Hemangiomas are benign tumors most commonly encountered in infancy and early childhood. While most of them regress spontaneously, some require treatment due to a significant proliferation, which may be complicated by ulceration, deformation aesthetic deformation or worse impairment vital. Among the treatments used corticosteroids is the standard treatment but its use in high doses expose to potential risks. In 2008, the discovery by "chance" of the effectiveness of propranolol in the management of hemangioma revolutionizes the first line treatment. Its mechanism of action is not yet well understood and establishment of such treatment should be done by a hospital paediatrician in the absence of any contraindications. This article proposes focus on effectiveness and tolerance of β-blockers used as treatment of infantile hemangiomas.
© 2012 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.