title: Verteporfin photodynamic therapy for the treatment of choroidal haemangioma associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Choroidal haemangiomas associated with Sturge Weber syndrome most commonly affect the posterior pole and consequently result in amblyopia. Treatment is often challenging but usually unwarranted unless there is visual deterioration caused by exudative or neovascular complications. The main objective is to demonstrate the effectivity of photodynamic therapy in this context.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data regarding verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of patients with choroidal haemangiomas associated with Sturge Weber syndrome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six patients (4 male, 2 female) with a median age of 28 years (range, 23-67) had a mean tumour belly diameter of 12.2mm (range, 9-16.8). There was regression of the tumour in all cases, albeit after 3 treatments in a single case. The exudative retinal detachment resolved in 2 out of 3 patients. Visual outcome improved in 3 patients, remaining poor but stable in the other three, due to pre-existing amblyopia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PDT is an effective and safe treatment for patients with choroidal haemangioma associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Ocular Oncology Service, St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool L7 8XP, UK. Electronic address: Rumana.hussain@rlbuht.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Rumana N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Ocular Oncology Service, St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool L7 8XP, UK.
authors.forename: Fidan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jmor
authors.affiliation: Ocular Oncology Service, Departments of Ophthalmology and Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
authors.forename: Bertil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Damato
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Ocular Oncology Service, St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool L7 8XP, UK.
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heimann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013341:Sturge-Weber Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077362:Verteporfin
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin
keywords: Haemangioma; Photodynamic therapy; Sturge Weber