Histopathologic findings after selective ophthalmic arterial injection of melphalan for retinoblastoma

Purpose: The aim is to describe histopathologic observations in eyes enucleated after selective ophthalmic arterial injection (SOAI) of melphalan for retinoblastoma (RB).

Study design: This is retrospective clinical study.

Patients and methods: Histopathologic analysis of 14 eyes (13 patients) from May 2008 through January 2015 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Results: The eyes after SOAI were enucleated due to tumor viability (n = 7, 2 with vitreous hemorrhage), neovascular glaucoma (n = 4), lens drop to vitreous with total hyphema and elevated intraocular pressure (n = 1), retinal detachment (RD) progressed (n = 1), and persistent RD with phthisis change (n = 1). Almost all of the eyes showed vitreous seeding (n = 11 eyes) before treatment. After the treatment of SOAI, the histopathological examination revealed complete regression in four eyes with one was clinically diagnosed as viable tumor and progression, one with RD progression, and two as neovascular glaucoma. Six eyes showed invasion into the optic nerves, reaching the lamina cribrosa in five eyes, and six eyes with invasion into the choroid were observed. All of the cases with lamina cribrosa involvement showed tumor progression before enucleation, four cases with lamina cribrosa involvement expired later.

Conclusion: Although some cases of RB can be controlled effectively with SOAI, but for refractory cases after SOAI, earlier decision of enucleation may be needed.