Ultrasonography as an objective tool for assessment of infantile hemangioma treatment with propranolol.

BACKGROUND: Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common benign vascular tumors of childhood. Propranolol is an effective drug in treating IH. A reliable and complementary instrument is necessary to evaluate IH response to propranolol in addition to clinical and photographic assessments. Ultrasonography is a simple and non-invasive technique that enables precise measurements of tumor size and contributes to objective follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the use of serial ultrasonography as an adjunctive tool for assessment of IH treatment with propranolol.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 19 patients with IH treated with propranolol was conducted from January 2009 to March 2014. Data of individual IH volume at the beginning and at least 6 months after the onset of treatment and overall volume reduction by ultrasonographic measurement were obtained.

RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant IH volume reduction of approximately 0.51 cm3 . This volume corresponds to an average reduction of 47% in the final volume compared with the initial volume.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic measurements contribute to demonstrate tumor regression and IH response to propranolol. Thus, ultrasonography is an important instrument to guide therapeutic strategies.