Treatment of recalcitrant-pigmented flat warts using frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd-YAG laser.
OBJECTIVE
Recalcitrant-pigmented flat warts may persist for years despite treatment. Many methods have been used to manage pigmented flat warts, but their efficiencies are varied. Since pigmented flat warts are very similar to lentigo clinically, we used frequency-doubled Q-switched (FDQS) Nd-YAG laser at the wavelength of 532 nm to treat recalcitrant-pigmented flat warts and evaluated the effect.


METHODS
Seven patients with recalcitrant-pigmented flat warts were enrolled in this study. We set the FDQS Nd-YAG laser to deliver 2.5 J/cm(2) fluence at the wavelength of 532 nm to treat these lesions. After 6 months, we evaluated the recurrence of pigmented flat warts, pigmentary, and textural changes on the treated areas.


RESULTS
There were absences of recurrent lesions, pigmentary, and textural changes on the treated areas of these seven patients after 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Through both selective photothermolysis effect and propagation of photoacoustic waves, FDQS Nd-YAG laser at the wavelength of 532 nm can be used as an effective alternative to treat recalcitrant pigmented flat warts.
Li
Y
Y
Department of Dermatology, Changhua Christian hospital, 135 Nanshian Street, Changhua 500 Taiwan, ROC. 34501@cch.org.tw
Yang
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009354:Neodymium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014860:Warts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
D009354:Neodymium