Radiation therapy for recurrent orbital hemangioma.
BACKGROUND
Surgical resection and corticosteroid therapy have traditionally been the preferred methods of treatment for orbital hemangioma. Radiation therapy is not usually indicated because of the potential for ocular complications. With modern radiation techniques, however, patients may experience substantial clinical improvement without significant radiation-induced morbidity.


METHODS
A case of unresectable, recurrent orbital hemangioma is described. The clinical presentation, management protocol using radiation therapy, and 5-year follow-up are reviewed.


RESULTS
The patient was initially seen with left orbital pain, diplopia, proptosis, and conjunctival edema caused by a recurrent left orbital hemangioma after failed previous surgery. CT scan and angiogram revealed a large, irregular, multilocular mass in the left orbit consistent with hemangioma. The patient was treated with a total of 2000 cGy in 10 treatments. Five-year follow-up revealed a stable, regressed hemangioma with no radiation complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation therapy may be used if appropriately indicated for function-threatening orbital hemangioma.
Mierzwa
Michelle L
ML
Division of Radiation Oncology, Barrett Center for Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Research, 234 Goodman Street, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, PO Box 670757, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0757, USA.
Barrett
William L
WL
Gluckman
Jack L
JL
D006391:Hemangioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed