Retinal cryoprobe in orbital tumor management.

We used the retinal cryoprobe in the surgical management (biopsy and excision) of orbital and ocular adnexal tumors in four patients. The strong bond between the cryoprobe tip and the tumor allowed application of moderate traction to the tumors, facilitating their removal. The amount of traction on the tumor or cyst appeared to be much greater than that caused by forceps or clamps. In one case, however, marked traction with the cryoprobe caused rupture of the tumor capsule. In another case, in which a cyst wall was entered during dissection, we applied the cryoprobe to the opening, sealing the hole with an ice ball, to keep the cyst from collapsing. Histopathologic structure was not altered by cryoprobe applications.