title: [Own experience in the treatment of infantile haemangiomas with propranolol - preliminary results].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infantile haemangiomas are the most common vascular tumours in children. Since 2008 the application of propranolol has been a promising therapy in the management of haemangiomas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Analysis of the patients with infantile haemangiomas treated with propranolol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2009 and December 2010 in Department of Pediatric Surgery and Oncology Medical University of Lodz, 35 children with infantile haemangiomas (29 females and 6 males) were treated with propranolol. Therapy was initiated in age of 2-15 months (mean 4.5). All infantile haemangiomas were in a proliferative phase. In 27 children lesions were located in the head and neck, 2 of them were located in the orbital region and 3 penetrated into the orbit. In 5 children haemangiomas were located in the trunk, with 3 in the perineum and 3 in limbs. In 2 children the PHACE Syndrome was diagnosed. In one of these cases exploratory laparatomy revealed jejunal haemangiomatosis. The indication for propranolol application was impairment of physiological functions in 23 cases, cosmetic defect in 8 and ulceration in 4. The duration of treatment was 4 to 12 months (mean 7.5-months). The change of haemangioma volume, density and colour were evaluated. Reduction of ˝ haemangioma volume was assessed as very good response, 1/3 as good response, and 1/4 as poor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 7 patients therapy has been finished. In all cases decrease in density, volume and fading was observed. Very good result was achieved in 27 patients, good in 5, poor in 3. Recurrence of haemangioma appeared in two patients after termination of treatment. A spectacularly good result was achieved in the child with PHACE syndrome and in one with jejunal haemangiomatosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propranolol therapy is safe and effective in children with infantile proliferating haemangiomas. It can be the treatment of choice in cases with impairment of physiological functions or severe cosmetic defect. Election and therapy of the children should be carried out in highly reference centres.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chirurgii i Onkologii Dziecięcej UM Łódź, ul. Sporna 36/50, 91-738 Łódź, goral3@poczta.onet.pl.
authors.forename: Przemysław
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Przewratil
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sitkiewicz
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kierzkowska
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lewandowska
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lewandowska
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andrzejowska
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D006391:Hemangioma; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D011433:Propranolol
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol