Successful treatment of isolated subglottic haemangioma with propranolol alone

Subglottic haemangioma is a rare but potentially life threatening condition which requires intervention. Many different treatments have been described with varying degrees of success and complications. Recently, successful treatment with propranolol has been reported in 11 cases of cutaneous haemangiomas and then in two cases of subglottic haemangiomas with extensive cutaneous lesions in conjunction with other treatment modalities. We describe the successful treatment with propranolol, of a stridulous four-month-old child with a 95% obstructing subglottic haemangioma. This was achieved without the need for tracheostomy or any other surgical intervention, and with no reported side effects. We now believe the new discovery of a dramatic response to propranolol allows treatment in the acute setting and following further study may render surgical treatment of subglottic haemangioma obsolete.