Ultrasonography as an objective tool for assessment of infantile hemangioma treatment with propranolol

Abstract

BackgroundInfantile 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. ObjectiveTo demonstrate the use of serial ultrasonography as an adjunctive tool for assessment of IH treatment with propranolol. Patients and methodsA 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. ResultsWe observed a statistically significant IH volume reduction of approximately 0.51 cm(3). This volume corresponds to an average reduction of 47% in the final volume compared with the initial volume. ConclusionUltrasonographic measurements contribute to demonstrate tumor regression and IH response to propranolol. Thus, ultrasonography is an important instrument to guide therapeutic strategies.