PURPOSE: To reveal differences or advantages in regard to different treatment options after proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative, interventional case series. METHODS: All patients receiving intravitreal treatment between January 2011 and July 2014 for radiation maculopathy after proton beam therapy were included. Excluded were all patients who required re-irradiation, vitrectomies, or tumor resections; and those whose treatment was performed for potentially other reasons, such as radiation-induced optic neuropathy, or where visual outcome was influenced by tumor growth under the macula or macular ischemia. Minimum follow-up was 12 months after last injection. RESULTS: Of 78 patients, 38 (48.7%) received bevacizumab injections, 35 (44.9%) triamcinolone acetonide injections, and 5 (6.4%) a dexamethasone implant. In the bevacizumab group visual acuity improved in 11 patients (28.9%) by 0.25 logMAR (0.1-0.4 logMAR) and remained stable in 24 patients (63.2%) 4 weeks after injection. In the triamcinolone group visual acuity showed improved outcomes in 10 patients (28.6%) by 0.25 logMAR (0.1-0.4 logMAR) and stability in function in 20 patients (57.1%). Four weeks after dexamethasone implantation visual acuity remained stable in 4 patients (80%). No differences among the groups were detected regarding functional outcome or reduction in central foveal thickness. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that antiangiogenic or corticosteroid intravitreal treatment led to reduced central foveal thickness and visual improvement in some patients without showing differences or advantages. Therefore a patient-specific treatment choice can be recommended.
PURPOSE: To reveal differences or advantages in regard to different treatment options after proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative, interventional case series. METHODS: All patients receiving intravitreal treatment between January 2011 and July 2014 for radiation maculopathy after proton beam therapy were included. Excluded were all patients who required re-irradiation, vitrectomies, or tumor resections; and those whose treatment was performed for potentially other reasons, such as radiation-induced optic neuropathy, or where visual outcome was influenced by tumor growth under the macula or macular ischemia. Minimum follow-up was 12 months after last injection. RESULTS: Of 78 patients, 38 (48.7%) received bevacizumab injections, 35 (44.9%) triamcinolone acetonide injections, and 5 (6.4%) a dexamethasone implant. In the bevacizumab group visual acuity improved in 11 patients (28.9%) by 0.25 logMAR (0.1-0.4 logMAR) and remained stable in 24 patients (63.2%) 4 weeks after injection. In the triamcinolone group visual acuity showed improved outcomes in 10 patients (28.6%) by 0.25 logMAR (0.1-0.4 logMAR) and stability in function in 20 patients (57.1%). Four weeks after dexamethasone implantation visual acuity remained stable in 4 patients (80%). No differences among the groups were detected regarding functional outcome or reduction in central foveal thickness. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that antiangiogenic or corticosteroid intravitreal treatment led to reduced central foveal thickness and visual improvement in some patients without showing differences or advantages. Therefore a patient-specific treatment choice can be recommended.
Authors: Francesco Stringa; Federico Marzi; Laura Giannì; Manuela Imparato; Alessandro Bianchi; Paolo Emilio Bianchi Journal: Int Med Case Rep J Date: 2016-11-30