Decreased phototherapy effectiveness on lower body.

Although phototherapy is an effective treatment for many dermatological conditions on the face, trunk, and proximal extremities, a common issue plaguing whole-body phototherapy is its diminished efficacy on the legs. In this commentary, we elaborate on the factors underlying this phenomenon, as well as potential solutions to improve treatment success.

Elephantiasic pretibial myxedema in a patient with graves disease that resolved after 131I treatment.

Pretibial myxedema is a rare manifestation of Graves disease and is generally associated with ophthalmopathy. Steroids, immunoglobulin, or rituximab can have some therapeutic effect but not curative. Here we reported a 45-year-old man with history of hyperthyroidism for 20 years who developed severe bilateral pretibial myxedema. Three months after the treatment with I for his Graves disease, his pretibial myxedema was significantly improved.

Treatment of pigmented purpuric dermatoses with narrow-band UVB: a report of six cases.

BACKGROUND: Pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD) are a group of chronic disorders that pose a therapeutic challenge. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of narrow band ultraviolet B (NB UVB) in the treatment of PPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six patients of PPD were treated with NB UVB: one patient had Majocchi's purpura and five had Schamberg's disease. NB UVB was given on three weekly basis till clearance, then maintenance treatments were scheduled as twice weekly for 3 weeks and once weekly for another 3 weeks. The patients were followed up to 1 year. RESULTS: Successful treatment was achieved in all treatment patients after 24-28 NB UVB treatments and maintenance of nine treatments. Only two patients showed flare of their lesions after stoppage of NB UVB and efficiently controlled with further 14 NB UVB treatments. CONCLUSION: NB UVB is effective in the treatment of PPD and should be considered as a treatment option for PPD.

UVA1 phototherapy for treatment of necrobiosis lipoidica.

The primary cause of collagen degeneration in necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is proposed to be immunologically mediated vascular disease. Ultraviolet (UV)A1 has been used successfully to treat scleroderma in which both vascular damage and collagen dysregulation also occur. We treated six patients with NL [(five women; mean age of 32 years (range 22-70) and mean disease duration of 2.9 years (range 6 months to 5 years)] with a high-output ultraviolet (UV)A1 2-kW filtered metal halide source (Dr Hönle; Dermalight ultrA 1) having an emission spectrum of 340-440 nm. All patients had NL on the shins, which had been unresponsive to potent topical corticosteroid therapy (n = 6) and had responded minimally or not at all to TL-01 UVB (n = 2), topical psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) soaking (n = 2) or oral PUVA (n = 1) therapy. Patients received a variable number of total exposures (15-51), given 3-5 times weekly. NL resolved completely in one patient; this patient had minimal improvement after the first course of 16 exposures, but after a further 13 exposures, resolution occurred 6 months later. Two subjects obtained moderate improvement in their overall disease severity after 15 and 24 exposures, while two had only minimal improvement after 15 and 51 exposures. The remaining patient had no improvement after 16 treatments. Patients with the shortest disease duration had the greatest response. UVA1 therapy may be of benefit for the treatment of NL as an adjuvant therapy to topical corticosteroids or as a second-line alternative to other phototherapies, and may have a superior outcome in a proportion of patients.

Efficacy of pulsed dye laser treatment of port wine stain malformations of the lower limb.

BACKGROUND: There is relatively little information about treatment of port wine stains (PWS) of the lower limb. Few studies have specifically addressed the efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment of a PWS on the lower limb and there is no information on the relative efficacy at different sites on the lower limb. It has been suggested that treatment is not as successful when compared with the face and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation has been reported to be a significant problem. OBJECTIVES: To review retrospectively patients who attended for PDL treatment of PWS affecting the lower limb and assess the efficacy and adverse effects with particular reference to skin site. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of patients attending the Leeds Dermatology Laser Centre for treatment of a PWS on the lower limb with a 585-nm PDL. RESULTS: A total of 52 sites in 39 patients were treated: 17 on the thigh, 31 on the lower leg and four on the foot. The mean number of sessions per patient was 14, with an excellent outcome in seven treatment sites (13.5%), good in 13 (25%), moderate in 21 (40.4%) and poor outcome in 11 (21.1%). Patients were generally pleased with their results with a mean improvement of 7 on a scale of 0-10. Perifollicular persistence of the PWS was observed in six sites (11.5%). Adverse effects occurred in 36 patients (92.3%), most commonly hyperpigmentation (87%). Six patients (15.4%) developed atrophic scarring and four (10.3%) hypopigmentation. Atrophie blanche-like changes were seen in four patients on the lower leg. Hypertrophic scarring was not seen. CONCLUSIONS: Although physician-assessed good or excellent responses of 38.5% are lower than frequently reported for other skin sites and adverse effects may be more frequent, patient satisfaction with treatment was generally high. Patients with PWS on the lower limb merit a trial of PDL treatment.

Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) irradiation for lower extremity telangiectases and small reticular veins: efficacy as measured by vessel color and size.

BACKGROUND: Laser treatment of lower extremity telangiectases and small reticular veins has remained difficult because of vessel color, diameter, depth, and associated high-pressure flow. Traditionally, larger-caliber blue leg veins do not respond well to laser treatment. Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) irradiation is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin and is associated with greater depth of penetration than other previously studied vascular lasers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a millisecond contact-cooled 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of telangiectases and small reticular veins. METHODS: Twenty-one lower extremity sites, with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV, received two laser treatments separated by a 4 to 6-week period. Blue and red vessels, ranging in size from 0.25 to 4.0 mm were treated. Pulse durations of 10-50 msec were utilized at fluences of 90-187 J/cm2. Three months after the last treatment, patients were evaluated for vessel improvement and complications. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of lower extremity vessels had improvement graded as significant. All vessel colors and sizes were successfully treated. The only complication at 3 months was postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSION: 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser irradiation with associated contact cooling is a safe and effective treatment for telangiectases and small reticular veins of the lower extremities.

A side-by-side comparative study of 1064 nm Nd:YAG, 810 nm diode and 755 nm alexandrite lasers for treatment of 0.3-3 mm leg veins.

BACKGROUND: Laser and intense pulsed light device treatments of leg veins have generally yielded disappointing results. Use of longer wavelengths, longer pulse widths, and better cooling devices have recently sparked renewed interests in these methods. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare, side by side, a 3-msec cryogen spray-equipped 755 nm alexandrite, a sapphire window cooled super-long-pulse 810 nm diode, and a variable pulse width, cryogen spray-equipped 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of 0.3-3mm leg veins. METHODS: Thirty female volunteers, skin types I-V, age 32-67 years with comparable sets of leg veins were treated with the Nd:YAG laser and either the diode laser, alexandrite laser, or both. In most patients two to three sets of comparable sites were treated. Treatment parameters varied with each laser and according to the size of veins being treated. Patients were examined 1 week after each treatment and at 1, 2, and 3 months after the last treatment. Pre- and posttreatment 35mm photographs were taken. Improvement was judged by two experienced physicians both visually on patients and by comparison of pre- and posttreatment photographs. Results were graded as percent resolution, in five groups, 0%, 0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, and 75-100%. RESULTS: In the 22 patients completing the study, 36 leg vein sites were treated with the Nd:YAG laser, 18 leg vein sites were treated with the diode laser, and 12 leg vein sites were treated with the alexandrite laser. Greater than 75% improvement was observed at 88% of the Nd:YAG laser-treated sites, 29% of the diode laser-treated sites, and 33% of the alexandrite laser-treated sites. Greater than 50% improvement was observed at 94% of the Nd:YAG laser-treated sites, 33% of the diode laser-treated sites, and 58% of the alexandrite laser-treated sites. Less than 25% improvement was observed at 6% of the Nd:YAG laser-treated sites, 39% of the diode laser-treated sites, and 33% of the alexandrite laser-treated sites. Pain during treatment was variably perceived by patients, but occasionally sufficient for patients to decline further treatment. Posttreatment purpura and telangiectatic matting were a significant drawback for the alexandrite laser. Transient hemosiderin pigmentation, as seen with sclerotherapy, was common with larger vessels. CONCLUSION: The cryogen spray-equipped 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser was remarkably effective and safe for the treatment of 0.3-3 mm leg veins. The use of topical anesthesia may be needed for some patients. The super-long-pulse 810 nm diode laser gave unpredictable results. Additional refinements of fluence and pulse width could improve its performance. The 3-msec, 755 nm alexandrite laser at fluences of 60-70 J/cm2 and an 8 mm spot can be effective, but inflammatory response, purpura, and matting limit its usefulness. Longer pulse widths might decrease these problems. For leg vein treatment, the 1064 nm wavelength is very safe for type V skin, the 810 nm wavelength at super-long pulse widths of 400-1000 msec is very safe for type IV and marginal for type V skin, and the 755 nm wavelength is limited to nontanned type I-III skin.

