title: Laser treatment of congenital and acquired vascular lesions. A review.
abstract: Several quasi-continuous-wave and pulsed lasers can effectively treat a variety of vascular lesions. The pulsed dye laser and its newer variants were specifically designed to target hemoglobin and, by increasing their wavelengths slightly, have successfully achieved greater depths of penetration. When used in to compliance with the theory of selective photothermolysis, these systems have been shown to be safe and to have a low incidence of adverse sequelae. With the concomitant use of epidermal cooling systems, side-effect profiles have been further reduced. Although great progress has been made in the laser treatment of leg telangiectasias, even the newest laser systems have failed to meet patient expectations. Continuing advances in laser technology, however, will probably lead to enhanced clinical results, decreased side-effect profiles, improved hardware, and reduced costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremy E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rothfleisch
authors.forename: Meredith Klein
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kosann
authors.forename: Vicki J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ashinoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D019339:Port-Wine Stain / Q000628:therapy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*