title: Laser treatment of granuloma annulare: a review.
abstract: Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign asymptomatic dermatosis that typically manifests in papules arrayed in annular arrangements. Many methods of treatment have been used with variable degrees of success, but finding a consistent and long-term treatment has proven a challenge. This study was conducted in order to review and evaluate the latest published research on the use of lasers in the treatment of GA. A systematic search of the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database was performed to identify relevant articles. Seven reports met the inclusion criteria for the review. Evidence for the use of pulsed dye laser, fractional photothermolysis, and excimer laser in the treatment of GA was found. Findings are limited by a lack of well-designed clinical trials objectively evaluating the use of lasers in the treatment of GA. The literature review found a number of case reports and case series that report successful outcomes of the use of lasers in the treatment of GA. The promising results reported in the literature, coupled with the lack of a well-designed review on this topic, reflect the importance of this article to the dermatologic literature as it emphasizes the need for larger and better-designed studies on the use of lasers to treat GA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Sebastian H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Verne
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Johnathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Leyre A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Falto-Aizpurua
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Keyvan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nouri
mesh_terms: D016460:Granuloma Annulare / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D054025:Lasers, Dye / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*