Derm: Strawberry Naevus: Free MSRA Podcast

✅ MSRA Deep Dive: Strawberry Naevus (Infantile Haemangioma)A must-know vascular condition for exams and clinical practice, this episode breaks down the high-yield essentials of strawberry naevus, also known as infantile haemangioma. Perfect for your revision toolkit, especially if you're preparing for the MSRA.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• A benign vascular tumour in infancy• Often appears as a bright red, raised, soft lesion resembling a strawberry• Typically emerges after birth and follows a distinct growth and regression timeline📌 Natural History• Proliferative phase: Rapid growth for the first 9 months• Involution phase: Slow regression over years, often resolving by age 5–10• Most lesions require no treatment and resolve spontaneously📌 Pathophysiology• Caused by abnormal endothelial cell proliferation• Exact cause is unknown but may involve genetics and hormones• Thought to result from vascular malformation during fetal development⚠️ Red Flags & Complications• Lesions on the eyelid → risk of amblyopia (lazy eye)• Lesions near airway/oral cavity → risk of breathing or feeding issues• Midline back lesions → consider spinal dysraphism (e.g., occult spina bifida)• >5 cutaneous lesions → screen for internal haemangiomas (especially liver)• Ulceration, bleeding, and secondary infection are possible• Rare associations:– Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (platelet trapping, coagulopathy)– PHACE syndrome (neurocutaneous syndrome with large facial haemangiomas)📈 Risk Factors• Female infants (3:1 ratio)• Prematurity and low birth weight• Caucasian ethnicity• Family history• Multiple gestation (e.g., twins)• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) during pregnancy🔍 Clinical Features• Appears within the first few weeks of life• Raised, bright or deep red, compressible• Common sites: head and neck (60%), trunk, limbs• ~20% of cases present with multiple lesions🧪 Diagnosis• Clinical diagnosis based on appearance and evolution• Imaging (e.g., ultrasound, MRI) only if:– Atypical or deep lesion– Functional impairment– >5 cutaneous lesions (→ screen liver)• Biopsy avoided unless diagnosis is unclear due to bleeding risk💊 Management✔️ Watchful waiting• First-line for uncomplicated lesions due to natural regression✔️ Active treatment indicated when:• Vision, breathing, or feeding is threatened• Disfigurement is likely (e.g., nose, lip)• Lesion is ulcerated, painful, or infected• Lesion grows very rapidly or causes psychological distress✔️ First-line treatment:• Oral propranolol – beta-blocker that promotes involution• Topical timolol – for small, superficial lesions✔️ Other options:• Intralesional corticosteroids, interferon-alpha (rare)• Surgical excision – for small lesions or post-involution correction• Multidisciplinary care for life-threatening or complex cases📊 Prognosis• Excellent in the vast majority• Most resolve fully by school age• Some may leave minor cosmetic marks (e.g., telangiectasia, wrinkling)• Early recognition and appropriate management reduce risks of complications📚 Revision Resources📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/strawberry-naevus-revision-notes/💬 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/strawberry-naevus-flashcards/🧠 Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/strawberry-naevus-accordion-qa-notes/🧪 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/strawberry-naevus-rapid-quiz/🎓 Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/dermatology-for-the-msra/🏷️ Hashtags#MSRA #StrawberryNaevus #InfantileHaemangioma #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQuiz #PassTheMSRA #MSRARevisionNotes #Dermatology #VascularTumour #Paediatrics