TREATMENT OF ORBITAL CAPILLARY HEMANGIOMA WITH INTERFERON

Background: Capillary haemangiomas are vascular tumours of childhood c haracterised by proliferative and involutional phases and affecting 1% to 2% of newborns, Recently, recombinant interferons have been used i n the treatment of life and sight threatening complications of these t umours. Methods: The history, results of examination, investigations, management and outcome of two patients with sight-threatening orbital capillary haemangiomas treated with recombinant interferon alpha-2a an d 2b respectively were reviewed.Results: Orbital and systemic lesions displayed good response to interferons. Side effects noted were transi ent pyrexia and elevated serum aminotransferase levels. Disturbed live r function test results occurred in one case and normalised with tempo rary cessation of therapy. Conclusions: The interferons are a useful a lternative treatment of orbital capillary haemangioma in selected case s.