The use of propranolol in the treatment of periocular infantile haemangiomas: a review.
Infantile haemangiomas (IH) are benign vascular tumours characterised by their very rapid growth. Although usually innocuous, periocular IH can cause serious visual loss through induction of strabismic, deprivational or anisometropic astigmatism. Common treatment modalities for these IH include intralesional and systemic oral steroids; however, both treatments are associated with potentially severe side effects. A report was published recently demonstrating the impressive effect of propranolol in the treatment of IH. This exciting finding has provoked a paradigm shift in the management of this condition. So far little has been reported in the specific ophthalmologic literature, although case reports are emerging. This review gives an overview of the recent findings and includes the authors' experience with 10 patients treated with propranol.
Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, Gent 9000, Belgium. ilse.claerhout@uzgent.be
I
I
Claerhout
M
M
Buijsrogge
P
P
Delbeke
S
S
Walraedt
S
S
De Schepper
B
B
De Moerloose
K
K
De Groote
C
C
Decock
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018324:Hemangioma, Capillary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol