Abstract
Laryngeal hemangioma of infancy is a life-threatening disease with airway obstruction. Previously, it was treated with steroids, vincristine, interferon-α, laser, tracheostomy, and open surgery, but responses were not satisfactory.
We report two cases of laryngeal hemangioma of infancy successfully treated by a β-blocker (propranolol). Patient 1 was a three-month-old male with subglottic hemangioma. He demonstrated recurrent respiratory discomfort, but after propranolol administration was initiated, the hemangioma diminished immediately. Patient 2 was a 7-month-old female with a large supraglottic hemangioma. Due to wheezing and increasing size of the hemangioma, propranolol administration was initiated. After three months, the size of her hemangioma was well controlled and she had no symptoms.
Léauté-Labrèze et al. first reported β-blocker therapy for hemangiomas of infancy in 2008, and additional reports have been published abroad since then. β-blocker therapy is effective for hemangiomas of infancy and superior to previous therapies in terms of its immediate effect with few side effects. We expect that it will become the standard therapy for laryngeal hemangioma of infancy.
