Pseudo-melanoma after laser therapy.

Abstract

A 44-year-old woman had several congenital melanocytic nevi that were treated with a CO2 laser. Six weeks after the laser treatment one lesion repigmented and was therefore excised. The initial histological diagnosis of malignant melanoma was revised to 'pseudo-melanoma' after re-evaluation of the history, the clinical presentation and the histology. We conclude that pseudo-melanoma is a complication of laser therapy that has to be recognised in order to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.

• Authors: R Dummer, W Kempf, G Burg
• Journal: Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) (Dermatology) Vol. 197 Issue 1 Pg. 71-3 ( 1998) ISSN: 1018-8665 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 9693193 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Laser Therapy (adverse effects)
• Melanoma (diagnosis, etiology, pathology)
• Nevus, Pigmented (surgery)
• Skin Neoplasms (diagnosis, etiology, pathology, surgery)