Reticular infantile hemangioma of the limb can be associated with ventral-caudal anomalies, refractory ulceration, and cardiac overload.

We describe six patients with an uncommon variant of infantile hemangioma that we have termed reticular, occurring in the extremity, which were associated with intractable ulceration, anogenito-urinary-sacral anomalies, and sometimes cardiac overload. The extreme end of the spectrum is exemplified by a male neonate who presented with a stained, enlarged, pulsatile lower extremity, and cardiac failure. He also had hepatic hemangiomas and ambiguous genitalia.

Cardiac conduction through engineered tissue.

In children, interruption of cardiac atrioventricular (AV) electrical conduction can result from congenital defects, surgical interventions, and maternal autoimmune diseases during pregnancy. Complete AV conduction block is typically treated by implanting an electronic pacemaker device, although long-term pacing therapy in pediatric patients has significant complications. As a first step toward developing a substitute treatment, we implanted engineered tissue constructs in rat hearts to create an alternative AV conduction pathway.

Increased expression of urinary matrix metalloproteinases parallels the extent and activity of vascular anomalies.

Objective: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the angiogenic proteins basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been implicated in mechanisms of human cancer and metastasis. Assays were conducted on the urine of patients with vascular anomalies (tumors and malformations), relatively common and occasionally life-threatening disorders for which few therapies exist. We sought to determine whether these angiogenesis modulators are present in the urine and whether their expression is associated with the extent and clinical course of the vascular lesion.

Current management of hemangiomas and vascular malformations.

This article outlines the classification of vascular anomalies, which include vascular tumors and vascular malformations. We describe the nomenclature, diagnosis, and management of the different types of anomalies. Specific indications for pharmacologic and surgical intervention are discussed.

Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis with atypical endotheliomatosis: successful antiangiogenic therapy with doxycycline.

We report here our experience in achieving remission in a 20-year-old man with pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) with atypical endotheliomatosis following therapy with doxycycline. PCH is a rare disorder characterized by proliferating capillaries that invade the pulmonary interstitium and alveolar septae, and occlude the pulmonary vasculature. The patient's symptoms, lung function, and radiographic findings had worsened despite treatment with both prednisone and alpha-interferon.

Circular excision of hemangioma and purse-string closure: the smallest possible scar.

Localized cutaneous infantile hemangioma acts like a tissue expander. This rapidly growing tumor can destroy elastic fibers or cause ulceration resulting in telangiectases, cutaneous laxity, scarring, and fibrofatty residuum. Although surgeons may dispute indications and timing, most would agree that the scar of resection should be minimized.

Prenatal diagnosis of vascular anomalies.

Background/purpose: Vascular anomalies are diagnosed prenatally with increasing frequency. The authors reviewed a group of children treated at their center who had an abnormal prenatal diagnosis to determine (1) fetal age at which the vascular anomaly was detected, (2) general diagnostic accuracy, and (3) impact on ante- and postnatal care. Their findings are compared with reported cases and series.

Successful antiangiogenic therapy of giant cell angioblastoma with interferon alfa 2b: report of 2 cases.

We describe 2 cases of angioblastoma, a rare, destructive pediatric tumor, treated with interferon alfa 2b (IFNalpha2b). The first patient is a 10-month-old male who presented with an ulcerated palatal neoplasm that could not be completely resected. The second is a male neonate with a congenital tumor of the right hand that invaded the hypothenar eminence, destroying the fourth and fifth metacarpals.