INTRALESIONAL CORTICOSTEROID-THERAPY FOR CHILDHOOD CUTANEOUS HEMANGIOMAS

Response to intralesional steroid therapy (triamcinolone acetonide and betamethasone acetate) was studied in 70 children of all ages with 74 cutaneous hemangiomas located in a variety of locations. One to seven injections were given without anesthesia with a mean interval of 6 weeks between the injections. Results analyzed 2 months after the last injection showed more than 75% reduction in volume in 43 (58.11%), 50% to 75% reduction in 16 (21.62%), 25% to 50% reduction in 9 (12.16%), and less than 25% reduction in 6 (8.11%) lesions. Response was not related to age, sex, or site of the lesion, but only 2 lesions (22.22%) with an initial volume of more than 20 cm3 showed more than 50% reduction. None showed regrowth within a mean follow-up period of 14 months. Transient cushingoid faces and hypopigmentation were noted in 2 patients each. We feel that intralesional steroid therapy is safe and effective for all cutaneous hemangiomas irrespective of site, sex, or age of the patient.