Photodynamic therapy of circumscribed choroidal haemangioma

AIM: To evaluate efficacy of verteporfin ocular photodynamic therapy (PDT) in treatment of 10 patients with a symptomatic circumscribed choroidal haemangioma. DESIGN: Prospective non-randomised, interventional case series and critical review of previously published studies. METHODS: 10 consecutive patients (seven primary, two failed transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), and one failed external beam radiotherapy) with symptomatic circumscribed choroidal haemangioma were treated using verteporfin 6 mg/m2 given as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes. Diode laser (690 nm) with an intensity of 600 mW/cm2 for 83 seconds (50 J/cm2) was applied 5 minutes after completion of infusion. Single or multiple partially overlapping spots were applied based on the tumour basal dimensions. Periodic follow up with ophthalmoscopy, ultrasonography, and angiographic studies was performed. RESULTS: All 10 patients showed evidence of regression with flattening of tumour, resolution of subretinal fluid, and reduction of choroidal vasculature on angiograms. The visual acuity either improved or remained stable in eight (80%) patients. Visual loss due to delayed choroidal atrophy was seen in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although verteporfin PDT is an effective treatment for management of symptomatic circumscribed choroidal haemangioma, delayed treatment related effects can lead to visual loss.     

Photodynamic therapy for circumscribed choroidal haemangioma

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a new treatment for circumscribed choroidal haemangioma (CCH). METHODS: Eight patients with CCH were treated with PDT using a protocol similar to that used in the standard treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. RESULTS: Visual acuity improved in six of eight eyes, remained unchanged in one eye and deteriorated in one eye after 3-15 months (median 7 months) follow-up. Pre-treatment metamorphopsia disappeared in all but two cases. The thickness of the CCH measured with standardized echography showed marked regression within 1 month after PDT. In six eyes there was no remaining protrusion after PDT and one lesion was barely detectable. One patient experienced a transient choroidal effusion and perifoveal haemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy is a promising new treatment for CCH as it restores visual function in most cases without causing apparent ocular or systemic side-effects.     

Photodynamic therapy using verteporfin for choroidal neovascularization in angioid streaks

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in the management of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with angioid streaks. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Eleven eyes of nine patients with subfoveal or juxtafoveal CNV due to angioid streaks underwent visual acuity testing, ophthalmic examination, color photography, and fluorescein angiography to evaluate the results of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. Retreatment of persistent CNV was based on criteria from the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy Investigation (TAP) except in one case. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 28 months (mean, 17 months). RESULTS: Nine of 11 eyes had subfoveal lesions while two eyes had juxtafoveal lesions on initial examination. Conversion from a choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) to a fibrous disciform lesion following photodynamic therapy was observed in nine eyes. Enlargement of the CNVM was noted in seven of these eyes by fluorescein angiography at final follow-up. Initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged from 20/25 to counting fingers (CF) (mean, 20/400; median, 20/200). Final BCVA ranged from 20/20 to CF (mean, 20/600; median, 20/400). Seven eyes with subfoveal CNVM had an initial BCVA of at least 20/200 while only three eyes maintained this level or better at last follow-up. In one patient with a juxtafoveal CNVM in one eye, vision decreased from 20/25 to 20/400 with enlargement and fibrosis of the CNVM and subfoveal extension. In the fellow eye a juxtafoveal CNVM was initially treated and then retreated earlier than TAP criteria at 6 weeks. Vision improved to 20/20 and has remained stable 5 months after the initial treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Verteporfin for choroidal neovascularization-associated with angioid streaks does not appear to significantly alter the course of this disease with most eyes undergoing enlargement and disciform transformation of the neovascular process. However, aggressive management of these patients with biomicroscopic and fluorescein angiographic examination and timely photodynamic therapy with early retreatment when indicated may be beneficial in certain cases.     

