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Infantile Subglottic Hemangioma: A Case ReportInfantile Subglottic Hemangioma: A Case Report
Richa Baniya1, Ashlesha Chaudhary1, Ashram Poudel Upadhyaya1
1Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Attarkhel, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Insights
Subglottic hemangiomas, a rare airway tumor in infants, can be life-threatening if untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment with oral propranolol, as seen in this case, are crucial for a positive outcome.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Vascular Malformations
- Infant Airway Disorders
Background:
- Subglottic hemangiomas are rare, benign vascular tumors affecting the infant airway.
- They represent a subtype of infantile hemangiomas and pose a significant mortality risk if untreated.
Observation:
- A 4-month-old male infant presented with persistent cough and noisy breathing, initially misdiagnosed.
- The infant required multiple hospital visits before the correct diagnosis of subglottic hemangioma was established.
Findings:
- Subglottic hemangioma diagnosis can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms with common respiratory illnesses.
- Successful treatment was achieved using oral propranolol, the established first-line therapy.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering subglottic hemangioma in infants with persistent respiratory symptoms.
- Emphasizes the efficacy of oral propranolol as a critical intervention for this potentially fatal condition.
- Underscores the need for increased awareness among clinicians to improve early diagnosis rates.
Abstract:
Subglottic hemangiomas are rare benign vascular tumors of infancy which involve the airway. It is a subtype of infantile hemangiomas and is a potentially life-threatening condition with a mortality rate of 50% if left untreated. Hence, early intervention in this condition is essential. Here we present a case of a 4-month-old infant, a male infant with a history of cough and noisy breathing requiring multiple hospital visits before eventually being diagnosed with subglottic hemangioma. Due to its similar presentation with other more common respiratory illnesses, the diagnosis can be missed. Oral propranolol is the first-line therapy, which was used successfully in our case.
