Topical 0.03% Atropine vs. 15% aluminum chloride in treating multiple eccrine hidrocystomas: a randomized single blind controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Multiple eccrine hidrocystomas pose a significant treatment challenge due to their facial location and tendency to scar after traditional surgical and other destructive modalities.


OBJECTIVE
To compare two frequently used non-destructive therapeutic modalities.


METHODS
Thirty patients with multiple eccrine hidrocystomas were enrolled in the study. They used topical 0.03% Atropine cream and 15% AlCl(3) solution on left and right sides of their face randomly for 4 weeks. All the patients were visited before commencing the therapy as well as two and four weeks later by a dermatologist, blinded to the drugs and the number of lesions.


RESULTS
Twenty nine patients (25 females, four males) completed the study. The mean reduction in the number of lesions was significantly higher with Atropine cream in comparison with AlCl(3) solution, 10.2+/-7.4 vs. 6.2+/-5.3 (P < 0.05). There were no recurrences after three months follow-up in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems that both Atropine and AlCl(3) are useful therapies in eccrine hidrocytomas but the former might be more effective. We think that other randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed.
Amirhoushang
Ehsani
E
Department of Dermatology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
Mostafa
Mirshams Shashahani
MS
Maryam
Akhyani
A
Pardis
Noormohamadpour
N
Pedram
Noormohamadpour
N