title: Infantile facial haemangioma and subclinical left ventricular dysfunction: the importance of z score in the diagnostic and therapeutic process.
abstract: Large facial haemangiomas have a high rate of complications and can be associated with neurological, ophthalmological and cardiac abnormalities (PHACE syndrome; Posterior fossa malformations, Haemangiomas, Arterial anomalies, Coarctation of the aorta and cardiac defects, and Eye abnormalities). However, a thorough clinical examination is absolutely necessary. In fact, even in the absence of a PHACE syndrome, large haemangiomas can induce important complications. In the present brief report we describe a case of left ventricular dilatation in a 6-month-old girl due to a giant facial haemangioma. Left ventricular dilatation has been evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography. Studies to identify other major arteriovenous malformations were negative. Medical therapy with diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and steroids was able to halt the progression towards left ventricular dysfunction, avoiding an early surgical approach for a disease that very often is self-limiting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, SS Annunziata Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cuccaro
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rapacciuolo
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vitiello
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: di Pietro
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montaldo
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maresca
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Correra
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004232:Diuretics; D013256:Steroids