Surgical outcome of transconjunctival cryosurgical extraction of orbital cavernous hemangioma

Abstract

Background and objective: Transconjunctival cryosurgical extraction (TCE) is not an accepted method for the removal of most intraorbital tumors, and thus is not routinely performed. This study evaluates TCE for orbital cavernous hemangioma (OCH), which, due to its specific vascular structure, is suitable for this technique.

Patients and methods: In this retrospective case series, the medical charts of 12 consecutive patients with OCH who underwent TCE were reviewed. The operative complications and the surgical outcome were analyzed.

Results: Eleven tumors were intraconal and 1 was extraconal. No tumor involved the orbital apex. In 10 patients (83%), the operation was uneventful. One patient lost vision due to intraoperative cilioretinal arterial occlusion. In another patient, the tumor could not be identified and was subsequently removed via lateral orbitotomy.

Conclusion: TCE, a relatively minor operation, is as safe as more extensive surgical procedures for the removal of OCH not located in the posterior third of the orbital space.