Cerebral vasculopathy and neurologic sequelae in infants with cervicofacial hemangioma: report of eight patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association of cerebral arterial anomalies and progressive cerebral arterial occlusive disease in infants with facial hemangiomas.


METHODS
The cases of eight infants (seven girls and one boy) with the diagnosis of cervicofacial hemangioma and intracranial arterial anomalies were reviewed retrospectively. Findings from clinical and imaging examinations--including cranial computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, and catheter angiography--were evaluated. Serial imaging findings were studied to document progressive intracranial vascular changes.


RESULTS
Five patients had additional associated congenital anomalies. Seven were treated with corticosteroids, interferon alfa-2a, or both. Progressive cerebrovascular occlusive changes were documented in four of the seven patients with serial imaging findings. Four other patients (all treated pharmacologically) had MR imaging documentation of cerebral infarction, and all had consistent, acquired neurologic symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Intracranial arterial anomalies can coexist with cervicofacial hemangioma. Aneurysmal and occlusive changes are potentially progressive and can result in cerebral infarction. A causative association between occlusive cerebrovascular disease and pharmacologic treatment has not been excluded.
Burrows
P E
PE
Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Robertson
R L
RL
Mulliken
J B
JB
Beardsley
D S
DS
Chaloupka
J C
JC
Ezekowitz
R A
RA
Scott
R M
RM
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009421:Nervous System Malformations / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed