Progressive enlargement of a circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. A clinicopathologic correlation
J. A. Shields, R. F. Stephens, R. C. Eagle Jr, C. L. Shields and P. De Potter
Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
A man with a circumscribed choroidal hemangioma was followed up for almost
10 years as the tumor showed gradual, progressive enlargement in both
diameter and thickness. In spite of photocoagulation therapy, a total
retinal detachment and blindness ensued. Enucleation was performed because
the possibility of amelanotic choroidal melanoma could not be absolutely
excluded. Although the tumor thickness measured by ultrasonography before
enucleation was 4.5 mm, the lesion measured only 2.0 mm in thickness in the
pathology laboratory. Circumscribed choroidal hemangioma rarely
demonstrates clinical evidence of growth. It appears that the tumor
enlargement noted in this case was due to venous congestion in the tumor
and not to cell multiplication.
