title: Cryotherapy versus imiquimod 5% cream combined with a keratolytic lotion in cutaneous warts in children: A randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although cutaneous warts are extremely common in children effective treatment does not exist. We combined imiquimod with a salicylic acid solution 15% (SA) on areas, with thick keratin, like palms and soles to increase its penetration through the epithelium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was subjected to cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen every two weeks for a maximum of 3 months. The second group was subjected to treatment with imiquimod 5% daily for 6-10 h onto the warts for five consecutive days per week for a maximum of 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six children were included, 35 girls and 51 boys, 49 in the cryotherapy group and 37 in the imiquimod and SA group. At the end of the third month no statistically significant difference could be noted between the imiquimod 5% and salicylic acid and cryotherapy groups (p = 0.154). Thirty (81.1%) children treated with imiquimod 5% and salicylic acid were free from their warts in comparison to 33 (67.3%) children treated with cryotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Imiquimod 5% cream as a monotherapy or in combination with SA can be used safely in children with warts and is equally effective and more effective than cryotherapy in plantar warts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study is not placebo controlled and spontaneous resolution cannot be ruled out.
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Dermatology Department , Andreas Sygros University Skin Hospital , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanaki
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Dermatology Department , Andreas Sygros University Skin Hospital , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Irini
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lagogiani
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Dermatology Department , Andreas Sygros University Skin Hospital , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Anargyros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kouris
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Dermatology Department , Andreas Sygros University Skin Hospital , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kontochristopoulos
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Dermatology Department , Andreas Sygros University Skin Hospital , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antoniou
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Dermatology Department , Andreas Sygros University Skin Hospital , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katsarou
mesh_terms: D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014860:Warts / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D009584:Nitrogen; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D000077271:Imiquimod
keywords: Cutaneous warts; cryotherapy; imiquimod cream