Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the angiographic characteristics of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) and investigate the value of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) therapy.
Materials and Methods: The clinical data of infants diagnosed with KHE at the department from June 2010 to June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 34 infants received TAE therapy. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated 4 weeks after the therapy. The angiographic characteristics were analyzed by comparing them with the angiographic characteristics of infantile hemangioma (IH), and the times of TAE therapy and the platelet level after each TAE therapy in infants with KHE were summarized.
Results: The capillary blush of KHE was irregular with an obscure boundary and nonuniform distribution. Many fine feeding arteries were present. The diameter of the feeding arteries was disproportionate to the volume of the tumor blush. The normal arteries were usually embedded in the tumor blush. The angiography of common IH in infants showed tumor blush too, but it was usually round with a clear boundary and uniform staining, and was distributed on one side of the normal arterial trunk. The platelets continued to decline 9 times after the therapy and increased to ≥100 × 10⁹/L in (7.8 ± 3.2) days 95 times after the therapy. The average relapse time was (30.0 ± 15.9) days.
Conclusions: The angiographic characteristics of KHE were different from those of common IH. TAE may rapidly improve the platelet level, but the long-term effect is poor. Combination treatment with other drugs is recommended.