed using ordinal regression analysis. RESULTS: Mean total attenuation did not differ significantly between both groups (196.5 +/- 33.0 Hounsfield unit [HU] in group A and 203.1 +/- 44.2 HU in group B; P = .57 by univariate and P > .05 by multivariable analysis). Accordingly, attenuation at each region of interest was not significantly different (P > .35). Image quality was excellent or good in all patients. No significant differences in visual assessment were found comparing both contrast medium protocols (P > .05 by univariate and by multivariable analysis). CONCLUSIONS: Aortoiliac aneurysm imaging can be performed with substantially reduced amounts of contrast medium using 64-detector computed tomography angiography technology.

Single center experience with provisional abciximab therapy in complex lower limb interventions

BACKGROUND: Abciximab, a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist has been shown to improve patency and clinical outcome in patients undergoing endovascular recanalization of femoro-popliteal occlusions. However, data on abciximab therapy in complex peripheral catheter interventions of lower limbs are quite limited. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of patients treated with provisional abciximab during complex peripheral catheter interventions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Analysis of a consecutive series of 44 patients with provisional abciximab therapy in complex peripheral catheter interventions with imminent risk of early rethrombosis defined as revascularization of arterial occlusions associated with one or more of the following additional circumstances named as time-consuming intervention > 3 hours, compromised contrast flow not solved by stenting, distal embolization not solved by mechanical thromboembolectomy, and peri-interventional notice of thrombus evolution despite adequate heparin adjustment of lower limbs. Adjunctive abciximab therapy was started in accordance to percutaneous coronary bailout situations. The decision to add abciximab was based on the decision of the operator and went along with the judgement that there is a rising risk of reocclusion due to the progressive complexity of an individual intervention. A bolus of 0.25 mg per kilogram of body weight, followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.125 microg/kg/min (up to a maximum dosage of 10 microg/min) for 12 hours was administered. Clinical and hemodynamic outcome was prospectively assessed at discharge, three and six months after the index procedure. RESULTS: The occluded artery of 44 limbs was in the iliac (2%), in the femoro-popliteal (73%) or below the knee segment (25%). Overall, occlusion length was 11.5 +/- 6.5 cm. Technical success rate was 95%. Mean ABI increased from 0.5 +/- 0.16 to 0.88 +/- 0.19 (p < 0.001) with immediate hemodynamic improvement of 91%. Overall, sustained clinical improvement was 84% and 66% at three and six months follow-up, with best results in iliac (100%), followed by below the knee (73%) and by femoro-popliteal segment (63%) at six months, respectively. Overall, secondary clinical improvement was 86% at six months. Minor and major bleeding complications were 16% and 9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Abciximab should be noticed as medical adjunct in the interventional armamentarium to prevent imminent rethrombosis in complex peripheral catheter interventions.

Elective implantation of sirolimus-eluting stents for bifurcated and non-bifurcated unprotected left main coronary artery lesions: clinical outcomes at one year

AIMS: Recent studies of drug-eluting stents for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease have been encouraging. We examined the performance of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) for this indication. METHODS AND RESULTS: This retrospective study included 228 consecutive patients (mean age = 68 +/- 11 years, 80.6% men, 26.3% diabetics) who underwent implantation of SES for de novo LMCA stenoses. The mean additive and logistic EuroSCOREs were 5.2 +/- 3.9 and 8.2 +/- 13.2, respectively. The main objective of this study was to measure the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularisation (TLR) at 12 months. Other objectives were to measure the rates of in-hospital MACE and 12-month TLR. Outcomes in 143 patients with (BIF+ group), versus 84 patients without (BIF-group) involvement of the bifurcation were compared. The pre-procedural percent diameter stenosis (%DS) was 60.1 +/- 11.2 in the BIF+ versus 54.7 +/- 12.2% in the BIF- group (p=0.008), and decreased to 18.0 +/- 9.7 and 13.9 +/- 11.3%, respectively (ns), after SES implant. The overall in-hospital MACE rate was 3.5%, and similar in both subgroups. The 1-year MACE rate was 14.5% overall, 16.8% in the BIF+ and 10.7% in the BIF- subgroup (ns). CONCLUSIONS: SES implants in high-risk patients with LMCA stenoses were associated with a low 1-year MACE rate. Stenting of the bifurcation was associated with significant increases in neither mortality nor 1-year MACE rate.

