Preoperative trans-arterial embolization of a giant scalp congenital hemangioma associated with cardiac failure in a premature newborn

Abstract

Scalp congenital hemangiomas are a rare, but well-known, vascular malformation in infants. These hemangiomas are usually benign, but occasionally these are associated with cardiac complications and disfigurement. Giant hemangiomas that are associated with high-output heart failure require intervention because they have a high mortality rate and do not respond to medical therapy. We report here a case of a premature newborn who was diagnosed with a giant scalp hemangioma associated with cardiac failure. The newborn underwent successful arterial feeder embolization of the superficial temporal artery. He then underwent surgical excision 14 days after embolization. We believe that preoperative embolization of a giant scalp hemangioma in newborns is a safe measure for alleviating underlying cardiac failure and minimizing the risk of intraoperative bleeding.