title: Efficacy and safety of propranolol in the treatment of parotid hemangioma.
abstract: A 2-month-old female patient presented an extensive bilateral parotid hemangioma (PH) focally ulcerated. Additionally, hepatic ultrasonography revealed a hemangioendothelioma located at right lobe. She was treated with oral prednisolone (3 mg/kg/day) during 10 months with clinical improvement of PH, despite failure to thrive and arterial hypertension. However, regrowth of the lesion occurred after discontinuation of oral steroid. Propranolol hydrochloride (2 mg/kg/day divided into two doses) was then started and maintained for 16 months, with marked involution of the hemangioma and with no systemic side effects during treatment course. Curiously, also the liver hemangioendothelioma completely resolved after starting propranolol. PH is a threatening cervicofacial segmental hemangioma that frequently proliferates after the year of age and needs long-term treatment. On the other hand, hepatic hemangioendotheliomas may be associated with cutaneous hemangiomas in some patients and their natural history is similar to these, although patients may die of associated conditions. As for other infantile hemangiomas, propranolol proved to be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for PH. Its role in liver hemangiomas and hemangioendotheliomas should also be taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatovenereology, Hospital S. João, EPE, University of Porto, Faculty of Medicine, Porto, Portugal. paulomoraiscardoso@gmail.com
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magina
authors.forename: Mário
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mateus
authors.forename: Eunice
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trindade
authors.forename: José Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jesus
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Azevedo
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006390:Hemangioendothelioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol