Pyogenic Granuloma Treated with Topical Timolol: A Case Series

Abstract

Pyogenic Granulomas (PGs) are benign vascular tumours primarily treated with surgical procedures. Recently, topical Timolol, a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, has been used for the treatment of PG due to its vasoconstrictive, anti-angiogenic, and wound healing properties. Herein, the authors presented a case series of 12 patients (10 males and two females) with red papules and nodules that spontaneously bleed. The age of the patients ranged from 7-51 years, and the duration of lesions ranged from one week to nine months. The lesions were located on the face, neck, hand, and mucosa. All patients were treated with topical Timolol maleate 0.5% drops twice daily for four weeks and followed-up weekly for four weeks. The treatment efficacy was evaluated based on complete response, partial response, or no response. Changes in colour, size, bleeding tendency, and adverse events were also assessed. Two patients showed complete resolution, while the bleeding tendency improved in the other patients. No side effects were encountered, except in one patient where the lesion increased in size and became secondarily infected. Thus, topical timolol appeared to provide symptomatic improvement by reducing bleeding and lesion size without any side effects. It can be considered as an alternative therapeutic option for small, uncomplicated classical PG.

Keywords

• beta adrenergic receptor antagonist
• efficacy
• vascular tumours