Propranolol treatment for infantile hemangiomas.

Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009 Dec;17(6):458-9.
Buckmiller LM.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors of infancy and the majority of them occur in the head and neck. Recent literature has described propranolol for the treatment of these vascular tumors.

RECENT FINDINGS: Propranolol was serendipitously found to induce early involution in hemangiomas even during the proliferative phase of the hemangioma cycle. First reported in June 2008, and presented at the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies meeting in Boston that same month, propranolol has stirred much interest in the physicians who treat these types of lesions. Early case report data are now appearing in the literature, and are verifying the findings of the initial studies as an effective treatment for hemangiomas. Our institution has the privilege of maintaining a high volume vascular center and we have begun treating patients with problematic hemangiomas with propranolol as well. The present article will briefly review the literature and give some of our preliminary experience with the drug.

SUMMARY: Research regarding propranolol is in its infancy but, should the initial results and safety record be borne out, it is likely to revolutionize how we manage infantile hemangiomas.

Successful treatment of cutaneous hemangioma of infancy with topical imiquimod 5%: A report of 3 cases

Ear, Nose and Throat Journal (ENT) 89 (3), E21-5 (Mar 2010)

Dann M, Cable B, Bessinger G, Senchak AJ;
Hemangioma of infancy is the most common benign tumor of childhood. Most of these tumors spontaneously regress over several years. However, many parents seek treatment for children with cutaneous hemangiomas because of the potential for disfigurement and the attendant psychosocial effects. We report our use of the nightly application of topical imiquimod 5% cream as an alternative to traditional management in 3 infants who presented with rapidly growing facial hemangiomas. After approximately 3 to 5 months of treatment, all 3 patients had experienced a near-complete resolution of their lesions without significant side effects. Based on our experience, we believe that topical imiquimod may be an important tool for the otolaryngologist who treats cutaneous hemangiomas.