title: Comparison of outcomes between overlapping-spot and single-spot photodynamic therapy for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with overlapping multiple spots and single spot for treating circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients (22 eyes) with symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma received PDT treatment. Fourteen patients received overlapping spots (two to three spots) PDT, whereas eight patients received single-spot PDT. Laser was used at 50J/cm(2) for 83s in the overlapping-spot group and 50J/cm(2) for 166s in the single-spot group. Clinical examination, funduscopy, fluorescein angiography, and ultrasonography were performed at baseline and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up time was 28.5±8.0 months in the overlapping-spot group and 27.0±5.0 months in the single-spot group. Nine patients (64.2%) had their vision improved over two lines on the Snellen chart, and five patients showed stable visual acuity in the overlapping-spot group. The mean thickness of tumor decreased from 2.7±0.8mm to 1.2±0.9mm, and the mean greatest tumor linear dimension decreased from 7.4±1.5mm to 4.5±3.5mm after treatment. In the single-spot group, two patients (25%) had their vision improved over two lines on the Snellen chart, and six patients had unchanged stable vision. The mean tumor thickness in this group decreased from 2.5±0.7mm to 1.4±1.0mm, and the mean greatest tumor linear dimension decreased from 7.2±1.3mm to 4.7±3.6mm. No significant differences in visual improvement and tumor regression were found between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overlapping-spot PDT under appropriate treatment parameters and strategies is as effective and safe as single-spot PDT for treating symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. Improved or stabilized visual acuity was achieved as a result of tumor regression.
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Zhao-An
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Xia-Jing
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Li-Xia
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Su
keywords: circumscribed choroidal hemangioma; photodynamic therapy; spot pattern