Congenital Hemangioma

Congenital hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that have grown to their maximum size at birth and do not exhibit accelerated postnatal growth.They can be subdivided into three subgroups: rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma (RICH), noninvoluting congenital hemangioma (NICH), and partially involuting congenital hemangioma (PICH)

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A newborn presented with a 9-by-12.5-cm mass in the frontal region that completely covered her right eye (Panel A). The diagnosis of hemangioma was confirmed by ultrasonography and by a skin biopsy that showed lobules of proliferating endothelium. An elastic net was used to lift the tumor in order to allow the eye to open and thus prevent deprivation amblyopia. There was surprisingly rapid shrinkage of the hemangioma (Panel B), and it completely disappeared within two months, leaving only some dilated veins (Panel C). Postnatal hemangioma, which is common, grows during infancy and slowly regresses during childhood. In contrast, this rare congenital hemangioma is fully developed at birth and rapidly involutes during the first year of life.