Hemangiomas may rarely occur in the upper airway. They may be associated with airway obstruction if they are large enough and if they occupy a critical location.
Risk factors:
(1) PHACE or PHACES syndrome
(2) large cutaneous hemangioma over the mandibular region (in a "beard" distribution)
Hemangiomas may involve:
(1) oral cavity
(2) oropharynx
(3) hypopharynx
(4) larynx
(5) subglottis
Complications:
(1) stridor (may appear in infants at about 1-2 months of age)
(2) airway obstruction
(3) bleeding
The risk of airway complications is primarily during the growth phase of the hemangioma. Once the hemangioma starts to regress the risk decreases and eventually disappears.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