Good outcome for patients with few lymph node metastases after radical retropubic prostatectomy

BACKGROUND: Conflicting results exist regarding the value of an extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in node-positive patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for clinically localized prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term outcome in node-positive patients who underwent extended PLND followed by RRP. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A consecutive series of 122 node positive patients with negative preoperative staging examinations, no neoadjuvant hormonal or radiotherapy, and who underwent extended PLND (>/=10 lymph nodes in the surgical specimen) followed by RRP were analyzed. None of the patients received immediate androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). INTERVENTION: All patients underwent extended PLND followed by RRP. MEASUREMENTS: Biochemical recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific, and overall survival were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier technique. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 16ng/ml. At pathological examination 76% of the 122 patients had pT3-pT4 tumours, 50% seminal vesicle infiltration. A median of 22 nodes were removed per patient. Median cancer-specific survival at 5 and 10 yr was 84.5% and 60.1%, respectively. In patients with /=3 positive nodes removed, median cancer-specific survival at 10 yr was 78.6% and 33.4%, respectively (p<0.001). After a median period of 33 mo, 61 of the 122 patients (50%) received ADT, particularly those (69%) with >/=3 positive nodes removed. This retrospective study includes a significant percentage of patients with high tumour burden, and therefore may not reflect current patient series. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with /=3 positive nodes, despite extended PLND and despite ADT in 69% of patients.

Frequency of severe pulmonary hypertension complicating "isolated" atrial septal defect in infancy

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are typically asymptomatic in infancy and early childhood, and elective defect closure is usually performed at ages of 4 to 6 years. Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) complicating an ASD is seen in adulthood and has only occasionally been reported in small children. A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of severe PH complicating an isolated ASD and requiring early surgical correction. During a 10-year period (1996 to 2006), 355 pediatric patients underwent treatment for isolated ASDs either surgically or by catheter intervention at 2 tertiary referral centers. Two hundred ninety-seven patients had secundum ASDs, and 58 had primum ASDs with mild to moderate mitral regurgitation. Eight infants were found with isolated ASDs (6 with secundum ASDs and 2 with primum ASDs) associated with significant PH, accounting for 2.2% of all patients with ASDs at the centers. These 8 infants had invasively measured pulmonary artery pressures of 50% to 100% of systemic pressure. They were operated in the first year of life and had complicated postoperative courses requiring specific treatment for PH for up to 16 weeks postoperatively. The ultimate outcomes in all 8 infants were good, with persistent normalization of pulmonary pressures during midterm follow-up of up to 60 months (median 28). All other patients with ASDs had normal pulmonary pressures, and the mean age at defect closure was significantly older, at 6.2 years for secundum ASDs and 3.2 years for primum ASDs. In conclusion, ASDs were rarely associated with significant PH in infancy but then required early surgery and were associated with excellent midterm outcomes in these patients.

Pelvic radiography in ATLS algorithms: A diminishing role?

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Pelvic x-ray is a routine part of the primary survey of polytraumatized patients according to Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines. However, pelvic CT is the gold standard imaging technique in the diagnosis of pelvic fractures. This study was conducted to confirm the safety of a modified ATLS algorithm omitting pelvic x-ray in hemodynamically stable polytraumatized patients with clinically stable pelvis in favour of later pelvic examination by CT scan. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all polytraumatized patients in our emergency room between 01.07.2004 and 31.01.2006. Inclusion criteria were blunt abdominal trauma, initial hemodynamic stability and a stable pelvis on clinical examination. We excluded patients requiring immediate intervention because of hemodynamic instability. RESULTS: We reviewed the records of n = 452 polytraumatized patients, of which n = 91 fulfilled inclusion criteria (56% male, mean age = 45 years). The mechanism of trauma included 43% road traffic accidents, 47% falls. In 68/91 (75%) patients, both a pelvic x-ray and a CT examination were performed; the remainder had only pelvic CT. In 6/68 (9%) patients, pelvic fracture was diagnosed by pelvic x-ray. None of these 6 patients was found having a false positive pelvic x-ray, i.e. there was no fracture on pelvic CT scan. In 3/68 (4%) cases a fracture was missed in the pelvic x-ray, but confirmed on CT (false negative on x-ray). None of the diagnosed fractures needed an immediate therapeutic intervention. 5 (56%) were classified type A fractures, and another 4 (44%) B 2.1 in computed tomography (AO classification). One A 2.1 fracture was found in a clinically stable patient who only received CT scan (1/23). CONCLUSION: While pelvic x-ray is an integral part of ATLS assessment, this retrospective study suggests that in hemodynamically stable patients with clinically stable pevis, its sensitivity is only 67% and it may safely be omitted in favor of a pelvic CT examination if such is planned in adjunct assessment and available. The results support the safety and utility of our modified ATLS algorithm. A randomized controlled trial using the algorithm can safely be conducted to confirm the results.

