Abnormal epidermal changes after argon laser treatment.
A 26-year-old woman with a congenital port-wine stain on the forehead was treated three times at 2-month intervals with an argon laser. Six months after the last treatment, moderate blanching and mild scaling confined to the treated area was observed. A biopsy specimen of the treated area revealed a significant decrease in ectatic vessels. However, epidermal changes similar to those of actinic keratosis with disorganized cell layers and marked cytologic abnormalities were seen. Analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes for a defect in DNA repair was negative. Multiple, argon laser-induced photothermal effects may be responsible for the changes observed in our case and may lead to premalignant epidermal transformation.
Neumann
R A
RA
Department of Dermatology II, University of Vienna, Austria.
Knobler
R M
RM
Aberer
E
E
Klein
W
W
Kocsis
F
F
Ott
E
E
D000328:Adult; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*
D004247:DNA