INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB AS PRIMARY TREATMENT FOR RETINAL ANGIOMATOUS PROLIFERATION: Twelve-Month Results

Functional and structural characteristics in patients with type 3 macular neovascularisation treated with anti-VEGF. Three-year results in real world settings

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the long-term anatomical and functional outcomes of anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor intravitreal injections (anti-VEGF IVI) in patients with type 3 macular neovascularisation (MNV) in real-world settings.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients with type 3 MNV who received anti-VEGF IVI between 2013 and 2020. Primary outcomes were best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT). Secondary outcome was the development of new-onset of foveal-involving geographic atrophy (GA) and disciform scars.

RESULTS

We identified 59 eyes from 48 British patients that met the inclusion criteria. Treatment with anti- VEGF IVI resulted in a statistically significant reduction in median CMT, which was maintained throughout the study period. At 36 months, 24 eyes showed more than 50 μm reduction in CMT, 7 eyes remained stable and only 2 eyes showed an increase in CMT by more than 50μm compared to the baseline. At year three, deterioration was noticed in most eyes (52.78%) and vision remained stable or improved in 47.22% of the eyes. However, the median BCVA was not statistically significant different compared to baseline. During the study period new onset of macula-involving atrophy or scar was noted in 10.2% and 4.3% of the eyes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this real-world study, anatomic and functional improvement were recorded 12-months post anti-VEGF IVI in type 3 MNV. Despite sustained anatomical improvement, vision returned back to baseline levels at 36-months. The development of GA and macular scar was only partially responsible for this outcome suggesting a more severe nature of this form of nAMD.

Current Perspectives on Type 3 Macular Neovascularization due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration

BACKGROUND

The aim of this review was to systematically summarize the current knowledge on type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV3) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

SUMMARY

Recent histopathologic and multimodal imaging findings led to the consensus definition of the new term "type 3 macular neovascularization" in AMD. MNV3 originates in the deep vascular plexus as a neovascular process without connection with the retinal pigment epithelium in the initial stages. This type has numerous clinical and pathomorphologic features that separate it from the other two types of MNV in AMD. Besides, its frequency appears to be higher than previously thought. In optical coherence tomography (OCT), MNV3 can be classified into stages 1-3. Hyperreflective foci in the outer retina possibly represent a precursor lesion. In addition, MNV3 is characterized by a strong association with reticular pseudodrusen, a high rate of bilaterality, close associations with advanced age and arterial hypertension, decreased choroidal thickness, and decreased choriocapillaris flow signals. Data from latest anti-vascular endothelial growth factor studies in MNV3 suggest that the OCT biomarkers in intraretinal and subretinal fluids should be interpreted differently than in the other types. Additionally, data from MNV3 eyes should be analyzed separately, allowing optimal type-specific treatment strategies in the future.

KEY MESSAGES

This review highlights the need for accurate characterization of neovascular AMD lesions and an MNV type-specific approach, particularly for MNV3.

Short-term efficacy of intravitreal Aflibercept injections for retinal angiomatous proliferation

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the short-term efficacy of intravitreal injections of aflibercept (IVA) to treat retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) and identify factors related to functional outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective case series consisted of 19 eyes in 19 patients with RAP. All 19 eyes received 3 monthly consecutive IVA. The primary outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) after the last IVA.

RESULTS

Of the 19 treated eyes, 8 (42%) were pre-treated with 1 dose of bevacizumab one month prior to the initiation of treatment with aflibercept. BCVA was significantly improved and CRT was significantly reduced after 3 consecutive IVAs (P = 0.014 and P = 0.0002, respectively). Stabilization or improvement in BCVA was observed in 17 eyes (90%) treated with IVA. Eyes with baseline fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) showed no significant gain in BCVA, and fibrovascular PED was negatively correlated with final BCVA (Spearman's correlation coefficient = - 0.481, P = 0.037). The mean follow-up was 3.5 ± 0.5 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In this short-term study, three consecutive IVAs showed efficacy for improving vision and reducing retinal edema in RAP patients. Eyes with fibrovascular PED showed poorer responses, and the presence of fibrovascular PED at baseline was negatively correlated with visual outcomes.

Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Drugs for Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation in Real-Life Practice

PURPOSE

To describe the outcomes of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) in real-life practice in 7 Italian centers under the Progetto Luce initiative.

