Treatment of angiokeratoma of Fordyce with pulsed dye laser.
BACKGROUND
Angiokeratomas of Fordyce are typically asymptomatic vascular lesions characterized by blue-to-red papules with a scale surface, most often located on the scrotum. Although considered benign, the lesions may bleed, either spontaneously or secondary to rupture, leading to patient anxiety and social embarrassment.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine the safety and effectiveness of 585-nm pulsed dye laser for the treatment of angiokeratomas of Fordyce.


METHODS
Twelve patients with Fitzpatrick skin type II to IV were treated for angiokeratomas of Fordyce with pulsed dye laser (5.5-8.0 J/cm(2)) in two to six sessions. Lesion clearance was evaluated by two specialists on the basis of digital photographs taken before the first treatment and 2 months after the last treatment.


RESULTS
Seven patients had an excellent response (clearance rating 75%-100%) and five patients had a good response (clearance rating 50%-75%). Transient purpura and pain were present in all patients. Bleeding during treatment occurred in five patients. There were no permanent side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulsed dye laser is effective and safe for the treatment of angiokeratoma of Fordyce, with minimum side effects, providing an additional nonablative therapeutic option.
Lapidoth
Moshe
M
Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. alapidot@netvision.net.il
Ad-El
Dean
D
David
Michael
M
Azaria
Ron
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000794:Angiokeratoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005834:Genital Neoplasms, Male / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012611:Scrotum / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome