Head and neck hemangiomas in pediatric patients treated with endolesional 980-nm diode laser.

PURPOSE: In pediatric patients with hemangiomas, vascular malformations, or lymphovenous malformations, therapeutic decisions frequently pose a challenge to surgeons, dermatologists, radiologists, and pathologists. We analyze the value of an interdisciplinary approach, and treatment of hemangiomas with an endolesional 980-nm diode laser.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2000 and 2008 we provided interdisciplinary consultation for patients with hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, and vascular anomalies. We treated 250 patients with a 980-nm diode laser. In patients with hemangiomas and venous malformations, clinical diagnosis was confirmed by color Doppler flow imaging and magnetic resonance imaging; angiography was employed for patients with arteriovenous malformations. All patients were either treated by laser surgery or treated conservatively depending on lesion size and behavior.

RESULTS: Two hundred fifty pediatric patients were treated; these included 160 patients with hemangiomas, 50 with vascular malformations, and 40 with lymphatic malformation. The treatment results were analyzed by evaluating the decrease in lesion size and the lesion's complete clinical disappearance. All patients had resolution except 38 for whom there was a reduction in lesion size that required a new session.

CONCLUSIONS: The interdisciplinary approach increases diagnostic accuracy, and subsequently improves individual treatment for pediatric patients with hemangioma, lymphangioma, and vascular anomalies. The diode laser was found to be useful in the treatment of lesions in pediatric patients in terms of aesthetic results and resolution.