Therapeutic options for capillary papillary hemangiomas.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the results and therapeutic complications of treatment of papillary capillary hemangiomas over the last 13 years.


METHODS
Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.


METHODS
Five cases of unilateral capillary papillary hemangiomas were reviewed. Three patients had von Hippel-Lindau disease, and two had no associated familial or systemic disease.


METHODS
Two patients were treated with argon green laser, one patient received argon green and diode photocoagulation, and two patients underwent argon green photocoagulation and diode transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT); two eyes also underwent vitreoretinal surgery. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 13 years.


METHODS
The presence of exudative retinal detachment associated with the activity of the hemangioma and the visual acuity were the two main parameters.


RESULTS
Prompt argon green laser treatment was the most effective therapy; -II was ineffective. Vitreoretinal surgery, transscleral drainage, and argon endolaser photocoagulation in one case resolved bullous retinal detachment secondary to tumor exudation. Pretreatment visual acuity (VA) levels ranged from 20/25 to counting fingers; posttreatment VA levels ranged from 20/25 to light perception.


CONCLUSIONS
If left untreated, papillary hemangiomas may evolve to exudative retinal detachment and marked VA decreases. Although we have not established an ideal therapy, we recommend appropriate treatment on diagnosis. Close follow-up and multiple treatments with argon laser are likely the best therapeutic course.
Garcia-Arumí
J
J
Hospital Vall d'Hebrón, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Sararols
L H
LH
Cavero
L
L
Escalada
F
F
Corcóstegui
B F
BF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018324:Hemangioma, Capillary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy; D006623:von Hippel-Lindau Disease / Q000150:complications