Surgical outcome in patients treated for hemangioma during infancy, childhood, and adolescence: a retrospective review of 44 consecutive patients

A case of diaphragmatic hemangioma completely resected by partial diaphragmatic resection

Diaphragmatic hemangiomas are rare tumors and the preferred resection range in surgical procedures is considered on a case-by-case basis. We report a case of diaphragmatic hemangioma that was completely resected by partial diaphragmatic resection. An 81-year-old man was referred for the examination of right diaphragmatic mass. Computed tomography revealed two contrast-enhanced nodules (diameter: 17 and 10 mm, respectively) on the right diaphragm. The nodules were completely resected by partial resection of the diaphragm via video-assisted thoracic surgery using an ultrasonic coagulation and incision device. Resection was performed leaving part of the muscular layer of the diaphragm. Histopathology confirmed the nodule to be hemangioma originating from the diaphragm and no hemangiomatous lesions were noted in the normal connective tissue in the resected stump. Partial diaphragmatic resection is a less invasive treatment method and may be a useful surgical procedure for diaphragmatic hemangioma.

Congenital Progressive Mutilating Hemangioma

A 73-year-old male patient was admitted with symptoms of decompensated cardiac and pulmonary insufficiency with long-lasting history. A tumor-like formation was observed within the clinical examination, covering the whole skin of the nose, paranasal region of the left part of the face, as well as the upper and lower left eyelids. The lesion was with yellow to brownish surface and dark-reddish to violet discolored peripheral area, composed of nodular formations, smooth central surface and firm texture on palpation. The histopathological examination verified the diagnosis of hemangioma, which had been congenital, regarding the patient's history, treated surgically about 50 years ago, with signs of recurrence. The presented patient had been treated surgically at the age of 20, without medical evidence of the type of the performed excision. The recurrence occurs almost 50 years later, at the age of 78. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported recurrence of infantile hemangioma, treated surgically almost 50 years ago.

Clinical evaluation and management of benign soft tissue tumors of the extremities

Benign lesions comprise a majority of soft tissue tumors. It has been estimated that their incidence outnumbers that of malignant tumors by a factor of at least 100 [1]. While history and physical examination can start the diagnostic process, imaging including the use of magnetic resonance imaging can be more helpful. Biopsy of these tumors is sometimes necessary and can be performed in a number of ways, often in conjunction with definitive treatment. Specific diagnostic and treatment strategies for a number of the more commonly encountered benign soft tissue tumors including lipomas, pigmented villonodular synovitis and hemangiomas are reviewed. An algorithm for the management of benign soft tissue tumors is discussed.

Intramuscular cavernous hemangioma in the left soleus muscle: successful surgical treatment

We describe here the case of a 16-year-old boy successfully treated at our hospital for intramuscular cavernous hemangioma in the left soleus muscle. The patient was diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging and open biopsy after attempted/failed surgery at another institution. We performed lower leg phlebography in order to identify all the feeding and draining veins of the cavernous hemangioma. Our surgical approach of ligation of the feeding and draining veins of the intramuscular cavernous hemangioma with subsequent thrombosis of the hemangioma proved successful, resulting in cure with no operative or postoperative complications, a minimal hospital stay and a good functional and cosmetic outcome.

Ethanol sclerotherapy reduces pain in symptomatic musculoskeletal hemangiomas

Hemangiomas, benign vascular lesions, require intervention if causing pain or functional limitations. Functional deficits are common after excision, favoring minimally invasive treatments. To determine whether ethanol sclerotherapy reduces pain and lesion size and to assess complications in symptomatic musculoskeletal hemangiomas, we retrospectively reviewed 19 patients (six males, 13 females; mean age, 34 years) meeting criteria of confirmed hemangioma, treatment with ethanol sclerotherapy, and minimum of 6 weeks of followup. Fourteen were primary lesions and five were recurrent; all were painful. Thirty-eight sclerotherapy procedures were performed, with each patient undergoing a maximum of three procedures. Mean followup was 24 months (range, 2-95 months). Four patients reported full pain relief, 11 had partial relief, and four had no relief. With recurrent lesions, one patient had full pain relief, one had partial relief, and three had no relief. For patients with lesions larger than 5 cm, two had full relief, six had partial relief, and three had no relief. Lesion shrinkage occurred in 12 patients. Temporary complications included paresthesiae (three), tendon contracture (one), skin breakdown (one), and deep vein thrombosis (one). Ethanol sclerotherapy afforded prompt pain relief in 15 of 19 patients with hemangioma, making it a reasonable option for initially avoiding surgical excision. However, the short followup of our patients requires additional long-term studies to assess the duration of the results.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.