METHODS

Clinical data of 95 eyes of 95 patients affected by RAP, regularly followed up and treated with either intravitreal ranibizumab or bevacizumab over 12 months, were examined. After a loading phase of 3 consecutive injections, retreatments were administered following a pro-re-nata regimen on the basis of the persistence or the recurrence of subretinal/intraretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography, or leakage on fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS

Overall, the mean best corrected visual acuity changed from 0.66 to 0.53 LogMAR (P: 0.0003); 36.8% of eyes gained at least 3 ETDRS lines, whereas 13.7% lost >3 lines at the end of the follow-up. Mean central retinal thickness improved from 384 μm at baseline to 262 μm at the 12-month examination (P < 0.001). A serous pigment epithelium detachment (PED) was identified in 68.4% of eyes at baseline, and it was still detectable in 30.5% at the end of follow-up. The mean number of injections was 4.4 over the follow-up. A significantly greater proportion of eyes showed PED resolution in the subgroup treated with ranibizumab (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment in routine clinical practice allows a significant improvement in visual function in patients affected by RAP. A limited number of anti-VEGF injections are generally required in most cases.

Outcomes in Eyes with Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation in the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT)

PURPOSE

To compare baseline characteristics, visual acuity (VA), and morphologic outcomes between eyes with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) and all other eyes among patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study within the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT).

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with NVAMD.

METHODS

Reading center staff evaluated digital color fundus photographs, fluorescein angiography (FA) images, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of eyes with NVAMD treated with either ranibizumab or bevacizumab over a 2-year period. Retinal angiomatous proliferation was identified by the intense intra-retinal leakage of fluorescein in combination with other associated features.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual acuity; fluorescein leakage; scar; geographic atrophy (GA) on FA; retinal thickness, fluid, and subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM) on OCT; and the number of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections at 1 and 2 years.

RESULTS

Retinal angiomatous proliferation was present in 126 of 1183 (10.7%) study eyes at baseline. Mean VA improvement from baseline was greater (10.6 vs. 6.9 letters; P = 0.01) at 1 year, but similar at 2 years (7.8 vs. 6.2 letters; P = 0.34). At 1 year, eyes with RAP were more likely to have no fluid (46% vs. 26%; P < 0.001) on OCT, no leakage on FA (61% vs. 50%; P = 0.03), and greater reduction in foveal thickness (-240 μm vs. -161 μm; P < 0.001). They were more likely to demonstrate GA (24% vs. 15%; P = 0.01) and less likely to have scarring (17% vs. 36%; P < 0.001) or SHRM (36% vs. 48%; P = 0.01). These results were similar at 2 years. The mean change in lesion size at 1 year differed (-0.27 DA vs. 0.27 DA; P = 0.02), but was similar at 2 years (0.49 DA vs. 0.79 DA; P = 0.26). Among eyes treated PRN, eyes with RAP received a lower mean number of injections in year 1 (6.1 vs. 7.4; P = 0.003) and year 2 (5.4 vs. 6.6; P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

At both 1 and 2 years after initiation of anti-VEGF treatment in CATT, eyes with RAP were less likely to have fluid, FA leakage, scar, and SHRM and more likely to have GA than eyes without RAP. Mean improvement in VA was similar at 2 years.

Risk factors for geographic atrophy after intravitreal ranibizumab injections for retinal angiomatous proliferation

PURPOSE

To describe the risk factors for the development of geographic atrophy (GA) following intravitreal ranibizumab injection treatment for retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP).

DESIGN

Retrospective interventional series.

METHODS

Forty-three eyes (38 South Korean patients) from patients being treated for naïve RAP with intravitreal ranibizumab injection were included in this study. All patients were treated with an initial series of 3 monthly loading injections, followed by further injections as required. Baseline ocular characteristics and lesion features assessed using fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine angiography (ICGA), and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) were evaluated as potential risk factors for GA through 2 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

At 2 years follow-up, GA had developed in 16 of 43 eyes (37.2%). The mean number of ranibizumab injections was 7.52 ± 2.11. Using multiple logistic regression, thinning of the subfoveal choroid at baseline (odds ratio [OR], 0.955; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.929-0.982; P = .002), presence of reticular pseudodrusen (OR, 1.092; 95% CI, 1.017-1.485; P = .039), and presence of GA in the fellow eye at baseline (OR, 1.433; 95% CI, 1.061-1.935; P = .025) were identified as significant risk factors for GA development.

