Role of confocal microscopy in deep XXXX .

@entity1 @entity364 @entity1036
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of in vivo confocal microscopy in cases of @entity364 presenting with a deep stromal infiltrate. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. METHODS: We reviewed the medical, microbiologic, and histopathologic data of 6 @entity1 , whose clinical presentation was characterized by deep stromal or multifocal endothelial lesions. These @entity1 were subjected to in vivo confocal microscopy on the day of presentation. All the @entity1 underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. The excised corneal buttons were bisected and subjected to microbiologic and histopathologic examinations. RESULTS: Microbiologic and/or histopathologic examination proved that the @entity1036 in all the 6 @entity1 was caused by filamentous fungi. Five corneal buttons were positive for the fungus on histopathologic examination. Four specimens grew out fungus on microbiologic examination. In 5 (83%) cases, confocal microscopy revealed double-walled, septate, linear branching structures resembling fungal filaments. CONCLUSIONS: In vivo confocal microscopy can be a useful diagnostic tool in @entity1 presenting with deep stromal lesions.
