Response of facial haemangioma to oral propranolol.

Haemangioma is the most common vascular tumour of childhood. Most cases require no therapeutic intervention, with spontaneous involution by 5-9 years of age. Some haemangiomas may become large in size impinging on vital structures such as eyes, mouth, nose or larynx, and require certain therapeutic interventions to prevent major morbidities. The usual treatments include oral/intralesional steroids, α interferon, cytotoxins, remobilisation, pulsed dye laser and cosmetic surgery resection; these treatments are not free of multiple complications and toxic side effects. This report describes the case of a 4-month-old female baby with progressively increasing haemangioma of the right upper eyelid impinging over the upper outer visual field. The haemangioma responded promptly to low-dose oral propranolol. A clinical response was noticed few days after the start of the treatment and was free of any major side effects.