First report of topical timolol treatment in primarily ulcerated perineal haemangioma

Japanese clinical practice guidelines for vascular anomalies 2017

The objective was to prepare guidelines to perform the current optimum treatment by organizing effective and efficient treatments of hemangiomas and vascular malformations, confirming the safety, and systematizing treatment, employing evidence-based medicine (EBM) techniques and aimed at improvement of the outcomes. Clinical questions (CQs) were decided based on the important clinical issues. For document retrieval, key words for literature searches were set for each CQ and literature published from 1980 to the end of September 2014 was searched in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (JCRM). The strengths of evidence and recommendations acquired by systematic reviews were determined following the Medical Information Network Distribution System (MINDS) technique. A total of 33 CQs were used to compile recommendations and the subjects included efficacy of resection, sclerotherapy/embolization, drug therapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy, and other conservative treatment, differences in appropriate treatment due to the location of lesions and among symptoms, appropriate timing of treatment and tests, and pathological diagnosis deciding the diagnosis. Thus, the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017 have been prepared as the evidence-based guidelines for the management of vascular anomalies.

Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017

The objective was to prepare guidelines to perform the current optimum treatment by organizing effective and efficient treatments of hemangiomas and vascular malformations, confirming the safety and systematizing treatment, employing evidence‐based medicine techniques and aimed at improvement of the outcomes. Clinical questions (CQ) were decided based on the important clinical issues. For document retrieval, key words for published work searches were set for each CQ, and work published from 1980 to the end of September 2014 was searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina databases. The strengths of evidence and recommendations acquired by systematic reviews were determined following the Medical Information Network Distribution System technique. A total of 33 CQ were used to compile recommendations and the subjects included efficacy of resection, sclerotherapy/embolization, drug therapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy and other conservative treatment, differences in appropriate treatment due to the location of lesions and among symptoms, appropriate timing of treatment and tests, and pathological diagnosis deciding the diagnosis. Thus, the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017 have been prepared as the evidence‐based guidelines for the management of vascular anomalies.

Japanese clinical practice guidelines for vascular anomalies 2017

The objective was to prepare guidelines to perform the current optimum treatment by organizing effective and efficient treatments of hemangiomas and vascular malformations, confirming the safety, and systematizing treatment, employing evidence-based medicine (EBM) techniques and aimed at improvement of the outcomes. Clinical questions (CQs) were decided based on the important clinical issues. For document retrieval, key words for literature searches were set for each CQ and literature published from 1980 to the end of September 2014 was searched in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (JCRM). The strengths of evidence and recommendations acquired by systematic reviews were determined following the Medical Information Network Distribution System (MINDS) technique. A total of 33 CQs were used to compile recommendations and the subjects included efficacy of resection, sclerotherapy/embolization, drug therapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy, and other conservative treatment, differences in appropriate treatment due to the location of lesions and among symptoms, appropriate timing of treatment and tests, and pathological diagnosis deciding the diagnosis. Thus, the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017 have been prepared as the evidence-based guidelines for the management of vascular anomalies.

How to Manage Disfiguring Scars in Involuted Infantile Hemangioma

Objective: No active treatment is required in the majority of cases of infantile hemangioma (IH), while they proliferate and involute without sequelae. However, ulceration, bleeding, or destruction/obstruction of important structures may occur in 10% of cases during the proliferating phase. These lesions lead to a disfigured appearance with redundant skin, fibrofatty residuum, protruding surface, drooping, and scarring. This study focused on prevention and management of disfiguring scars in involuted IH. Approach: A retrospective photography and chart review were performed for patients with IH who visited our hospital (Shinshu University Hospital). Results: The study population consisted of 107 patients with IH. The lesions were located on the head and neck (59.8%), trunk (27.1%), upper limb (7.5%), or lower limb (5.6%). Twenty-four patients (22.4%) underwent surgical excision of the disfigured lesion after involution. The percentage of surgical interventions was highest for lesions in the head and neck area (28.9%) compared with other regions. The fibrofatty tissue and redundant skin after involution of each lesion were partly resected and sutured. All suture lines were finally set on the wrinkle line or the anatomical borderline. Innovation: Although total excision of the lesion was impossible in some cases, a natural surface contour was obtained. The operative scar was not visible in the residual damaged skin after involution. Conclusion: Effective preventive therapies during the proliferating phase are required to avoid tissue damage due to hyperexpansion of the surrounding tissue and surface breakdown to present excellent cosmetic results in patients with IH.

