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. 2014 Apr;7(2):75-85.
doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.138324.

Management of infantile hemangiomas: current trends

Gomathy Sethuraman  1 , Vamsi K Yenamandra  1 , Vishal Gupta  1
Affiliations

Management of infantile hemangiomas: current trends

Gomathy Sethuraman et al. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are common vascular tumours. IH have a characteristic natural course. They proliferate rapidly during the early infantile period followed by a period of gradual regression over several years. Most of the uncomplicated IH undergo spontaneous involution, with a small proportion of cases requiring intervention. These are children with IH in life-threatening locations, local complications like haemorrhage, ulceration and necrosis and functional or cosmetic disfigurements. Systemic corticosteroids have been the first line of treatment for many years. Recently, non-selective beta-blockers, such as oral propranalol and topical timolol, have emerged as promising and safer therapies. Other treatment options include interferon α and vincristine which are reserved for life-threatening haemangiomas that are unresponsive to conventional therapy. This review mainly focuses on the current trends and evidence-based approach in the management of IH.

Keywords: Infantile hemangioma; propranolol; pulsed dye laser; steroids; timolol.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a-c) Serial photographs of haemangioma involving the scalp responded to steroid for 3 months. (a) baseline, (b) 3 months of treatment, c: showing cushingoid face
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a-d) Serial photographs of haemangioma on the right pectoral region responded to 30 months of propranolol. a: baseline; b: 1 month after treatment; c: 2 years of treatment; d: 2.5 years of treatment (Courtesy of Somesh Gupta)
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a and b) Photographs of haemangioma on the nose showing an excellent response to propranolol for 10 months. a: baseline; b: 10 months of treatment (courtesy of Somesh Gupta)
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a and b) Congenital haemangioma, (a) RICH at 1 month, (b) after resolution at 7 months of age, (c and d) NICH (courtesy of Anthony J Mancini)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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