title: Indocyanine green-augmented diode laser therapy of telangiectatic leg veins: a randomized controlled proof-of-concept trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Telangiectatic leg veins, which affect about 40-50% of adults, represent a frequent cosmetic rather than a medical problem. Besides sclerotherapy, various laser devices are common treatment options. However, complete clearance rates can only be achieved in a small number of patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this proof-of-concept study, the safety and efficacy of indocyanine green (ICG)-augmented diode laser therapy (808 nm) was evaluated for the treatment of telangiectatic leg veins.
  
  
  METHODS
  ICG (2 mg/kg body weight) was intravenously administered in 15 female patients (skin type II to III) with telangiectatic leg veins (measuring between 0.25 and 3 mm in diameter). Immediately after ICG injection, diode laser pulses with different radiant exposures (50-110 J/cm(2)) were applied as one single treatment. Safety and efficacy were assessed 1 and 3 months after treatment by a blinded investigator and the patient. Treatments with the pulsed dye laser (PDL) and the diode laser without ICG served as reference therapies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The safety of ICG application and diode laser treatment was excellent in all patients with no persisting side effects. Vessel clearance was dose-dependent. Diode laser treatment at radiant exposures between 100 and 110 J/cm(2) resulted in good vessel clearance, which even improved to excellent after the application of double pulses. Diode laser therapy without ICG and PDL treatment induced poor to moderate clearance of telangiectatic leg veins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICG-augmented diode laser therapy has proved to be a safe and effective treatment option for telangiectatic leg veins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93042 Regensburg, Germany. annette.klein@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bäumler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shafirstein
authors.forename: Elisabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kohl
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landthaler
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Babilas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green / Q000008:administration & dosage; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014680:Veins
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green