Vasoproliferative retinal tumour
- Correspondence to: Professor Bertil Damato Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool L7 8XP, UK; bertil.damato{at}btinternet.com
Brachytherapy requires further evaluation
Vasoproliferative retinal tumour is an enigmatic disease, characterised by one or more retinal nodules, which are usually located pre-equatorially and inferotemporally, and which cause retinal exudates, macular oedema, and epiretinal membranes. Numerous single case reports and several case series have been published, with the disease described using a variety of terms.1–4
The tumour in question consists mostly of glial cells interlaced with a fine capillary network and dilated, hyalinised blood vessels, some of which are occluded.5–7 Exudates, macrophages, and foreign body giant cells are also present. The histology does not indicate a “vasoproliferative” tumour. The term “reactionary retinal glioangiosis” has been proposed.5
Approximately 75% of cases are idiopathic and 25% are secondary to other ocular diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa, uveitis, retinal detachment, congenital toxoplasmosis, and Coats’ disease.3,8 Multiple lesions occur in about 6% of patients without predisposing …
