The assessment of pulsed dye laser treatment of port-wine stains with reflectance confocal microscopy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive technique for evaluating cutaneous lesions with cellular level resolution close to conventional histopathology. The aim of this study is to observe the vascular changes in Port-wine (PWS) lesions and assess the clinical efficacy of Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) treatment by examining vessel diameter and density with RCM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Eleven adult patients with PWS, each had four test patches carried out with different pulse durations (1.5, 3, 6, and 10 ms), respectively; fluences of 9-12 J/cm²; and a spot size of 7 mm. The PDL treatment was repeated 3-5 times at a 2-month interval. Photographs and measurements with RCM were taken before each treatment and 2 months after the last treatment.

RESULTS:

The PDL treatment exhibited increasing clearance with reducing pulse durations. Vessel diameters and densities were significantly decreased in the same pulse-duration groups after treatment. There was significant difference between 1.5 ms pulse-duration group and other pulse-duration groups in reducing blood vessel diameter at the depth of 150 μm.

CONCLUSIONS:

RCM can be used to assess the clinical efficacy of PDL treatment.

• Authors: Jie Ren, Hui Qian, Leihong Xiang, Zhanyan Pan, Lu Zhong, Shuxian Yan, Michael H Gold
• Journal: Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy : official publication of the European Society for Laser Dermatology (J Cosmet Laser Ther) Vol. 16 Issue 1 Pg. 21-5 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 1476-4180 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24215420 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• Lasers, Dye (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Microscopy, Confocal (methods)
• Microvessels (pathology)
• Port-Wine Stain (pathology, surgery)
• Skin (blood supply)
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult