Surgical Management of Parotid Hemangioma

Sandwich therapy in the management of propranolol resistant infantile hemangioma of the lip

RATIONALE

Propranolol has evolved as a first line management of infantile haemangiomas. Nevertheless, the resistance to propranolol has warranted alternative treatment modalities. We hypothesize that combination of medical and surgical therapy (sandwich therapy) to be beneficial in the management.

METHODS

Patients were divided into three groups (total=31), Group A (bleomycin sclerotherapy), Group B (surgical group), Group C (sandwich therapy). A p value <0.05 was taken as significant.

RESULTS

In Group A 54.5% of patients had excellent response, 27.3% partial response and 18.2% had no response. Comparing cosmetic outcome, 25% of patients in Group B and 16.7% of patients in Group C had excellent upshot. On the contrary 18.2% of patients in bleomycin had unsatisfactory and 18.2% had poor cosmetic outcome. Sandwich therapy was cosmetically more acceptable than Bleomycin sclerotherapy (p- value = 0.049). In terms of recurrence, sandwich therapy differed significantly from surgical therapy with fewer recurrences (p-value= 0.049).

CONCLUSION

Sandwich therapy is superior to bleomycin sclerotherapy in terms of cosmetic outcome and has fewer recurrences compared to surgical group and requires single stage resection. However, further studies with the help of Doppler ultrasound are required in this regard.

Oral propranolol therapy in parotid hemangiomas: A retrospective comparison with other infantile hemangiomas

BACKGROUND

The outcomes of propranolol treatment remain controversial for parotid hemangiomas, which may be inferior to outcomes for infantile hemangiomas (IHs) at other sites.

METHODS

Patients with IHs treated with oral propranolol were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes of propranolol therapy for parotid hemangiomas and other IHs were examined. Regression models were conducted to analyze the factors associated with the outcomes for parotid hemangiomas.

RESULTS

Longer treatment duration was needed for parotid hemangiomas (p = 0.012) at a comparable efficacy and relapse rate as those of IHs at other sites. The higher efficacy was associated with early intervention before 4 months of age (OR = 5.2, p = 0.011), while, the lower relapse rate was associated with adequate treatment duration over 6 months (OR = 9.2, p = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

With a longer propranolol treatment duration, parotid hemangiomas could achieve a comparable efficacy and relapse rate as other IHs. Early treatment initiation and adequate treatment duration benefited the outcomes.

Intralesional Bleomycin Injection for Propranolol-Resistant Hemangiomas

Propranolol has been the first-line treatment for alarming hemangiomas. However, some hemangiomas are propranolol-resistant. The authors reported 1 propranolol-resistant hemangioma which was treated with intralesional bleomycin injections. Sixteen months after 3 injections, the lesion still remained stable. Its potential mechanism was clarified by ultrasonic monitoring. Intralesional bleomycin injection can be considered an ideal option in treating propranolol-resistant hemangiomas.

Involution of a large parotid hemangioma with oral propranolol: an illustrative report and review of the literature

Propranolol has emerged as a new treatment option for infantile hemangiomas. We describe a 20-month-old boy with a large right parotid hemangioma diagnosed at the age of 37 days. Starting at the age of 2.5 months, he received oral propranolol for 6.5 months. Although the mass regressed, it recurred when propranolol was discontinued. He was successfully retreated at the age of 11 months with propranolol for another 5.5 months without further recurrences. Treatment was tolerated well. Our paper and a review of the literature demonstrate that propranolol appears to be safe and effective for symptomatic infantile parotid gland hemangiomas.

Algorithmic approach to the management of hemangiomas

Hemangiomas are a common benign vascular tumor that can occur in all parts of the body. These lesions can be a distressing sight for both patient and parent. This unique vascular tumor has characteristic phases of growth. Historically, these tumors have been treated nonoperatively, but with variable results. Often, the residual-resolved tumor produces contour defects, unpredictable scarring, and pigmentation problems. The authors devised an algorithmic diagram for treating hemangiomas based on a 30-year experience with treating these unique tumors. This step-by-step method delineates the thinking method that should be used when presented with a difficult hemangioma. This algorithmic method takes into account a multifactorial approach to management. This includes anatomic location, growth velocity, treatment response, expected outcome, and psychosocial considerations.

Current treatment of parotid hemangiomas

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Parotid hemangiomas are the most common salivary gland tumors in children. Their treatment has posed a challenge because of the lesions' expansive growth, resistance to treatment, and relationship with the facial nerve. Various treatment modalities have been attempted, and promising results have been achieved with surgical resection alone or in conjunction with endovascular sclerotherapy. Recently, bleomycin and oral propranolol have been introduced, and the results thus far are promising. Here we elucidate the treatment options and propose a treatment algorithm for parotid hemangiomas.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients from 2004 to 2009 with hemangiomas involving the parotid gland. We included 56 patients and relevant parameters.

RESULTS

Seventy percent of patients were female. The female-to-male ratio was 2.3 to 1. Thirty-nine percent had unilateral parotid hemangiomas, 12.5% had cutaneous segmental hemangiomas. All 22 patients who underwent systemic steroid therapy responded initially, but 68% of these rebounded after cessation of therapy. Sixteen patients (29%) underwent surgery with excellent results (facial symmetry, restoration of contour, preserved facial nerve function). Seven (44%) patients received sclerotherapy 24 to 48 hours before surgery, and five (8%) received endovascular sclerotherapy alone. Ten patients were treated medically with oral propranolol. Eight of 10 had significant shrinkage of the lesion within the first month of treatment. There were no reported side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple treatment regimens have been used to successfully treat parotid hemangiomas. Although propranolol is a recent addition, it seems most promising. Further evaluation is warranted.