CONCLUSIONS

GA developed in 37.2% of eyes with RAP during the 24 months following intravitreal ranibizumab injections. Subfoveal choroidal thinning at baseline, the presence of reticular pseudodrusen, and the presence of GA in the fellow eye at baseline were associated with increased risk of GA development after treatment.

Results of intravitreal ranibizumab with a prn regimen in the treatment of extrafoveal and juxtafoveal neovascular membranes in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab with a "pro re nata" regimen in the treatment of nonsubfoveal neovascular membranes secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

METHODS

Retrospective noncomparative case series. Thirty-one eyes with naive nonsubfoveal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration were consecutively enrolled and treated with ranibizumab intravitreal injections according to a pro re nata regimen. The follow-up was performed monthly up to 6 months and quarterly up to 2 years (25 patients). Early treatment diabetic retinopathy study best-corrected visual acuity and lesion size analysis with fluorescein angiography were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean baseline early treatment diabetic retinopathy study best-corrected visual acuity worsened from 20/40 (0.28 logMAR) at baseline to 20/50 (0.42 logMAR) at 1-year follow-up and 20/60 (0.53 logMAR) at 2-year follow-up. The mean lesions size nearly doubled from baseline at the 2-year follow up (1.19-2.47 mm). Twenty-two patients had one or more recurrences at 1-year follow-up. All 25 patients developed a recurrence at 2 years with 7 cases developing a recurrence by 12 months. Twelve cases progressed to subfoveal lesions by the 24-month visit.

CONCLUSION

Other regimens described in the literature might result in a more the satisfactory outcome using more frequent follow-up and more frequent intravitreal injections.

Predictive factors for non-response to intravitreal ranibizumab treatment in age-related macular degeneration

Background/aims

To study the initial characteristics and response to intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

We reviewed the clinical records of 141 eyes in 141 AMD patients who received monthly IVR for 3 months and thereafter pro re nata (PRN) injections for 9 months as the first treatment for AMD. Patients whose best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) worsened at month 12, and those with increased exudative fundus findings after IVR or an increased central retinal thickness of more than 100 μm at month 12, were considered to be non-responders as judged by BCVA and fundus findings, respectively. Non-responders’ initial characteristics were analysed using logistic regression models.

Results

14.9% of eyes were non-responders as judged by BCVA, and 17.0% were non-responders as judged by fundus findings. Initial fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) (OR 22.9, 95% CI 2.61 to 201) and serous PED (OR 4.12, 95% CI 1.08 to 15.8) were associated with non-response as judged by BCVA. Initial fibrovascular PED (OR 33.5, 95% CI 2.95 to 381) and type 1 choroidal neovascularization (OR 6.46, 95% CI 1.39 to 30.0) were associated with non-response, as judged by fundus findings.

Conclusions

Although most AMD responded to IVR, non-responders had initial clinical characteristics that might be informative for managing their treatment.

[Contributions to the treatment of atypical forms of age-related macular degeneration]

We performed a study of the two clinical entities with a differential diagnosis with wet age-related macular degeneration, namely, idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (IPCV) and retinal angiomatous proliferation. We analyze the clinical and funduscopic characteristics of these entities as well as their differences with wet age-related macular degeneration. We present two cases that are representative of these two entities. The therapeutic possibilities, results and the latest publications are analyzed and compared. A statistical analysis of the latest publications is also presented.

Combination treatment of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin and intravitreal ranibizumab in patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of initial photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a ranibizumab loading dose of three monthly intravitreal injections and a subsequent PRN ranibizumab regimen in the treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP).

METHODS

In this 12-month prospective case series, 15 patients underwent PDT followed by 3 intravitreal ranibizumab injections at monthly intervals. At monthly follow-up examinations, further single ranibizumab injections were given in case of any intra- or subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual loss ≥5 letters or signs of activity on fluorescein or indocyanine green angiography.

RESULTS

Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 58.1 ± 13.2 at baseline by 9.2 letters (SD ± 8.5; p = 0.004) at 6 months and by 8.7 letters (SD ± 11.4; p = 0.017) at 12 months. Neither at 6 nor at 12 months, any patient had lost ≥15 letters. The mean number of injections per patient was 4.8 (SD ± 1.4) in the first year of therapy after PDT. The average time to first retreatment was 3.7 months (range 1-7 months). No serious adverse events, such as endophthalmitis or retinal detachment, were noted.

CONCLUSION

PDT with 3 ranibizumab loading injections and subsequent ranibizumab as needed resulted in a significant gain of 8.7 ± 11.4 letters at month 12. This regimen is safe and efficacious, but even in a population of mostly early stages of RAP, retreatment rates remained high.

