Clinical characteristics of infantile hemangiomas with aggressive, persistent, and destructive ulceration

Ayushi Gautam, Ilona J. Frieden, Sonal D. Shah, Patricia M. Witman, Katya Harfmann, Flora Bradley, Francine Blei, Elena Pope, Anwar Alsumait, Deepti Gupta, Isabela Covelli, Jenna L. Streicher, Colleen Cotton, Megha Tollefson, Henry Nguyen, Raegan Hunt, Amy Buros, Esteban Fernández Faith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Ulceration is a common complication of infantile hemangioma (IH). Severe, persistent ulceration occurs in a minority of patients. This study aims to characterize the clinical features of IH with aggressive ulceration (AU). Methods: Multicenter retrospective study of clinical features of IH with AU. Results: Thirty-five patients with AU were identified and included in the study. The majority of AU occurred in segmental IH (23/35, 65%). Segmental IH with AU were large (≥10 cm2; 16/23, 69%, p <.001) with a thin (<3 mm) superficial component (16/23, 69%, p <.001). Localized IH with AU had a thick (>3 mm) superficial component (11/12, 92%, p <.001). All diaper area IH with AU (9/35) were segmental with thin superficial component (100%, p =.02). IH with AU in the head/neck (10/35) were more commonly localized (67%) and mixed (62.5%), while segmental, thick superficial morphology was more common on trunk (9/35) and upper extremities (7/35). Conclusions: IH resulting in AU differ in clinical features by anatomic site. Those in the diaper area are nearly always segmental with thin superficial component, whereas other sites tend to be localized, mixed, with thick superficial component. These distinct phenotypes may prove useful in the clinical setting for physicians to identify patterns of IH ulceration with increased risk of aggressive, persistent ulceration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)996-1002
Number of pages7
JournalPediatric Dermatology
Volume40
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2023

Keywords

  • aggressive ulcerationhemangioma
  • infantile hemangioma
  • ulceration
  • vascular anomalies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Dermatology

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