Skip to main content
Log in

Topical treatment with propranolol gel as a supplement to the existing treatment of hemangiomas

  • Original Article
  • Published:
World Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Systemic treatment with propranolol is proven to be effective for patients with hemangiomas with less side-effect. We used a propranolol gel for topical use on hemangiomas.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we analyzed 148 patients who had been treated topically with propranolol gel for 12 weeks. We analyzed the data of patients and clinically gave each hemangioma a “hemangioma score” to determine the treatment success.

Results

In 147 of the 148 patients, strong signs of resolution under treatment included lightening, paling, and less vascularization. The hemangioma score showed a significant decrease during the treatment. Relevant serum levels of propranolol were not found. Adverse effects were rare and not related to propranolol.

Conclusion

Topical treatment with propranolol gel is suitable for specific hemangiomas in addition to cryotherapy and systemic treatment with propranolol.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Léauté-Labrèze C, Dumas de la Roque E, Hubiche T, Boralevi F, Thambo JB, Taïeb A. Propranolol for severe hemangiomas of infancy. N Engl J Med 2008;358:2649–2651.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Sans V, de la Roque ED, Berge J, Grenier N, Boralevi F, Mazereeuw-Hautier J, et al. Propranolol for severe infantile hemangiomas: follow-up report. Pediatrics 2009;124:e423–e431.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Cremer HJ, Kachel W, Kosel C. Propranolol for the treatment of complicated haemangiomas. Kinder- und Jugendarzt 2009;40:457–460. [In German]

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cremer HJ, Bause H, Mangold C, Elsesser-Glaab S, Schneider M. Hämangiome im Kindesalter: Neue Klassifikation/Diagnostik/bewährte und neue Therapieformen, 2009. www.hautnet.de (accessed January 27, 2013).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Schiestl C, Neuhaus K, Zoller S, Subotic U, Forster-Kuebler I, Michels R, et al. Efficacy and safety of propranolol as first-line treatment for infantile hemangiomas. Eur J Pediatr 2011;170:493–501.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Manunza F, Syed S, Laguda B, Linward J, Kennedy H, Gholam K, et al. Propranolol for complicated infantile haemangiomas: a case series of 30 infants. Br J Dermatol 2010;162:466–468.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Love JN, Sikka N. Are 1–2 tablets dangerous? Beta-blocker exposure in toddlers. J Emerg Med 2004;26:309–314.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Guo S, Ni N. Topical treatment for capillary hemangioma of the eyelid using β-blocker solution. Arch Ophthalmol 2010;128:255–256.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Chantasart D, Hao J, Li SK. Evaluation of skin permeation of beta-blockers for topical drug delivery. Pharm Res 2013;30:866–877.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Oranje AP, Janmohamed SR, Madern GC, de Laat PC. Treatment of small superficial haemangioma with Timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution: a series of 20 cases. Dermatology 2011;223:330–334.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kunzi-Rapp K. Topical propranolol therapy for infantile hemangiomas. Pediatr Dermatol 2012;29:154–159.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Moehrle M, Léauté-Labrèze C, Schmidt V, Röcken M, Poets CF, Goelz R. Topical Timolol for small hemangiomas of infancy. Pediatr Dermatol 2013;30:245–249.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Xu G, Lv R, Zhao Z, Huo R. Topical propranolol for treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas. J Am Acad Dermatol 2013;67:1210–1213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhai YN, Song HT, Chen SQ, Zhang MX, Li CJ, Xia Y, et al. Effect of propranolol gel on infantile hemangiomas. Zhonghua Zheng Xing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2013;29:25–28. [In Chinese]

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Niu JN, Xu GQ, Lü RR, Huo R. Treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas with topical propranolol. Zhonghua Zheng Xing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2013;29:100–103. [In Chinese]

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Glantz SA. Alternatives to analysis of variance and the t-test based on ranks. In: Glantz SA, eds. Primer of biostatistics, 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005: 363–412.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Markus Schneider.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Schneider, M., Reimer, A., Cremer, H. et al. Topical treatment with propranolol gel as a supplement to the existing treatment of hemangiomas. World J Pediatr 10, 313–317 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-014-0509-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-014-0509-6

Key words

Navigation