Retinal Hemangioma

Synonyms

Retinal capillary hemangioma; Retinal cavernous hemangioma

Definition

Capillary hemangioma is a benign developmental tumor in which proliferating endothelial cells form a primitive capillary network usually fed by feeder vessels originating from the central retinal artery.

Cavernous hemangioma is a benign congenital collection of multiple thin-walled dilated vessels lined by non-fenestrated endothelium without feeder vessels (Singh et al. 2007).

Etiology

Capillary hemangioma results from a proliferation of endothelial cells, which is why some authors consider it a hemangioblastoma. In up to 60 % of patients with either solitary or multiple retinal capillary hemangiomas, especially if there is a family history, there is association with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease which has an autosomal dominant etiology.

Cavernous hemangioma could not be consistently linked with a systemic condition.

Clinical Presentation

Capillary hemangiomas can be detected by 25 years of age, when...