title: Laser Photobiomodulation for a Complex Patient with Severe Hydroxyurea-Induced Oral Ulcerations.
abstract: Patients affected by polycythemia vera (PV), a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by an elevated red blood cell mass, are at high risk of vascular and thrombotic complications. Conventional therapeutic options aim at reducing vascular and thrombotic risk; low-dose aspirin and phlebotomy are first-line recommendations, for patients at low risk of thrombotic events, whereas cytoreductive therapy, usually hydroxyurea (HU) or interferon alpha, is recommended for high-risk patients. In the present study, we report the case of a patient with persistent oral ulcerations, possibly related to long-lasting HU treatment, firstly treated with topic and systemic corticosteroids and then more effectively with the addition of low-level laser therapy. Laser photobiomodulation has achieved pain control and has contributed to the healing of oral ulcers without any adverse effect; this has permitted a reduction in the dose of systemic corticosteroids and the suspension of the use of the topic ones, due to the long-term stability of oral health, even after the interruption of low-level laser therapy sessions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cabras
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cafaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0130-0799
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gambino
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Broccoletti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Ercole
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marina
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo G
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8798-7834
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Arduino