[Differential therapy of hemangiomas--when cryotherapy, laser therapy or operation?]

Hemangiomas are the most common soft tissue tumours in childhood, which arise after birth, grow for several months and regress spontaneously. Serious problems can occur with closure of the eye resulting in amblyopia or with psychologica problems due to disfiguring of the face. Therapeutic possibilities are cryo therapy, laser therapy and surgical removal. Cryotherapy can be used for small and flat hemangiomas. Bigger hemangiomas are treated with the Nd-YAG laser. Its effect is an acceleration of involution. Typical residues of hemangiomas must be secondarily corrected surgically. Indications for primary surgical therapy are hemangiomas of the eye lid and in the scalp.