[Topical timolol in the treatment of periocular superficial infantile hemangiomas: a prospective study]

To investigate the efficacy and side effect of topical beta-blocker (Timolol Maleate) in the treatment of periocular hemangioma in a prospective study.

432 outpatients with infantile hemangioma visited our special clinic service in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital from July 2010 to December 2011. Among them, 12 superficial periocular lesions were selected in the study. Timolol was used topically on the lesion in every 12 hours. Two independent special doctors evaluated the results according to the pictures before and after four-week application of timolol.

Were categorized into four levels: continuous growth (the lesion continues to grow), stable (no visible change), moderate (0-50% of regression) , perfect (more than 50% of improvement). Result of the 12 outpatients, 4 showed perfect result, 2 moderate, 4 stable and 2 continuous growth. No side effect was observed.

Topical timolol is effective and safe in the treatment of superficial periocular infantile hemangioma. It could be considered as the first line treatment of proliferative superficial hemangioma.