Progressive enlargement of a circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. A clinicopathologic correlation

Abstract

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.