[Propanolol used in treatment of infantile hemangioma].
BACKGROUND
Infantile hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that affect 8-12 % of infants. Several recent articles describe effect of propanolol in this patient group. We report a case and present a short review of the literature.


METHODS
The article is based on literature retrieved through a non-systematic search in Pubmed, and our own experience in using propanolol for treatment of a patient with infantile hemangioma.


RESULTS
Our patient responded quickly to propanolol, with a clinical response within few days. Literature describes reduced size and changes in the colour of hemangiomas within 24-48 hours. Our experience is in line with that reported in the literature. Propanolol treatment of this patient group has only been documented in observational studies of small groups and no prospective clinical studies have been reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Propanolol seems to be an effective treatment of infantile hemangiomas. Prospective controlled studies are needed to document optimal dosing, need for monitoring, side effects and duration of therapy.
Guldbakke
Kjetil K S
KK
Hudavdelingen, St. Olavs hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway. kjetil.guldbakke@stolav.no
Rørdam
Ole-Martin
OM
Huldt-Nystrøm
Theis
T
Hanssen
Helle Kathrine
HK
Høivik
Finn
F
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000188:drug therapy; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol