SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF AN INFANT WITH A GIANT HEMANGIOMA OF THE RETROPERITONEUM AND KASABACH-MERRITT SYNDROME WITH ALPHA-INTERFERON

Giant vascular neoplasms in neonates generally require aggressive medical or surgical therapy for treatment of complications. Steroids, chemotherapy, embolization, radiation, and surgery have all been used with short-term beneficial and sometimes unknown long-term side effects. A new modality of treatment, α-interferon, has recently been described. The majority of hemangiomas in children involtute by 8 years of age. Occasionally, hemangiomas can endanger vital structures and are associated with a consumption coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia (Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome). These hemangiomas occasionally do not respond to steroids, radiation therapy, cytotoxic drugs, or embolization. The mortality rates approach 50% in nonresponders. Alphainterferon has been used in these children with life-threatening complications of hemangiomas with relief of symptoms. This case illustrates the potential use of α-interferon in the management of giant hemangiomas in children. This emerging form of biological therapy avoids the risks of radiation therapy, embolization, and surgery with only minimal side effects. © 1993 W.B. Saunders Company. All rights reserved.