Multiple cutaneous and hepatic hemangiomas in infants

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the rate of hepatic hemangiomas in infants with cutaneous infantile hemangiomas that were screened by abdominal ultrasound; identify morphological subtypes and number of cutaneous infantile hemangiomas that are likely to suggest the presence of hepatic hemangiomas; and identify clinical history, physical findings, or laboratory abnormalities that may predict hepatic involvement.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between 2000 and 2007 on 37 infants with cutaneous hemangiomas who underwent abdominal ultrasound for hepatic hemangiomas. Infants were classified into subgroups based upon the morphology of their cutaneous hemangioma(s). Data collected included clinical history, physical examination findings, sonographic findings, laboratory results, treatment(s) rendered, and clinical outcome.

Results: Eight of 37 infants (22%) had hepatic hemangiomas. Infants with miliary (30-100 pinpoint/small cutaneous hemangiomas), six or more small cutaneous hemangiomas, and one large with one or more small cutaneous hemangiomas were more likely to have concurrent hepatic hemangiomas. No other clinical findings were associated with hepatic involvement.

Conclusions: Similar to other studies, our study found clinically asymptomatic hepatic hemangiomas in 22% of infants with multiple cutaneous infantile hemangiomas. No clinical findings studied were predictive of hepatic involvement.