光动力疗法治疗孤立性脉络膜血管瘤

目的探讨光动力疗法（PDT）治疗孤立性脉络膜血管瘤的临床效果及安全性。方法孤立性脉络膜血管瘤患者5例,均经眼底检查、荧光素眼底血管造影（FFA）及彩色超声多普勒（CDI）检查确诊。其中4例伴有渗出性视网膜脱离和黄斑水肿。患者最佳矫正视力为0．02-0．8,CDI检查瘤体最大厚度为2．8-5．4mm,最大直径6．5-12．5mm。经PDT治疗后,患者随访时间为13-56周。结果所有患者均经1次PDT治疗后,渗出性视网膜脱离完全吸收,视力均稳定和提高。最终随访,患者最佳矫正视力为0．2-0．9。结论PDT治疗孤立性脉络膜血管瘤特别是位于黄斑部的脉络膜血管瘤的效果好且安全,可使瘤体萎缩并保存或提高患者视力。     

Photodynamic therapy of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas (CCH) of the posterior pole. DESIGN: Prospective, consecutive, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Ten eyes of 10 patients (six males and four females; age range, 38-64 years) reporting visual impairment caused by intraocular CCH. Follow-up was 7 to 16 months. METHODS: Photodynamic therapy was applied by Zeiss laser (Visulas 6905, Carl Zeiss-Meditech AG, Jeud Germany) emitting a light at 689 nm for photosensitization and by using verteporfin (Visudyne; Novartis Ophthalmics AG, Basel, Switzerland) at a dose of 6 mg/m(2) body surface administered intravenously before treatment. The diameter of the treatment spot was calculated on early frames of pretreatment indocyanine green angiography; the maximum treatment spot diameter was 6000 micro m using a Mainster wide-field lens (Ocular Instruments Inc., Bellevue, WA USA). In the case of peripapillary CCH, the laser spot was applied at a distance of 200 micro m from the optic disc edge. A laser beam was applied to the retina 15 minutes after the start of the infusion. Two different treatment procedures were used according to the height of the lesion. A radiant exposure of 100 J/cm(2) with an exposure time of 186 seconds was applied to lesions larger than 2 mm. For lesions smaller than 2 mm, a radiant exposure of 75 J/cm(2) with an exposure time of 125 seconds was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual outcomes, pretreatment findings, and final findings were evaluated using biomicroscopy, fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and ultrasound. RESULTS: After a follow-up of 7 to 16 months, FA and ICGA verified the nonperfusion of the vascular channels of the tumor in the treated areas. No retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes were observed in the patients who had undergone two PDT treatments, whereas minimal alterations were detected in two of the four patients who had undergone three treatment sessions. Angiographic cystoid macular edema and exudative macular detachment had completely regressed in all cases. Minimal intraretinal edema was observed on the FA frames in two cases. Ultrasound examination found no measurable tumor height in six (60%) cases and a marked reduction in the remaining four cases, even after one treatment (post treatment tumor height range, 0.86-1.82 mm). An improvement in visual acuity (one to six lines on the Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart) was observed in all the cases. In four cases, the visual acuity returned to 20/20, of which three were extrafoveal and one was subfoveal with visual impairment caused by secondary exudative macular detachment without significant RPE alterations. Also in longstanding subfoveal cases, a marked visual acuity improvement was detected resulting from the disappearance of subretinal or intraretinal fluid, even if functional results were limited by pre-existing RPE alterations. In all cases no damage to retinal vessels was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy is a minimally invasive but effective method of treatment for CCH and may be considered as a treatment of choice, especially in patients with foveal location of the tumor. Because of its safety and repeatability, this technique can be used to treat frequent recurrences of the tumor.     

