Verteporfin therapy for choroidal hemangioma: a long-term follow-up.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To document the long-term follow-up of patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma who were treated with verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT).

METHODS:

Fifteen patients were included in a prospective interventional case series. Verteporfin PDT as a bolus infusion of 6 mg/m body surface area and a light dose of 100 J/cm at 689 nm applied over 166 seconds were administered. Standardized evaluation was performed every 3 months within the first year and at 12-month intervals during follow-up.

RESULTS:

At baseline, all patients presented with significant vision loss ranging from 20/26 to 20/500. During a mean follow-up of 36.6 months (range, 12-66 months), no patient had evidence of recurrence. Mean final visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/400. In all patients, complete and permanent regression with no signs of tumor regrowth or recurring subretinal fluid was found. Of 15 patients, 13 had a substantial increase in visual acuity (range, 2-9 lines), and 2 patients' visual acuity remained stable. Chorioretinal atrophy at the previous tumor site did not enlarge over time. Retreatments after completion of the primary treatment were not necessary.

CONCLUSION:

Persistent and complete absence of choroidal hemangioma associated with persistent improvement in visual acuity and central visual fields can be obtained with verteporfin PDT.

• Authors: Stephan Michels, Rike Michels, Christian Simader, Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth
• Journal: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Retina) Vol. 25 Issue 6 Pg. 697-703 (Sep 2005) ISSN: 0275-004X [Print] United States
• PMID: 16141856 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Photosensitizing Agents
• Porphyrins
• Verteporfin
• Indocyanine Green

Topics

• Choroid Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, pathology)
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hemangioma (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, pathology)
• Humans
• Indocyanine Green
• Photochemotherapy
• Photosensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)
• Porphyrins (therapeutic use)
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Ultrasonography
• Verteporfin
• Visual Acuity