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Photodynamic therapy for granuloma annulare: more than a shot in the dark.

AbstractBACKGROUND:
Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign granulomatous and inflammatory skin disorder. The pathogenesis remains enigmatic and convincingly effective treatment options are not available. Inspired by a report showing photodynamic therapy (PDT) to be effective in a single patient with GA, we sought to evaluate this benefit in a series of patients with GA.
OBSERVATIONS:
PDT was performed in 7 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed GA located at the extremities. First, 20% ALA gel was applied under an occlusive dressing for 5 h, followed by illumination with 100 J/cm(2) by a standard red-light source. In total, 2-3 PDT sessions were performed, with an interval of 2-4 weeks between each session. Treatment was stopped when complete remission was achieved or when GA lesions remained unchanged after 2 consecutive PDT sessions. The overall response rate was 57%. In 2 patients (29%), GA cleared completely, in 2 patients (29%) the skin lesions improved markedly and in 3 patients (43%) no clinical response could be observed.
CONCLUSION:
These promising results should be evaluated in larger controlled studies. In selected patients, PDT might be a valuable recruit for the sparse armory available to treat GA.
AuthorsPeter Weisenseel, Alexander Vasilevic Kuznetsov, Sonja Molin, Thomas Ruzicka, Carola Berking, Joerg Christoph Prinz
JournalDermatology (Basel, Switzerland) (Dermatology) Vol. 217 Issue 4 Pg. 329-32 ( 2008) ISSN: 1421-9832 [Electronic] Switzerland
PMID18799877 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Copyright2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Chemical References
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Aminolevulinic Acid
Topics
  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Aged
  • Aminolevulinic Acid (administration & dosage)
  • Elbow
  • Female
  • Granuloma Annulare (drug therapy, pathology)
  • Hand
  • Humans
  • Leg
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Photochemotherapy (methods)
  • Photosensitizing Agents (administration & dosage)
  • Treatment Outcome

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