Regression of Macular Cavernous Hemangioma with Systemic Infliximab

Abstract

Cavernous hemangioma of the retina is an unusual vascular hamartoma that has been reported to occur either sporadically or as a dominantly inherited trait. A case of a large and sporadic macular cavernous hemangioma that was successfully treated with systemic infliximab as a first line of treatment is presented. The patient was referred with decreased vision of the right eye for 6 months. Fundus examination disclosed a reddish elevated lesion in the posterior pole that obscured the macula and encroached on the fovea. It consisted of grapelike aneurysms. The patient underwent treatment with infliximab intravenously. Two weeks after the second infusion of infliximab, visual acuity improved to 20/80 with a marked involution of the tumor in the right eye. Although the data are limited, we think that a new perspective for treatment of retinal vascular tumors may appear in the future considering antibodies to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha.

Therapeutic surprise! Photodynamic therapy for cavernous haemangioma of the disc

“…[ 8 ] Temporary regression of the macular cavernous tumor with visual improvement in response to systemic infliximab infusion (tumor necrosis factor-α antibodies) has been published in recent years. [ 9 ] Compared to these, our case opens up a new arena in treating patients with symptomatic hemangioma of the disc or retina safely with PDT.…”

Recurrent vitreous hemorrhage in a case of retinal cavernous hemangioma: A rare presentation

“…They found improvement of visual acuity with a prominent involution of the tumor two weeks after the second infusion of infliximab. [7] Conversely, Alsulaiman et al[8] reported no evident change in the size of the retinal cavernous hemangioma after 4 cycles of intravenous infliximab over a period of 3 months.…”

Grapes on the retina- a rare case of cavernous hemangioma of the retina

“…[5]However in cases where macula is involved with threat to vision, there is case report with infliximab given intravenously showing visual acuity improving with a marked involution of the tumor in the right eye. [6] Although association of cavernous hemangioma of the retina has been shown with cerebral and other systemic hemangiomas, Patient's life is hardly damaged by complications of cavernous hemangioma of the brain. Because of autosomal dominant transmission all family members, with and without fundus findings, should undergo computed tomography or magnetic resonance imagining of the brain to preclude intracranial vascular anomaly.…”