ALGORITHM OF SELECTION OF PATIENTS WITH INFANTILE SKIN HEMANGIOMAS FOR LASER THERAPY

Background. Infantile hemangiomas are the most common tumors among children of the first year of life, characterized by rapid proliferation and the occurrence of various complications. Objective. To develop an algorithm for the selection of patients for treatment by laser radiation based on the assessment of the characteristics of infantile hemangiomas by non-invasive methods with subsequent evaluation of the therapy. Methods. A prospective study including 122 children aged 1 to 24 months with infantile hemangiomas with the use of clinical assessment of hemangiomas, erythemometry and ultrasound examination (ultrasound) was conducted. Results. 132 vascular tumors were detected in 122 children. According to ultrasound dopplerography, superficial hemangiomas were detected in 84 patients (63.6%), combined - in 38 patients (28.8%). Two patients were recommended for observation, 10 patients were referred for surgical treatment. 81 patients with superficial hemangiomas received a short course of laser treatment (1-5 procedures). For the treatment of 38 patients with combined tumors, a long course (6-10 procedures) was used. According to ultrasound after the course of treatment, vascular formation and feeding vessels were not visualized, the dermios and hypodermis - without structural changes. The parameters of erythemometry after the course of treatment corresponded to the values of normal skin and decreased from 110 to 85 units. Conclusion. The authors have developed an algorithm for selecting patients for laser treatment, including erythemometry, assessment of area, depth, diameter of the feeding vessels and excluding dangerous anatomical localizations.

infantile hemangioma, erythemometry, ultrasound examination, laser treatment