title: Bacterial corneoscleritis complicating pterygium excision.
abstract: Pterygium excision was complicated by bacterial corneoscleritis and endophthalmitis in two patients, one who had received postoperative beta irradiation and the other topical thiotepa. These complications followed surgery by two and six weeks. Causative organisms were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Despite aggressive therapy, visual outcome was poor in both cases. These cases demonstrate that, although infrequent, complications of pterygium excision can be destructive and visually disabling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001610:Beta Particles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011625:Pterygium / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D015423:Scleritis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013852:Thiotepa / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013852:Thiotepa