von Hippel-Lindau Disease Treatment & Management
- Author: Arun C Gulani, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD more...
Surgical Care
von Hippel-Lindau disease is usually a progressive disease. Therapy should begin as soon as the diagnosis is made. Surgical treatment may consist of argon laser photocoagulation, cryotherapy, fluid drainage, scleral buckling, penetrating diathermy, vitreous surgery, or endodiathermy.
Argon laser photocoagulation is effective in treating angiomatosis retinae. Treatment consists of a large spot size, with low-intensity, long-duration burns directed at the angioma. Repeated laser treatment is required, except for small tumors. Obliteration of the tumor is confirmed by clinical observation and fluorescein angiography. If the tumor turns yellowish, photocoagulation becomes difficult because of the poor penetration of laser light.
Cryotherapy, a repetitive freeze/thaw technique, may be used to treat anterior angiomas and larger posterior angiomas. To minimize the risk of hemorrhage, no more than 2 or 3 freeze/thaw cycles should be used per session. Multiple sessions generally are needed to arrest tumors. Resolution of the macula edema and improved visual acuity are common results of tumor eradication by cryotherapy.
Scleral buckle and fluid drainage methods may be needed to treat larger tumors, tumors associated with retinal detachment, angiomas resistant to cryotherapy, or tumors involving subretinal exudation. Large tumors may develop surface membranes and vitreous traction, leading to vitreous hemorrhage or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Such complications may require treatment by vitreous surgery, endodiathermy, or scleral buckling techniques.
Penetrating diathermy under a lamellar scleral bed is an effective treatment of larger angiomas.
Endodiathermy may be used, instead of vitreous surgical techniques or scleral buckling procedures, to treat vitreous hemorrhage or retinal detachment.
Radiation, applied in various forms, is another field among future directions in the care for this incessant pathology.
Consultations
The ophthalmologist has a critical role to play in the management of von Hippel-Lindau disease.
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