Radiation therapy for recurrent orbital hemangioma.

Background: Surgical resection and corticosteroid therapy have traditionally been the preferred methods of treatment for orbital hemangioma. Radiation therapy is not usually indicated because of the potential for ocular complications. With modern radiation techniques, however, patients may experience substantial clinical improvement without significant radiation-induced morbidity.

Methods: A case of unresectable, recurrent orbital hemangioma is described. The clinical presentation, management protocol using radiation therapy, and 5-year follow-up are reviewed.

Results: The patient was initially seen with left orbital pain, diplopia, proptosis, and conjunctival edema caused by a recurrent left orbital hemangioma after failed previous surgery. CT scan and angiogram revealed a large, irregular, multilocular mass in the left orbit consistent with hemangioma. The patient was treated with a total of 2000 cGy in 10 treatments. Five-year follow-up revealed a stable, regressed hemangioma with no radiation complications.

Conclusions: Radiation therapy may be used if appropriately indicated for function-threatening orbital hemangioma.