Treating subglottic haemangioma with methylprednisolone and interferonα-2a

Subglottic haemangiomas are benign vascular malformations presenting in early infancy with respiratory distress due to progressive airway obstruction. The lesion, after undergoing proliferation during the first few months, naturally involutes by an age of 2-3 years. Due to high incidence of mortality, therapy should be initiated immediately. Multiple therapeutic options, such as steroids, interferon, surgery and laser ablation, are available but the best treatment is controversial. This report describes an infant presenting with respiratory distress and cutaneous haemangioma who was detected to have airway obstructive haemangioma from the subglottis to the carina. Due to the massive size, surgical and laser ablation could not be exercised. Also, the infant showed no response to dexamethasone, prednisolone or interferon. Following failure of these modalities, the infant was successfully managed with concurrent administration of daily interferon and pulse methylprednisolone. The regime resulted in rapid shrinkage of the haemangioma and resolution of symptoms, with no recurrence up to 24 months of age.