treatment modalities hemangiomas of infancy
TRANSCRIPT
Treatment modalities of infantile
hemangioma
S. Farajzadeh
professor of Dermatology & pediatric Dermatology
Pediatric dermatology department of KMUS
Aims
• Introduction
• Indication of treatment
• Therapeutic modalities
Definition of a infantile hemangioms
(IHs)
• A benign developmental vascular tumor
• Most common vascular tumor of infancy
Phases of IHs
• precursor
• Proliferation
• Stabilization
• Involution
Hemangioma types
• Superficial
• Deep
• Mixed
Superficial hemangioma
vivid red, sharply circumscribed plaques or nodules
Deep
skin‐coloured or bluish purple, less well circumscribed
Mixed haemangiomas
combine the features
of both superficial & deep tumours
Diagnosis
• In most instances: history & physical exam
• Imaging techniques:
- Color Doppler ultrasonography
- MRI
- CT
• Skin biopsy: rare instances
*Zheng JW, et al. practical guide to treatment of infantile
hemangiomas of the head and neck Int J Clin Exp Med 2013
Treatment vs observation
• 20-30% need medical attention
• The rest needs close observation
Close observation
(Active nonintervention)
- Regular visits with reassurance
- Serial photography, measurement
- More observation during active growth phase
Consider Treatment
• Worrisome Hemangiomas
Worrisome Hemangiomas
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Complications
• Association with syndromes
• Functional problems
* Wedgeworth E, et al. Propranolol in the treatment of infantile
haemangioma. British Journal of Dermatology. 2016
I. Scarring & disfigurement
-Large facial, central of face
-Rapid growth (10-20% increase in 2-4 wks)
Scalp lesion
Lip hemangioma esp when cross vermillion border
Nasal tip
Auricular
Forehead hemangioma
Segmental hemangioma
Genital & flexural hemangioma
Pedunculated lesions
II. Syndromatic hemangiomas
Large facial segmental hemangioma
PHACES
Hallmark of PHACEs syndrome
• Large (> 5 cm) Segmental Hemangioma
• Usually on face
• Other site:
• Neck, upper trunk, trunk & proximal upper ext
PHACEs(Harper 2020)
• Posterior fossa malformations
• Haemangioma (usually Facial)
• Arterial anomalies
• Coarctation of the aorta &
cardiac defects
• Eye abnormalities
• Sternal defects
Work up for PHACEs
• MRI/MRA imaging of the brain & neck & aortic arch
• Periodic developmental & neurological assessments
• Cardiac evaluation with echocardiogram
• Ophthalmological evaluation
* Harper 2020
Work up for PHACEs (cont)
• Endocrine abn.: thyroid, pituatory abn (↓GH)
• Hearing screening & early dental examination
• Airway hemangioma (esp. mandible & neck lesion)
• * Harper 2020
Lower body hemangioma
PELVIS, SACRAL, LUMBAR syndrome
Lower body haemangiomas & structural malformations
• Site: lumbosacral spine or perianal extending to gluteal
cleft, segmental haemangioma of the lower extremity
• Work up for structural malformations
• MRI spinal cord & sonography urinary tract
* Harper 2020
III. Complications
Local complication
Ulceration, bleeding, infection
1. Airway hemangioma
2. External compression
✺Air way obstruction✺
Beard area & central neck
H. associated with airway hemangioma
Large parotid hemangioma
External compression
Systemic complication
Disseminated neonatal hemangiomatosis
multiple hemangiomas => 5
Visceral involvement
Kasabatch merrit syndrome
Hepatic hemangioma
Focal, multifocal, diffuse
VI. Functional problem
Periorbital and retro bulbar
Upper medial lid
Others
• Ext. auditory canal: speech development abn:
• perioral, air way: feeding difficulty
• Calvarium, orbit, mandible: deformation of bone
• Compression of vital structures
• Breast in girl
• Darrow D, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Infantile Hemangioma.
PEDIATRICS. 2015.
Type of therapy
Medical
Topical
Systemic
Combination
Non medical
Laser
Surgery
Embolization
Systemic treatments
Systemic treatment modalities*Chen T. S. Infantile Hemangiomas: An Update on Pathogenesis
and Therapy. PEDIATRICS. 2013
𝜷-Adrenergic Blockers
Propranolol
Atenolol
Nadolol
Other treatments
Corticosteroid
Interferone alfa
Vincristine, sirulimus
𝜷-Adrenergic Blockers
Propranolol
non selective betablocker
• First line therapy
• Darrow D,et al. Diagnosis & Management of Infantile Hemangioma.
