Sclerosing therapy as first line treatment for low flow vascular lesions of the orbit.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcome of sodium morrhuate 5% injections in patients with low flow vascular lesions, which consist of orbital lymphangiomas, and in one patient with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma.


METHODS
Prospective, interventional consecutive case series.


METHODS
Intralesional sodium morrhuate 5% was injected under direct visualization or under radiographic guidance to six patients with orbital lymphangiomas and one patient with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Comprehensive eye examination and follow-up imaging studies were performed. main outcome measures: Lesion size was evaluated by orbital imaging and clinical examination, visual acuity, exophthalmos, and posttreatment complications.


RESULTS
Seven patients (four female, three male; average age, 33 years) were included. Six patients were diagnosed with orbital lymphangioma, and one patient was diagnosed with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Patients received an average of 2.6+/-2 intralesional injections of sodium morrhuate, with a range of one to six injections and a mean volume of 0.9+/-0.8 ml (range, 0.2 to 2.1 ml). Lesions showed a decrease in size an average of 50% (33%) and ranged from minimal (10%) to near total resolution (85%). Visual acuity and intraocular pressure remained unchanged; exophthalmos decreased an average of 1.5+/-1.8 mm. Complications included one case of orbital hemorrhage that resolved spontaneously and transient keratopathy in all patients with anterior orbital lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Intralesional sclerosing therapy with sodium morrhuate 5% is effective in tumor debulking in patients with orbital lymphangioma and is not associated with vision-threatening complications. It may be a better alternative to surgery for low flow orbital tumors, which includes lymphangioma.
Schwarcz
Robert M
RM
Jules Stein Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Ben Simon
Guy J
GJ
Cook
Todd
T
Goldberg
Robert A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012976:Sodium Morrhuate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D012976:Sodium Morrhuate