eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Orbit

Hemangioma, Capillary: Treatment & Medication

Author: Stuart Seiff, MD, FACS, Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco; Chief, Department of Ophthalmology, San Francisco General Hospital; Consultant, Oculofacial and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, California Pacific Medical Center and Mills Peninsula Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Orin M Zwick, MD, Oculoplastic Surgeon, Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center; Dan D DeAngelis, MD, FRCS(C), Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto; Susan Carter, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, New Jersey Medical School
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 18, 2009

Treatment

Medical Care

The indications for treatment can be divided into systemic, ophthalmic, and dermatologic reasons. Systemic reasons for intervention include congestive heart failure, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and nasopharyngeal obstruction. Ophthalmic indications for intervention include occlusion of the visual axis, optic nerve compression, severe proptosis, and anisometropia.^4,5 Dermatologic indications for intervention include maceration and erosion of the epidermis, infection, and cosmetic disfigurement.

• The first-line treatment of capillary hemangiomas is simple observation. Since most of these lesions regress on their own, there is no need to intervene unless one of the above criteria is met.⁶
• Corticosteroids, in various formulations, also have been used in the treatment of capillary hemangiomas.^{7,8,9,10,11,12,13}
  • Topical steroid formulations, such as clobetasol propionate cream, can be applied topically to the lesion. The response to these treatments, even with the strongest corticosteroid formulations, is slower than other methods because several weeks are required to obtain a response.
  • Complications include dermal atrophy, pigmentary changes in the skin, and dermatitis, as well as less common ophthalmic complications, such as elevated intraocular pressure and cataract formation. Systemic absorption also can occur.
  • Overall, this modality is not appropriate for vision-threatening lesions.
• Injectable steroid formulations also are used in the treatment of these lesions.
  • Endothelial cell sensitization to catecholamines is the mechanism by which intralesional corticosteroids exert their effects. Although there may be a period of temporary enlargement, blanching usually is noted within 2-3 days and involution is seen by 2-4 weeks. Their effectiveness is most pronounced 2 weeks after injection but can be seen up to 2 months later. The overall success rate for this intervention is 75%.
  • Risks of injection include lid necrosis, depigmentation, and fat necrosis. The most disconcerting adverse effect concerns reports of central retinal artery occlusion following the intralesional injection of corticosteroids. Although the precise pathogenesis is uncertain, some suggest it may be related to anomalous vessels. A technically slower injection of corticosteroid or a smaller volume of solution may lessen the risk.^14,15,16
  • Steroid injections can be repeated, but, ideally, they should be separated in time by 2-3 months to allow for maximum benefit to be seen. Adrenal suppression after cutaneous steroid injections has been reported.
• Systemic corticosteroids are used for amblyogenic life-threatening lesions.
  • An excellent response rate can be expected in 30% of patients, a questionable response in 40%, and no response in 30% when systemic corticosteroids are used under close observation. The response may be quite dramatic within the first 2 weeks, and the effect may last from 1-4 months. Doses of 2-3 mg/kg may be necessary for up to several months.
  • Complications of systemic therapy with corticosteroids include Cushingoid changes, personality changes, gastrointestinal irritation, oral candidiasis, delayed growth, diabetes, hypertension, and rebound growth of hemangiomas on cessation.
• Interferon alfa-2a has emerged as a new modality to combat the life-threatening and vision-threatening hemangiomas of infancy that are resistant to steroid treatment.¹⁷ While it has potent effects on these lesions, it is commonly associated with adverse effects of varying severity.
  • Interferon alfa-2a exerts its effect by preventing endothelial cell migration in capillary hemangiomas. Authors have shown significant tumor regression after treatment with interferon.
  • Unfortunately, adverse effects from treatment may have somewhat dampened the initial excitement with this treatment. Adverse effects include fever, chills, arthralgias, and retinal vasculopathy. Of more significance, the incidence of spastic diplegia has been as high as 20% in some reports, leading some to reevaluate the benefits of its use. The long-term effects of interferon on the developing brain are unknown.

Surgical Care

• Laser surgery has been attempted to ameliorate capillary hemangiomas but is still controversial. The hemostatic effects of the carbon dioxide laser have been used with success to surgically remove these lesions. Other lasers used include the argon laser and the Nd:YAG laser. The pulsed dye laser is only effective for very superficial lesions; its mechanism of action is too slow for sight-threatening hemangiomas. Overall, variable results have been seen with various laser modalities, and the risks of scarring and ulceration often deter its use. 
• Incisional surgical techniques also have had variable success. Surgical ligation of the hemangiomas produces equivocal results. Vascular embolization of the lesions should be used for large extraorbital hemangiomas only. Primary excision also has been advocated for infantile hemangiomas. Early surgical intervention can be considered as a primary treatment option in selected, isolated capillary hemangiomas without a significant cutaneous component. Surgery can provide definitive early treatment and prevent astigmatism and occlusion-related amblyopia.^18,19

Consultations

• Consultations with a pediatrician may be necessary to monitor for the systemic adverse effects if prednisone is used or if there is suspicion of systemic involvement.
• Pediatric dermatologists may have particular expertise in the various treatment options available.

Medication

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.

Corticosteroids

Have anti-inflammatory properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. Corticosteroids modify the body's immune response to diverse stimuli.

Prednisone (Deltasone)

Decreases inflammation by stabilizing lysosomal membranes, inhibiting PMN and mast cell degranulation, and decreasing capillary vasoconstriction.

Clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Temovate)

Decreases inflammation by stabilizing lysosomal membranes, inhibiting PMN and mast cell degranulation. Class I superpotent topical steroid; suppresses mitosis and increases synthesis of proteins that decrease inflammation and cause vasoconstriction.

Betamethasone (Celestone)

Decreases inflammation by suppressing migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversing increased capillary permeability.

Triamcinolone (Kenalog)

Treats inflammatory dermatosis that is responsive to steroids. Decreases inflammation by suppressing the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversing capillary permeability.

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