Outcomes of Vitrectomy for Macular Pathologies Associated with Idiopathic Vasoproliferative Retinal Tumor.

Background/

Objectives

A vasoproliferative retinal tumor (VPT) is a rare, benign, vascular tumor that is found in the peripheral retina. We retrospectively investigated the clinical characteristics and the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) on idiopathic VPTs.

Methods

The medical records of 13 eyes of 12 patients who underwent PPV for an idiopathic VPT were reviewed. The chief complaint of the patients, the location and size of the tumor, the presence of concomitant retinal disorders, the treatment procedures, and the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated.

Results

The mean age was 51.2 years, with 4 men and 8 women. The chief complaints at the initial visit were metamorphopsia in 6 eyes, decreased vision in 6 eyes, and blurry vision in 1 eye. A hemangioma was detected in the inferior-temporal quadrant in 11 eyes and in the superior-temporal quadrant in 2 eyes. An epiretinal membrane was present in all 13 eyes with tractional and exudative retinal detachment in 4 eyes, macular hole in 2 eyes, and vitreous hemorrhage in 3 eyes. During the vitrectomy, a posterior vitreous detachment was created in 10 eyes (77%), photocoagulation was performed for the hemangioma in all 13 eyes, cryotherapy in 4 eyes, and direct diathermy in 2 eyes. The visual acuity improved significantly from 0.51 ± 0.66 logMAR units at the baseline to 0.05 ± 0.21 logMAR units at the final examination (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Vitrectomy for idiopathic VPTs is effective in improving the visual acuity. Idiopathic VPTs are often associated with epiretinal membranes, and patients present with various types of visual disorders.