Ultrasonography as an objective tool for assessment of infantile hemangioma treatment with propranolol.
BACKGROUND
Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common benign vascular tumors of childhood. Propranolol is an effective drug in treating IH. A reliable and complementary instrument is necessary to evaluate IH response to propranolol in addition to clinical and photographic assessments. Ultrasonography is a simple and non-invasive technique that enables precise measurements of tumor size and contributes to objective follow-up.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the use of serial ultrasonography as an adjunctive tool for assessment of IH treatment with propranolol.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 19 patients with IH treated with propranolol was conducted from January 2009 to March 2014. Data of individual IH volume at the beginning and at least 6 months after the onset of treatment and overall volume reduction by ultrasonographic measurement were obtained.


RESULTS
We observed a statistically significant IH volume reduction of approximately 0.51 cm3. This volume corresponds to an average reduction of 47% in the final volume compared with the initial volume.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasonographic measurements contribute to demonstrate tumor regression and IH response to propranolol. Thus, ultrasonography is an important instrument to guide therapeutic strategies.
Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Anita
A
Rotter
Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Luciana Paula
LP
Samorano
Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Glaucia Helena
GH
de Oliveira Labinas
Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Juliana Gobbi
JG
Alvarenga
Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Maria Cecília
MC
Rivitti-Machado
Department of Radiology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Márcio
M
Bouer
Department of Laboratory of Medical Investigation, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Paulo C C
PC
Santos
Department of Laboratory of Medical Investigation, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Daniel A M
DA
Silvestre
Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Zilda Najjar Prado
ZN
de Oliveira
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018324:Hemangioma, Capillary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010781:Photography; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol