Endovascular treatment of hemangiomas.

Hemangiomas are vascular tumors that enlarge through proliferation of endothelial cells. They are the most common tumors of infancy, appearing in as many as 10% to 12% of children under 1 year of age, with double this incidence in preterm infants weighing less than 1000 g. Female-to-male predominance is about 4:1. Most hemangiomas appear in the first 6 weeks of life. Hemangiomas can be seen in the skin in 4% to 10% of Caucasian newborns, and less frequently in non-Caucasians. The head and neck regions are involved most frequently, followed by the trunk and the extremities. Despite their benign nature, hemangiomas can cause significant morbidity if not recognized and treated properly. Endovascular treatment is an important component of the interdisciplinary management of hemangiomas.