[Use of cryopexy in treatment of retinoblastoma].

UNLABELLED

The aim of this work is to present our own experience in the treatment of retinoblastoma with cryopexy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

24 children were observed, among whom 23 had bilateral and 1 unilateral retinoblastoma. We applied transconjunctival cryopexy to small neoplasmatic foci in retina located anterior to the equator. In 21 eyes this treatment was supplementary to brachytherapy and photocoagulation. We used probes of temperature -65C. Each freezing lasted about 20 seconds. The treatment was repeated every 6-8 weeks. In some cases different degree of post-surgical hemorrhages occurred.

RESULTS

In 1/4 of cases already after a single freezing the tumour was destroyed and cicatrized. Only in 2 out of 24 treated eyes the desired effect was not reached.

CONCLUSION

Cryopexy is an effective method of treatment of small foci of retinoblastoma located in the periphery of the eye fundus. This method is usually supplementary to brachytherapy.