Distribution and Clinical Characteristics of Periorbital Infantile Hemangiomas.

Background: Periorbital infantile hemangiomas (POIHs) are associated with a high incidence of visual complications. Objective(s): To analyze the sites of predilection of POIHs and to determine whether certain sites require earlier intervention due to their higher rate of visual complications. Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted on patients from two tertiary care centers for 25 years. The location of POIHs was determined from clinical photographs, medical records, and radiological studies. The presence or absence of anisometropic astigmatism (anisoastigmatism) and amblyopia was recorded. Data were analyzed using a chi-square test. Results: There were 486 patients, of which 302 patients had ophthalmology evaluations and 245 patients had refractive error data. At presentation, 10% of patients already had amblyopia and 44% had anisoastigmatism. Medial eyelid lesions had the highest risk of developing anisoastigmatism (anisoastigmatism correlates with eyelid position, p = 0.0001). Segmental and upper medial lesions had the highest risk of amblyopia at initial evaluation. Conclusion: The site of POIH is an important indicator for developing clinically significant anisoastigmatism and amblyopia, underlining the need for early ophthalmologic assessment and management.

Distribution, clinical characteristics, and surgical treatment of lip infantile hemangiomas.

IMPORTANCE: Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common tumors of infancy. OBJECTIVES: To describe the patterns of occurrence of lip IHs and correlate these findings with patterns of anatomical distortion and predictable clinical outcomes and to describe the surgical management of these lesions. DESIGN: A retrospective medical record review of patients diagnosed as having facial IH of the upper or lower lips during an 8-year period (January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2011). Using clinical photographs and patient records, we mapped the 360 IHs of 342 patients on a lip schematic. Each lesion was encoded with a number reflective of its location, and this number was shared by other lesions found at the same site. Frequencies of lesion characteristics, complicating functional and aesthetic factors, and airway obstruction were documented. The treatment course was noted. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital and practice specializing in the care of congenital pediatric vascular anomalies of the head and neck. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred forty-two patients with 360 IHs. RESULTS: A total of 1916 IHs were diagnosed. Of these, lip IHs were found in 342 patients. We reviewed those patients' medical records. Of the lesions, 59.2% were focal and 40.8% were segmental. A nonrandom distribution of lip IHs was found. The most common focal lesion occurred at the lower lip (98 of 213 lesions [46.0%]). The most common segmental lesion involved the mandibular segment (75 of 147 [51.0%]). Of the 75 patients, 30 (40.0%) had airway involvement. The most common anatomical distortions of the lip involved the vermiliocutaneous junction in 216 (61.5%). Horizontal and vertical lengthening of the lip was evident in 28.7% and 31.0% of patients, respectively. Ulceration and scarring were common findings in 137 patients overall (38.1%), with segmental mandibular IHs associated with the highest percentage (46 of 137 [33.6%]), followed by focal IHs of the lower lip (35 of 137 [25.5%]). Using previously described surgical procedures, we developed a problem-oriented solution for each of these zones. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The nonrandom distribution of facial hemangiomas has been documented with focal and segmental patterns of growth. Distinct anatomical patterns of occurrence for lip IHs are described. The distribution seems to be related to the embryologic development of the upper and lower lips. These anatomical patterns allow for the prediction of anatomical location, structural distortion, and possible clinical outcomes. This information is relevant when planning medical and surgical treatment for these children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

The role of surgery in the management of congenital vascular anomalies.

Surgery is one of the modalities used to treat vascular lesions. Its role is to act in concert with interventional radiology and the various pharmacologic agents. The role of surgery in patients with hemangiomas is limited to nonresponders to propranolol, complications, and eyelid lesions. Corrective surgery would also normalize facial distortion and asymmetry which may result from a hemangioma. Concerning vascular malformations, cure may only be obtained in case of small, focal lesions. In larger, extensive lesions, the role of surgery is limited to debulking the mass. This is usually performed after preoperative embolization or sclerotherapy to reduce the amount of intraoperative blood loss. Surgery is usually not curative but would decrease the amount of disease needing to be sclerosed. Surgery is therefore most often an adjuvant therapy.