Preoperative treatment of a parotid hemangioma with 100% ethyl alcohol

Hemangiomas are one of the most common childhood neoplasms, occurring in approximately 12% of infants younger than one year of age. The lesions typically appear shortly after birth, increase in size over the first year and characteristically regress over the next decade. Because hemangiomas can be visible during an important stage of a child's social development, numerous authors have pursued alternative treatment strategies to avoid or reduce this lengthy involution process. Unfortunately, no effective medical treatment has been reported for children with large, deforming hemangiomas of the parotid gland and overlying cheek. In the present case, a patient with a large parotid hemangioma was treated preoperatively with an intralesional injection of 100% ethyl alcohol solution to reduce the size of the mass. The mass was removed 28 days later with no major postoperative complications.

Intralesional steroid injection for proliferative parotid hemangiomas

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of proliferative phase intralesional steroid injections in the treatment of parotid hemangiomas.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients with parotid hemangiomas treated with intralesional steroid injections during the proliferative phase.

SETTING

Vascular Anomalies Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.

PATIENTS

Twenty-one pediatric patients, ages 4-39 months.

METHODS

Between 2001 and 2006, 21 patients received steroid injections for 23 parotid hemangiomas (bilateral in 2 patients). A total of 1-3 injections over the first year of life were given at 6-25 week intervals.

RESULTS

Main outcome measures included softening, decreased growth rate, and/or decrease in size. After injection, achievement of outcome measures occurred with all lesions. No incidence of tissue atrophy or facial nerve injury was seen. Four of 21 (19%) patients developed failure to thrive (FTT).

CONCLUSION

Parotid hemangiomas can be effectively controlled with proliferative phase intralesional steroid injections. Injections may limit the need for future extensive surgery. Further prospective randomized trials are needed to support these claims. Failure to thrive may be a potential complication of intralesional steroid injection. Endocrine/growth monitoring should be considered when treating with intralesional steroids.

Place de la chirurgie dans les hémangiomes au stade des séquelles

The cure without after-effect of an hemangioma is classic but sometimes the spontaneous involution, a premature surgical treatment or an evolutionary complication can be at the origin of a definitive after-effect. In these cases, the treatment of the hemangioma, often multidisciplinary, will be begun in a late way during the late childhood or the adolescence. Surgical excision of an excess tissue or of a wide scar, lipoaspiration of a fat remainder, lasertherapy and fat tissue reinjection are simple and mostly sufficient procedures. In the most complex cases, notably at the facial site, a surgery heavier as a rhinoplasty, a resection of lip, a local flap or orthognatic surgery can be necessary.

Intralesional bleomycin for the treatment of hemangiomas

BACKGROUND

Hemangiomas, although often small at birth, enter a proliferative phase in which growth may be rapid and unpredictable. Furthermore, involution often takes many years, with attendant psychological sequelae to the child. This is aggravated by the fact that most hemangiomas affect the head and neck and are visible and difficult to conceal.

METHODS

Thirty children (five boys and 25 girls) were treated at a pediatric teaching hospital during an 18-month period with a protocol of intralesional bleomycin, 0.3 to 0.6 mg/kg (per dose), administered under general anesthesia. The lesions were measured and photographed serially. Complications were also recorded.

RESULTS

The mean age of the children was 20 months (range, 3 months to 8 years) and the mean number of injections given was five (range, three to eight). The mean total dose administered was 13.6 mg (range, 1.4 to 25 mg). Outcome was assessed by a panel of five plastic surgeons. Twenty-two children were assessed as achieving a response of greater than 75 percent reduction in the size of the hemangioma (of which 10 children were assessed as having total involution >90 percent response). In seven children, there was a 50 to 75 percent reduction in size of the hemangiomas, and one child was judged to have a 25 to 50 percent reduction in size of the hemangioma. Hyperpigmentation was the most common complication, and occurred in 13 children. The mean follow-up period was 14 months (range, 3 to 35 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Intralesional bleomycin is another method with which to treat hemangiomas in children and may be particularly helpful for large hemangiomas of the head and neck. Repeated general anesthetics are required, and scarring with hyperpigmentation may occur.

Basic science and clinical aspects of vascular anomalies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with vascular and lymphatic anomalies are often 'medical orphans' ascertained through distinct medical specialists. Multidisciplinary vascular anomalies programs provide focused expertise in diagnosis and treatment for patients. National and international workshops on vascular anomalies are fostering clinical and basic science research to enhance our understanding of vascular development and vascular anomalies. Herewith is presented an update of recent advances in the study of vascular/lymphatic anomalies.

RECENT FINDINGS

New original findings include (1) the identification of distinct cell surface markers and other cellular properties in hemangiomas and vascular malformations relevant to vascular development, (2) the discovery of novel genetic mutations and susceptibility genes in patients with vascular anomalies, (3) recognition of new risk stratifications and clinical issues for patients with hemangiomas and vascular malformations, and (4) the elucidation of sequelae from the disorders as well as side effects of recent and previous therapies for vascular anomalies.

SUMMARY

Vascular anomalies are an attractive model for the study of human disorders of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. The etiology of these disorders is unclear and likely represents a multifactorial process. Clinical clues are leading to scientific investigations that may enable targeted therapies, prevention strategies, or both.

Hemangiomas: new insights and classification

Infantile hemangiomas are the most common tumors of infancy, but less common vascular tumors also can affect young infants and children. In most cases, the diagnosis of IH can be made clinically, but imaging studies and even biopsy may be required in less-than-typical cases. With a careful history and physical examination focusing on the timing, location, and type of hemangioma, as well as extracutaneous signs and symptoms, the general pediatrician will know when to be concerned about a high risk vascular tumor and proceed with referral or further evaluations.