INTERFERON ALFA-2A THERAPY FOR AIRWAY HEMANGIOMAS

Hemangioma is a well-recognized cause of airway obstruction in the inf ant with strider. Corticosteroid and laser therapy are effective in st abilizing the airway in most cases. There are, however, some extensive airway lesions that are not adequately managed by these modalities. T his report describes the use of recombinant interferon alfa-2a in 15 p atients with life-threatening airway hemangiomas. All patients had fai led corticosteroid and/or laser therapy. Multiple upper airway sites w ere involved, including the base of the tongue, supraglottis, subglott is, trachea, and mediastinum. Eleven patients have completed therapy a nd are doing well. Four patients have resolving lesions on the drug re gimen. Life-threatening airway lesions unresponsive to conventional tr eatment should be considered for a trial of interferon alfa-2a.d