[Therapeutic options for haemangiomas of infancy]

Abstract

The necessity of haemangioma treatment in infants has been controversially discussed for years. One reason is the favoured clinical observation of a potential spontaneous involution without any therapeutic approach or medical treatment, thus avoiding their specific risks. On the other hand, there are several reports on serious cases with -rapidly growing haemangiomas including severe consequences. There are potential complications such as loss of visus in cases of periorbital manifestation. A basic problem is the lack of a unique systematic classification, on the basis of which -diagnostic measures, therapeutic indications and modes could be compared. Such a classification would be much more competent including a sufficient comparison of treatment results. The basic aim in management is to achieve control of the haemangioma growth and induction of its sub-sequent involution back to only a cosmetic detraction. Each threatening functional loss can be classified as an urgent indication for treatment. There is a need to consider the treatment options and their values; in particular, cryotherapy or laser therapy in localised manifestations are mostly -favoured because of the convincing evidence from available data. In the case of a more disseminated haemangioma manifestation, the initiation of propranol medication is possible, a novel drug for this indication. However, there are no follow-up data on the mid-term or long-term outcome available at this time. Further studies on the subject are therefore required.