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J Fontanesi

Publications and source records attributed to J Fontanesi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Orbital development in long-term survivors of retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of enucleation, irradiation, and age at diagnosis on bony orbital growth in long-term survivors of retinoblastoma using measurements based on computed tomographic (CT) imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used CT obtained at a median age of 13 years to measure orbital volume and configuration in 54 patients who had been treated for retinoblastoma a minimum of 5 years previously. RESULTS: Enucleation and high-dose orbital irradiation (> 35 Gy) both independently adversely affected orbital development (P = .014 and P = .022, respectively). Orbital volume differences for children treated when < or = 1 year old were no greater than those for children treated when older than 1 year of age. In children treated for bilateral retinoblastoma, the impact of enucleation on orbital development was not statistically different from that of irradiation (P = .13). Small implants (12 to 14 mm in diameter) were more commonly associated with smaller orbital volumes. Migration of orbital implants was associated with the smaller orbital sphere size in children < or = 1 year of age (P < .035). CONCLUSION: Treatment for retinoblastoma compromises orbital development. Resulting orbital asymmetry seems to be at least partially related to the size of the implant. Detailed imaging-based measurements of orbital volume and configuration may aid the planning for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in those who develop orbital asymmetry.

Age Factors

A novel organ preservation protocol for advanced carcinoma of the larynx and pharynx.

OBJECTIVE: To pilot a targeted chemoradiation protocol for patients with advanced carcinoma of the larynx and pharynx that would circumvent upper aerodigestive tract dysfunction related to major oncologic surgery. DESIGN: Weekly intra-arterial infusions of supradose cisplatin (150 mg/m2 per week x 4) rapidly delivered to the tumor bulk, simultaneous intravenous sodium thiosulfate for systemic drug neutralization, and conventional external-beam irradiation (1.80-2.00 Gy per fraction x 35) were used. Between February 1991 and April 1994, 42 patients were treated who would otherwise have required a major resection of the tongue base, pharyngeal wall, or larynx. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tumor response, toxic effects, disease control above the clavicle, preservation of the larynx, maintenance of oral nutrition, and overall and disease-related 2-year survival. RESULTS: Three complications were related to the weekly transfemoral superselective intra-arterial procedures performed 160 times. Grade 3 to 4 chemotoxic effects were infrequent, occurring in 9 (5.5%) of 160 cycles, and only 1 patient required a radiotherapy break because of severe mucositis. A complete response in the primary site was obtained in 36 (86%) of 42 patients, 2 of whom had residual disease in the neck. Median follow-up was 13 months (range, 3-46 months). To date, there have been 5 recurrences: 2 regional and 3 distant. The 2-year overall and disease-related survival was 64% and 76%, respectively. The rate of disease control above the clavicle at 2 years was 86%. CONCLUSIONS: We believe this chemoradiation protocol represents an effective management scheme for patients with advanced head and neck cancer while minimizing dysfunction and possibly improving survival.

Adolescent

Role of irradiation in management of synovial sarcoma: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital experience.

The role of irradiation in the management of synovial sarcoma (SS) in pediatric patients is evaluated. The review covers all children seen at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between May 1969 and December 1992 with the diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma, of the 37 patients with the subtype SS, 16 received irradiation for the management of primary site disease. There were four IRS Group I, six Group II, four Group III, and two Group IV patients receiving irradiation. Tumor grade included seven Grade II, and nine Grade III lesions. TMN staging identified eight T1 and eight T2 lesions. Follow-up has ranged from 14 to 117 months (med = 33 months). All IRS Group I patients had documented local control. Five of six IRS Group II and 4/4 Group III patients have had documented local control at last follow-up. IRS Group IV patients had either local control tumor stabilization (n=1) or evidence of tumor regression (n=1) at autopsy. Complications following irradiation include wound dehiscence (n=1), surgery to revise a painful scar (n=1) extremity length discrepancy (n=2), and femoral head avascular necrosis (n=1). At last follow-up, 10 of 14 patients receiving curative intent irradiation remain alive. This review indicates questionable benefit to the addition of irradiation for patients with adequate surgical resection and having "good" tumor characteristics (Grade I, II; IRS Group I, TMN T1A,T1B. For lesions that have had incomplete resection or partial response to chemotherapy, there is evidence that irradiation may provide durable local control. The role of irradiation in those patients with IRS Group IV disease is at present confined to palliative roles until the time when more effective chemotherapy will mandate the decision to treat primary disease for curative measures.

