Neodymium-YAG Laser for hemangiomas and vascular malformations -- long term results.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Hemangiomas and vascular malformations are the most common vascular lesions of infancy. Different lasers can be used for treatment. Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation is particularly effective because of its deep penetration into tissue.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Thirty-one patients, aged from three months to 18 years, with voluminous hemangiomas and venous malformations were treated with a cw-neodymium:YAG laser. The quartz fibre was used in percutaneous and intralesional technique. Long-term follow-up data were acquired by clinical control or a patient questionnaire for a maximal period of eight years. Twenty patients could be evaluated.

RESULTS:

In the group with hemangiomas (n = 15), three cases showed nearly complete remission (> 90 %), ten cases had a partial reduction in size (50 - 90 %), in one case there was stable disease and in one case tumor growth. In the group with venous malformations (n = 5) two cases showed an excellent response (> 90 %), one case a moderate response (25 - 50 %) and in two cases there was no improvement. Adverse effects included scars (40 %), hyper- and hypopigmentation (23 %), mild atrophy (20 %) and a wrinkled texture (17 %). After maximal reduction in size, 30 % of the patients were not satisfied with the laser treatment outcome and elected surgical excision of the residual lesion.

CONCLUSIONS:

The neodymium:yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser with percutaneous or intralesional application technique is a valuable tool for selected patients with hemangiomas and venous malformations.

• Authors: Heidi Ulrich, Wolfgang Bäumler, Ulrich Hohenleutner, Michael Landthaler
• Journal: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG (J Dtsch Dermatol Ges) Vol. 3 Issue 6 Pg. 436-40 (Jun 2005) ISSN: 1610-0379 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 15892846 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Neodymium

Topics

• Adolescent
• Arteriovenous Malformations (surgery)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Facial Neoplasms (surgery)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (surgery)
• Hemangioma (surgery)
• Humans
• Infant
• Laser Coagulation
• Male
• Neodymium
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Time Factors