title: [Clinical application of imiquimod for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the clinical application of imiquimod for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas (IH).
  
  
  METHODS
  320 children with IH, including 250 superficial cases, 20 deep cases, and 50 mixed cases, were treated with 5% imiquimod cream every other day for 16 weeks. The clinical efficacy and side effects were evaluated at one year of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total effective rates of the superficial, deep, and mixed IH were 61.2% (153/250), 10.0% (2/20) and 60.0% (30/50) respectively, showing no statistical difference between superficial and deep type (P = 0.874), but significant difference between superficial and mixed (P < 0.01), deep and mixed type (P < 0.01). 56.0% (28/50) of mixed IH showed proliferation of its deep lesions. Slight skin erythema and crusting were the most common side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  5% imiquimod cream is effective and safe in superficial IH and superficial lesions of mixed IH with minimal skin reactions. The dysplasia of local tissue and systemic growth retardation are not found. It should be avoided to apply the cream to IH located around the cavities and skin fold. Imiquimod cream is a simple and convenient home-nursing medication. It can reduce care burden of family. Thus topical use of imiquimod can be considered as a good clinical indication for the treatment of superficial lesions of IH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xiao-Xi
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Cheng-Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiao-Jie
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yun-Bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Da
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiao-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiao-Xiao
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod