Treatment of periocular capillary hemangioma with topical clobetasol propionate.
BACKGROUND
Hemangiomas pose a therapeutic challenge because they can threaten vision in infancy and early childhood. Intralesional injection of corticosteroid is widely regarded as the treatment of choice for hemangiomas which induce strabismus or significant refractive error, or occlude the visual axis. Ocular and systemic complications such as eyelid necrosis, central retinal artery occlusion, and adrenal suppression have been reported rarely after corticosteroid injection.


METHODS
Three infants were treated with clobetasol propionate (Temovate) cream for vision-threatening eyelid hemangiomas.


RESULTS
Treatment with this topical fluorinated corticosteroid produced a measurable reduction in the size of the hemangiomas, which permitted clearing of the visual axis. No regional side effects were noted. In addition, the patients did not demonstrate evidence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression.


CONCLUSIONS
This treatment modality appears to provide an additional alternative for managing superficial periocular hemangiomas which threaten vision.
Cruz
O A
OA
Department of Ophthalmology, Anheuser-Busch Eye Institute, St. Louis University School of Medicine, MO 63104, USA.
Zarnegar
S R
SR
Myers
S E
SE
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018324:Hemangioma, Capillary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009824:Ointments; D002990:Clobetasol