Infantile hemangioma in a V2 distribution: Treatment with nadolol

Infantile hemangiomas are common benign tumours of infancy affecting up to 10% of children. They are typically not present at birth but undergo a rapid proliferation stage and then plateau in growth before resolving spontaneously. Recently, beta-blockers have been favoured over systemic corticostero...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mariah Giberson, Robert Hayes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
Series:Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2015;volume=4;issue=1;spage=135;epage=136;aulast=Giberson
Description
Summary:Infantile hemangiomas are common benign tumours of infancy affecting up to 10% of children. They are typically not present at birth but undergo a rapid proliferation stage and then plateau in growth before resolving spontaneously. Recently, beta-blockers have been favoured over systemic corticosteroids for treatment of disfiguring or life-threatening infantile hemangiomas. We present a case of an 11-week-old female with a 7 week history of an evolving hemangioma along a facial V2 distribution. Physical exam revealed a well-defined bright red plaque over the right zygoma and lower eyelid. MRI, echocardiograph, and liver ultrasound were normal. Patient was treated with nadolol and had a rapid and substantial regression of the hemangioma. Nadolol is an effective treatment option for disfiguring facial infantile hemangioma. The use of beta-blockers as treatment offers clues into the pathogenesis of infantile hemangioma, which is not yet completely understood
ISSN:2249-4863