[Serous macular detachment associated with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma: a case report]

Choroidal hemangiomas are benign vascular hamartomas that typically present from second to fourth decade of life, when they can cause visual disturbance due to exudative retinal detachment. They represent uncommon benign choroidal vascular tumors, usually occuring sporadically in the absence of systemic disease.

We report the case of a young female patient, presenting a juxtapapillary circumscribed choroidal haemangioma complicated with serous macular detachment. The patient underwent photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (PDT). Systematic follow-up using ophthalmoscopy, ultrasonography, Fluorescein angiography and Indocyanine green angiography was performed.

The patient presented regression with flattening of tumour, resolution of the subretinal fluid, and significant improvement of vision.

Mostly asymptomatic, the choroidal hemangiomas can be associated with serous retinal detachment, leading to reduced vision and metamorphopsia; in those cases, the long term visual prognosis is poor, even in adequately treated patients. PDT is effective in eliminating the subretinal fluid and improving vision in patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.