Treatment of multiple cutaneous leiomyomas with CO2 laser ablation.
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous leiomyomas are benign tumors that can be exquisitely painful. Symptomatic lesions often necessitate treatment, but many options are inadequate or create substantial morbidity. Without a definitive therapy of first choice, the search continues for alternative methods to alleviate discomfort in affected patients.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of CO2 laser ablation for the symptomatic treatment of a 73-year-old woman with multiple cutaneous leiomyomas in whom pharmacologic therapy was contraindicated and surgical excision was impractical.


METHODS
CO2 laser ablation of six symptomatic cutaneous leiomyomas was performed under local anesthesia. After initial success, all remaining symptomatic lesions were treated.


RESULTS
There was complete pain relief in the originally treated lesions 9 months postoperatively, and in all remaining treated lesions 3 months postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
CO2 laser ablation may be an effective alternative treatment for symptomatic cutaneous leiomyomas.
Christenson
L J
LJ
Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Smith
K
K
Arpey
C J
CJ
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D018231:Leiomyomatosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*