Refractory periocular amblyogenic hemangiomas in childhood: Is there a role for embolization?



The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of transarterial embolization (TAE) as a therapeutic modality for potentially amblyogenic periocular infantile hemangiomas (POIH) resistant to medical treatment.



We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, angiographic, and imaging data of four patients who underwent TAE as a pre-operative adjunct for POIH causing obstruction of the visual axis.



Rapid tumor shrinkage with early opening of the visual axis was achieved in all four POIHs. No complications occurred. The best results were achieved in non-congenital infantile hemangiomas and in the proliferative phase of the tumors.



Our short series demonstrated that TAE may be a salvage treatment to unblock the visual axis before surgery or as a first-line definitive therapy for medically refractory and potentially amblyogenic POIHs.
