Infantile hepatic haemangioma: investigation and treatment

J Paediatr Child Health. 1991 Feb;27(1):57-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.1991.tb00348.x.

Abstract

Infantile hepatic haemangiomas are benign tumours which tend to regress in late infancy. We describe five infants with hepatic haemangioma, three of whom developed congestive cardiac failure. Technetium-99m labelled red blood cell scan was useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of the lesion. The three symptomatic infants were treated with prednisone (2 mg/kg per day) for 2 months in addition to digoxin and diuretics. Significant clinical improvement occurred within 3 weeks in each case. We conclude that the red blood cells scan is a good non-invasive diagnostic test and recommend corticosteroids as initial management for symptomatic infantile hepatic haemangiomas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Digoxin / therapeutic use
  • Diuretics / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy
  • Heart Failure / etiology
  • Hemangioma / complications
  • Hemangioma / diagnosis*
  • Hemangioma / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Liver Neoplasms / complications
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Diuretics
  • Digoxin
  • Prednisone