In Trinidad and Tobago, little Avani Hakim, just 18 months old, developed a massive hemangioma that invaded her forehead, scalp, and eyelid. The growth threatened her vision and caused deep distress for her family.

Facing limited local treatment options, her mother Uyjanti turned to social media for help and reached out to Dr. Gregory Levitin in New York. The specialist, director of the Vascular Birthmarks and Malformations Program at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, recognized the urgency of operating before irreversible tissue damage occurred.

In a highly complex procedure, Dr. Levitin carefully excised the entire vascular tumor that had infiltrated the frontalis muscle. The surgery was performed with extreme precision to preserve facial expressions and resulted in minimal blood loss. The successful reconstruction restored symmetry to Avani’s face, allowing her to return home with a brighter future ahead.

Infantile hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors in babies, but large or critically located ones—especially near the eye or on the forehead—can impair vision, cause tissue distortion, or create significant cosmetic concerns. Early intervention by experienced specialists is often essential. Dr. Levitin is recognized for his expertise in microsurgical removal of complex facial vascular anomalies, focusing on both functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Avani’s case highlights the power of parental determination, global medical collaboration, and specialized surgical skill. What began as a frightening growth became a story of recovery, restored appearance, and renewed hope for a young child and her family.

Sources

• Family-shared account of Avani Hakim’s massive forehead and eyelid hemangioma, her mother’s search for care, and the complex surgical removal performed by Dr. Gregory Levitin at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.
• Background on Dr. Gregory Levitin’s specialization in vascular birthmarks and malformations, and standard approaches to large infantile hemangiomas involving the face and periocular region.