Early vascular embolization of large orbital and periorbital infantile capillary hemangiomas; A case report

PURPOSE: Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are the most common benign vascular tumors in childhood. Although they tend to have a benign nature, some hemangiomas may be complicated with astigmatism or deprivation amblyopia. We report a unique case of using an interventional radiological vascular embolization treatment modality for the early management of amblyogenic large right orbital and periorbital infantile capillary hemangiomas. OBSERVATIONS: After the confirmation of the diagnosis using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and orbit, and an initial trial of systemic propranolol, an early interventional radiological vascular embolization was done. This was combined with the use of a tapering systemic corticosteroid. The functional and cosmetic outcomes were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: The use of arterial embolization is a promising modality of treatment as a possible alternative or adjunct to medical and surgical treatment cases of IH. To the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the rare cases reported in the ophthalmic literature addressing the use of this technique for early management of orbital and periorbital capillary hemangiomas.