Diagnosis of infantile subglottic hemangioma and the effect of oral propranolol.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics of infantile subglottic hemangioma (SGH), and to observe the safety and efficacy of propranolol in the treatment of SGH. METHODS: The data of 21 children diagnosed with SGH and treated with propranolol in our hospital from March 2013 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and followed up. RESULTS: Among the 21 cases, there were 7 males and 14 females. SGH was found 11 left-sided, 9 right-sided and 1 bilateral-sided. The clinical manifestations included stridor (13/21), respiratory distress (6/21), barking cough (5/21), feeding difficulty (4/21), three concave sign (4/21), cyanosis (2/21) and hoarseness (1/21). 8 patients had multiple cutaneous hemangiomas. The age of presentation ranged from 1 to 8 months, with a median of 1.1 months. 18 cases (85.7 %) had a history of misdiagnosis, 14 bronchitis/pneumonia, 5 laryngomalacia, 2 laryngeal obstruction and 1 asthma. The median ages at diagnosis were 3 months, with a range of 1.2-28 months. The treatment duration ranged from 6 to 25.6 months, with an average of (14.3 ± 4.9) months. Age at termination of treatment ranged from 9 to 38 months, with a median of 18.6 months, and only 2 cases were beyond 2 years old at that time. No adverse side effects from propranolol therapy occurred and all 21 cases were cured. CONCLUSIONS: We advocate a strong index of suspicion for SGH presenting with respiratory symptoms under 2 years old who has poor effect or repeated condition after routine treatment. Laryngoscopy combined with contrast-enhanced CT can confirm the diagnosis of SGH. Oral propranolol is safe and effective, and that early diagnosis and intervention of propranolol without further delay are crucial to the successful management. We advocate continue propranolol treatment beyond 18 months of age, furthermore, 2 years old may be the best time for therapy termination.