Spontaneous Involution of Giant Hemangioma

Association of hemangioendothelioma with thrombocytopenic purpura has been described repeatedly. 1,2 The tumor is usually obvious at birth. Radiation therapy has been thought to be of value; surgical removal of the tumor has been performed 3 ; splenectomy is apparently not beneficial. As the tumor shrinks, purpura ceases, and platelet counts return to normal. There are a few reports of spontaneous involution of cavernous hemangioma. 4 The interest in the following case revolves about the spontaneous regression of a huge hemangioma with thrombocytopenic purpura in the first 6 months of life. Case History The patient, a boy, was admitted to Children's Hospital, at the age of 3 days, because of jaundice, hematemesis, and a large tumor on the left leg. He was born of a full-term pregnancy; normal delivery. His birth weight was 3175 gm. (7 lb.); there was no neonatal distress. Jaundice was noticed at 12 hours. The patient vomited