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Hemangioma    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Cavernous hemangioma; Strawberry nevus

Treatment

Superficial or "strawberry hemangiomas" often are not treated. Letting the lesion undergo spontaneous involution produces normal-appearing skin. In some cases, a laser may be used to eradicate the small vessels. Cavernous hemangiomas that involve the eyelid and obstruct vision are generally treated with injections of steroids or laser treatments that rapidly reduce the size of the lesions, allowing the development of normal vision.

Large cavernous hemangiomas or mixed hemangiomas, when appropriate, are treated with oral steroids and injections of steroids directly into the hemangioma. Recently, lasers have been used to reduce the bulk of the hemangiomas. Lasers emitting yellow light can selectively damage the vessels in the hemangioma without damaging the overlying skin. Some physicians are using a combination of steroid injection and laser therapy together.

Prognosis

Small superficial hemangiomas should involute completely. Large cavernous hemangiomas should be evaluated by a physician and treated appropriately.

Complications

• bleeding
• visual abnormalities (amblyopia, strabismus)
• psychosocial problems

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

All birthmarks, including hemangiomas, should be evaluated by the health care provider during a routine examination.

Ency. home > Disease > H > Hemangioma

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