Spontaneous regression of retinal racemose hemangioma in a pediatric patient.

Purpose: To report spontaneous regression of a type 2 retinal racemose hemangioma in a pediatric patient over 6 months of follow-up without treatment.

Methods: Observational case report.

Results: A 12 year old girl was diagnosed with unilateral type 2 retinal racemose hemangioma in the right posterior pole, confirmed on fluorescein angiography. After 6 months of observation without treatment, repeat examination and fluorescein angiography demonstrated regression of the arteriovenous malformation, without evidence of vascular occlusion or macular edema.

Conclusion: Retinal racemose hemangioma can spontaneously regress without treatment. These lesions were traditionally considered to be stationary, but progression or vision loss from vascular complications can occur. Regression in adults has been rarely reported, and the mechanism of involution is not fully understood. It may be attributed to partial occlusion of the vascular malformation on the arterial side and at the transitional zone, with reduction in flow across the shunt leading to normalisation of the vasculature, as appears to be the case in the patient we describe.