الفهرس 
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Abstract
Infantile Haemangiomas (IH) are benign vascular tumors composed of proliferating endothelial cells without dysplastic vessels.
Haemangiomas are the most common tumors of infancy and occur in
nearly 10% of children aged less than 1 year, with a female
predominance. They may occur in various anatomic sites, the most
common being the head and neck. Infantile haemangiomas are
characterized by unclear appearance at birth, but undergo rapid and
intermittent growth throughout the first year of life. By the age of 5 years
usually 50% of the lesions have involuted. This increases to nearly 70%
by the age of 7 years and about 90% by the age of 9 years. Nevertheless,
in 40–50% of all affected children telangiectatic cutaneous vessels,
fibrous-fatty tissue or scar formations can be observed as a residue of the
lesions
Hemangiomas are categorized as superficial, deep or combined.
Depending on the size and location of the hemangioma, many serious
problems can occur. For example, eyelid IH can cause deprivation
amblyopia, a subglottic IH can compromise the airway, and extremely
large IH can cause high output congestive heart failure. Some IH ulcerate
and bleed and some if left untreated can lead to disfigurement that is
difficult to correct later in life. The appropriate treatment modality
depends on the location and the type of haemangioma, the age of the
patient and the presence of complications. Most haemangiomas are
benign in their course and are self-limiting, after the initial proliferative
phase (3 to 12 months). The correct management of IH is generally
expectant in the absence of complications or sustained cosmetic
handicap. Active treatment may be necessary when any of the
complications occur or the cosmetic handicap is significant. Treatment modalities for IH can be classified into 4 main categories:
pharmacotherapy, chemotherapy, laser therapy, and surgical excision.
Corticosteroids are the first line of therapy for the treatment of
complicated hemangiomas; they may be administered topically,
intralesionally, or orally. Systemic steroids have proven effectiveness,
but the risks of long-term and high dose use include growth disturbances
and immune system dysfunction as well as ulcerations up to severe tissue
loss. Moreover, there are cases of fast growing infantile hemangiomas
which show no response to steroid therapy.