Treatment of Retinal Capillary Hemangioblastoma with Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy – A Case Report

1. Tsung-Tien Wu
2. Ya-Hsin Kung
3. Shwu-Jiuan Sheu

Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Purpose: To report a case of retinal capillary hemangioblastoma treated with Verteporfin photodynamic therapy

Method: Case report.

Result: A 45-year-old otherwise healthy woman was referred because of progressively blurred vision in the left eye over a period of one month. Visual acuity was 6/6 in the right eye and 6/12 in the left eye. Anterior segment was unremarkable, and fundus examination of the left eye revealed a retinal capillary hemangioblastoma in the inferotemporal quadrant with surrounding exudate and retinal detachment extending to the macula. We treated this patient with consecutive 4 courses of Verteporfin photodynamic therapy over a period of one year. Gradual shrinkage of the angioma, attenuation of the feeding and draining vessels, and resorption of the subretinal fluid was observed stepwise after treatment. Final vision was 6/60 at a follow-up of 5 years.

Conclusion: Verteporfin photodynamic therapy may be an alternative to treat retinal capillary hemangioblastoma. Early diagnosis may increase the likelihood for successful treatment.