Therapeutic options for haemangiomas of infancy

• Published in: Zentralblatt fur Chirurgie Vol. 137; no. 5; p. 446
• Main Authors: Krause, H, Haß, H-J, Kroker, S, Meyer, F, Halloul, Z, Wagemann, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.10.2012
• Subjects: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - therapeutic use; Cryotherapy; Hemangioma - classification; Hemangioma - diagnosis; Hemangioma - therapy; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Laser Therapy; Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous; Propranolol - therapeutic use; Skin Neoplasms - classification; Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis; Skin Neoplasms - therapy
• ISSN: 1438-9592
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1247323

The necessity of haemangioma treatment in infants has been controversially discussed for years. One reason is the favoured clinical observation of a potential spontaneous involution without any therapeutic approach or medical treatment, thus avoiding their specific risks. On the other hand, there are several reports on serious cases with -rapidly growing haemangiomas including severe consequences. There are potential complications such as loss of visus in cases of periorbital manifestation. A basic problem is the lack of a unique systematic classification, on the basis of which -diagnostic measures, therapeutic indications and modes could be compared. Such a classification would be much more competent including a sufficient comparison of treatment results. The basic aim in management is to achieve control of the haemangioma growth and induction of its sub-sequent involution back to only a cosmetic detraction. Each threatening functional loss can be classified as an urgent indication for treatment. There is a need to consider the treatment options and their values; in particular, cryotherapy or laser therapy in localised manifestations are mostly -favoured because of the convincing evidence from available data. In the case of a more disseminated haemangioma manifestation, the initiation of propranol medication is possible, a novel drug for this indication. However, there are no follow-up data on the mid-term or long-term outcome available at this time. Further studies on the subject are therefore required.