Recalcitrant breast lymphangioma circumscriptum treated by UltraPulse carbon dioxide laser.
BACKGROUND
Lymphangioma circumscriptum is a relatively rare cutaneous disorder, consisting of superficial and deep lymphatic cisterns. These vascular blebs are difficult to treat, frequently recur, and can cause patients significant morbidity.


OBJECTIVE
We report a difficult case of lymphangioma circumscriptum, recurrent from a two prior surgical treatments, which was treated in a straightforward manner by one of the newer, high-energy, short-pulse carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers.


METHODS
Report of a case and literature review.


CONCLUSIONS
Like continuous-wave CO2 laser systems, the newer, high-energy, short-pulse CO2 laser may be effective in vaporizing some of the surface lymphatic vessels, which may in turn seal some of the communicating channels to the deeper cisterns, yielding functionally and cosmetically acceptable results for this difficult disorder. However, given the nature of the lesion, the potential for recurrence exists no matter what modality is chosen.
Haas
A F
AF
University of California, Davis Laser Center, Sacramento 95817, USA.
Narurkar
V A
VA
D000293:Adolescent; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide