From the Research
The prognosis for cavernous hemangioma of the orbit is generally excellent, with most patients experiencing good cosmetic and functional outcomes with preservation of vision, as evidenced by a study published in 2021 1.
Key Points
- Most orbital cavernous hemangiomas are benign, slow-growing vascular tumors that rarely cause serious complications or vision loss if properly managed.
- Complete surgical excision is the definitive treatment and typically results in cure without recurrence.
- Surgery is usually recommended when the hemangioma causes symptoms such as proptosis (bulging of the eye), diplopia (double vision), or visual impairment due to compression of the optic nerve.
- The approach to surgery depends on the location and size of the lesion, with options including lateral orbitotomy, anterior orbitotomy, or transconjunctival approaches.
- Post-surgical complications are uncommon, and most patients experience good cosmetic and functional outcomes with preservation of vision.
- In asymptomatic cases, observation with regular monitoring may be appropriate as some lesions remain stable for years.
- Radiation therapy, such as stereotactic gamma knife radiosurgery, may be considered in cases where surgery is contraindicated or incomplete, as shown in a study published in 2021 1.
Factors Influencing Outcome
- Tumor size, preoperative visual acuity, and abnormal fundoscopy are significant factors that can influence outcome expectations, as reported in a study published in 2019 2.
- The slow growth pattern of these lesions (typically 1-2 mm per year) allows for careful planning of intervention.
Treatment Options
- Surgical management is still predominantly by open approaches, such as lateral orbitotomy, with a study published in 2019 2 showing that this approach is effective in managing orbital cavernous hemangiomas.
- Radiation therapy, such as stereotactic gamma knife radiosurgery, is a viable alternative in selected cases, as demonstrated in a study published in 2021 1.