Orbital tumor – hemangiopericytoma – in a neonate

Purpose
To present a case of Haemangiopericytoma (HPC), a rare neopalsm which originates from the vascular pericytes. HPC occurs most commonly in adults. Only 5–10% of cases occur in children. Congenital orbital HPC is generally unknown in the field of ophthalmology.

Material and methods
A case of congenital, large exophthalmus is reported in a 1 day old male neonate. Imaging studies demonstrated a vascular, orbital mass involving skull base and cranial fossa.

Results
The diagnosis of HPC was established after histological exmination. Lesion did not qualify to surgical resection. The child was treated with chemotherapy for 10 months and a great regression of tumor was noted. There was no tumor recurrence during 4 years of a follow up.

Conclusions
Chemotherapy may have a significant role in the treatment of infants with nonoperative malignant hemangiopericytoma.