Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy as a Treatment for Intraocular Retinoblastoma: Alternatives to Direct Ophthalmic Artery Catheterization

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intra-arterial chemotherapy is a very effective treatment option for intraocular retinoblastoma. However, direct catheterization of the OA is not always possible. The purpose of this work was to report our initial results with intra-arterial chemotherapy for intraocular retinoblastoma when delivery of the drug was not via direct catheterization of the OA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 110 eyes (89 patients) undergoing a total of 351 intra-arterial treatments at our institution between 2006 and 2010 identified 18 eyes (14 patients) that received at least 1 infusion via a vascular route other than direct OA catheterization. Alternatives included catheterization of the orbital branch of the MMA and temporary balloon occlusion of the ICA. RESULTS: Tumor control was observed in 17 of 18 eyes at a mean follow-up of 18.9 months (median, 17.5 months; range, 8-36 months). The mean number of intra-arterial infusions was 3.7 per eye (median, 3; range, 2-9). Treatment routes included the following: MMA only, 3 eyes; MMA + OA, 4 eyes; MMA + balloon, 2 eyes; balloon only, 1 eye; balloon + OA, 7 eyes; balloon + OA + MMA, 1 eye. Intra-arterial chemotherapies included melphalan, topotecan, and carboplatin. Complications were all transient. ERG readings were the following: stable, 10 eyes; improved, 3 eyes; reduced, 5 eyes. One patient died from a second malignancy (pinealoblastoma). CONCLUSIONS: This initial experience shows that when direct OA catheterization is not possible, using alternative routes of intra-arterial chemotherapy saves eyes and preserves vision with acceptable side effects.