title: Q-Switched ruby laser therapy of acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules (ABNLM), also called nevus fuscoceruleus zygomaticus or nevus of Hori, is a relatively common disease in Asia. It is refractory to all medical treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present the first report on the use of Q-switched ruby laser to treat ABNLM.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and forty female patients, ages 19-62 years (mean 39 years), were included in the study. The laser fluence employed was 7-10 J/cm2, at a repetition rate of 1 Hz, and with a spot size of 2-4 mm. The number of treatment sessions ranged from 1 to 6 (mean 2.3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients were lost to follow-up before complete clearance of the lesions, while in the remaining 131 patients complete clearance was obtained. The only complication was a long-term hypopigmentation, observed in three patients. There was no recurrence at 6 months- 4.3 years (mean 2.5 years) of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Q-switched ruby laser is an effective and less invasive tool to eradicate ABNLM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kunachak
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leelaudomlipi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sirikulchayanonta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009507:Nevus of Ota / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome