Clinical features and image manifestations of recurrent retinoblastoma
with limb bone metastasis and without CNS involvement
Abstract
Background: Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular
malignancy in infancy and childhood. Bone metastases are common and
usually involve the skull and axial bones; limb bone metastases are
rare. Herein, we evaluated the clinical features, image manifestations,
treatment, and prognosis of patients with recurrent RB with limb bone
metastasis and without central neural system involvement. Procedure:
Clinical data of 5 patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed at
the Department of Pediatrics in Beijing Tongren Hospital, between
January 2015 and January 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Results:
Three males and two females were included (7 eyes: 4 stage E and 1 each
of stage D, C, and B). The interval between symptom onset and bone
metastasis was 12-102 months. Three cases were unilateral (2 left and 1
right), and two were bilateral. The most common symptom was pain. Three
patients had bone marrow and lymph node metastasis. Three patients had
single and two had multiple skeletal lesions. The main limb bones
involved were the femur, humerus, talus, and ulna. Serum neuron specific
enolase (NSE) was significantly elevated in 4 cases, and slightly
elevated in 1 case; primary intravenous chemotherapy resulted in a
decrease in NSE and gradual resolution of bone lesions. At the time of
follow-up, 2 patients died and 3 were in complete remission.
Conclusions: Regular lifelong follow-up of patients with RB is warranted
to identify bone metastases. Clinicians should consider examination
findings, imaging findings, and laboratory results to identify bone
metastases and initiate appropriate treatment.