Adolescent

Treatment outcome and dose-response relationship in infants younger than 1 year treated for retinoblastoma with primary irradiation.

Thirty-three infants ( < 1 year at diagnosis) were treated for retinoblastoma with primary irradiation at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH) between 1963 and June 1992. Staging of the 44 treated eyes was as follows: Reese-Ellsworth (R-E) Groups I (n = 20), Group II (n = 9), Group III (n = 6), Group IV (n = 2), Group V (n = 7). Irradiation was delivered using either a single anterior field (31 eyes) or lens-sparing techniques (13 eyes). Total doses ranged from 21-45 Gy (median = 36 Gy) in fractions of 150-180 cGy (n = 34) or > 180 cGy (n = 10). One child died of metastatic disease at 42 months. Three patients have developed second malignant neoplasms; two have succumbed at 88 and 125 months post-RB diagnosis; the remaining patients are alive at 6-259 months postdiagnosis (median follow-up = 127 months). Local control with irradiation alone and supplemented cryotherapy given within 2 months (n = 2) was maintained in 29 eyes, with no statistical difference seen for total doses < or = 36 Gy (21/8 eyes) vs. > 36 Gy (8/16). Of 15 eyes that required salvage therapy, tumor control has been maintained in 13. Enucleation was required for four patients, two with recurrent retinoblastoma and one with a phthisical eye. Cataract formation was documented in 23 eyes (87.5%) treated with lens-sparing techniques developed cataract. At last follow-up, 23 of 30 patients tested (77%) had visual acuity of 20/100 or better. This experience confirms early observations in that doses > or = 36 Gy do not appear to improve local control with irradiation alone in infants ( < 365 days) with retinoblastoma.

Cryotherapy

A phase II trial evaluating selective use of altered radiation dose and fractionation in patients with unresectable rhabdomyosarcoma.

PURPOSE: Between 1987 and 1991, 25 children with advanced rhabdomyosarcoma (20 with IRS Group 3 disease and 5 with Group 4 disease) were entered on a prospective study evaluating selective use of hyperfractionated irradiation (HFI) and reduced-dose conventionally fractionated irradiation (CFI), based on disease status following induction chemotherapy (ifosfamide or melphalan, followed by vincristine, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide combination) with or without delayed surgery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with gross disease following induction chemotherapy with or without delayed surgery, and whose primary tumor sites did not involve the central nervous system, received HFI (n = 12) at 1.1 Gy twice-a-day to 59.4-63.8 Gy total. Patients with parameningeal primaries and intracranial disease extension received HFI with initiation of therapy (n = 2). Those with microscopic disease following induction chemotherapy with or without delayed surgery (n = 11) received reduced-dose CFI to 40 Gy. Active follow-up ranges from 28-75 months (median = 43 months) with no patient lost to follow-up. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (72%) are alive and without evidence of disease, including 8 of the children with gross residual disease postinduction therapy. The absolute 2-year continuous local tumor control rate is 86% for all patients. Among the 14 who received HFI, the absolute 2-year continuous local tumor control rate is 75% at 33 to 67 months (median = 38 months) postirradiation. Hyperfractionated irradiation was associated with expected enhancement of acute reactions, which all resolved with conservative medical management. Grade 4 or 5 acute toxicities were not seen. Significant late radiation morbidity has, thus far, been minimal and limited to Grade 1 and 2 events. Among the 11 who received reduced-dose CFI, the absolute 2-year continuous local tumor control rate is 100% at 25 to 70 months (median = 40 months) postirradiation. CONCLUSION: This limited experience suggests that HFI to a dose level of 60 Gy can be used selectively in children with advanced rhabdomyosarcoma left with gross disease following induction chemotherapy, with or without delayed surgery, with an apparent improvement in local control, and minimization of potential late radiation toxicity. Concurrently, those left with microscopic disease following induction therapy can be selectively treated with reduced-dose CFI with excellent local control.

Adolescent

Local tumor control in rhabdomyosarcoma following low-dose irradiation: comparison of group II and select group III patients.

PURPOSE: To determine whether low-dose irradiation (i.e., approximately 40 Gy at 1.5-1.8 Gy/fraction), which is associated with > or = 90% local control in children with initially resected rhabdomyosarcoma and microscopic residual [Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma (IRS) group II disease], achieves comparable results in children with locally advanced rhabdomyosarcoma (IRS group III) left with microscopic disease after induction chemotherapy with or without delayed surgery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Among 103 patients entered on five successive studies between 1968 and 1991, 24 had evidence of microscopic residual disease after initial surgical resection (IRS group II) and received low-dose irradiation. Initial chemotherapy was used in 79 with IRS group III disease. In 28 of these 79 group III patients, chemotherapy alone (n = 16) or in combination with delayed surgery (n = 12) reduced disease to microscopic levels prior to the start of radiotherapy based upon which they received low-dose irradiation. All have a minimum 2-year follow-up and median age of 4 years. Primary tumor sites among the 24 with group II disease included: orbit (5), parameningeal (2), nonparameningeal head and neck (3), genitourinary: nonbladder/prostate (5), extremity (4), and other (5). Irradiation dose ranged from 32-50 Gy, with a median and modal dose of 40 Gy. Primary tumor sites among the 28 with group III disease selectively treated with low-dose irradiation included: orbit (1), parameningeal (6), nonparameningeal head and neck (4), genitourinary: bladder/prostate (12) and nonbladder/prostate (1), extremity (1), and other (3). Irradiation dose ranged from 33-52 Gy, with a median and modal dose of 40 Gy. RESULTS: Local disease control has been maintained in 23 of 24 patients (96%) with group II disease. Local control occurred in eight of nine (89%) group II patients receiving < 40 Gy and in all 15 receiving > or = 40 Gy (p = 0.26). Twenty (83%) are alive and free of disease. Twenty-two of the 28 patients (79%) with group III disease treated with low-dose irradiation have maintained continuous local control of disease which was not statistically different from the group II patients (p = 0.08). Local control occurred in 7 of 11 (64%) group III patients receiving < 40 Gy vs. 15 of 17 (88%) receiving > or = 40 Gy (p < = 0.14). Nineteen (68%) are alive and free of disease. Survival in these group III patients is significantly worse than that of the group II patients, with 19 (68%) alive and free of disease (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Children with locally advanced rhabdomyosarcoma (IRS group III) who have only microscopic disease after induction chemotherapy with or without delayed surgery have a high likelihood of achieving local control with low-dose irradiation. For this group, data suggest treatment to a dose level of at least 40 Gy.

Adolescent

Use of irradiation for therapy of retinoblastoma in children more than 1 year old: the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital experience and review of literature.

Fifteen children (> 1 year old at diagnosis) were treated for retinoblastoma (RB) with primary irradiation at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between January 1963 and January 1992. Staging of the 19 treated eyes was as follows: Reese-Ellsworth (R-E) Groups I and II, n = 7; Group III, n = 3; Group IV, n = 1; Group V, n = 7; information on one globe is incomplete. Total dosage ranged from 25 to 45 Gy (median = 40 Gy) in fractions of 170-225 cGy delivered 5 x/week (n = 13) or 225-265 cGy delivered 4 x/week (n = 4 eyes) or x 5/week (n = 2 eyes). Treatment techniques included anterior field (n = 11) or lens-sparing technique (n = 8). One patient has died of progressive central nervous system (CNS) disease at 13 months; one patient succumbed to second malignant neoplasm within the irradiated field at 194 months; the remaining 13 patients remain alive from 27 to 301 months (median = 178 months). Local control with irradiation alone has been maintained in 12 eyes. Four eyes with local recurrence were salvaged using cryotherapy or reirradiation. Enucleation was required for three eyes for progressive disease at 4, 7, and 7 months postirradiation. Cataract formation was documented in nine eyes treated with anterior fields and in one patient treated with lens-sparing technique. At last follow-up, 7 patients had visual acuity of 20/100 or better. Radiation dose of 40 Gy appears to be adequate for local control of early stage RB (R-E Groups I-III and VB whose tumors are R-E Groups I-III) in patients > 1 year old. The results of this limited series which has lengthy follow-up is compared with the results of previously published data in an effort to define the benefits and disadvantages of the different treatment techniques which have been reported in the treatment of RB in children > 1 year old.

Cataract

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital experience.

BACKGROUND: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are uncommon in young patients. To contribute to the understanding of these tumors, we reviewed the records of all patients treated for PNSTs at one institution over a 30-year period. METHODS: We reviewed the records of eight patients treated for benign PNSTs and 28 patients treated for 29 MPNSTs. We focused on the latter group, statistically testing several clinical factors for their significance in affecting survival. RESULTS: Five-year survival in patients with MPNSTs was 39%. The most significant prognostic factor was gross tumor resectability (p = 0.0004). Five-year survival for patients with resectable tumors was 65%, whereas no patient with unresectable disease survived > 25 months. Tumor grade, site, and patient race were also significant factors by univariate analysis but were not significant when adjusted for resectability. CONCLUSION: Gross tumor resection is crucial in treating malignant PNSTs. Supplemental radiation therapy is recommended for positive microscopic margins. More effective treatment is still being sought for unresectable disease.

Adolescent

High-activity 125I interstitial irradiation in the treatment of pediatric central nervous system tumors: a pilot study.

Malignant pediatric tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) have a poor prognosis, with local failure rates as high as 50%. In an attempt to improve local tumor control, we used stereotactic interstitial therapy with 125I implants in patients with recurrent/secondary or newly diagnosed CNS malignancies. Catheters were placed using computed tomography (CT) guidance; computerized dosimetry was completed with the aid of orthogonal films. Implants delivered 1,000 cGy/day to the tumor periphery (0.5 cm beyond the boundary of enhancement on CT scans), to a total dose of 60 Gy. Hyperfractionated external beam irradiation (HEBI), started 2-4 weeks after removal of implants, delivered total doses of 66-70.4 Gy in 110-cGy fractions twice daily to a 3-cm margin around the implant volume. Eight of the 11 patients with newly diagnosed tumors also received 48.4 Gy HEBI to the craniospinal axis. Tumor regression was noted at 2 months after implantation in the 4 patients treated for recurrent/secondary tumors; local progression was subsequently documented in 2 cases at 6 and 20 months after implantation, while a third patient died 6 months after implantation with no evidence of local recurrence. The remaining recurrent/secondary tumor patient has no evidence of active recurrence 15 months after implantation. Local control was maintained in 9 of the 11 patients treated for primary tumors for a median of 27 months (range 15 to 48+ months). The two local failures occurred at 5 and 7 months after implantation. Six patients are alive without evidence of progressive disease (median = 23 months after implantation). There were no severe acute toxicities, but 7 patients later developed histologically confirmed tumor necrosis. Quality of life assessment (QLA) following initial primary therapy with implantation was evaluated utilizing an established criteria and found to be excellent with only one child showing marked QLA score decrease which was related to neurosurgical intervention for radiation-induced necrosis and dysfunctional family social situation. This small series suggests that stereotactic 125I implantation followed by HEBI merits further evaluation in selected children with supratentorial malignant lesions.

Adolescent

Second malignant neoplasms in children with retinoblastoma: the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital experience.

A retrospective review of 172 children with primary diagnosis of retinoblastoma (RB) was completed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to evaluate the incidence of second malignant neoplasm (SMN) development. Sixty-five patients presented with bilateral RB and 107 with unilateral RB. During follow-up, which ranged from 6 to 340 months (median = 170 months), 6 children (3.5%) developed SMN. All patients who developed SMN presented with bilateral disease (n = 5) or asynchronous bilateral disease (n = 1); two patients had a family history of RB. All had received irradiation. Four patients developed osteogenic sarcoma within this irradiated volume, one developed a basal cell carcinoma in the temporal region (within the irradiation field), and one was diagnosed with a lower extremity Ewing's sarcoma. Time to development of SMN ranged from 125 to 194 months post-irradiation. Initial irradiation total dose ranged between 32 and 45.76 Gy. Three patients were treated with anterior field irradiation and three received lens-sparing techniques (anterior/lateral n = 2, lateral n = 1). At last follow-up, 4/6 patients had died of SMN. The crude incidence is 3.5% with an estimation of risk using the density method of 24% at 20 years for SMN development. The specifics of the treatment associated with these second malignancies and the possible reasons for the reported incidence of SMN will be discussed.

Child

Asynchronous bilateral retinoblastoma: the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital experience.

Between May 1962 and July 1993, 172 children presented at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for evaluation and/or treatment of retinoblastoma (RB). Of these, 65 presented with bilateral disease, while 107 had unilateral tumors. Of these 107 patients, nine subsequently developed RB in the unaffected eye. Initial age at diagnosis of these nine patients ranged from 3 weeks to 24 months (median = 2 months); five of the nine had a family history of RB at the time of initial diagnosis and one patient, without a family history of RB, presented with unilateral multiple tumors indicating inheritance of a germinal mutation and increased risk of RB development in the companion eye. Time to development of companion eye RB was 1-61 months postinitial diagnosis. Treatment of the initial eye included enucleation (n = 4), chemotherapy (n = 3), irradiation (n = 7), or a combination of these three modalities. Reese-Ellsworth grouping of the companion eye disease included I A (n = 7), III A (n = 1), and IV A (n = 1). Treatment of the second affected eye included irradiation in seven patients, cryotherapy in four, and chemotherapy in three. No companion eye has required enucleation to date. At last followup, 14/18 eyes remain intact. There have been no cases of metastatic dissemination; however, one patient has developed a second malignant neoplasm outside the field of irradiation. Eight of the nine patients remain alive. This experience reinforces the need for close follow-up of patients diagnosed with unilateral RB, especially those with a family history of RB and those with unilateral multiple tumors.

Child, Preschool

Pediatric brachytherapy. The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital experience.

BACKGROUND: The use of interstitial, intracavitary, and permanent placement of radioactive isotopes has become a common practice in adult oncology patients based on numerous reports indicating improved local control and survival when used. These same irradiation techniques and treatments have been infrequently used for children with malignant disease despite known dose localization properties that allow for highly focal irradiation delivery with rapid reduction of the dose in nearby normal tissues. The noted benefit of decreased late complications noted in the adult series is also attractive, especially when considering the treatment of children. METHODS: Between May, 1981 and December 15, 1992, 46 children with non-CNS primary malignancy received 50 brachytherapy applications for primary therapy (n = 11 sites), as a boost in conjunction with external beam irradiation (n = 16 sites), or as treatment of recurrent disease or a second malignant neoplasm in a previously irradiated region that precluded further external irradiation or for metastatic disease (n = 23 sites). The most common tumor histologies were rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 14), soft tissue sarcoma (n = 10) and retinoblastoma (n = 10). Patient age at implantation ranged from 8 weeks to 24 years; follow-up maintained in all patients and has ranged from 2-115 months (median, 39 months). RESULTS: Forty-three of 50 sites receiving brachytherapy have maintained continuous disease free intervals, ranging from 2 to 115 months postimplantation (median, 41 months). The seven local failures occurred 2-20 months postimplant (median, 6 months). Severe complications occurred in 12 patients, two which were life threatening but resolved without further incident. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this ongoing clinical investigation, the authors recommend brachytherapy for selected pediatric malignancies and continue to evaluate the various factors associated with local control, local failures, and complications.

Adolescent

Systematic analysis of errors in target localization and treatment delivery in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

PURPOSE: To systematically analyze the spatial uncertainties associated with each step of the stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) procedure and the overall spatial accuracy in the treatment delivery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A special test device has been designed and fabricated to permit accurate simulation, localization and treatment portal verification of a SRS target. This device with simulated targets dispersed in 3-D space can be rigidly attached to the BRW CT or angio frame for localization, to the BRW phantom base for target coordinate determination, and to the floor stand for portal verification. The setup allows evaluation of the accuracy of each procedure separately as well as the overall accuracy in the delivery of SRS treatment. RESULTS: Biplanar film localizations reveal a systematic error in the phantom base pointer of the order of 0.1 mm that is applied as a correction to the measured target coordinates. Targets localized by planar film angiography had a mean positional error of 0.38 +/- 0.1 mm compared to 1.0 +/- 0.7 mm for digital angiographic localization. The positional accuracy associated with CT localization was superior when a 2 mm vs. 4 mm slice thickness was used (0.9 +/- 0.3 mm vs. 1.6 +/- 0.5 mm error). Cumulative mean errors, including inaccuracies associated with treatment setup, were 1.0 +/- 0.4 mm for radiographic localization, 1.2 +/- 0.5 mm for CT with a 512 x 512 matrix and 2 mm slice thickness, and 2.0 +/- 0.6 mm for CT at a 4 mm slice thickness (256 x 256 matrix). Larger errors would be expected in the clinical setting. CONCLUSION: Spatial errors in stereotactic radiosurgery are best estimated using a systematic approach to isolate independent contributing factors. The accuracy in target localization determines the overall accuracy of SRS procedure, provided the mechanical accuracy of the treatment apparatus is assured. Biplanar treatment portal verification with a fiducial localization frame is an accurate method of verifying the target coordinates before delivering treatment.

Humans

Hyperfractionated irradiation and concurrent cisplatin in brain stem tumors: a Pediatric Oncology Group pilot study (9139).

A phase I Pediatric Oncology Group Study was performed combining 7,020 cGy hyperfractionated irradiation (117 cGy twice daily separated by 6 h) with increasing concurrent doses of cisplatin given with the intent of radiosensitization as treatment for children with newly diagnosed brain stem tumors. Cisplatin was infused over 120 h on weeks 1, 3, and 5 during a 6-week radiotherapy course. The following cisplatin dose levels were studied: (1) 50 mg/m2/120 h, (2) 75 mg/m2/120 h and (3) 100 mg/m2/120 h. Sixteen of 17 children completed therapy. One child expired after 2 days of treatment secondary to massive intratumoral hemorrhage. At cisplatin dose level 3 (100 mg/m2/120 h), grade 2-4 myelosuppression was encountered in 3 of 5 evaluable patients. Otherwise, no other excessive toxicities, including renal and ototoxicity, were noted.

Adolescent

Synovial sarcoma in children and adolescents: the St Jude Children's Research Hospital experience.

PURPOSE AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records and pathologic findings of 37 children and adolescents with synovial sarcoma treated at our institution over a 30-year period to evaluate the prognostic significance of tumor size, invasiveness, histology, and other features. RESULTS: The 20 male and 17 female patients with synovial sarcoma had a median age of 13.7 years at diagnosis. Primary tumor sites were the extremities (n = 27), trunk (n = 8), and head and neck (n = 2). Disease stage (clinical group) was as follows: group I, n = 21; group II, n = 7; group III, n = 4; and group IV, n = 5. Nineteen patients had invasive (T2) lesions, 20 had tumors more than 5 cm in diameter, and 14 had histologic grade 3 lesions. The estimated 5-year survival rate (+/- SE) for patients with group I or II disease was 80% +/- 9%, compared with 17% +/- 15% for those with group III or IV tumors (P = .0003). An exact log-rank test, adjusted for clinical group, showed that tumor invasiveness and grade independently predicted overall and progression-free survival (P < .05); tumor size was significantly correlated with progression-free survival. A borderline significant relationship with overall survival was found for both tumor size and histologic subtype (P = .09). CONCLUSION: A controlled trial of adjuvant chemotherapy is merited in children with resected synovial sarcoma (clinical group I or II) who present with unfavorable clinicopathologic features such as large, invasive, or grade 3 lesions. Children with unresected or metastatic disease fare poorly despite multimodality therapy and require novel treatment approaches.

Adolescent

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous of the eye: imaging findings with pathologic correlation.

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous is a rare benign developmental disorder of the globe in which the embryonic hyaloid artery fails to regress normally, resulting in abnormal lenticular development and secondary changes of the retina and globe. This entity often presents a diagnostic challenge as it is the most common intraocular abnormality to be confused with retinoblastoma. Sonography, CT, and MR imaging have been used alone and in combination to diagnose this condition. This essay illustrates the imaging characteristics of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in two children with unilateral disease and in one child with bilateral disease as representative cases (Figs. 1-3). Available pathologic correlates also are presented.

Diagnosis, Differential