Comparison of the Effectiveness of Topical and Oral Beta Blockers in the Treatment of Childhood Hemangiomas

Abstract

Purpose: Hemangiomas are the most common vascular tumors in childhood, and the treatment options have undergone profound changes in recent years. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of beta-blockers on hemangiomas, both topi-cal and oral, with non-pharmacological treatment in the pediatric age group. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients with hemangiomas. Results: Fifty-three patients (F/M=40/13) were enrolled in this study. Superficial hemangiomas were detected in 14 (26.4%) patients, and deep hemangiomas were detected in 39 (73.6%) patients. Seventeen patients were followed without medication, 19 were treated with a topical beta blocker, and 17 were treated with an oral beta blocker. Twelve patients with superficial hemangi-omas were followed without medication, while two received topical timolol treatment. A comparison of lesion progression in patients with superficial hemangiomas in the non-pharmacological treatment and topical treatment groups showed that the mean scores of success, in terms of mean fading and reduction in lesion depth, were significantly higher at the first month (7.0 vs. 1.66; p=0.049; 6.0 vs. 1.5; p=0.045). Among patients with deep hemangiomas, a comparison of mean fading scores showed no difference between the oral and topical treatment groups in the first and fourth months (p=0.551, p=0.551). Conclusion: We believe that oral beta-blockers can be used instead of topical treatment in the future, and they will be preferred more by clinicians and families due to less side effects.

Keywords

• beta blocker
• deep
• hemangioma
• superficial topical