Excellent response of infantile orofacio-orbital hemangioma to propranolol-pictorial depiction and literature review

Abstract

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are common, benign vascular tumors of infancy, with more than half affecting the head and neck region. IHs involving the lips and oral cavity can often present to the oral surgeon and the pedodontist. Till date, several doubts exist among clinicians regarding the use of propranolol to treat infantile hemangiomas in neonates and small infants, appropriate dose, treatment duration, side effects, response, and long-term follow-up. We present a 2-month-old male infant with extensive hemangioma involving the face, orbit, buccal mucosa and palate with feeding difficulties, and risk of life-threatening complications such as airway compromise, aspiration, and visual loss which showed excellent response with high-dose propranolol and had no side effects. We also reviewed literature for the mechanism of action of propranolol and possible minor and serious side effects.

Keywords

• Hemangioma
• infant
• orbital
• orofacial
• propranolol