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Craniofacial cavernous hemangioma: succesful treatment with methylprednisolone
Lyubomir A Dourmishev1, Assen L Dourmishev
1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Sofia, 1 St. George Sofiiskyi Str., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria. L_Dourmishev@yahoo.com
Insights
Systemic corticosteroid therapy effectively treats infantile hemangiomas. Early intervention with oral methylprednisolone in infants can lead to significant lesion reduction and good aesthetic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Infantile hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors.
- Systemic corticosteroids are a primary treatment for problematic infantile hemangiomas.
- Treatment effectiveness depends on dosage, duration, and initiation timing.
Observation:
- A 7-month-old female infant presented with an extensive cavernous hemangioma on the forehead, face, and neck.
- The hemangioma appeared 15 days after birth.
- The infant had accelerated growth of the hemangioma.
Findings:
- Successful treatment with oral methylprednisolone (3 mg/kg/daily, tapered over 6 months).
- Significant involution of hemangioma lesions was observed.
- Good aesthetic results were achieved post-treatment.
Implications:
- Early initiation of oral corticosteroids during the proliferative phase is crucial.
- Systemic corticosteroid treatment is an efficient therapy for extensive infantile hemangiomas.
- This approach offers favorable cosmetic outcomes for affected infants.
Abstract:
Systemic corticosteroid treatment is reported as effective for problematic cutaneous hemangiomas occuring in infancy, and depend on the dose, the duration of treatment, and the age at which the course of drugs is initiated. A 7-month-old female infant with extended cavernous hemangioma on the left part of forehead, face,and neck which appeared 15 days after birth is presented. She was successfully treated with oral methylprednisolone (initial doses of 3 mg/kg/daily and reduced in steps over 6 months) with significant involution of the lesions and with good aesthetic results. The oral corticosteroid treatment is an efficient medical therapy for common extended cavernous infantile hemangiomas with accelerated growth if initiated early in the proliferative phase.
