title: Topical imiquimod treatment of cutaneous vascular disorders in pediatric patients: clinical evaluation on the efficacy and safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical effect of topical imiquimod treatment on cutaneous vascular disorders in pediatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective investigation was conducted in 25 pediatric patients with cutaneous vascular disorders, including 19 infantile hemangiomas (IHs) (12 superficial/7 mixed type), 5 nevus flammeus (NF), and 1 pyogenic granuloma (PG). Imiquimod 5% cream was applied every other day for 4 to 16 weeks (average 9.6 weeks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 19 IHs treated, an overall efficacy of 52.6% was achieved, with a clinical resolution rate of 15.8%, excellent rate of 26.3%, and moderate rate of 10.5%. The superficial type responded the best at 66.7%, while the mixed type showed only 28.6% effectiveness, which was predominantly from their superficial parts. No obvious response was noted in the 5 patients with NF. Side effects were observed in 78.9% of the patients, mostly mild to moderate local irritations and occasionally severe reactions such as thick crusting and ulceration. Systemic side events were observed in 4 IH patients including fever and digestive tract reactions. No recurrence was observed during the follow-up examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical imiquimod could be an alternative option for the treatment of uncomplicated superficial IHs with satisfactory tolerability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Jian-you
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jian-liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D017789:Granuloma, Pyogenic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019339:Port-Wine Stain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod