Successful treatment of periungual warts using photodynamic therapy: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this pilot study was an investigation on photodynamic therapy (PDT) whether it is a good alternative for treating periungual and subungual warts of the hands.


METHODS
Twenty patients (mean age: 30.5 years) with a total of 40 periungual and subungual warts were treated with PDT. A photosensitizer, 20%delta-aminolevulinic acid was applied on the warts. After a mean incubation time of 4.6 h (SD: 1.2), the warts were irradiated with the VersaLight for 5-30 min (15.2 +/- 4.3 min).


RESULTS
After a mean of 4.5 treatments a mean clearance of 100% was achieved in 90% of the patients. One patient (5%) showed a clearance of 50% and another showed no improvement. The subungual or periungual location of the wart had no influence on the number of treatments or end result (P > 0.05). There were two recurrences during the mean follow-up period of 5.9 months (SD: 7.6). Besides mainly pain and hyperpigmentation, most treatments had no side-effects.


CONCLUSIONS
PDT can offer a good alternative for treating periungual warts of the hands. Larger studies are indicated.
Schroeter
C A
CA
Department of Lasertherapy, Medical Centre Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. lasermed.schroeter@planet.nl
Kaas
L
L
Waterval
J J
JJ
Bos
P M
PM
Neumann
H A M
HA
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014860:Warts / Q000188:drug therapy*
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid