title: Dissecting cellulitis treated with the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dissecting cellulitis is a chronic inflammatory scalp condition characterized by pustular nodules, sinus tract formation, and resultant cicatricial alopecia. Current treatments are of limited efficacy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This report explored treating dissecting cellulitis with the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser to determine the capabilities and limitations of this modality with respect to: (1) reducing pus formation; (2) enabling the termination of systemic treatments; (3) investigating the side-effect profile including dyspigmentation and scarring alopecia; and (4) terminating the disease process.
  
  
  METHODS
  This observational study followed four patients with long-standing dissecting cellulitis through consecutive treatments with the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser without epidermal cooling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One year after initiating laser treatment, patients achieved decreased pus formation, a reduced reliance on systemic treatments, and a controlled or terminated disease process without dyspigmentation. Three patients had regrowth of terminal hairs in treatment sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser is effective in attenuating the progression of dissecting cellulitis without appreciable adverse cutaneous side effects. This is a pilot study, and more patients must be treated in other trials to verify these findings.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Brett D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Krasner
authors.forename: Fasahat H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Hamzavi
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Murakawa
authors.forename: Iltefat H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Hamzavi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012535:Scalp; D016896:Treatment Outcome