Infantile Hemangiomas with Minimal and Arrested Growth: Clinical Features and Treatment Outcomes with 0.5% Topical Timolol Maleate

BACKGROUND: A minority of infantile hemangiomas showing minimal or arrested growth (IH-MAGs) have been recognized in the literature. Nevertheless, the clinical features and treatment outcomes of IH-MAGs have not been well investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand the clinical characteristics of IH-MAGs better and their response to treatment with topical timolol maleate. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records and clinical images of patients with IH-MAGs. Treatment response with topical timolol was assessed in both IH-MAGs and classic infantile hemangiomas (IHs) groups. RESULTS: Of the 1,038 patients with IHs, only 31 (3.0%) were diagnosed with IH-MAGs. Lesions with non-proliferative components were more frequently distributed in the lower half of the body (61.5%) than those with proliferative components (16.7%). In 14 patients treated with topical timolol, the global assessment scale showed more significant and rapid improvement than in those with classic IHs. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of IH-MAGs may be relatively low, understanding their clinical features will help in differential diagnosis. Furthermore, these type of lesions might be more responsive to topical timolol than classic IHs.