孤立性脉络膜血管瘤的光动力疗法治疗观察

目的观察光动力疗法(PDT)治疗孤立性脉络膜血管瘤的临床效果。方法回顾分析采用PDT连续治疗的14例孤立性脉络膜血管瘤患者的临床资料。14例患者均经过临床常规眼科检查和荧光素眼底血管造影以及B型超声等检查确诊。治疗前最佳矫正视力0.01~0.8;B型超声检查肿瘤直径为7.2~9.8 mm,最大直径平均为(8.4±0.8)mm,厚度为1.7~4.9 mm,最大厚度平均为(3.5±0.9)mm。8例患者同时合并有视网膜脱离,其高度为0.5~4.0 mm,1例伴有视网膜囊肿。PDT治疗时静脉注射维替泊芬,剂量为6 m g/m2,10 m in内注射完毕。5 m in后应用689 nm波长激光进行照射,激光参数为50~75 J/cm2,时间83~125 s,1~4个光斑。治疗后随访时间为3~24个月,平均随访时间为9.1个月。结果最后随访时视力为0.04~1.0。其中,8例视力提高2行以上,6例视力稳定(变化不超过2行)。B型超声检查,4例患者肿瘤难以测出;其他10例患者肿瘤直径0~8.0 mm,最大直径平均为(5.0±3.4)mm,肿瘤厚度为0~3.5 mm,最大厚度平均为(1.6±1.3)mm。7例患者视网膜脱离消失,1例视网膜仍脱离1 mm但视网膜囊肿消失。结论PDT治疗可使脉络膜血管瘤肿瘤萎缩,视网膜下液消失,视网膜复位,达到提高或保存视力的目的;是治疗包括位于黄斑部的孤立性脉络膜血管瘤的安全有效方法。     

Photodynamic therapy of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in treatment of posterior pole symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four patients (3 men and 1 woman), 15-55 years old (mean age: 29 years) with circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas of the posterior pole, were examined. The hemangiomas localization were subfoveal in one patient, extrafoveal in 2 cases, and juxtapapillar in one case. The diagnosis of choroidal hemangioma was established on the base of clinical examination, A and B--scan ultrasound imaging, Doppler ultrasonography, fluorescein and indocyanine angiography results. Tumour thickness before treatment ranged from 2.3-3.6 mm (mean thickness: 2.8 mm). One course of PDT with verteporfin was performed in 3 cases, while in one patient PDT was performed four times. RESULTS: In a follow-up period which range from 3 to 14 months (mean 5.7 months) all cases demonstrated clinical features of lesion regression with a reduction of thickness on ultrasonography and choroidal vasculature on angiograms. Visual acuity was improved in 3 patients (from 1 to 4 lines on Snellen charts), or remained stable in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results indicate that PDT with verteporfin is a safe and effective method of treatment for circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas, especially in patients with posterior pole location of the tumour.     

Efficacy of photodynamic therapy in circumscribed choroidal haemangioma

PURPOSE: To report efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of three cases of juxtafoveal circumscribed choroidal haemangioma. METHODS: Data on three patients (two primary, and one failed TTT) treated with verteporfin, 6 mg/m2 given as i.v. infusion over 10 min. Diode laser (690 nm) with an intensity of 600 mW/cm2 for 83 s (50 mJ/cm2) was applied 5 min after completion of infusion. Overlapping multiple spots (2500 microm) were applied to cover the entire surface of the tumour. The mean pretreatment tumour size was 7 mm (base) x 2.2 (thickness) mm. Periodic follow-up with ophthalmoscopy, ultrasonography, and angiographic studies was performed. RESULTS: All three cases showed complete regression of the tumour with resolution of subretinal fluid, flattening of tumour, and absence of choroidal vasculature on ICG. The visual acuity either improved or remained stable in all three cases. The overlying retinal vessels remained unaffected. There were no ocular or systemic complications. CONCLUSIONS: PDT is an effective treatment for management of juxtafoveal circumscribed choroidal haemangioma.     

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE: To report a case of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) treated with verteporfin photodynamic therapy. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A patient developed CNV in the macular area of the left eye 2 years following grid laser for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion. RESULTS: The CNV was controlled with one session of photodynamic therapy. Lesion decreased in size, contracting to a smaller subretinal fibrotic scar. Vision improved from 20/200 to 20/100, and there was no recurrence at 2-year follow-up. No complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: Laser-induced CNV can be safely and effectively treated by photodynamic therapy.     

