title: [Efficacy of pulsed-dye laser on residual red lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica can leave troublesome and unsightly lesions. Treatment of these scars remains difficult. Pulsed-dye laser (PDL) is one therapeutic approach that may improve the clinical appearance of erythematosus lesions. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PDL on the residual red lesions of erythematous facial leishmaniasis in three patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case no. 1: a 14-year-old girl presented an ulcerative and erythematous nodular lesion on her left cheek. One month after treatment, an erythematous lesion measuring 3 cm persisted on the patient's cheek, without atrophy or hyperpigmentation. PDL 595nm was used at the following settings: duration: 3ms; spot size: 7mm; energy: 8 j/cm(2). Case no. 2: a 43-year-old woman presented an erythematous papular lesion on her right cheek. Following treatment, a 4-cm hypertrophic, red telangiectasic lesion remained. PDL 595nm was used with the following settings: pulse duration: 3 ms; spot-size: 10mm; energy: 8 j/cm(2). Case no. 3: a 60-year-old woman presented an erythematous papular lesion on her cheek. After treatment, an infiltrated erythematous macule with surface telangiectasia measuring 3.5cm remained. PDL 595nm was also given using the following settings: pulse duration: 3 ms; spot size: 10mm; energy: 8 j/cm(2). All three patients underwent three sessions of PDL. The erythematous and telangiectasic lesions showed improvement after the initial session and had completely disappeared after the third session. Post-laser purpura subsided within around 10 days. Therapeutic response was assessed clinically by comparing photographs taken before and after treatment and follow-up lasted 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. tropica is endemo-epidemic in Morocco. A number of treatments are available for red residual lesions but thanks to its effect on erythematous and vascular lesions, PDL has been shown to provide the most reproducibly good results and is the laser method of choice for this type of scar. A recent study of the dermoscopic features of DL identified the presence of vascular patterns in 100% of cases in this infection, which may account for the efficacy of PDL. PDL results in selective thermolysis that destroys small vessels. Our study showed improvement with PDL regarding scar size, pliability, erythema and texture. Further larger-scale studies could better determine the place of PDL in treating the sequelae of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, CHU Ibn Rochd, Casablanca, Maroc. Electronic address: widamine@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Slaoui
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, CHU Ibn Rochd, Casablanca, Maroc.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiheb
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, CHU Ibn Rochd, Casablanca, Maroc.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Benchikhi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054025:Lasers, Dye; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000150:complications*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy
keywords: Cicatrice; Colorant pulsé; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Erythema; Laser; Leishmaniose cutanée; Photothermolyse sélective; Pulsed dye; Scar; Selective photothermolysis; Érythème