The treatment of problematic hemangiomas in children with propranolol and 940 nm diode laser

BackgroundHemangiomas are common skin lesion, affecting 10-12% of children < 1 year of age. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect and safety of systemic propranolol (Pr) therapy in combination with 940 nm diode laser for the treatment of severe hemangiomas.MethodsPatients (123: 11 with vascular malformations and 112 with infantile hemangiomas (IH)) were enrolled in the study. They were initially treated with: systemic Pr therapy (2-2.5 mg/kg/day) for 6-8 months. Following completion of Pr therapy, patients with significant residual lesions (n-61) were treated with photothermolysis (laser therapy).ResultsPr therapy had no effect on the color and volume of the vascular malformations. Pr therapy alone demonstrated a reduction in both volume and color of the IH. Laser therapy resulted in a continued improvement in the appearance of the IH with 84% of patients experiencing a residual volume of 0% compared to the original and 89% experiencing a decrease to between 0 and 20% of original color. There were no adverse events associated with laser therapy.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that the addition of laser therapy to Pr therapy for the treatment of IH in children is well tolerated with a very acceptable cosmetic result.