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for peripapillary choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in the management of symptomatic extrafoveal peripapillary choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: Seven eyes of seven patients with symptomatic peripapillary CNV underwent visual acuity testing, ophthalmic examination, color photography, and fluorescein angiography to evaluate the results of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. Patients were offered treatment following the development of hemorrhage, subretinal fluid, or lipid if it was associated with visual symptoms. A standard nomogram was used to dose Visudyne, application was performed in three separate 30-second zones confluent over the extent of the lesion. The light dose per unit area applied to the retina was approximately 18 J/cm. RESULTS: Five of the seven had CNV limited to the peripapillary area associated with age-related macular degeneration; the remaining two eyes had presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome. In five of the seven eyes, two treatments were needed and in two eyes only one treatment was necessary to elicit resolution of active leakage. Retreatment was performed at an average of 76 days after initial treatment. Baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged from 20/20 to 20/150. Final BCVA ranged from 20/20 to 20/80. In all eyes except for one, which had a pretreatment vision of 20/20, at least two lines of Snellen visual acuity improvement were achieved. Resolution of submacular fluid, hemorrhage, or exudates was noted in six eyes; in the remaining eye there was persistence of subretinal lipid. There were no complications including optic neuropathy in any of the treated eyes. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 13.5 months following last treatment (mean, 10 months). CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for extrafoveal symptomatic peripapillary CNV appears to be effective in improving vision and promoting the resolution of subfoveal exudates, hemorrhage, or fluid. A randomized controlled study with longer follow-up is justified.     

Photodynamic therapy in the management of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH).DesignA retrospective case series analysis through chart review of patients with CCH treated by means of PDT.ParticipantsThirteen patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.MethodsThrough retrospective charts review, the patients' demographics, clinical features, management, and follow-up data were obtained and analyzed. Outcome measures were change in visual acuity, required sessions, and adjunctive treatments.ResultsMedian follow-up was 26 months. Seven patients (54%) underwent only 1 session, 5 patients (38%) 2 sessions, and 1 received 5 sessions and was finally treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Visual acuity improved by at least 1 line (1-5) in 11 patients and remained stable in 2. Exudative subretinal fluid was completely resolved in 92% of the cases at the last visit. No major local side effects were found.ConclusionsPDT of CCH can effectively induce tumor regression and resolution of exudative subretinal fluid, improving, or stabilizing vision.     

Photodynamic therapy using verteporfin for choroidal neovascularization associated with angioid streaks--long-term effects

AIM: To investigate the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (PDT) in patients with choroidal neovascularization associated with angioid streaks (CNVAS). METHODS: A nonrandomized, prospective clinical investigation of 12 patients with CNVAS was performed. PDT was based on the criteria concerning the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 41.75 months (range 24-60). The mean number of (re)treatments was 3.3 (range 2-7). Visual acuity improved by at least 1 line in 42%, was stable within +/-2 lines in 33%, decreased by at least 1 line in 58% and by >3 lines in 25% of the patients. The mean visual acuity was 0.30 (range 0.2-0.5) prior to and 0.17 (range 0.03-0.6) after the final PDT. The mean visual acuity of the contralateral eye was 0.1. 75% of contralateral eyes and 25% of the treated eyes had a final visual acuity of < or =0.1 (20/200). At the final follow-up, a significant enlargement of the lesion size was noted in 92% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Using the current (re)treatment criteria, PDT does not appear to limit the growth of CNVAS. Compared to the aggressive natural course and to the limited treatment options, PDT may at least in part help to stabilize macular function over a limited period of time.     

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in children

PURPOSE: To report the safety of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in three children. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional noncomparative case series. METHOD: Children identified from all patients treated with verteporfin therapy at a university-based practice had records reviewed for adverse retinal or systemic events. RESULTS: Patients aged 11, 11, and 13 years, with subfoveal idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) received verteporfin therapy with no ocular complications recognized either immediately after the procedure or during the follow-up from 7 to 12 months. Treatment resulted in cessation of fluorescence leakage from CNV by the last follow-up visit in two patients and reduced leakage from the lesion in one. The visual acuity change was + 4, +7, and 0 lines. CONCLUSIONS: Verteporfin therapy in three children with subfoveal CNV was associated with stable or improved vision during short-term follow-up in the absence of serious ocular or systemic adverse events.