Treatment of hemangiomas of the face with magnesium seeds

Summary Various conservative and surgical procedures are available for the management of aggressive hemangiomas in infancy and childhood. One of them is magnesium seeding, a treatment modality developed more than 90 years ago but neglected for a long time. The technique consists of implanting 0.5- to 1-mm-thick wires of 99.8% pure magnesium into the tumor mass. During repeated courses oxidation of the metal results in fibrosis and cicatricial transformation of the tumor. Indications, technique and results are discussed.     

Treatment of nasal hemangiomas

Hemangiomas are the most common soft tissue tumors of infancy. Almost 60% of these tumors develop in the head and neck region. Nasal hemangiomas, distort human physiognomy and leave long lasting psychological sequelae. Conservative approach (intralesional corticosteroids, laser) may accelerate involution. Proponents of an early surgery suggest that aesthetic improvement during a critical period in child development can be achieved. Fourteen patients with nasal hemangioma were treated during 5-year period (2003-2007) with intralesional corticosteroids, lenticular excision, open rhinoplasty excision, and circular excision with “purse string suture”. The first line of treatment for large nasal hemangiomas is intralesional corticosteroids. Excision is indicated for small hemangiomas, while subtotal excision is preferable for large nasal hemangiomas. Circular excision and “purse string suture” is appropriate for prominent hemangiomas with predominant deep component. In our opinion surgery with maximal care for nasal architecture is the treatment option for nasal hemangioma.     

平阳霉素治疗咽喉部血管瘤

目的 探讨支撑喉镜下平阳霉素局部注射治疗咽喉部血管瘤的疗效。 方法 16例咽喉部血管瘤患者经支撑喉镜下行瘤体内多次、多点注射平阳霉素。 结果 16例患者中,治愈14例(87.50%),有效2例(12.50%)。2例出现低热,1例出现轻度胃肠道反应,其余病例无并发症发生。平阳霉素局部注射1次3例,2次9例,3次3例,4次1例。随访6个月以上,均未见血管瘤复发。 结论 平阳霉素治疗咽喉部血管瘤效果明显,创伤小,值得推广。     

Treatment of hemangiomas of the head and neck.

Hemangiomas are a group of pediatric tumors that present at or soon after birth. Rapid proliferation is seen in the neonatal period, and may continue for the first year of life. Involution follows, and may last as long as 12 years. Since hemangiomas invariably involute, the vast majority have been left untreated. At least 10% to 20% of cases, however, will need active intervention, traditionally in the form of oral Prednisone. The frequent occurrence of life-threatening complications, permanent deformities, and irreversible psychosocial damage in spite of adequate steroid therapy necessitated a fresh look at the management of these lesions. Using recently developed laser technology alone or in combination with surgical excision, the authors have developed guidelines for safe intervention in all stages of the hemangioma cycle. Safe, active intervention in accordance with these guidelines offers an alternative to the more conservative approach previously advocated.     

Subglottic hemangiomas in infants: Treatment with CO2 laser

Subglottic hemangiomas in infants are rare but potentially lethal. Although the majority tend to regress after 12 to 18 months, lethal compromise of the airway is always possible until then, A plethora of treatments have been advocated for subglottic hemangiomas, each with significant morbidity. Eleven consectuve patients have undergone laser resection of subglottic hemangiomas at the University of California, San Francisco. Three infants have been managed without a tracheotomy. If a tracheotomy is required, earlier removal can be achieved with laser resection. No subglottic stenosis or hemorrhage has occurred following laser resection. CO₂ laser resection is now the safest and most effective treatment available.     

Treatment of radiation-induced fibrosis of the face with manual compression therapy

Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) is an uncommon complication of radiation therapy. RIF most often occurs in the extremities; it is rare in the head and neck. Only a few medical treatments for RIF are available, and they have been mediocre at best. We describe a case of RIF of the face that was treated successfully with a nonmedical modality: manual compression therapy.     

