Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
[Response to oral propranolol therapy for ulcerated hemangiomas in infancy]
1Cabinet de Dermatologie, Résidence V Avenue 14, Place des Grenadiers, Quartier Grouchy, 42000 Saint-Etienne, France. Jean.Loic.Michel@wanadoo.fr
Insights
Propranolol effectively treated a large, ulcerated infantile hemangioma when conventional therapies failed. This beta-blocker offers a promising alternative for complex infantile hemangioma cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Dermatology
- Vascular Anomalies
Background:
- Infantile hemangioma is the most common pediatric tumor.
- Ulceration and functional impairment necessitate systemic treatment for infantile hemangiomas.
Observation:
- A case of an 8-month-old infant with a large, ulcerated, and painful left forearm hemangioma is presented.
- Standard antibiotic treatments were ineffective, and laser therapy was not feasible due to lesion thickness.
Findings:
- Four months of propranolol therapy resulted in significant improvement of the ulcerated infantile hemangioma.
- Beta-blocker therapy demonstrated noteworthy efficacy in this challenging case.
Implications:
- Beta-blockers represent a viable alternative treatment for infantile hemangiomas with complications like ulceration.
- This case highlights the potential of propranolol in managing complex infantile hemangioma cases unresponsive to standard treatments.
Introduction:
Hemangioma is the most common tumor of infancy. Ulceration and functional prognosis justify systemic treatment.
Case Report:
We report the case of an 8-month-old girl with a voluminous ulcerated hemangioma of the left forearm with a large, painful, central ulceration. Conventional treatment with topical and/or systemic antibiotics was unsuccessful. Flashlamp-pumped pulsed-dye laser (FPDL) could not be used because of the thickness of the lesions. We decided to use beta-blocker therapy (propanolol) for 4 months with a noteworthy efficacy.
Discussion:
Systemic corticosteroids and FPDL are currently the reference treatment of the superficial hemangioma during infancy, but the head and neck location or complications such as ulceration or the need for surgical embolization require the use of alternative treatments such as the beta-blocker. We discuss this option.
Related Concept Videos
Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce peptic ulcers by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, decreasing...
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
Drugs in...
Peptic Ulcer Disease IV: Management
The therapeutic approach involves ensuring adequate rest, implementing drug therapy, promoting smoking cessation, making dietary modifications, and emphasizing long-term follow-up care.
Pharmacological management
The prevailing therapy for peptic ulcers involves a combination of managing the patient's current medication...