OBJECTIVETo study the history, clinical symptoms, imaging and histology of a rare distinct infantile hemangioma.

METHODS12 patients (5 female, 7 male; aged 18 months - 26 years) diagnosed as non-involuting congenital hemangioma were retrospectively analyzed. The history, imaging, histologic examination and the treatment were collected.

RESULTSMost of the patients had only one lesion which was round or ovoid, flat or plaque-like. The average size was about 5 cm x 6 cm. The overlying skin was usually had coarse telangiectasia with central or peripheral pallor. The skin has a high skin temperature. Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography findings were similar to those of common infantile hemangioma. Histologic examination revealed lobular collections of small, thin-walled vessels with a large, often stellate, central vessel. "Hobnailed" endothelial cells lined along the intralobular vessels. Small arteries were observed "shunting" directly into lobular vessels or into abnormal extralobular veins. All lesions were easily excised without recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSNon-involuting congenital hemangioma is a distinct infantile vascular tumor. It should be diagnose early and treated appropriately.