A Report of Microtia and Ipsilateral Scalp Hemangioma

Abstract

Objective: 1) Describe the case of a patient with microtia who developed an infantile hemangioma of the ipsilateral occipital scalp. 2) Investigate possible embryological links between these 2 lesions found together in a common developmental field. 3) Discuss the surgical treatment of an infantile hemangioma of the scalp during the proliferative phase.

Method: A type III microtia and an infantile hemangioma of the ipsilateral scalp are reviewed in this case report, from a tertiary-care medical center. The period of care from July 2010 to February 2012 is reviewed. Hemangioma excision is the main intervention. Surgical outcome and syndrome evaluation will be presented.

Results: The patient presented for evaluation at 8 months of age with a 4-cm hemangioma of the right occipital scalp and a type III microtia. A mild marginal mandibular weakness was also observed. No heart murmur was present, and the neurologic examination was nonfocal. The hemangioma became ulcerated. Excision was performed when the patient was 10 months of age with a purse string closure of the defect. A review of the literature indicates no reports of concurrent scalp hemangioma with a classic microtia. In preparation for later microtia reconstruction, early excision of the scalp hemangioma was felt to be advantageous.

Conclusion: A review of the literature indicates no reports of concurrent scalp hemangioma and microtia. Their co-occurrence may indicate possible common errors in their pathogenesis. The consistent distribution of hemangiomas with embryological subunits of the face and mesenchymal cell populations unique to each zone could point to a common link.