Staged surgical therapy of basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck region: an evaluation of 500 procedures

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY / PRINCIPLES: The surgical therapy of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is especially demanding in the facial area. This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the outcome of staged surgical therapy (SST) of BCC of the head and neck region performed on an interdisciplinary basis at our institution. METHODS: Patients treated for BCC in the head and neck area between 1/1/1997 and 31/12/2001 were included in the study. The lesions were histologically evaluated. Diameter of lesion, number of stages, defect coverage, operation time, and recurrence and infection rates were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. RESULTS: 281 patients were included in the study. SST was performed in two stages in 43.7%, in three stages in 12.9% and in four or more stages in 2.7%, depending on the type of tumour and the patient's pretreatment status. The total operating time per lesion averaged one hour. Defect coverage was achieved by direct closure (37.7%), by full thickness skin graft (39.5%), by split skin graft (1.1%), by local flaps (20.3%) or by composite grafts (1.1%). Median follow-up time was 58.5 months. Low rates of recurrence (3.6%) and infection (2%) were observed with this technique. CONCLUSIONS: The staged surgical therapy of basal cell carcinoma evaluated here offers a series of advantages in respect of patient comfort and safety and economy, while allowing precise histological safety with low infection rates and reliable long-term results.

Neoplastic invasion of laryngeal cartilage: reassessment of criteria for diagnosis at MR imaging

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether proposed diagnostic criteria applied to magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma may be used to distinguish neoplastic from inflammatory involvement of the laryngeal cartilages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiologic and histopathologic data in 121 consecutive patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (n = 63) or hypopharynx (n = 58) who underwent MR imaging before laryngectomy formed the basis of this retrospective study. Patient consent for retrospective chart review was waived by the institutional review board. All laryngectomy specimens were processed with a dedicated histopathologic whole-organ slice technique. MR images were evaluated by two readers according to established ("old") and proposed ("new") diagnostic criteria on the basis of the signal intensity behavior of cartilage on T2-weighted images and contrast material-enhanced T1-weighted images compared with that of the adjacent tumor. Specifically, with the new criteria, T2-weighted or postcontrast T1-weighted cartilage signal intensity greater than that of the adjacent tumor was considered to indicate inflammation, and signal intensity similar to that of the adjacent tumor was considered to indicate neoplastic invasion. The results of the MR image interpretation were compared with the histologic reference standard. RESULTS: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the new criteria (0.94) was nominally but significantly larger than that for the old criteria (0.92) (P = .01). Overall specificity was significantly improved (82% for new vs 74% for old criteria, P < .001) and was greatest for the thyroid cartilage (75% for new vs 54% for old criteria, P < .001) with the new criteria. The sensitivities of the established and the proposed criteria were identical. CONCLUSION: The proposed MR imaging criteria enable improved differentiation of neoplastic cartilage invasion from peritumoral inflammation.

Interrelation of peri-operative morbidity and ASA class assignment in patients undergoing gynaecological surgery

