Description

Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for retinoblastoma involves infusion of chemotherapy into the ophthalmic artery through a microcatheter.


Orbital and ocular complications:

(1) transient periorbital swelling

(2) orbital erythema

(3) transient or permanent loss of vision

(4) vascular event (spasm, occlusion, ischemia, microthrombi, etc)

(5) ptosis

(6) bradycardia

(7) retinal or vitreous hemorrhage

(8) choroid atrophy

(9) phthisis bulbi

(10) orbital myositis

 

Neutropenia can occur but is less common and less severe than with systemic chemotherapy.

 

A patient with a bilateral/germline retinoblastoma is at high risk for radiation-induced mutations, which can result in a second malignancy. Therefore, radiation exposure should be avoided, which affects how the catheterization is performed.


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