Nevus of Ota: treatment with high energy fluences of the Q-switched ruby laser.
BACKGROUND
The nevus of Ota is a benign dermal melanocytic lesion that has previously proved difficult to treat. Recently, the Q-switched ruby laser has been reported to be successful in treating benign pigmented lesions and tattoos.


OBJECTIVE
Our study evaluates the treatment of 16 patients with nevus of Ota with the Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm).


METHODS
Sixteen patients with nevus of Ota were treated with the Q-switched ruby laser with a pulse width of 28 nsec and energy fluences ranging from 7.5 to 10 J/cm2. Response to treatment was assessed by an independent investigator with photographs.


RESULTS
The average number of treatments was 3.8 per patient. After two treatments, 44% of patients showed a 50% or greater improvement. After three treatments, 85% of patients showed a 50% or greater improvement; after four treatments, 100% of patients showed 50% or greater improvement. No patients had permanent textural changes or scarring.


CONCLUSIONS
High-energy fluences of the Q-switched ruby laser lead to significant improvement without scarring of nevus of Ota after a few treatments.
Lowe
N J
NJ
Skin Research Foundation of California, Santa Monica.
Wieder
J M
JM
Sawcer
D
D
Burrows
P
P
Chalet
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009507:Nevus of Ota / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome