A case of radiation retinopathy after carbon ion radiotherapy for adenoid cystic carci - I noma in the sphenoid sinus

Purpose: To report a case of radiation retinopathy after carbon ion radiotherapy for adenoid cystic carcinoma in the sphenoid sinus. Case: A 26-year-old female was referred to us for impaired visual acuity in the right eye. She had received carbon ion radiotherapy for adenoid cystic carcinoma in the right sphenoid sinus extending to the right cavernous sinus 19 months before. The dosis of radiation totaled 57.6 GyE. Findings: Corrected visual acuity was 0.8 right and 1.2 left. The right fundus showed a few retinal hemorrhages and cotton-wool spots. Fluorescein angiography showed dry leakage from retinal vessels. Retinal nonperfusion was also present, leading the diagnosis of radiation retinopathy. The right eye developed cataract 32 months later followed by cataract surgery. Retinal neovasucularization developed another 10 months later and was treated by photocoagulation. There has been no recurrence of carcinoma in the sphenoid sinus for 97 months with right visual acuity maintained at 1.0. Conclusion: The present case illustrates that radiation retinopathy may develop years after carbon ion radiotherapy for adenoid cystic carcinoma in the sphenoid sinus.