Eighty-five vascular lesions of the orbit examined and treated between 1963-1993 were reviewed retrospectively to reveal the types of vascular
tumors, age and sex distribution, clinical characteristics, treatment options and prognosis.
Capillary hemangioma was the most frequent orbital vascular
tumor accounting for 37 of 85 cases making up 43.5% of the entire orbital masses.
Cavernous hemangioma accounted for 35 cases (41.2%),
varices for 3 cases (3.5%), anteriovenous malformations for 3 cases (3.5%),
angiosarcomas for 3 cases (3.5%),
lymphangiomas for 3 cases (3.5%) and
hemangiopericytoma for one case (1.2%). Of the 85 vascular
tumor cases 43 were encountered in children aged 18 years or less.
Capillary hemangioma was the most frequent pediatric orbital vascular lesion, making up 86% of the vascular
tumors in this age group.
Capillary hemangiomas have been treated with observation and intralesional
corticosteroid injections.
Cavernous hemangiomas,
vascular malformations,
lymphangiomas and two cases of
angiosarcomas received orbitotomy. One case each of
angiosarcoma and
hemangiopericytoma underwent exenteration because of the advanced stage of the lesion. There was one
tumor-related death who was a 9-year-old boy diagnosed with
angiosarcoma. Vascular
tumors with the exception of
angiosarcomas and
hemangiopericytoma behaved as benign lesions.