Efficacy of early low-dose pingyangmycin intervention for infantile hemangiomas of the parotid region.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of multiple low -dose pingyangmycin (PYM) intervention for infantile hemangiomas of the parotid region at early stage. METHODS: A total of 78 cases with early proliferating hemangioma in the parotid region were underwent therapy of intralesional injection with low-dosage and low-concentration PYM plus dexamethasone from 2001 to 2011. Digital photographs and MRI were obtained to measure the area of lesions before and after treatment. All patients were followed up for 0.5-10 years. They were divided into 4 groups according to baseline age. Comparative analysis of dosage, time and satisfaction of the parents were performed. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Most hemangiomas reduced its size after treatment, and had fibrosis in MRI. Cure was obtained in 67 (85.9%) patients, while marked improvement occurred in 11(14.1%) patients. The total effective rate was 100%. Only 15 cases had complications such as poor appetite, fever and skin rash. Patients below 3 months of age had shorter treatment duration (4.73 ±0.11 months), less total dosage (2.82 ±0.12 mL) and higher parental satisfaction (P<0.05) than the other age groups. CONCLUSION: Low-dose pingyangmycin intervention for hemangiomas of the parotid region at early proliferating stage was a reliable and effective therapeutic choice. It takes a shorter duration,lower dose for treatment and higher parental satisfaction at earlier time. Supported by Science and Technology Project of Guangdong Province (2003C3012,2008B030301279), and Project of Science and Technology Bureau of Shenzhen City(200802015). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]