title: Intramuscular hemangioma of the upper extremity in infants and children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intramuscular hemangiomas (IMHs) are benign tumors comprising just 0.8% of all hemangiomas and are extremely rare in the upper limbs. These tumors can pose diagnostic as well as therapeutic challenges for orthopaedic surgeons, especially in younger children. We reviewed cases of IMH of the upper extremity in infants and children from our institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six consecutive patients underwent surgical treatment for IMH in our hospital. There were 4 girls and 2 boys. Long-standing pain and swelling were common symptoms except in a 1-year-old boy. Tumors were evaluated by radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a mean follow-up of 42 months, all patients except one were free of pain and without tumor recurrence or functional impairment. Minimal symptoms remained in a 6-year-old boy who underwent biopsy only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnetic resonance imaging is the most useful evaluation for IMH because it not only delineates the extent of tumor but also reveals characteristic structures. For young children with IMH, wide excision is the treatment of choice to prevent local recurrence, but every patient should be treated individually after evaluating the patient's age, tumor location and invasion, and cosmetic considerations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic study-level III.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine,Yamaguchi, Japan. muramatu@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
authors: Keiichi
authors: K
authors: Muramatsu
authors: Koichiro
authors: K
authors: Ihara
authors: Yasuhiro
authors: Y
authors: Tani
authors: Kazuki
authors: K
authors: Chagawa
authors: Toshihiko
authors: T
authors: Taguchi
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019042:Muscle Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*