Perinatology.  2021 Mar;32(1):36-41. 10.14734/PN.2021.32.1.36.

Use of Propranolol for Infantile Hepatic Hemangioma

• Choi JH
• Kim JK

• KMID: 2522512
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14734/PN.2021.32.1.36

Abstract

Infantile hepatic hemangioma (IHH) is the most common type of benign hepatic vascular tumor that presents in infancy. IHH presents as abdominal mass, cutaneous hemangiomas, and unexplained jaundice. Children with asymptomatic lesions generally undergo spontaneous regression within a year, but it may become symptomatic and be associated with life-threatening complications including congestive heart failure, consumptive coagulopathy and hepatic rupture. Treatment options are divided into medical treatment, interventional therapy including embolization, and surgical resection. The steroid has been considered as first-line medical treatment, but it has a low therapeutic effect and may be associated with significant side effects. Since propranolol has been recently used successfully to treat cutaneous infantile hemangiomas, we decided to use it in a patient who presented with hepatic hemangioma and skin hemangiomatosis. In our case, regression of both skin and hepatic lesions was noted without any adverse effects. We think propranolol can be considered as a potential first-line therapy in patients with symptomatic hepatic hemangioma.

Keyword

Hemangioma; Liver; Propranolol; Infant