β-Blocker versus triamacinolone acetate in the treatment of infantile periocular hemangioma

Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of systemic and intralesional β-blockers in the treatment of periocular infantile capillary hemangiomas and to compare the effect of intralesional triamcinolone acetonoid injection and β-blockers.
Patients and methods
Totally, 60 patients with infantile periocular hemangioma were included in the study and were divided into three groups. Group 1 included 20 patients treated with systemic β-blocker. Group 2 included another 20 patients treated with intralesional triamcinolone acetate. Group 3 included 20 patients treated with intralesional β-blocker.
Results
In group 1, 55% of patients showed excellent response, 30% of patients showed good response, 10% of patients showed fair response, and 5% of patients showed poor response. In group 2, 50% of patients showed excellent response, 35% of patients showed good response, 15% of patients showed fair response, and no patients showed poor response. In group 3, 40% of patients showed excellent response, 25% of patients showed good response, 25% of patients showed fair response, and 10% of patients showed poor response.
Conclusion
Systemic propranolol is a good alternative for treating periorbital infantile hemangiomas. Systemic propranolol is superior to intralesional steroid because systemic propranolol has fewer side effects. Propranolol provides a more safe and effective modality of treatment of periocular infantile capillary hemangioma with a lower incidence of systemic side effects.