Treatment of port-wine stains with a noncoherent pulsed light source: a retrospective study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We investigated whether a noncoherent intense pulsed light source (IPLS) would be effective in therapy of port-wine stains (PWSs).

DESIGN:

To evaluate the efficacy in treatment of PWSs with IPLS, a retrospective study was initiated.

SETTING:

The data were collected by physicians working in private practices and departments of university hospitals and medical centers, respectively.

PATIENTS:

A total of 37 randomly selected patients with a total of 40 PWSs were included in the study. Clinical PWS characteristics recorded were color and location of the PWS.

INTERVENTIONS:

All patients were treated with IPLS.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Data collected included treatment parameter (filters, pulse duration, fluence, and pulse sequencing), percentage of clearance, and side effects (purpura, blisters, crusting, altered pigmentation, and scarring).

RESULTS:

Good and complete (70%-100%) clearance was achieved in 28 of 40 PWSs treated with IPLS. The average number of treatment sessions in PWSs reaching 100% clearance included 4.0 for pink PWSs and 1.5 for red PWSs. The average number of sessions for purple PWSs reaching good clearance (70%-99%) was 4.2 sessions. Parameters used most frequently were 515- and 550-nm cut-off filters, pulse duration of 2.5 to 5.0 milliseconds, and fluences of 24 to 60 J/cm2. Side effects included purpura in 133 (76%), superficial blisters in 14 (8%), and crusting in 35 (20%). Transient pigmentation changes were seen in 10.8% of patients (hypopigmentation in 3 [8.1%], hyperpigmentation in 1 [2.7%]). No scarring was observed.

CONCLUSION:

Intense pulsed light source presents an effective and safe method for treating PWSs, especially purple PWSs.

• Authors: C Raulin, C A Schroeter, R A Weiss, M Keiner, S Werner
• Journal: Archives of dermatology (Arch Dermatol) Vol. 135 Issue 6 Pg. 679-83 (Jun 1999) ISSN: 0003-987X [Print] United States
• PMID: 10376695 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Hamartoma (therapy)
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phototherapy (methods)
• Retrospective Studies
• Skin Diseases (therapy)