Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the clinical effect of topical imiquimod treatment on cutaneous vascular disorders in pediatric patients.
Methods
A retrospective investigation was conducted in 25 pediatric patients with cutaneous vascular disorders, including 19 infantile hemangiomas (IHs) (12 superficial/7 mixed type), 5 nevus flammeus (NF), and 1 pyogenic granuloma (PG). Imiquimod 5% cream was applied every other day for 4 to 16 weeks (average 9.6 weeks).
Results
Of the 19 IHs treated, an overall efficacy of 52.6% was achieved, with a clinical resolution rate of 15.8%, excellent rate of 26.3%, and moderate rate of 10.5%. The superficial type responded the best at 66.7%, while the mixed type showed only 28.6% effectiveness, which was predominantly from their superficial parts. No obvious response was noted in the 5 patients with NF. Side effects were observed in 78.9% of the patients, mostly mild to moderate local irritations and occasionally severe reactions such as thick crusting and ulceration. Systemic side events were observed in 4 IH patients including fever and digestive tract reactions. No recurrence was observed during the follow-up examination.
Conclusions
Topical imiquimod could be an alternative option for the treatment of uncomplicated superficial IHs with satisfactory tolerability.
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Project (No. 2009B076) supported by the Medical Science Research Foundation of Zhejiang Province, China
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Mao, Xh., Wang, Jy. & Yan, Jl. Topical imiquimod treatment of cutaneous vascular disorders in pediatric patients: clinical evaluation on the efficacy and safety. J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. B 13, 745–750 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1200120
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1200120