PEDIATRICS. 2015
• *Prasad et al. Individualized dosing of oral propranolol for treatment of infantile hemangioma The Pan African Medical Journal. 2019
Indication of propranolol
• General indication
• Prior to surgery for residual hemangioma: for a few
months, for a better cosmetic result
• After growth phase
Pretreatment assessment
• HX & PE with special attention to cardiopulmonary
systems, maternal Hx of connective tissue dis
• Cardiologist consult
• Lab tests: ±
*Manish K Shah Use of Propranolol in Infantile Hemangioma. Indian
Journal of Drugs in DermatType equation here.ology 2017
Prepropranolol work up in pts at risk for
PHACEs
• Cardiac ultrasound or MRI to rule out severe aortic
coarctation (a contraindication for propranolol)
• Baseline head & neck MRI with angiography to R/O brain
involvement → acute ischemic attack
• In urgent condition: p. initiated at a lower dose, slowly
titrated up to a max dose of 1 mg/kg/day
*Manish K Shah Use of Propranolol in Infantile Hemangioma. Indian
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2017
Contraindication
• Cardiac abnormalities (some)
• Bronchial asthma
• Hypersensitivity to propranolol
• Preterm infants with corrected age <5 wk (postnatal age
in wks minus number of wks preterm)
*infantile hemangioms: management-Up to Date. 2017
Relative contraindication
• HX of anaphylaxis that require epinephrine: risk-benefit
ratio considered
• Use with caution in PHACEs: since potentially
hypoperfusion of the brain is a small possibility
SPECIAL ATTENTION
• Low birth weight: careful monitoring of their vital signs
• Subglottic IHs may resistant to propranolol:
combination with steroids & occasionally surgery may be
required for worsening stridor
Side effects
• Excellent safety profile
• Most common: sleep disturbance, cold ext, acrocyanosis,
diarrhea
* Infantile hemangiomas: Management – Up To Date.2017
Side effects (con)
• Cardiac effects: bradycardia & hypotension
asymptomatic & do not require intervention
• Less common: hypoglycaemia (seizures), resp infection,
bronchospasm, AV block, H. worse, hypokalemia
Hypoglycemia effects
• Sweating: most reliable early sign of hypoglycemia (only
sign that is not blocked by a beta-blocker)
• Routine screening of serum glucose: not indicated as
hypoglycemic events is variable & unpredictible
*Manish K Shah Use of Propranolol in Infantile Hemangioma. Indian
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2017
Practical tips for the use of propranolol
• Administer P only after feeds
• Frequent feeding
• Administer night dose P at least 3 hrs before sleep
Practical tips for the use of propranolol
• The baby should not go without feed for >6 h
• If the baby refuses feeds, skip the P dose
• Administer the exact dose prescribed by doctor
practical tips for the use of propranolol
• Doses should be at least 6 h apart
• If baby spits out a dose or there is uncertainty of how
much medicine went in, wait for next dose
practical tips for the use of propranolol
• If you miss one dose, do not increase next dose
• If the child is sick (diarrhea, vomiting) or not eating
adequately or bronchiolitis stop it temporarily
*Manish K Shah Use of Propranolol in Infantile Hemangioma. Indian
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2017
Indication of hospitalization for initiation
of oral propranolol
• Infants ≤5 (8) weeks of age
• Preterm infants with corrected age ≥5 weeks (postnatal
age in weeks minus number of weeks preterm)
• Infants with inadequate social support
Indication of hospitalization for initiation
of oral propranolol
• Infant with cardiopulmonary risk factor, airway H.
• Infant with conditions affecting blood glucose
*Manish K Shah Use of Propranolol in Infantile Hemangioma. Indian
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2017
Dosage
• Initiating at a dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg/day
• Twice increment every week
• Target dose of 2 to 3 mg/kg per day (1 in PHACES)
• 2 to 3 divided doses
*Shah S. Rebound Growth of Infantile Hemangiomas After Propranolol
Therapy. Pediatriscs. 2017
Duration of treatment
• At least 6 to 12 months
• At least until age 12 months
• Maybe longer
*Manish K Shah Use of Propranolol in Infantile Hemangioma. Indian
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2017
Should propranolol be tapered off or can
it be abruptly stopped?
• Reduced gradually over of 2 wks to prevent:
- cardiac complications
- rebound growth
*Manish K Shah Use of Propranolol in Infantile Hemangioma. Indian
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2017
Rebound Growth After Propranolol Therapy
• Rebound growth: 25%
• Predictive factors for rebound growth:
- age of discount., female, deep IH component, segmental
• Pts with these factors: prolonged course
*Shah S. Rebound Growth of Infantile Hemangiomas After Propranolol
Therapy. Pediatriscs. 2017
* Shah M K Use of Propranolol in Infantile Hemangioma. Indian
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2017
•
Response to propranolol
• IH typically becomes softer & color lighter within 48 h
• IH growth stops within 24 h to 2 wks at the most
Propronalol resistance
• Proliferative phase: continued growth after 2 wks*
• Postproliferative: no involution after >4 wks*
*when propranolol reached dose >2 mg/kg/day
• Most of propranolol-resistant IHs: subglottic
Why other beta blockers?
