Consumptive hypothyroidism associated with parotid infantile hemangioma

Abstract

Consumptive hypothyroidism is a rare condition usually described in association with diffuse infantile hemangioma of the liver, over-expressing type 3 iodothyronine-deiodinase. We report a case of acquired hypothyroidism associated with a parotid hemangioma in a male child, who was initially evaluated at 48 days of age due to persistent jaundice. Replacement hormonal therapy was promptly started, but resolution of the clinical and laboratory findings of hypothyroidism was only achieved at 3 months of age, when propranolol treatment was added to the therapeutic regimen. Our review of the literature retrieved only one case of proven consumptive hypothyroidism associated with a parotid infantile hemangioma, making a real incidence an underestimate: we believe one should consider this association a real possibility.