Port-wine stain nodules in the adult: report of 20 cases treated by CO2 laser vaporization.
BACKGROUND
Port-wine stain (PWS) is a congenital vascular malformation of the superficial dermal vessels. These vessels become progressively ectatic, with development of nodular and hypertrophic areas on the surface of the lesions.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of CO2 laser vaporization in the treatment of nodules in PWS.


METHODS
Twenty adult patients with PWS who developed nodules and hypertrophy on the surface of the lesions were treated by CO2 laser vaporization. Only one pass was performed to each area of the lesions, using a continuous and defocused mode, with a power density of 10 W/cm2. When the treated lesion was very large, several sessions of treatment were necessary to vaporize its entire surface. Photographic controls were performed before and after treatment.


RESULTS
The nodules and hypertrophy were removed and the smooth surface of the lesions was reestablished. The color, usually violaceous, was transformed in a slight erythema.


CONCLUSIONS
CO2 laser is a good method for treatment of nodules and hypertrophy in PWS. With adequate precautions, excellent cosmetic results can be obtained. Other more-specific laser systems may be successively used to treat the remaining erythema.
del Pozo
J
J
Department of Dermatology, Hospital Juan Canalejo, La Coruña, Spain. der@canalejo.org
Fonseca
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019339:Port-Wine Stain / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*