Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, action, or both, with a global prevalence that has tripled in recent decades. This condition poses significant public health challenges, affecting individuals, healthcare systems, and economies worldwide. Among its numerous complications, ocular surface disease (OSD) is a significant concern, yet understanding its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management remains challenging. This review aims to explore the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies of diabetes-related OSD. The ocular surface, including the cornea, conjunctiva, and associated structures, is vital for maintaining eye health, with the lacrimal functional unit (LFU) playing a crucial role in tear film regulation. In DM, changes in glycosaminoglycan metabolism, collagen synthesis, oxygen consumption, and LFU dysfunction contribute to ocular complications. Persistent hyperglycemia leads to the expression of cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules, resulting in neuropathy, tear film abnormalities, and epithelial lesions. Recent advances in molecular research and therapeutic modalities, such as gene and stem cell therapies, show promise for managing diabetic ocular complications. Future research should focus on pathogenetically oriented therapies for diabetic neuropathy and keratopathy, transitioning from animal models to clinical trials to improve patient outcomes.

Background and Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between thyroid eye disease (TED) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG), focusing on disease severity and clinical features. Materials and Methods: Conducted at the Timis County Emergency Clinical Hospital, the research included 106 patients, with 53 having both conditions and 53 having only OAG. Key metrics analyzed included intraocular pressure (IOP) using a Goldmann applanation tonometer, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and optic nerve head (ONH) characteristics evaluated using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: Results indicated that patients with both TED and OAG experienced a 6.09% reduction in RNFL thickness and showed more rapid disease progression, with 48.35% having active TED. The mean IOP in TED patients was 27.5 ± 4.9 mmHg, which was similar to those with only OAG. Demographic factors, including age and gender, influenced the clinical course and disease severity. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of specialized monitoring and treatment strategies for patients with coexisting TED and OAG to prevent vision loss.

Salivary gland tumors are a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasms of the head and neck region. The mixed category of these tumors include the following entities: pleomorphic adenoma (PA), carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CEPA), salivary carcinosarcoma (CS), and metastasizing PA (MPA). The most common benign tumor of the salivary glands is PA. Metastasis and malignant degeneration have been reported in cases of PA of a salivary gland origin. Judging by their behavior, MPA, CEPA, and CS can be considered aggressive tumors. Invasive CEPA has been identified in the parotid gland more frequently. MPA and CS cases reported in the current literature are rare. In this paper, we present, narratively, the clinico-morphological features of this group of mixed tumors.

Purpose of the Study: Evaluation and classification of celiac trunk variants and assessment of their impact on visceral surgery. Material and Methods: The study was carried out on 50 anatomical specimens, over a period of 5 years. The macroscopic dissection method was used. The data were statistically and mathematically processed, schematically and percentage grouped. The results obtained were centralized and compared with those existing in the studied bibliography. Results and Discussions: The complete celiac trunk appears in 81% of cases (90% in the literature), and the incomplete one in 19% of cases (10% in the literature). The complete celiac trunk can be trifurcated, bifurcated, or of common origin with the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). In the trifurcated artery, the left gastric artery (LGA), hepatic artery (HA) artery and the splenic artery (SA) have a common origin. The bifurcated celiac trunk first gives rise to AGS, after which it bifurcates into HA and SA. Left HA, doubled by right HA, originating from a hepato-mesenteric trunk (H-M), occurs in 4% of cases. Incomplete celiac trunks: i) hepato-splenic (H-S) and LGA directly from the aorta - 3%; ii) hepato-spleno-mesenteric (H-S-M) and LGA from a gastro-phrenic trunk – 1%; iii) gastro-splenic (G-S) and HA directly from the aorta – 5%; iv) G-S and HA from a H-M trunk – 3%; v) H-M for HA and LGA, and SA directly from the aorta - 2%; vi) gastro-hepatic (G-H) and SA from a common H-M trunk - 5%. Conclusions: The celiac trunk originates directly from the abdominal aorta -99% of cases and in 1% through a celiac-mesenteric trunk. The complete celiac trunk appears in 81% of cases, and the incomplete one in 19% of cases. The complete celiac trunk can be systematized into 4 distinct morphological categories, while the incomplete celiac trunk can be systematized into 3. The knowledge of the variants of origin of the celiac trunk is of both theoretical, anatomical and surgical importance, due to the vascularization of a vast territory, with complex medical-surgical pathology.

Pleomorphic adenomas (PAs) are benign mixed tumors of the salivary glands that usually present with morphological characteristics consisting of epithelial and myoepithelial cells and a chondromyxoid stromal component. Atypical cells; squamous, osseous, lipomatous, endocrine-like or apocrine metaplasia; aspects of invasion (vascular, perineural, in adjacent tissues or the capsule); necrosis; and unusual dimensions were reported as uncommon aspects that can be encountered in PAs. This study consisted of a retrospective analysis of the morphological characteristics of PAs, aiming to identify their unusual features and prevent misdiagnosis. We discuss the diverse morphological aspects of PAs, with particular emphasis on the challenges associated with their diagnosis.

Background/Objectives: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is a recognized risk factor for glaucomatous optic neuropathy, but the extent to which it translates into measurable structural and functional damage remains unclear. This study investigated structural and functional correlations in patients with GO stratified by IOP and glaucoma status. Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, 165 adult patients with GO were stratified into three groups of 55 each: normal IOP, ocular hypertension, and clinically diagnosed glaucoma. All patients underwent clinical examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and, where available, standard automated perimetry. Structural and functional parameters were compared across all three groups, with post-hoc pairwise testing. Multivariable logistic regression (clinical and combined models, adjusted for smoking and diabetes mellitus, restricted to the ocular hypertension and glaucoma groups) was used to identify factors independently associated with glaucoma status, with model discrimination assessed by optimism-corrected receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: IOP increased and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) declined progressively across groups. Most structural and functional parameters differentiated the glaucoma group from both other groups but did not distinguish normal IOP from ocular hypertension. In multivariable analysis restricted to the ocular hypertension and glaucoma groups, IOP was the factor most strongly associated with glaucoma status (odds ratio [OR] 1.44 in the clinical model and 1.61 after adjustment for structural parameters, both p ≤ 0.003), with BCVA also independently associated in the clinical model (p = 0.032). Diabetes mellitus and smoking were independently associated with glaucoma status in both models; the inverse association observed for smoking lacks an established biological explanation. Adding ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (GCL+IPL) thickness improved model discrimination (optimism-corrected area under the curve from 0.73 to 0.76) and was independently associated with glaucoma (OR 0.90, p = 0.036). Conclusions: IOP remains the factor most consistently and independently associated with glaucoma status in GO, with GCL+IPL thickness providing an additional independent contribution once smoking and diabetes mellitus are accounted for. These findings support regular IOP and visual acuity monitoring as first-line surveillance in GO, with structural OCT as a useful adjunct.