Outcomes of five cases of retinoblastoma with optic nerve invasion on imaging

Tamae Onishi1, Sachiko Nishina2, Tadashi Yokoi1

  • 1Division of Ophthalmology, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for detecting optic nerve invasion in retinoblastoma (RB), guiding timely enucleation and treatment. Optimal neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy may help avoid radiotherapy for advanced RB.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in children.
  • Optic nerve (ON) invasion is a critical prognostic factor in RB, influencing treatment decisions and outcomes.
  • Accurate imaging is essential for detecting ON invasion and planning management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the optimal timing for enucleation in retinoblastoma (RB) patients with optic nerve (ON) invasion.
  • To analyze the treatment course and outcomes for RB with ON invasion identified on imaging.
  • To evaluate the role of different imaging modalities in detecting ON invasion.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 160 retinoblastoma (RB) patients treated between 2005 and 2022.
  • Analysis of clinical data, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in five patients with ON invasion.
  • Review of treatment strategies including enucleation, neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Main Results:

  • MRI detected optic nerve (ON) invasion in all five evaluated retinoblastoma (RB) patients, while CT missed it in two.
  • Four of five patients underwent enucleation; one had a positive resection margin requiring further treatment.
  • All enucleated patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and four received radiotherapy; one patient with cerebrospinal fluid dissemination did not undergo enucleation.

Conclusions:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended for accurate evaluation of optic nerve (ON) invasion in retinoblastoma (RB) to guide enucleation timing.
  • Strategic use of neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy may help to avoid radiotherapy in RB cases with ON invasion.
  • Early and accurate diagnosis of ON invasion is critical for optimizing treatment and improving outcomes in retinoblastoma.