Infantile Hepatic Hemangioma: A Novel Approach Using Propranolol and Transarterial Embolization

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 8; p. e66507
• Main Authors: Kaplish, Divyanshi, Vagha, Jayant D, Lohiya, Sham, Wandile, Shailesh, K, Sri Sita Naga Sai Priya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 09.08.2024; Cureus
• Subjects: Abdomen; Anemia; Asymptomatic; Blood transfusions; Cardiac/Thoracic/Vascular Surgery; Case reports; Embolization; Endocrinology/Diabetes/Metabolism; Females; Hemangioma; Hemoglobin; Hypothyroidism; Liver; Medical imaging; Pediatrics; Phosphatase; Thyroid gland; Tomography; Tumors; Ultrasonic imaging; Veins & arteries; hepatic hemangioma; consumptive hypothyroidism; hepatic hemangioendothelioma; transarterial embolisation; propranolol
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66507

Benign vascular tumors, or hemangiomas, are common in young children. The most frequent way to identify them on the skin is as bright red surface lesions, although they can also be detected deeper as subcutaneous lesions. Visceral involvement, particularly of the liver, is commonly observed in patients with multiple cutaneous hemangiomas. Since most hemangiomas are self-limited, they can be clinically monitored. Despite this, hepatic hemangiomas can result in significant consequences, such as severe hepatomegaly, which can induce abdominal compartment syndrome, inadequate ventilation, and renal vein compression, as well as significant arteriovenous shunts that compromise the functioning of the heart. Depending on the patient's findings, management may range from routine follow-up to liver transplantation. Here, we present a case of hypothyroidism, hepatomegaly, and cardiac failure in a two-month-old female newborn with infantile hepatic hemangioma. The patient's symptoms were managed with the use of levothyroxine, propranolol, and transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).