Intravitreal bevacizumab versus ranibizumab for the treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab treatments in retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP).

METHODS

Fifty patients affected by RAP were randomly assigned either to intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVBI) or intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVRI). After a loading phase including three consecutive monthly injections, the retreatment was administered in cases of persistent RAP. The primary outcome measures were the mean changes in BCVA between the two treatment groups, and the proportion of eyes gaining 1 and 3 lines at the end of the follow-up. Secondary outcomes included central macular thickness (CMT) changes and progression to more advanced stages of RAP.

RESULTS

Fifty patients affected by stage 1 and 2 RAP were recruited. Twenty-six and 24 patients received IVBI and IVRI, respectively. At the baseline, mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) values were 0.59 ± 0.21 (LogMAR ± SD, approximately corresponding to 20/80 Snellen Equivalent-SE) in IVBI group and 0.66 ± 0.33 (approximately 20/90 SE) in IVRI group with no statistical difference. At 12-month examination, both groups showed a statistically significant improvement in the BCVA, with a final mean value of 0.43 ± 0.24 (approximately 20/54 SE) in IVBI group and 0.50 ± 0.32 (approximately 20/63 SE) in the IVRI group. A BCVA gain of 1 and 3 lines was registered in 20 and 8 eyes, respectively, in the IVBI group. Similarly, 17 and 7 eyes showed an improvement of 1 or 3 lines, respectively, in the IVRI group. The CMT reduced significantly from baseline to 12-month examination in both groups. A lower proportion of eyes with complete pigment epithelium detachment resolution was noted in the IVBI group than in the IVRI group (40% versus 90%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that both IVBI and IVRI are equally effective in improving the BCVA over a 1-year follow-up in eyes affected by stage 1 and 2 RAP.

Angiographic results of retinal-retinal anastomosis and retinal-choroidal anastomosis after treatments in eyes with retinal angiomatous proliferation

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the angiographic results of retinal-retinal anastomosis (RRA) and retinal-choroidal anastomosis (RCA) for eyes with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) after treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab injections as monotherapy or intravitreal bevacizumab combined with photodynamic therapy.

Methods

In this interventional, consecutive case series, we retrospectively reviewed five naïve eyes from four patients (mean age 80 years) treated with three consecutive monthly intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) injections as initial treatment, and followed up for at least 3 months. In cases with over 3 months of follow-up and having recurrence of RAP or leakage by fluorescein angiography, retreatment was performed with a single intravitreal bevacizumab injection and photodynamic therapy.

Results

Indocyanine green angiography showed RRA in three eyes with subretinal neovascularization and RCA in two eyes with choroidal neovascularization at baseline. At 3 months after baseline (month 3), neither the RRA nor RCA was occluded in any eye on indocyanine green angiography. Retreatment with intravitreal bevacizumab plus photodynamic therapy was performed in three eyes at months 3 (persistent leakage on fluorescein angiography), 6, and 7 (recurrence of RAP lesion), which achieved obvious occlusion of the RRA and RCA. Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.13 to 0.21 at month 3 (P = 0.066). No complications or systemic adverse events were noted.

Conclusion

Although intravitreal bevacizumab for RAP was effective in improving visual acuity during short-term follow-up, intravitreal bevacizumab could not achieve complete occlusion of RRA and RCA, which could lead to recurrence of a RAP lesion and exudation. Retreatment with intravitreal bevacizumab plus photodynamic therapy ultimately achieved complete occlusion of the RRA and RCA.

Aqueous humor levels of vascular endothelial growth factor before and after intravitreal bevacizumab in type 3 versus type 1 and 2 neovascularization. A prospective, case-control study

PURPOSE

To determine the aqueous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with type 3 neovascularization (NV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to compare the levels of those with type 1 and 2 NV secondary to AMD before and after administration of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB).

DESIGN

Prospective, case-control study.

