title: Beam profile of the flashlamp pumped pulsed dye laser: support for overlap of exposure spots.
abstract: The degree to which individual practitioners overlap exposure spots of the flashlamp pumped pulsed dye laser when treating large vascular lesions appears to be a matter of personal preference. There are few data to support one approach over another. We have measured the beam profile of this laser at two different energy fluences using a photodiode and a digitizing storage oscilloscope. Results show that for each energy fluence, the beam intensity decreases from the center to the outside rim of the beam. A plot of beam intensity versus the radius of the treatment field approaches a truncated normal distribution with a full width at half-maximum of 4.7-4.8 mm. These results help explain why clinical overlap of exposure spots can be safely undertaken and provide a rationale for recommendations concerning the degree of overlap needed to expedite treatment while still minimizing adverse reactions.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Dinehart
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Flock
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Waner
mesh_terms: D006222:Hamartoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000601:surgery*