Nd-YAG激光腔内照射治疗鼻、鼻窦、咽喉血管瘤46例

应用Nd-YAG激光腔内照射治疗鼻、鼻窦、咽喉血管瘤46例,经过1～4年的随访,治愈率91.3％,显效率10.9％。同时论述静脉畸形血管瘤的临床表现及诊断。并对Nd-YAG激光治疗血管瘤的主要方法和优越性等进行讨论。     

The treatment of subglottic hemangiomas of infants with prednisone

Because of their spontaneous regression, capillary and cavernous hemangiomas of infants usually do not require treatment. However, when they interfere because of their location with important functions of the body or even threaten life, treatment becomes mandatory. This is the case in most patients with congenital subglottic hemangiomas. In the past various methods of treatment have been used. All of them have disadvantages, and some are hazardous. Most cases (74.2%) required protracted tracheostomy. Mortality rate is still high (23.8%).We report herewith 5 infants with subglottic hemangiomas successfully treated with prednisone. No remarkable side-effects were observed, besides transient moonfacing. Similar good results were previously reported in 9 cases by several authors. Prednisone therapy if instituted early may reduce the need of tracheostomy and bring about complete recovery in this sometimes severe condition. Proper dosage and sufficient length of treatment are absolutely essential for such successful outcome.     

Propranolol for the treatment of subglottic hemangiomas

IntroductionInfantile subglottic hemangiomas are rare causes of airway obstruction. They begin to proliferate at 1–2 months of age and can cause biphasic stridor with or without respiratory distress. Diagnosis requires direct visualization by direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. Various therapeutic options have been utilized for treatment, including tracheotomy, open surgical excision, laser ablation, intralesional steroid injection, systemic steroids, and now oral propranolol.MethodsWe present a retrospective chart review of infantile subglottic hemangiomas over a 5-year span (January 2005–2010) at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. IRB approval was obtained, and charts were reviewed to find patients with subglottic hemangiomas, including patient characteristics, presentation, workup, medical and surgical management, and outcomes. A case presentation demonstrates diagnostic, management, and treatment strategies and dilemmas encountered.ResultsNine patients were found to have infantile subglottic hemangiomas. Six of nine patients were treated with laser excision, with five of the six having localized subglottic hemangiomas. In 2009, three of four patients were initiated on propranolol as first-line treatment; the fourth had comorbidities which precluded this. Of the three, two showed improvement, while a third, who also had bearded hemangioma, required tracheotomy.DiscussionInfantile subglottic hemangiomas are rare but essential in the differential diagnosis of biphasic stridor. Although propranolol has been effective in treating cutaneous and airway hemangiomas, our experience suggests that this is not consistent for subglottic hemangiomas. In an area where airway compromise can be lethal, we must extend caution and monitor these patients closely as they may require adjuvant therapy.     

Management of temporal bone hemangiomas

Temporal bone hemangiomas are rare tumors that require a high degree of clinical suspicion on the part of the otolaryngologist to be diagnosed early. The purpose of this report is to present 10 histologically confirmed cases of hemangiomas located within the temporal bone treated at the Gruppo Otologico of Piacenza-Rome, Italy. A short review of the literature is also presented. The symptomatology of these extraneural vascular tumors depends on their location. Tumors located within the internal auditory canal present mainly with hearing loss, while a facial nerve deficit is the predominant symptom in geniculate ganglion tumors. The treatment modality is also dependent on the location of the tumor, as well as the clinical features and tumor size. The final facial nerve outcome is directly affected by the duration of the facial nerve deficit, and so the treatment should not be delayed once the diagnosis is made.     

Intramuscular hemangiomas of the mylohyoid and sternocleidomastoid muscle

Intramuscular hemangiomas of the head and neck are uncommon benign vascular tumors. They arise frequently in the masseter and trapezius muscle. However, intramuscular hemangiomas arising from the mylohyoid and sternocleidomastoid muscle are extremely rare. We, herein, report additional two cases with intramuscular hemangioma of the mylohyoid and sternocleidomastoid muscle, and review the literatures pertaining to this condition. Imaging studies such as magnetic resonance image (MRI) were diagnostic and the tumors were resected completely with the cuff of normal surrounding muscle. At follow-up examination the patients have been well, without evidence of tumor recurrence after surgery. Intramuscular hemangioma of the head and neck, despite its rarity, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the head and neck masses.