Superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy treatment for retinoblastoma: clinical experience from a tertiary referral centre

Objective: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of an alternative retrograde superselective ophthalmic artery catheterization (intra-arterial chemotherapy [IAC]), while treating retinoblastoma patients. Methods: A retrospective review of IAC for 21 treatment-naive eyes (21 patients, primary group) and 10 eyes of previously treated 9 patients (secondary group). Statistical analysis was performed using Number Cruncher Statistical System 2007, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Fisher's exact test. Results: Total fluoroscopy time ranged from 3 to 12 minutes. Globe salvage was 71.4% (15/21 eyes) and 80% (8/10 eyes) in the primary and secondary groups, respectively. Globe salvage rates were recorded as 100%, 100%, 70%, and 0% for group B, C, D, and E patients, respectively. Conclusions: Retrograde IAC is effective in tumour control with shorter fluoroscopy time and acceptable complication rates both for naive and treated patients. Furthermore, controlling retinoblastoma in advanced group D eyes was efficacious.