Q-switched Alexandrite laser in the treatment of pigmented macules in Laugier-Hunziker syndrome.

We report clearance of pigmented macules on the lips of two subjects with Laugier-Hunziker syndrome using the Q-switched Alexandrite laser. Recurrence of two macules was noticed in one case 6 months after treatment and the lesions were successfully retreated. This report evaluates the efficacy and side-effect profile of the Q-switched Alexandrite laser in the treatment of lentigines in this syndrome.

Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser in the treatment of facial and leg telangiectasias.

BACKGROUND: Facial and leg telangiectasias are a frequent cosmetic concern for both females and males with various skin types and ages. To date the different treatments for these problems, in particular leg telangiectasias, have frequently failed or led to negative side-effects. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the clinical effects and safety of applications with a 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser system (SmartEpil II, DEKA M.e.l.a., Florence, Italy) to treat vessels on the face and legs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five subjects with facial telangiectasias underwent one treatment at 100 J/cm2, 10 ms and 2 Hz repetition rate. Thirty-two subjects with leg telangiectasias, measuring 0.1-3 mm in diameter, were treated at 125-200 J/cm2, 10-30 ms and 2 Hz repetition rate. Subjects in this group underwent one to five treatment sessions at 8 week intervals. RESULTS: All subjects showed visible improvement, with 95-100% clearing of the face telangiectasias after only one treatment, and 50-100% clearing of the lower extremity vessels after three to five treatments. Transitory hypopigmentation was seen in two cases subjected to leg vessel treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of facial and leg telangectasias using a true long pulse 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is an effective and safe method. The relative lack of discomfort combined with a high degree of individual satisfaction should play a part in the fairly high level of acceptance of this new form of therapy for the treatment of leg and face telangiectasias.

Comparison of the 595 nm long-pulse (1.5 msec) and ultralong-pulse (4 msec) lasers in the treatment of leg veins.

BACKGROUND: Although several lasers and light sources are now available for vascular lesions, treatment of leg veins has not been very satisfactory. Lengthening the pulse width should theoretically result in improved response rates. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the efficacy and safety of 595 nm pulsed lasers at 1.5 msec and 4 msec in treating leg veins. METHODS: For group A, 27 healthy adult volunteers with leg veins measuring less than 1 mm in diameter were treated with a 2 mm x 7 mm elliptical handpiece. Each patient had three areas treated. The first two areas were treated with the 4 msec pulsed dye laser with fluences of 16 and 20 J/cm2, while the last area was treated with a 1.5 msec pulsed dye laser at fluences ranging from 14 to 16 J/cm2. For group B, 13 subjects were treated. Areas 1 and 2 were treated with the 4 msec pulsed dye laser using a 3 mm x 5 mm and 5 mm handpiece, respectively, while the third site was treated with a 1.5 msec laser using a 3 mm x 5 mm handpiece. Fluences ranging from 14 to 16 J/cm2 were used. Clinical evaluations were performed and photographs taken at 4-8 week intervals. RESULTS: Neither laser regularly induced satisfactory diminution or disappearance of these vessels after one treatment. In group A, more than 50% of patients had little to no improvement, while in group B little to no improvement was observed in 33% of patients following a single treatment. Although there was no significant difference in outcomes between the test sites, the 4 msec PDL with a 3 mm x 5 mm spot size appeared to be most effective. Transient hyperpigmentation was common following either treatment, while hypopigmentation was seen in group B subjects. No scarring was noted. CONCLUSION: Both the 4 and 1.5 msec flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye lasers were ineffective in treating leg telangiectasia following a single treatment.

Treatment of arborising telangiectasia with pulsed tunable dye laser (SPTL-1b).

Arborising telangiectasia is a rare but distinct progressive condition of unknown aetiology. The vessels are subepidermal and measure less than 0.2 mm in diameter. Twenty-three patients with this condition, involving the lower limbs and in extensive cases the upper limbs and trunk, have been treated with the flash lamp pulsed tunable dye laser (SPTL-1b, Candela Laser Corp.). Retrospective review of 17 of these patients, who have finished their treatment (average five sessions of therapy per patient, given at 3-4 monthly intervals), shows complete clearance of the telangiectasia in all cases. The mean follow-up time after the last session of treatment was 7 months. Temporary hyperpigmentation was seen in eight patients. Persistent pigmentary changes (one hyper- and one hypopigmentation) were noted in two patients. No evidence of scarring or change in skin texture was encountered. No progression or recurrence of telangiectasia was noted during the period of follow-up.