title: Heparin in the long-term management of ligneous conjunctivitis:  a case report and review of literature.
abstract: Ligneous conjunctivitis, secondary to inherited homozygous plasminogen deficiency, is a poorly understood condition that has the potential to hinder normal childhood development if not managed adequately. We report the clinical progression of a child with ligneous conjunctivitis, controlled with daily heparin eye drops, postsurgical excision, for a duration of approximately 5 years at a cost of approximately 30 USD per month. During this time, the patient's progress has been complicated by one occurrence of periorbital cellulitis and also otitis media. The patient has also experienced ocular complications due to the remaining membranous lesion. This case indicates that individual patient factors including plasminogen levels and exposure to triggers of ocular inflammation may influence the clinical progression of ligneous conjunctivitis. Furthermore, this study is one of the first to present over 5-year follow-up of a patient with ligneous conjunctivitis effectively managed with long-term heparin eye drops.
authors: Department of Clinical Haematology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Mandira
authors: M
authors: Hiremath
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Elder
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: Newall
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Mitchell
authors: Roxanne
authors: R
authors: Dyas
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Monagle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054517:Orbital Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010375:Pedigree; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000172:deficiency*; D012008:Recurrence; D042262:Retinoscopy
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D003907:Dexamethasone; D010958:Plasminogen; D006493:Heparin