Surgical outcome of transconjunctival cryosurgical extraction of orbital cavernous hemangioma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Transconjunctival cryosurgical extraction (TCE) i s not an accepted method for the removal of most intraorbital tumors, and t hus is not routinely performed. This study evaluates TCE for orbital cavern ous hemangioma (OCH), which, due to its specific vascular structure, is sui table for this technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective case series, the medical charts of 12 consecutive patients with OCH who underwent TCE were reviewed. The o perative complications and the surgical outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Eleven tumors were intraconal and 1 was extraconal. No tumor invol ved the orbital apex. In 10 patients (83%), the operation was uneventful. O ne patient lost vision due to intraoperative cilioretinal arterial occlusio n. In another patient, the tumor could not be identified and was subsequent ly removed via lateral orbitotomy. CONCLUSION: TCE, a relatively minor operation, is as safe as more extensive surgical procedures for the removal of OCH not located in the posterior th ird of the orbital space.