Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy in the Management of Diffuse Choroidal Hemangioma in Sturge-Weber Syndrome

TL;DR

This study shows that intensity-modulated radiation therapy is an effective and safe treatment for choroidal hemangioma in Sturge-Weber syndrome patients.

Contribution

The study introduces IMRT as a novel, low-risk treatment alternative for diffuse choroidal hemangioma in Sturge-Weber syndrome.

Findings

All patients showed significant tumor regression and reduction in subretinal fluid.

Visual acuity improved in patients with pre-treatment vision of hand motion or better.

Minimal side effects were observed during IMRT treatment.

Abstract

This study aimed to report the efficiency and safety of using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in treating diffuse choroidal hemangioma (DCH) in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS).

IMRT planning was carried out for each case after patient fixation, CT simulation, and target delineation. The purpose of treatment planning was to deliver the prescribed dose of 20 Gy to at least 95% of the planning target volume (PTV). The primary follow-up goal was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IMRT as an alternative to traditional 3D conformal radiotherapy methods. The case series involved patients with DCH and varying degrees of vision impairment who underwent IMRT.

Five patients, comprising two men and three women, with an average age of 14.4
±
3.78 years, were included in this study. These patients were followed up for an average duration of 14.4
±
6.84 months. All patients exhibited notable reduction in subretinal fluid, significant tumor regression, and minimal side effects. Visual acuity improved in patients with pre-IMRT vision of hand motion or better.

The findings suggest that IMRT is a promising, low-complication treatment option for managing DCH in SWS patients, warranting further research and potential integration into clinical practice.

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