Background Superselective ophthalmic artery chemotherapy (SOAC) is a proven therapy for the treatment of retinoblastomas. We describe the technique, results and complications of SOAC performed in our hospital. Objective The aim of this article is to demonstrate that a seemingly complex technique can be carried out with a low morbidity rate. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients receiving SOAC in our department from November 2014 to April 2017 was performed. Data collected were age, gender, number of procedures, arteries approached, bilaterality of treatment, and complications. The procedure was performed using a 3F sheath and a flow-dependent 1.5F microcatheter that was navigated from the femoral artery to the ostium of the ophthalmic artery (OA). When the OA was too small or a stable position could not be achieved, the microcatheter was navigated in the external carotid artery to reach an anastomotic ramus (AR) of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) to the OA. The drugs were then injected through the microcatheter in a pulsatile way. Results Forty-one patients underwent SOAC. A total of 248 procedures were performed in 45 eyes, and 248 arteries were approached (205 OAs and 43 MMAs). Four patients underwent tandem therapy (both eyes treated in the same procedure). Complications were: hypotension and bradycardia during the procedure (five cases), transient thrombosis of the femoral artery (two cases), retinal hemorrhage (one case), alopecia (one case), and anaphylactic shock to carboplatin (one case). No patient showed adverse effects of radiation or ischemic stroke. Conclusion SOAC is a safe technique with a very low complication rate.
Keywords: Superselective ophthalmic artery; femoral artery; middle meningeal artery; ophthalmic artery; retinoblastoma.