Topical timolol solution versus laser in treatment of infantile hemangioma: a comparative study.

Abstract

Lasers, 595-nm pulsed dye and 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), have been used successfully for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas (IHs). Recently the use of a topical β-blocker, specifically timolol maleate, has been promising in the treatment of IHs. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of topical timolol 5 mg/mL solution with that of combined sequential dual-wavelength laser in the treatment of IHs. Sixty children with IHs were divided randomly into two equal groups. Group 1 was treated with applications of timolol drops (5 mg/mL) twice daily. Group 2 was treated with sequential pulsed dye and Nd:Yag laser. Treatments were performed every month for a maximum of six sessions. Efficacy was evaluated clinically and by measuring the average hemoglobin level. A significant decrease in the average hemoglobin level was determined in both groups and a dramatic response was observed in superficial hemangiomas in the timolol group. The timolol group received treatment for an average of 4.0 ± 1.1 months and the laser group for 5.5 ± 0.9 months. The degree of improvement of mixed hemangiomas to laser treatment was greater than that of the timolol group. During 3 months of follow-up, no further improvement or relapse was reported in either group. Timolol solution is a safe and effective alternative to laser treatment in superficial hemangiomas. In mixed hemangiomas, the combined sequential 595-nm and 1,064-nm dual-wavelength laser provided better results than timolol solution because it penetrated deeply so that deep dermal blood vessels were reached.

• Authors: Abeer A Tawfik, Jehan Alsharnoubi
• Journal: Pediatric dermatology (Pediatr Dermatol) 2015 May-Jun Vol. 32 Issue 3 Pg. 369-76 ISSN: 1525-1470 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25740672 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Pharmaceutical Solutions
• Timolol

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adolescent
• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (administration & dosage)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Hemangioma (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Laser Therapy
• Male
• Pharmaceutical Solutions
• Risk Factors
• Skin Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Timolol (administration & dosage)
• Treatment Outcome