title: Topical timolol maleate for superficial infantile hemangiomas: an observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess the clinical effects and safety of topical timolol maleate for the management of superficial infantile hemangiomas (IHs).
  
  
  METHODS
  From October 2012 to March 2014, 35 infants (24 girls and 11 boys; 2 to 10 months old; median age, 4.7 months) with superficial hemangiomas were treated with the local application of timolol maleate in the authors' department. Thirty-five lesions were treated using topically administrated timolol maleate every 12 hours for a mean duration of 22 weeks (range, 6 to 45 weeks). Follow-up visits were scheduled monthly and changes in tumor size, texture, and color were recorded. Treatment response was scored according to a 3-point scale system as good, partial, or no response. Adverse effects after medication were evaluated and managed accordingly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients completed treatment. Of the 35 hemangiomas, 18 (51.4%) showed a good response, 10 (31.4%) showed a partial response, and 6 (17.2%) had no response. The total response rate was 82.8% (29 of 35). Clinically, no systemic or local side effects caused by timolol maleate were observed in the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical timolol maleate could provide an effective and safe alternative to the systemic use of propranolol for the treatment of superficial IHs. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of topical timolol maleate for the treatment of IHs.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Da-Peng
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Rong-Yu
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Attending Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Attending Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.affiliation: Attending Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Ning-Ning
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Professor and Dean, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China. Electronic address: wangxukai757892@sina.com.
authors.forename: Xu-Kai
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography; D012074:Remission Induction; D012449:Safety; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001786:Blood Glucose; D013999:Timolol