Work

Treatment of Port-Wine Stain Birthmarks Using the 1.5-msec Pulsed Dye Laser at High Fluences in Conjunction with Cryogen Spray Cooling

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The majority of port-wine stain (PWS) patients treated with the pulsed dye laser (PDL) do not achieve complete blanching. Safe administration of higher fluences has been proposed as a means of improving treatment efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of PWS treatment with the 1.5-msec PDL at high fluences in conjunction with cryogen spray cooling. METHODS: Twenty PWS patients were treated with the PDL in combination with cryogen spray cooling utilizing a 7 or 10 mm spot size and fluences ranging from 6 to 15 J/cm2. Before and after treatment photographs were compared on a blinded basis. RESULTS: No scarring or skin textural changes occurred. Blanching scores were as follows: 20% of patients achieved 75% or greater blanching after an average of 3.3 treatments, 30% achieved 50-74% blanching, 20% achieved 25-49% blanching, and 30% achieved less than 25% blanching. CONCLUSION: In conjunction with cryogen spray cooling, the PDL can be safely used at high fluences. At this time it is not clear that the use of higher fluences improves treatment efficacy; however, as other aspects of PWS laser treatment are optimized, safe administration of higher fluences is likely to be advantageous.

Source: Dermatologic Surgery

DOI: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.2002.02071.x-i1

Authors: Kristen M. Kelly, Vandana S. Nanda, J. Stuart Nelson

Institutions: University of California, Irvine, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic

Language: English

Topic: Dermatologic Treatments and Research

Subfield: Dermatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases