Low-dose UVA phototherapy for treatment of localized scleroderma.
BACKGROUND
For treatment of localized scleroderma numerous treatments, including ones with potentially hazardous side effects, are currently used with only limited success.


OBJECTIVE
We attempted to determine the efficacy of low-dose UVA1 irradiation in patients with severe localized scleroderma.


METHODS
Patients were irradiated with 20 J/cm2 UVA1 for 12 weeks (total number of treatments: 30; cumulative UVA1 dose: 600 J/cm2).


RESULTS
Low-dose UVA1 irradiation induced significant clinical improvement (clearance of > 80% of lesions) in 18 of 20 patients. Clearance was documented by clinical score as well as by 20 MHz ultrasound and histopathologic analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-dose UVA1 phototherapy can be highly effective for sclerotic plaques, even in patients with advanced localized scleroderma and with lesions rapidly evolving despite conventional therapy.
Kerscher
M
M
Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
Volkenandt
M
M
Gruss
C
C
Reuther
T
T
von Kobyletzki
G
G
Freitag
M
M
Dirschka
T
T
Altmeyer
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods