Infantile facial haemangioma and subclinical left ventricular dysfunction: the importance of z score in the diagnostic and therapeutic process.

: Large facial haemangiomas have a high rate of complications and can be associated with neurological, ophthalmological and cardiac abnormalities (PHACE syndrome; Posterior fossa malformations, Haemangiomas, Arterial anomalies, Coarctation of the aorta and cardiac defects, and Eye abnormalities). However, a thorough clinical examination is absolutely necessary. In fact, even in the absence of a PHACE syndrome, large haemangiomas can induce important complications. In the present brief report we describe a case of left ventricular dilatation in a 6-month-old girl due to a giant facial haemangioma. Left ventricular dilatation has been evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography. Studies to identify other major arteriovenous malformations were negative. Medical therapy with diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and steroids was able to halt the progression towards left ventricular dysfunction, avoiding an early surgical approach for a disease that very often is self-limiting.