Superficial hemangiomas: Associations and management

Abstract

The vast majority of hemangiomas, the most common skin tumor of infancy, are small lesions, easily recognized by their clinical features, and left to involute spontaneously. Hemangiomas also grow in a number of visceral locations, although rarely. In addition, associated malformations are reported. We analyzed 175 cases of severe superficial hemangiomas that represented approximately 10% of all hemangiomas evaluated from 1980 to 1995. In this particular group of severe hemangiomas, with marked female preponderance (6.6:1), symptomatic visceral hemangiomas were present in 20 of 175 patients (11.4%) and associated malformations were present in 12 patients (6.9%), with both present in 4 patients. We describe these associations and discuss which hemangiomas required active treatment and which therapeutic modalities can be used. Progress has been made in the management of problem hemangiomas.