A Case of Consumptive Hypothyroidism in a 1-Month-Old Boy with Diffuse Infantile Hepatic Hemangiomas

Diffuse infantile hepatic hemangioma successfully treated with propranolol orally: a case report and literature review

Background

Infantile hepatic hemangioma (IHH) is a common vascular, fast-growing hepatic tumor that is usually accompanied by multiple cutaneous hemangiomas. Diffuse IHH (DIHH) is a rare type of IHH that exhibits many tumors with nearly complete hepatic parenchymal replacement. At present, there is no specific standardized treatment plan for DIHH. Herein, we present the case of a 2-month-old girl with DIHH and without cutaneous hemangioma who achieved complete remission after undergoing propranolol monotherapy.

Case presentation

The infant with low birth weight was presented to the pediatric department with a 2-month history of persistent vomiting and feeding difficulty. Ultrasonography and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging revealed hepatomegaly and diffused intrahepatic lesions. A computed tomography-guided percutaneous liver biopsy was performed, and the pathological examination suggested the diagnosis was DIHH. The patient exhibited remarkably response to an increasing dose of oral propranolol, from 0.5 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg every day. The intrahepatic lesions were almost completely regressed after one year of treatment and no distinct adverse reaction was observed.

Conclusion

DIHH can induce life-threatening complications that require prompt interventions. Propranolol monotherapy can be an effective and safe first-line treatment strategy for DIHH.

Multifocal Infantile Hepatic Hemangiomas Complicated by Consumptive Hypothyroidism: The Benefits of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Infantile hepatic hemangiomas (IHH) account for 12% of all childhood hepatic tumors. Most IHH are diagnosed within the first 6 months of life and involute spontaneously; however, some require medical treatment. The present report describes a case of multifocal IHH associated with subcutaneous and lingual hemangiomas, complicated by consumptive hypothyroidism and successfully managed with oral propranolol and thyroid replacement therapy, without documented adverse effects. Consumptive hypothyroidism is a rare complication of IHH, but suggestive of multifocal/diffuse subtypes. The authors intend to reinforce the importance of early referral to a Vascular Anomalies Center and treatment with propranolol in selected patients.

Consumptive Hypothyroidism due to Hepatic Hemangiomas: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Consumptive hypothyroidism (CH) is a rare and potentially overlooked complication of hepatic hemangiomas (HH) overexpressing the enzyme deiodinase, which converts thyroxine (T4) to reverse triiodothyronine (rT3).

Materials and methods

Here, we report a case series of 3 patients and a systematic review of the literature.

Results

Hypothyroidism (mean serum TSH 52.03 mIU/L) was detected at a mean age of 4.6 months (range 3-6) in 3 infants with infantile hepatic hemangiomas, treated with thyroxine (mean dose 12 µg/kg/day). All received treatment with propranolol (1-3 mg/kg/day) from the mean age of 4 months. Hormonal treatment was stopped at a mean age of 20 months (range 12-30). Hypothyroidism reoccurred in a patient concurrently with the increase of liver lesions, requiring liver transplantation (LT) at age 39 months.Literature review retrieved 42 studies (48 patients): HH (n = 43) were isolated in 24 infants and associated with cutaneous hemangiomas in 19. Hemangiomas were only cutaneous in 5.In the first 43 patients, hypothyroidism was detected at a mean age of 1 month; 21 of 43 patients were prescribed propranolol alone (n = 8) or associated with other medicaments (n = 13); 2 of 43 patients underwent LT. Hormonal treatment consisted of T4 in 35 of 43 patients and T3 in 10.CH associated with only cutaneous and extrahepatic visceral hemangiomas (n = 5), detected at a mean age of 7 months (TSH mean levels at diagnosis of 150.3 mIU/L). Three of 5 patients received treatment with propranolol ± other medicaments. All 5 patients were treated with T4.

Conclusions

Periodical thyroid function assessment is necessary in patients with hepatic hemangiomas, particularly when lesions' size and number increase rapidly.