Fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of granuloma annulare: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
To date, reports on the safe and effective laser treatment of disseminated granuloma annulare (GA) are still limited.


METHODS
A 58-year-old Caucasian female with disseminated GA was treated with fractional photothermolysis (FP) using a 1,440-nm Nd:YAG laser. Four lesions on the patient's left upper arm were defined as the "test region" with the remaining untreated areas serving as controls.


RESULTS
A complete remission was achieved after two to three treatment sessions. Treatments were well tolerated. Due to the controlled study design, a spontaneous remission was unlikely.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that FP may be a potentially efficacious therapeutic approach and should be considered in managing generalized GA.
Karsai
Syrus
S
Laserklinik Karlsruhe, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany. syruskarsai@aol.com
Hammes
Stefan
S
Rütten
Arno
A
Raulin
Christian
C
D005260:Female; D016460:Granuloma Annulare / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged