Evaluating the efficacy of treatment of resistant port-wine stains with variable-pulse 595-nm pulsed dye and 532-nm Nd:YAG lasers.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Some port wine stains (PWSs), despite multiple treatments with the 585-nm 0.45-ms pulsed dye laser (PDL), fail to improve substantially.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the efficacy and tolerability of variable pulse width 595-nm PDL and 532-nm Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of resistant PWS.

METHODS:

Twenty-two patients whose PWS failed to achieve more than 75% lightening after more than 15 treatments with the 585-nm 0.45-ms PDL were recruited. A homogenous patch of PWS was divided into five areas. Area 1 (control area) was treated with 585-nm, 0.45-ms PDL (fluence 7.5 J/cm2). Areas 2 and 3 were treated with 595-nm PDL at fluence 15 J/cm2 (with cryogen spray cooling) and pulse durations of 1.5 and 10 ms, respectively. Areas 4 and 5 were treated with a 532-nm Nd:YAG laser at 2 ms, 7 J/cm2 and 10 ms, 16 J/cm2, respectively (with a contact cooling tip). The response was assessed by photographic evaluation.

RESULTS:

Three patients had further lightening in area 2, and two patients had further lightening in area 3. Each of three patients had further lightening in areas 4 and 5, respectively. One patient had further lightening in the control area.

CONCLUSION:

In individual patients, it may be effective to treat resistant PWS with the variable-pulse width 595-nm PDL and the 532-nm Nd:YAG laser.

• Authors: Wai Kit Woo, Zaid F Jasim, Julian M Handley
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 30 Issue 2 Pt 1 Pg. 158-62; discussion 162 (Feb 2004) ISSN: 1076-0512 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14756643 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Humans
• Low-Level Light Therapy (methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Port-Wine Stain (radiotherapy)
• Treatment Outcome