Treatment of a Massive Orbital-Capillary Hemangioma With Interferon Alfa-2b: Short-term Results

Several recent reports have demonstrated the efficacy of interferon alfa in the treatment of pediatric pulmonary, abdominal, and cutaneous hemangiomatosis.^1,2While these conditions vary in their clinical courses, they appear to be histologically similar to orbital capillary hemangiomas.³We report the successful treatment, with interferon alfa, of a massive orbital capillary hemangioma that had been resistant to both oral and intravenous corticosteroid treatment. <h3>Report of a Case.</h3> —A 3-week-old girl born in December 1990 presented with a 1-week history of swelling of the right cheek and periorbital area. Examination revealed a fullness of the right eyelids, 2 mm of right proptosis, swelling of the right cheek, and a small superficial hemangioma on the nasal bridge. A computed tomographic scan revealed a uniform, enhancing orbital mass around the lateral rectus muscle that extended into the right cheek. See also p 1383. A clinical diagnosis of a capillary hemangioma with