Objective:
To evaluate the results and the efficacy of oral propranolol treatment in patients with infantile hemangioma.
Methods:
The records of the patients, who received oral propranolol treatment in our clinic between 2009 and 2015, were retrospectively investigated. The patients were evaluated according to age, gender, lesion localization, propranolol indication, age at the beginning of treatment, complications, side effects, and treatment outcome.
Results:
The mean age of the 30 enrolled patients (22 females and 8 males) was 13.6 months (2 months-10 years). The indications for propranolol use were hemangiomas, presented with a life-threatening condition, local complications, or unpleasant cosmetic appearance. In 10 patients (33%), treatment was started at the age of 0-6 months, in 17 patients (57%) at the age of 6-12 months, and in 3 patients (10%) at the age of 1 year and older. Fourteen (46.7%) patients fully responded to treatment, while 11 (36.7%) showed a partial response. Five (16.7%) patients did not respond to treatment. The mean duration of the propranolol use in non-responders (n=5) was 6.4 months (2-9 months). There was a statistically significant difference between the treatment response and the duration of propanol use. There was no significant difference between the age at the beginning of the treatment and the response to the treatment.
Conclusion:
Propranolol treatment is a safe and effective method for the management of infantile hemangioma. It may be administered as the first-line treatment, as well as in relapsing patients.
Keywords: Hemangiomas, propranolol, recurrence