Medical, Surgical, and Wound Care Management of Ulcerated Infantile Hemangiomas: A Systematic Review [Formula: see text]

Ulcerated infantile hemangiomas may present a therapeutic challenge, especially if there is concurrent hemorrhage or infection. The aim of this study was to systematically review the published evidence on the treatment of ulcerated hemangiomas, focusing on wound healing as the outcome of interest. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, SCOPUS, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Web of Science from inception to July 2016. Seventy-seven studies met our inclusion criteria. One study was a randomized controlled trial, 30 were observational studies, and 46 were case reports or case series. There is significant heterogeneity among the methods used. We reviewed 1239 patients in total. Of the 197 treated with oral propranolol, 191 (97.0%) achieved complete ulcer healing. Thirty-one patients failed corticosteroid therapy (oral, intralesional, or topical) and were subsequently successfully treated with other therapies. Surgical resections were typically performed for larger hemangiomas and those causing complications. None of the therapies discussed appear to offer significant advantages over others. Therefore, treatment decisions should be individualized based on location of disease, extent, symptoms, feasibility, cost, and parental preference.

Topical 1% propranolol ointment with occlusion in treatment of pyogenic granulomas: An open-label study in 22 children

BACKGROUND

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a common, acquired, benign vascular neoplasm of the skin and mucous membranes. It occurs most often in children and adolescents. First-line treatment options for PG are based on destructive approaches. Pain, permanent scarring, and pigmentation are potential complications of these therapies.

METHODS

This single-arm, open-label, prospective study evaluated the efficacy of topical propranolol for treatment of PGs in children. All patients clinically diagnosed with cutaneous PG consecutively at the Dermatology Pediatric Outpatient Service of the University of Bologna from January 2010 to December 2010 received a compounded formulation of propranolol ointment 1%.

RESULTS

We found propranolol ointment to be effective in consecutive patients; 59.0% completely regressed in a mean of 66 days, 18.2% remained stable, and 22.7% did not respond. No side effects (eg, skin irritation, allergy, bleeding) were observed.

CONCLUSION

Topical propranolol ointment 1% with occlusion appears to be an effective treatment for PGs in children. Early treatment was associated with a more favorable outcome.

Efficacious Healing of Ulcerated Infantile Hemangiomas Using Topical Timolol

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common benign pediatric soft-tissue tumors. Ulceration—the most frequent complication of IH—tends to heal poorly and is associated with pain, bleeding, infection, and scarring. Mainstay treatment modalities include propranolol (β-blocker) and corticosteroids, whose effectiveness is countered by a need for long-term medication and risk of systemic adverse effects and ulcer recurrence. A 3-month-old infant presented to us with a large, medial thigh-ulcerated IH that progressed despite 2 prior months of dressings and topical antimicrobials. Topical timolol 0.5% thrice daily was initiated, and significant healing was evident at 1 week, with complete healing at 1 month. Timolol was stopped after 3 months, and at 18 months after cessation of timolol, there was no ulcer recurrence. This novel therapy for ulcerated IH seems to have many advantages such as rapid efficacy with easy application, no systemic adverse effects and no long-term recurrence, and current literature describing similar advantages justifies the use of this treatment modality in infants.

Diagnosis and Management of Infantile Hemangioma

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common tumors of childhood. Unlike other tumors, they have the unique ability to involute after proliferation, often leading primary care providers to assume they will resolve without intervention or consequence. Unfortunately, a subset of IHs rapidly develop complications, resulting in pain, functional impairment, or permanent disfigurement. As a result, the primary clinician has the task of determining which lesions require early consultation with a specialist. Although several recent reviews have been published, this clinical report is the first based on input from individuals representing the many specialties involved in the treatment of IH. Its purpose is to update the pediatric community regarding recent discoveries in IH pathogenesis, treatment, and clinical associations and to provide a basis for clinical decision-making in the management of IH.

[Combination of pulsed dye laser and propranolol in the treatment of ulcerated infantile haemangioma]

INTRODUCTION

Ulceration is the most common complication of infantile haemangioma, with 15.8% of them usually appearing in the proliferative phase. They can be managed in several ways. We present our experience in the treatment of ulcerated haemangioma with the combination of pulsed dye laser and propranolol.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients with ulcerated infantile haemangioma treated with pulsed dye laser in association with propranolol. The study included 7 patients, 3 cases in labial area and 4 cases in the nappy area. A review was also performed on a historical cohort of 5 children with ulcerated haemangiomas with the same features, but treated only with propranolol, topical agents and occlusive dressings.

RESULTS

The median size of the ulcer was 1.0 cm, and there was a mean time of onset pre-treatment of 2 weeks. Pain and bleeding was present in all patients. After 2 weeks of combined propranolol and laser treatment, all lesions were healed. The pain disappeared after the first laser session. Patients with ulcerative haemangioma in the labial area obtained a better response than patients with haemangioma in the nappy area. The cohort of patients treated with propranolol required a mean healing time of 5.2 weeks, with the addition of an occlusive dressing with ointment.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that our results suggest that combined treatment, laser and propranolol, has synergistic effects that accelerate the healing of ulcerated haemangioma, as observed in our patients. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm this fact.

Fractional carbon dioxide laser-assisted drug delivery of topical timolol solution for the treatment of deep infantile hemangioma: a pilot study

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are benign vascular tumors of infancy. Topical timolol has recently been reported to be an effective treatment for superficial IHs, although it failed to have an effect on deep IHs. This prospective study was aimed at evaluating the feasibility of ablative fractional laser-assisted drug delivery for enhancing topical timolol permeation into deep IHs. Nine patients ages 1 to 6 months with deep IHs were enrolled. A fractional carbon dioxide (CO2 ) laser system was applied to the skin surface of deep IHs using the DeepFx mode (25-30 mJ/pulse, 5% density, single pulse) at 1-week intervals. Topical timolol maleate 0.5% ophthalmic solution was applied under occlusion for 30 minutes four to five times per day for an average treatment duration of 14.2 weeks. Clinical improvement was evaluated according to a global score and the Hemangioma Activity Score (HAS). Four patients (44.4%) demonstrated excellent regression, four (44.4%) showed good response, and one (11.1%) experienced moderate regression. The HAS declined from 4.1 ± 0.7 at baseline to 1.7 ± 0.7 at 1 week (p < 0.001) and 1.4 ± 0.7 at 3 months (p = 0.03) after the last treatment procedure. Plasma timolol concentration was not detected in any of the patients after the first administration of topical timolol. No systemic complication or skin side effects were observed in any of the patients. Ablative fractional laser-assisted transdermal delivery of topical timolol is a safe and effective method for the treatment of deep IHs.

Haemangioma: clinical course, complications and management

Despite their high incidence, most infantile haemangiomas (IH) do not require treatment as they regress spontaneously and most do not leave significant sequelae. For the subset of haemangiomas that require treatment, indications for intervention can be divided into three main categories: ulceration, disfigurement and impairment of function or vital structures. In addition, certain IH have a risk of associated structural anomalies. Given the wide heterogeneity of haemangiomas, deciding which haemangiomas need intervention and when to intervene requires a detailed knowledge of natural history and clinical indicators of increased risk.

Efficacy of topical brimonidine-timolol for haemangioma of infancy and perils of off-label prescribing

We report three patients with superficial haemangiomas treated topically with Combigan ophthalmic solution (brimonidine 0.2%-timolol 0.5%), a combination selective α-2-adrenergic agonist and non-selective β-blocker Food and Drug Administration-approved for use in glaucoma. Topical brimonidine 0.2%-timolol 0.5% therapy improved the appearance of haemangiomas in all the cases. Two patients did not experience any adverse effects. One patient had hypothermic episodes which were initially thought to be because of brimonidine 0.2%-timolol 0.5% therapy. However, an episode occurred a few weeks after discontinuation and brimonidine 0.2%-timolol 0.5% therapy was ruled out as a cause. Despite the benefit, off-label use of brimonidine 0.2%-timolol 0.5% therapy served as a pitfall in the evaluation of an unusual constellation of worrisome symptoms. In conclusion, brimonidine 0.2%-timolol 0.5% therapy is a promising alternative in the topical treatment of haemangiomas. It may have synergistic effects and increased efficacy by targeting haemangiomas via two mechanisms (α-agonism and β-inhibition), but the risk of unforeseen adverse effects must always be considered when prescribing off-label treatment, especially in infants.

Treatment of infantile hemangiomas

1.Recognize infantile hemangiomas that are associated with a higher risk for complications and associated anomalies.2.Appreciate the typical timing of growth and involution of infantile hemangiomas.3.Become familiar with recently reported treatments for infantile hemangiomas.Infantile hemangiomas are common proliferations of endothelial tissue that affect approximately 4% to 5% of infants.1 Lesions represent a broad clinical spectrum and their management has to be individualized. Fortunately, most infantile hemangiomas do not require active therapy and may be managed with "active nonintervention";2 however, it is important to recognize those that do require therapeutic intervention and to be familiar with the therapeutic options.