A Case Series of 18 Congenital Haemangiomas: Clinical, Histological and Ultrasound Features, and their Relationship with Complications and Atypical Behaviour

Abstract

Recent studies have advanced our understanding of the clinical, histological and imaging characteristics of congenital haemangiomas (CHs), and have repor- ted possible complications and atypical behaviour. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, histologi- cal and ultrasound features of a series of CHs and to analyse their association with complications and atypi- cal behaviour, with a view to providing diagnostic and management recommendations. The medical records, histology results and ultrasound images of all patients with CH diagnosed in the Dermatology Department of Alicante University General Hospital between 2006 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 18 patients were included, of whom 4 (22.2%) had com- plications. The most severe was 1 case with heart fail- ure. There was a significant association between large CH size (> 5 cm) and the occurrence of complications (p = 0.019). The study identified 3 different lobule patterns, but found no relationship with CH subtype or other findings. The associations of venous ectasia, venous lakes and arteriovenous microshunts with oc- currence of complications was borderline significant (p = 0.055). Study limitations were the small sample and the retrospective analysis. To conclude, haema- tological and cardiological assessment is indicated in large CHs and should be considered in CHs with ul- trasound findings of venous ectasia, venous lakes or arteriovenous microshunts, as these cases present a greater risk of complications.