RETINOBLASTOMA WITH NECROSIS OF CENTRAL RETINAL ARTERY AND VEIN AND PARTIAL SPONTANEOUS REGRESSION

Abstract

A case of partial spontaneous regression of retinoblastoma in one eye and fatal retinoblastoma in the other eye is described. In the spontaneously regressed retinoblastoma, necrosis of the central retinal artery in the lamina cribrosa and necrosis of the central retinal artery and vein in the disc were demonstrated. No DNA deposits were established in the haematoxyphilic retinal vessels, some of which were thrombosed. The most likely explanation of the spontaneous regression is that the tumour had grown out of its vascular supply with secondary necrosis of the tumour and haemorrhage on the disc followed by necrosis of the central retinal vessels. An inflammatory reaction in the necrotic tumour tissue might be the cause of the simultaneous rhinitis and pleuritis. An immunological reaction in the tumour or a primary inflammation outside the eye causing the panophthalmitis have also been considered.