Unilateral nevoid telangiectasia--response to pulsed dye laser.
BACKGROUND
Unilateral nevoid telangiectasia (UNT) is a unique vascular dermatosis of ambiguous etiology. The therapeutic role of pulsed dye laser in this condition, especially in individuals with skin types III and IV, has not been elucidated completely. The aim of this study was to assess the response to flash-lamp pulsed dye laser of UNT in Indian patients.


METHODS
A detailed analysis of nine confirmed cases of UNT patients was undertaken to determine the possible etiologic association of this disease. Six cases were treated with pulsed dye laser in combination with cryogen cooling using the following parameters: spot size, 7 mm; fluence, 5-7.5 J/cm2; wavelength, 585 nm; pulse duration, 450 micros. The procedure was repeated every 4-6 weeks and the response was assessed both clinically and photographically before each session.


RESULTS
The cases had a mean age of presentation of 20.6 years with an age of onset varying from 2.5 to 23 years. The lesions were located on the head and neck region in four patients, upper limb in four, and lower limb in one. No significant etiologic association could be established. Of the six cases treated with pulsed dye laser, a moderate response (26-50% lightening) was achieved in all cases after a mean of 2.33 sessions, a good response (51-75% lightening) was observed in four patients after 3.25 sessions, and an excellent response (>75% lightening) was found in three patients after 3.66 sessions. Mild and reversible pigmentary alterations occurred in five cases, with mild textural change in one case. There was no scarring. No recurrence was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulsed dye laser is a useful modality for treating UNT in Indian patients. Reversible pigmentary changes are the major side-effects.
Sharma
Vinod K
VK
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. aiimsvks@yahoo.com
Khandpur
Sujay
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009506:Nevus / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000532:radiotherapy*