Laser speckle flowgraphy in juxtapapillary retinal capillary hemangioblastoma: a case report on natural course and therapeutic effect

Abstract

Juxtapapillary retinal capillary hemangioblastoma (JRCH), a benign intraocular vascular tumor, is usually progressive and may lead to severe vision loss due to various complications. We herein present a case of JRCH observed with laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) before and after laser photocoagulation (LPC). A 21-year-old Japanese woman underwent LSFG evaluations. Right eye showed an orange-colored tumor consistent with JRCH on the papillomacular bundle, where LSFG showed a mild warm-color blood flow signal. Eight months after the first examination, JRCH in the right eye increased redness with vasodilatation, and the size enlarged, where LSFG showed a stronger warm-color blood flow signal. She underwent direct yellow laser ablation for the JRCH lesion. One week after LPC, JRCH became paler and LSFG eventually depicted a weakened blood flow signal at the same site. In conclusion, non-invasive and reproducible LSFG is a useful tool for assessing not only JRCH activity but also therapeutic effect.