Retinal vasoproliferative tumors - Surgical management and histological findings

Vascular masses occurring in the peripheral retina have been described exte nsively in the literature. Many terms, including "presumed acquired hemangi omas," "hemangioma-like," "angiomatous masses," "angioma-like," "peripheral retinal telangiectasis," and "vasoproliferative tumors," have been suggest ed that reflect the lack of the known histological features and the potenti ally variable causes. We describe the histological features of 2 patients w ho underwent transcleral local resection as management for suspected choroi dal melanoma. Pathological examination of these tumors reveals the: constit uents to be primarily benign glial cell proliferation with secondary vasopr oliferation. The weight of the literature agrees with a reactionary process . We therefore suggest the term "reactionary retinal glioangiosis." Transcl eral resection has a place where diagnosis is difficult. It prevents an unn ecessary enucleation and allows accurate tissue diagnosis.