Contralateral catheterization of the ophthalmic artery to deliver intra-arterial chemotherapy in retinoblastoma

Abstract

Retinoblastoma is the most frequent ocular malignancy in the pediatric population and intra-arterial chemotherapy has emerged as the first-line treatment of this entity with cure rates ranging from 33–100%, depending on the severity of the disease. We present the case of an advanced retinoblastoma in a pediatric patient who underwent intra-arterial chemotherapy through a contralateral route due to unsuccessful catheterization of the ophthalmic artery. The patient was diagnosed with a class D retinoblastoma which underwent the catheterization of the ophthalmic artery through the contralateral internal carotid and through the anterior communicating artery. In this case, intra-arterial chemotherapy administration was successfully delivered without complications. Contralateral routes for intra-arterial chemotherapy are safe and allow adequate penetration of the chemotherapeutic drugs in cases where a well-developed anterior communicating artery is present.