[Interferon alpha and infantile orbital hemangioma].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and safety of interferon alpha therapy for the treatment of infantile periorbital hemangiomas associated with visual impairment.


METHODS
Retrospective study of 4 patients diagnosed of orbital hemangioma during infancy. All of them were treated with interferon alpha 2b at doses of 3 million U/m2, administered once daily by subcutaneous injection, at least during 3.5 months. The lesions were compared through clinical evaluation and diagnostic imaging (echography, CT and MRI) before, during and after treatment, estimating the percentage of lesion reduction in relation to the initial size.


RESULTS
In 3 cases, a 95% volume reduction was detected, and greater than 50% in the other one. Spastic diplegia was detected in a child during treatment, but resolved without persistent neurological deficits when discontinued. Alterations in plasmatic lipid profile were detected in one patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon alpha can be a valuable treatment for periorbital hemangiomas of infancy; even though, adverse effects can be clinically significant.
Damas Mateache
B
B
Servicios de Oftalmología y Pediatria General del Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
Menéndez Suso
J J
JJ
Abelairas Gómez
J M
JM
Albajara Velasco
L
L
Peralta Calvo
J
J
Verdú Sánchez
C
C
Royo Orejas
A
A
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha