Iodine-125 plaque radiotherapy of choroidal hemangioma

Circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) is a benign vascular tumor that is not associated with systemic abnormalities and its pathogenesis is unknown. Most choroidal hemangiomas remain stable in size, and treatment is periodic observation unless complicated by an overlying serous retinal detachment.

A 43-year-old white man came to our clinic reporting decreased vision in the left eye for 1 year. On funduscopic evaluation, a large elevated nonpigmented red-orange lesion, just temporal to the fovea of the left eye, was observed with surrounding areas of subretinal fluid. On the basis of findings obtained through ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, and ultrasonography, the patient was diagnosed with a circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. Treatment of the CCH was with iodine-125 plaque radiotherapy, which significantly reduced the tumor size and improved vision.

CCH is a benign vascular tumor that is characteristically nonprogressive, but in cases of vision loss caused by serous detachment of the fovea, argon laser photocoagulation or radiotherapy is the treatment of choice. Recent studies indicate that iodine-125 plaque radiotherapy is indicated for large choroidal hemangiomas involving the macula or with associated retinal detachment. The main goal of treating CCH is to preserve vision and to prevent the progression of vision loss.