Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
Development of an Economical DNA Delivery System by "Acufection" and its Application to Skin Research
Published on: April 19, 2017
Ulcerated infantile hemangioma treated with imiquimod
Rosa Mascarenhas1, V Guiote, J Agro
1Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Santo André, Leiria, Portugal.
Insights
Topical imiquimod cream effectively treated an ulcerated infantile hemangioma in a 5-month-old boy when corticosteroids failed. This treatment led to complete ulceration resolution without adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Oncology
Background:
- Infantile hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors in infants.
- Ulceration is a frequent complication, causing pain and potential scarring.
- Standard treatments like corticosteroids have variable efficacy for ulcerated lesions.
Observation:
- A 5-month-old boy presented with a progressively growing, ulcerated infantile hemangioma on his right buttock.
- The lesion had been present since the first week of life and ulcerated for 3 weeks.
- Initial treatment with topical and systemic corticosteroids showed no significant improvement.
Findings:
- After corticosteroid therapy was tapered, topical imiquimod 5% cream was applied every other day.
- Complete resolution of the ulceration was observed after 12 weeks of imiquimod treatment.
- No side effects were reported during the imiquimod therapy.
Implications:
- Topical imiquimod represents a promising alternative treatment for ulcerated infantile hemangiomas.
- This therapeutic approach may offer a safe and effective option when conventional therapies are insufficient.
- Further research is warranted to establish optimal imiquimod dosing and long-term outcomes for infantile hemangioma treatment.
Abstract:
A 5-month-old boy was observed in our department presenting with an ulcerated infantile hemangioma on the right buttock. This lesion appeared during the first week of life and had been growing progressively, showing ulceration for 3 weeks. We started treatment with corticosteroids, first with the association of betametasone and fusidic acid topically, and then systemically. After 6 weeks of oral treatment as there was no significant improvement, corticosteroid therapy was slowly tapered and local application of imiquimod 5 percent cream, on alternate days, was started. After 12 weeks of therapy with imiquimod there was complete resolution of the ulceration. There were no side effects.