• Important side effects of propranolol:
- hypoglycemia & bronchospasm: due to β2-AR blockade
- probable effects on the developing CNS specifically
learning & memory: due to being non hydrophilic
*Mahon C, et al. Oral propranolol for infantile haemangioma may be associated
with transient gross motor delay. Br J Dermatol 2018;178:1443–4.
*Ji. Y. Oral atenolol therapy for proliferating infantile hemangioma. A prospective
study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016; 95(24): e3908.
Atenolol & nadolol
• Atenolol & nadolol are hydrophilic & do not cross blood
brain barrier; theoretically ↓ risk of CNS adverse effects
• Atenolol selective β1 blocker: good choice if resp side
effects are of concern
• Nadolol: non selective beta blocker
A New Successful Combination Therapy with
Atenolol and Prednisolone for Kasabach-
Merritt Syndrome
• S. Farajzadeh, et al. Iranian Journal of Dermatology, Vol
20, Issue 82, 2017, 20 Page(s) 127-130
Indication of other oral beta blockers in IHs
• In the case of propranolol adverse effects like - sleep
disturbances ( if reduction in dose or giving few hours
before sleep dose not work)
• Bronchospasm
*Atenolol as an alternative to propranolol for management of sleep disturbances in treatment of infantile hemangiomas. Ped Dermatol. 2019
*Chamlin SL. Atenolol Treatment for Infantile Haemangioma. Dermatology. Journal Scan. 2017
Other systemic therapies
• Corticosteroids with or without beta blockers
• Interferone alfa
• Sirulimus
• Vincristine
*Chen T. S. Infantile Hemangiomas: An Update on Pathogenesis
and Therapy. PEDIATRICS. 2013
Topical treatment
Indication of topical therapy
• Small superficial proliferating H. without aggressive growth or
threat of functional impairment esp:
- face & other cosmetically concern area & anogenital
• Parent desire
• ↓ need to systemic therapy
Indication of topical therapy
(cont)
• When systemic therapy is contraindicated
• Small ulcerated IHs
• Preventing rebound growth in children who are being tapered
off oral propranolol
Topical agents
Beta blockers
Propranolol
Timolol
others
Topical & intralesional steroids
Sirulimus (rapamycin)
Topical Timolol
• Caution: ulceration > 3 cm, mucosal, large lesions
• Parents should be advised to contact their physician if
rapid growth occurs despite treat
• Dose: 1 drop 2-3 times/day
*Püttgenn K. Topical Timolol Maleate Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas.
Pediatrics. 2016, 138 (3) e20160355.
*Boos MD, Castelo-Soccio L. Experience with topical timolol maleate for
treatment of ulcerated infantile hemanngioma (IH). AAD. 2016; 74: 567.
Topical propranolol for IHs
• No systemic adverse effects
• Low minor local reactions
*Price A. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(12):2083-2089. Topical propranolol for infantile haemangiomas: a systematic review.
Combination therapy
Sequential therapy
Oral propranolol followed by topical timolol
• Facilitating successful taper at a younger age without an
increase in treatment failures
• Decrease rebound
*Mannschreck DB, et al. Topical timolol as adjunct therapy to shorten oral
propranolol therapy for infantile hemangiomas. Pediatr Dermatol 2019; 36: 283.
Combination therapy
Combined therapy of oral propranolol &
topical timolol for compound IHs
• Method: oral propranolol 2mg/kg/day & timolol
maleate 0.5% gel 3 times/day
*JingGe, JiaweiZheng, LingZhang, WeienYuan, HaiguangZhao. Oral
propranolol combined with topical timolol for compound infantile hemangiomas:
a retrospective study. Scientific Reports | 6:19765 |
PDL
• Ulcerated lesions not responded to topical or systemic therapy
• Residual telangiectasias & redness
• Early superficial IHs, esp ulcerated or near mucous membrane
*Darrow D. Diagnosis & Management of Infantile Hemangioma. pediatrics 2015
Cryotherapy
• Especially for IH with a diameter of up to 15 mm and a
depth of up to 3 mm
Surgical excision
• Residual skin changes due to involuted hemangoma
• IHs no longer involuting after preschool age
• Pedunculated IHs
* Infantile hemangiomas: Management – Up To Date.2017
Surgical excision (cont)
• Slowly involuting lesion in cosmetically concerning area
• Persistent bleeding or ulcer if lesion can be readily excised
• Haemangiomas of eyelid that do not respond to medical
management
Embolization
• Life‐threatening haemangiomas that have not responded
to medical management including:
• Hepatic lesions causing severe congestive heart failure
• Rare cases of severe bleeding
Approaching school age
• Reconsider surgical or laser treatment of haemangioma
or residual skin changes
• Surgical concern:
- risks of surgery
- resulted surgical scar
- potential for further involution
- child’s concern about the haemangioma
Conclusion
Individualized treatment based upon:
• Size, morphology, location
• Presence/possibility of complication, scar, disfig
• Age of the patient
• Rate of growth or involution at time of evaluation
• Potential risks of treat weighed against benefits
*Léauté-Labrèze C, et al. Infantile haemangioma. Lancet 2017