Propranolol for problematic head and neck hemangiomas: an analysis of 37 consecutive patients.
OBJECTIVE
Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) on head and neck are frequently encountered. Recently, propranolol was introduced as a novel pharmacologic treatment for IH. But the impact of propranolol for the treatment of IHs especially the side effects have not yet been well described. This article aimed to describe the effects and side effects of propranolol treatment in 37 children with problematic hemangiomas on head and neck.


METHODS
Data were collected from the medical charts of patients treated between October 2008 and November 2010. Serial examinations and photographs were obtained to evaluate perceived therapeutic response and complications of oral propranolol in the course of their therapy.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven infants with propranolol-treated problematic head and neck hemangiomas were included and all patients had a good response. Most of patients were subjectively noticed an obvious improvement within one week from the onset of therapy. 29 patients endured the treatment of propranolol for 3 months with no recurrence, 6 patients endured prolonged course of treatment for 5/6 months. 2 patients who endured the treatment of propranolol for 3 months were found recurrence in two weeks. So the propranolol was given again for another 3 months. There were no severe adverse reactions. Minor side effects included diarrhea, light sleeping, and nausea.


CONCLUSIONS
Propranolol appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for problematic IH on head and neck.
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, PR China. lvmingming001@163.com
Ming-ming
MM
Lv
Xin-dong
XD
Fan
Li-xin
LX
Su
D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019233:Retreatment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D011433:Propranolol