title: Evaluation of Carbon Dioxide Laser in the Treatment of Epidermal Nevi.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidermal naevi are benign hamartomatous growths of the skin which are generally asymptomatic with a benign course but are cosmetically disagreeable. Topical treatments such as steroids, calcipotriol, 5 fluorouracil, podophyllin, retinoids and cryotherapy are ineffective and surgical excision results in scar formation. Therapy is often challenging.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the response of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser in the management of epidermal naevi.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a study of CO2laser treatment on 15 patients of epidermal naevi, eight with verrucous epidermal naevi and seven with sebaceous naevi. A thorough history and examination was done to rule out any epidermal naevus syndrome. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. The number of treatment sessions varied from 1 to 8.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response was excellent (>90% reduction in lesion size) in three patients, very good (>75% reduction) in five, good (>50% reduction in lesion size) in five and poor (<50% reduction in lesion size) in two patients. The side effects were hyperpigmentation and scarring. Long-term follow-up over a period of 10 months showed a recurrence rate of 20%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that CO2laser treatment might be an effective option with long-term safety, minimal discomfort and rapid recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Leprosy, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Yasmeen Jabeen
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Leprosy, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Iffat
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Leprosy, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Peerzada
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sajad
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Leprosy, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Atiya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yaseen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Leprosy, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Syed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mubashir
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Leprosy, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Saniya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhter
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Roohi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wani
keywords: Carbon dioxide laser; epidermal naevi; sebaceous naevi