Subglottic Haemangioma

Haemangiomas are a congenital mass of blood vessels.  On the face these are known as strawberry birth marks and are usually left alone as they tend to regress on their own.  When they occur in the airway they tend to arise just beneath the vocal cord on the left hand side.  Even though they also disappear in time they often need treatment if they are blocking the airway.  Small lumps can be helped by steroids either by mouth or injected into the lesion.  Laser has been used in the past but risks scarring.  In the past practice was to excise all but the smallest and to do a tracheostomy if circumferential.

Propanalol has really changed the management of this condition with most responding to Propanalol without the need for surgery

View presentations on subglottic haemangioma and on airway obstruction