METHODS

Aqueous samples were collected from 29 eyes of 29 patients with untreated wet AMD at baseline (day of the first IVB), month 1 (day of the second IVB), and month 2 (day of the third IVB). Among them, 10 eyes presented with type 1, 9 with type 2, and 10 with type 3 NV. A group of 14 aqueous samples from 14 patients who underwent cataract surgery without other ocular or systemic disease comprised the controls. Main outcome measures were concentration of VEGF at baseline and after IVB in the 3 NV groups; secondary outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) changes after IVB. Levels of VEGF were determined by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

RESULTS

VEGF concentrations in aqueous humor at baseline were higher in patients with type 3 NV when compared to controls (P = .0001) and type 1 and 2 NV patients (P = .002 and P = .0001 respectively). At month 1, levels of VEGF were significantly reduced compared to baseline (P < .05) and significantly lower compared to the controls (P < .005) in each NV group. These low levels were maintained at the 2-month interval. BCVA significantly improved in type 1 and 2 NV groups (P < .05). CMT significantly reduced in each NV group compared to baseline (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

In eyes with untreated wet AMD, aqueous levels of VEGF are significantly higher in type 3 NV than in type 1 or 2 NV. Regardless of the type of NV, aqueous VEGF levels significantly reduce 1 month after IVB as compared to both the baseline measurements and the values recorded in age-matched controls. These decreases are maintained at 2 months after administering a second IVB 30 days after the initial injection.

Functional and anatomic response of the retina and the choroid to intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the rate of change of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal sensitivity, and retinal and choroidal thickness in patients with macular edema after intravitreal bevacizumab.

METHODS

This was a prospective, nonrandomized, interventional study. Thirty-four consecutive eyes (34 patients) with macular edema were included in the study. Choroidal neovascularization was present in 21 cases, stage 1 retinal angiomatous proliferation in 6 cases, branch retinal vein occlusion in 4 cases, and diabetic edema in 3 cases. Evaluation of BCVA (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [LogMAR]), central retinochoroidal thickness (RCT) at standardized A-scan, combined optical coherence tomography/microperimetric assessment of central retinal thickness (RT), central scotoma, and fixation behavior was performed during 12 months after treatment. Choroidal thickness was considered as the difference between RCT and RT. All patients received two initial intravitreal bevacizumab injections (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) at a 1-month interval.

RESULTS

BCVA and RT during follow-up were significantly better than at baseline. BCVA was improved of 0.32±0.3 LogMAR (P<0.001) at month 1, 0.18±0.4 LogMAR (P=0.05) at month 6, and 0.14±0.2 (P=0.09) at month 12. RT was reduced by 172.9±192.8 μm (P<0.001) at month 1, 157.7±134.2 μm (P=0.003) at month 6, and 164.3±122.3 (P=0.002) at month 12. Mean retinal sensitivity significantly increased during the first month; it decreased afterward, but an improvement if compared with baseline was present at each visit during follow-up. In 23.5% of cases, a choroidal thinning was present during follow-up, and in this group visual acuity at baseline and final visual improvement were significantly greater if compared with patients showing a choroidal thickening.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema determines significant functional and anatomic improvement at the 12-month follow-up. Visual acuity at baseline and following treatment could be influenced by the choroidal involvement.

[Retinal angiomatous proliferation with associated pigment epithelium detachment: anti-VEGF therapy]

BACKGROUND

Vascularized pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) represents a special morphological form of exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) in the natural course and in the frequency of complications, such as tears in the pigment epithelium. In this study the results of inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for exudative ARMD with associated PED and RAP were examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Functional and morphological data were retrospectively collected for 61 consecutive eyes with RAP in stages 2 and 3 over an average observation period of 108 weeks. Patients were treated with bevacizumab (n=15), ranibizumab (n=29) and pegabtanib (n=17) according to the recommendations of the German Society of Ophthalmology (DOG) and the German Retina Society (RG). After an initial treatment cycle of 3 injections every 4 weeks (6 weeks for pegabtanib), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescence angiography (FAG), indocyanine green angiography (ICG-A) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were evaluated every 12 weeks.

RESULTS

The mean visual acuity was 0.8 logMAR before therapy and 0.77 logMAR after therapy so that the average difference to the original acuity was -0.03 logMAR after 12 weeks and 0.00 logMAR after 48 weeks. The central retinal thickness measured by OCT decreased on average by 81.2 µm after the first cycle of injections and by -68.4 µm after 1 year. The maximum depth of PED could be reduced on average by 1 unit and after 1 year by 1.55 units. Better functional and morphological results were obtained by therapy with ranibizumab and avastin compared to pegabtanib (p=0.03). An RIP occurred in 9.8% of the patients (n=6) on average after 16 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

The morphological functional results can be improved in the early months using the therapy strategy presently recommended in Germany. However, in later stages there was a significant worsening of the functional results. Modification of the treatment strategy with respect to close surveillance and possibly early stage repeat treatment would seem advisable.