OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety of treatment with ophthalmic artery cannulation for intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for children with intraocular retinoblastoma (RB).

METHODIn the RB Treatment Center of General Hospital of Armed Police Forces between January 2009 and September 2011, 42 patients who were diagnosed intraocular RB and treated with ophthalmic artery cannulation for IAC, 8 patients were treated 1 circle, 31 patients were treated 2 circles and 3 patients were treated 3 circles (total, 96 times). Each month had IAC once. The ophthalmic and the whole body evaluations were performed during IAC and after IAC for each circle, the blood cell count, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum creatinine (Scr), CK-MB content before and after IAC for 1 circle, 2 circles and 3 circles were determined.

RESULT(1) In 52 eyes of 42 patients, 44 eyes (84.6%) were in remission. (2) Successful IAC was achieved in all cases, no severe side effects occurred during IAC. (3) The main ophthalmic complications were eyelid edema and blepharoptosis after IAC, the incidence for 1 circle was 18% (2/11) and 9% (1/11); for 2 circles was 29% (11/38) and 21% (8/38); for 3 circles was all 100% (3/3). The rare complications were vitreous hemorrhage and heterotropia, the incidence was all 2% (1/42). The incidence of eyelid edema and blepharoptosis had no significant differences for 1 circle IAC compared with 2 circles (P > 0.05); the incidence of eyelid edema and blepharoptosis had significant differences for 3 circles IAC compared with 2 circles and 1 circle (P < 0.01). (4) No fever, septicemia and other systemic toxic effects occurred. (5) ALT of 19% patients (8/42) elevated temporarily and CK-MB of 24% patients (10/42) increased. The blood cell counts, ALT, Scr, and CK-MB content before IAC had no significant differences compared with that at 24 h after IAC for 1 circle, 2 circles and 3 circles (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOphthalmic artery cannulation for IAC is a safe and effective method in treating intraocular stage retinoblastoma.