Photodynamic therapy for symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma in 22 Chinese patients: A retrospective study

The purpose of this study is to describe the effects and complications of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on Chinese patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH). In this retrospective study, 22 CCH patients who underwent PDT performed 15 min after the injection of intravenous verteporfin (6 mg/m2)with multiple 83-second laser spots at 689 nm (50 J/cm2) were studied. Fluorescein angiography and/or indocyanine green angiography, B-scan ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography were performed in all patients. Follow-up was performed until 12 months post-treatment. All patients were treated with one session, except 1 case with prior transpupillary thermotherapy history. At the 12-month follow-up, the mean of the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased from 0.40 ± 0.38 to 0.56 ± 0.42 (p < 0.05), tumors became thinner (1.96 ± 2.65 mm vs. 4.31 ± 2.04 mm) (p < 0.05), and exudative detachment were diminished. The mean fovea center thickness (FCT) decreased from 540.1 ± 470.6 to 171.6 ± 79.3 μm at the 3-month follow-up. The 12-month BCVA was correlated with prior laser treatment, symptom duration, baseline CCH diameter and thickness, baseline FCT and cystoid macular edema. One patient developed a branch retinal artery occlusion. In conclusion, PDT is an effective and safe treatment for CCH. Specific PDT protocols for CCH should be standardized. The retinal arteriole should be spared during the treatment.