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate intra- and post-operative risk using the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) classification which is an important predictor of an intervention and of the entire operating programme. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective study, 4435 consecutive patients undergoing elective and emergency surgery at the Gynaecological Clinic of the University Hospital of Zurich were included. The ASA classification for pre-operative risk assessment was determined by an anaesthesiologist after a thorough physical examination. We observed several pre-, intra- and post-operative parameters, such as age, body-mass-index, duration of anaesthesia, duration of surgery, blood loss, duration of post-operative stay, complicated post-operative course, morbidity and mortality. The investigation of different risk factors was achieved by a multiple linear regression model for log-transformed duration of hospitalisation. RESULTS: Age and obesity were responsible for a higher ASA classification. ASA grade correlates with the duration of anaesthesia and the duration of the surgery itself. There was a significant difference in blood loss between ASA grades I (113+/-195 ml) and III (222+/-470 ml) and between classes II (176+/-432 ml) and III. The duration of post-operative hospitalisation could also be correlated with ASA class. ASA class I=1.7+/-3.0 days, ASA class II=3.6+/-4.3 days, ASA class III=6.8+/-8.2 days, and ASA class IV=6.2+/-3.9 days. The mean post-operative in-hospital stay was 2.5+/-4.0 days without complications, and 8.7+/-6.7 days with post-operative complications. Multiple linear regression model showed that not only the ASA classification contained an important information for the duration of hospitalisation. Parameters such as age, class of diagnosis, post-operative complications, etc. also have an influence on the duration of hospitalisation. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the ASA classification can be used as a good and early available predictor for the planning of an intervention in gynaecological surgery. The ASA classification helps the surgeon to assess the peri-operative risk profile of which important information can be derived for the planning of the operation programme.

Patient exposure and image quality of low-dose pulmonary computed tomography angiography: comparison of 100- and 80-kVp protocols

OBJECTIVE: Measures to reduce radiation exposure and injected iodine mass are becoming more important with the widespread and often repetitive use of pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the capability of 2 low-kilovoltage CTA-protocols to achieve these goals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients weighing less than 100 kg were examined by a pulmonary CTA protocol using either 100 kVp (group A) or 80 kVp (group B). Volume and flow rate of contrast medium were reduced in group B (75 mL at 3 mL/s) compared with group A (100 mL at 4 mL/s). Attenuation was measured in the central and peripheral pulmonary arteries, and the contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated. Entrance skin dose was estimated by measuring the surface dose in an ovoid-cylindrical polymethyl methacrylate chest phantom with 2 various dimensions corresponding to the range of chest diameters in our patients. Quantitative image parameters, estimated effective dose, and skin dose in both groups were compared by the t test. Arterial enhancement, noise, and overall quality were independently assessed by 3 radiologists, and results were compared between the groups using nonparametric tests. RESULTS: Mean attenuation in the pulmonary arteries in group B (427.6 +/- 116 HU) was significantly higher than in group A (342.1 +/- 87.7 HU; P < 0.001), whereas CNR showed no difference (group A, 20.6 +/- 7.3 and group B, 22.2 +/- 7.1; P = 0.302). Effective dose was lower by more than 40% with 80 kVp (1.68 +/- 0.23 mSv) compared with 100 kVp (2.87 +/- 0.88 mSv) (P < 0.001). Surface dose was significantly lower at 80 kVp compared with 100 kVp at both phantom dimensions (2.75 vs. 3.22 mGy; P = 0.027 and 2.22 vs. 2.73 mGy; P = 0.005, respectively). Image quality did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 0.151). CONCLUSIONS: Using 80 kVp in pulmonary CTA permits reduced patient exposure by 40% and CM volume by 25% compared with 100 kVp without deterioration of image quality in patients weighing less than 100 kg.

Limited value of cyclosporine A for the treatment of patients with uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

AIMS: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is often associated with severe chronic anterior uveitis (CAU), and immunosuppressive therapy may be required. In this study, the value of cyclosporine A (CsA) as monotherapy or as combination therapy for treating uveitis was studied in a large cohort of JIA children. METHODS: Multicentre retrospective study including 82 JIA children (girls n=60) suffering from unilateral or bilateral (n=55) CAU. The indication for CsA was active uveitis, although patients were on topical or systemic corticosteroids, MTX, or other immunosuppressive drugs. RESULTS: Inactivity of uveitis during the entire treatment period (mean 3.9 years) was obtained with CsA monotherapy in 6 of 25 (24%) patients, but more often when CsA was combined with the immunosuppressives (35/72 patients; 48.6%, P=0.037), or MTX (18/37 patients, 48.6%, P=0.065), which had already been given. With CsA (mean dosage 2.9 mg/kg), systemic immunosuppressive drugs and steroids could be reduced by >or=50% (n=19) or topical steroids reduced to