Using of propranolol in conservative treatment of haemangiomas in infants

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15574/PS.2017.57.35

Keywords:

haemangioma, propranolol, conservative treatment, children

Abstract

Haemangiomas are the most common benign tumours in infancy starting from an early age and can appear as minor cosmetic defects that sometimes spontaneously decrease, or can cause serious functional disorders or even threaten life. As of today the choice of treatment strategy remains controversial. Accidental discovery of positive treatment effect in the conservative treatment of haemangioma by using propranolol gave hope for effective conservative treatment already at an early stage.
Objective. To analyze the effectiveness of haemangioma therapy in infants using nonselective β-blockers (propranolol).
Methods. Propranolol therapy was used in 92 patients (69 girls, 23 boys) with haemangiomas of various sizes, quantity and localization aged 2 to 11 months (87 children) and 15-19 months (5 children). The treatment was performed from April 2010 to May 2017. In most patients haemangiomas were located on the head and neck (59 children, 63.9%). In 1 case (1.1%) diffuse infantile haemangioendotelioma of liver was diagnosed. All patients received propranolol at a dose of 2-3 mg/kg/day. End of treatment occurred after the proliferation phase and after obtaining a positive clinical and radiological response.
Results. Positive clinical response occurred in 86 patients (93.5%) resulting in a phase of proliferation and subsequent reduction of tumour. At the majority of patients from the very first days of treatment, response was noted in changes of skin colour (pale), reducing the volume and intensity. Therapy was completed in 68 patients (73.9%), duration of treatment is 2-12 months. In 3 cases removal of the drug after 3-5 months of treatment led to the recurrence. After 1-2 months pause in treatment, therapy was restored and positive response was received. Any disorders of the cardiovascular system or glycaemic indexes were not revealed. There were no clinically significant adverse effects that caused discontinuation of treatment.
Conclusions. Early assessment of treatment using nonselective β-blockers (propranolol) indicates its high efficiency simultaneously with good tolerance. Further study has to focus on patient’s age limit for administration of treatment, the criteria for the end of treatment, duration of therapeutic effect, efficiency of propranolol in cases of recurrence.

Issue

Section

Original articles. Benign neoplasms