Treatment of a resistant port-wine stain with a new variable pulse-duration pulsed-dye laser.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Because of the heterogeneity in port-wine stains, a number of them prove resistant to treatment with the pulsed-dye laser (PDL). A new variable pulse-duration PDL improves a refractory port-wine stain.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A 26-year-old man with a congenital port-wine stain underwent eight treatments with the 1.5-ms pulse-duration PDL resulting in minimal improvement. A single treatment was then administered with the 3-ms pulse-duration PDL.

RESULTS:

Initial results of treatment with the 3-ms pulse-duration PDL on this patient's port-wine stain show dramatic clearance in areas previously treated with significantly higher fluences, an identical spot size, but with a pulse duration half as long.

CONCLUSION:

Vessel heterogeneity may require changing pulse durations once a port-wine stain or a portion of a port-wine stain becomes refractory to given pulse-duration.

• Authors: Eric F Bernstein
• Journal: Journal of cosmetic dermatology (J Cosmet Dermatol) Vol. 7 Issue 2 Pg. 139-42 (Jun 2008) ISSN: 1473-2165 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18482019 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Equipment Design
• Humans
• Laser Therapy (instrumentation, methods)
• Lasers, Dye (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Port-Wine Stain (pathology, radiotherapy)
• Radiation Dosage
• Retreatment
• Skin (pathology)