Choroidal hemangioma

Last revised by Mostafa Elfeky on 28 Oct 2022

Choroidal hemangiomas are benign vascular hamartomatous tumors of the choroid. They present in two forms based on the extent of choroidal involvement:

  1. circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH): solitary tumor with no systemic associations.

  2. diffuse choroidal hemangioma (DCH): usually in association with Sturge-Weber syndrome.

The exact incidence worldwide is not known but it is rare. 200 diagnoses of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma made from 1974-2000 in Wills Eye Institute. Approximately half of patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome have diffuse choroidal hemangioma. Nearly all reported cases are in Caucasians and there is no gender preference. 

Mostly asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed with routine ophthalmic examinations:

  • circumscribed choroidal hemangioma presents with symptoms in 3rd-6th decades of life 

  • diffuse choroidal hemangioma presents with symptoms in 1st-2nd decades of life 

Patients also may present with metamorphopsia and reduced visual acuity. Choroidal hemangiomas can also present with leukocoria.

No known genetic predisposition for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. Sturge-Weber syndrome is entirely sporadic and is associated with diffuse choroidal hemangioma. 

  • fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA): hyper-fluorescence in pre-arterial or early arterial phase, followed by late staining and leakage

  • indocyanine Green Angiography (ICGA): early intense hyper-fluorescence followed by dye washout in late frames (tumor hypo-fluorescence with rim of hyper-fluorescence)

  • A-scan: high internal reflectivity 

  • B-scan: acoustic features similar to adjacent (normal) choroid. Choroidal thickening, especially in diffuse choroidal hemangioma

  • detection of retinal changes such as fluid changes, underlying geographical atrophy etc

  • useful to evaluate treatment response and long-term monitoring 

  • T1: hyperintense compared to the vitreous

  • T1 C+ (Gd): show marked enhancement

  • T2: hyperintense or isointense compared to the vitreous

Observation if asymptomatic. Diffuse choroidal hemangioma need to be worked up for Sturge-Weber syndrome and managed accordingly. The end-point of treatment is resolution of fluid and not complete regression of tumor:

  • photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin is the treatment of choice for CCH and has been used successfully for treatment of diffuse choroidal hemangioma 

  • plaque radiotherapy: second-line therapy failing PDT, or unsuitable for PDT 

  • laser photocoagulation: use limited to extrafoveal circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas when PDT not possible; high rates of recurrent subretinal fluid despite initial success

  • external beam radiotherapy: commonly used for management of diffuse choroidal hemangioma

Prognosis for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma generally improving with PDT, however, very much dependent on the location of the lesion.  A long delay between the onset of symptoms and treatment is associated with poorer visual outcome. 

Complications include neovascular glaucoma secondary to chronic extensive retinal detachments, with some requiring enucleation.

  • prompt referral to specialist ophthalmology care 

  • always remind patients to report any new symptoms such as increased metamorphopsia, reduced visual acuity, photopsia or visual field defects

  • PDT is the treatment of choice for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma, but asymptomatic patients can be observed without treatment

  • circumscribed choroidal hemangioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients diagnosed with central serous chorioretinopathy

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