Surgical outcome of transconjunctival cryosurgical extraction of orbital cavernous hemangioma.
OBJECTIVE
Transconjunctival cryosurgical extraction (TCE) is not an accepted method for the removal of most intraorbital tumors, and thus is not routinely performed. This study evaluates TCE for orbital cavernous hemangioma (OCH), which, due to its specific vascular structure, is suitable for this technique.


METHODS
In this retrospective case series, the medical charts of 12 consecutive patients with OCH who underwent TCE were reviewed. The operative complications and the surgical outcome were analyzed.


RESULTS
Eleven tumors were intraconal and 1 was extraconal. No tumor involved the orbital apex. In 10 patients (83%), the operation was uneventful. One patient lost vision due to intraoperative cilioretinal arterial occlusion. In another patient, the tumor could not be identified and was subsequently removed via lateral orbitotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
TCE, a relatively minor operation, is as safe as more extensive surgical procedures for the removal of OCH not located in the posterior third of the orbital space.
Gdal-On
M
M
Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.
Gelfand
Y A
YA
D000328:Adult; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome