A pilot split-face study comparing conventional methyl aminolevulinate-photodynamic therapy (PDT) with microneedling-assisted PDT on actinically damaged skin.

BACKGROUND: Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an approved treatment for superficial nonmelanoma skin cancers. To enhance photosensitizer penetration into the epidermis, microneedling (MN) devices or ablative carbon dioxide lasers are combined with PDT. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and safety of MN-assisted PDT with that of conventional PDT in human skin field cancerization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with multiple actinic keratoses (AKs) and photodamage were randomized to receive conventional methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) with previous gentle curettage on one side of the face and MAL-PDT combined with 1.5-mm-length MN on the other side after MAL application. After a 90-minute incubation, patients were illuminated with a red light-emitting diode and evaluated for improvement of photodamage, clearance of AKs, and side effects before and after 30 and 90 days. RESULTS: At day 30, global scores for photodamage, mottled pigmentation, roughness, and sallowness improved on both sides (p < .05), but fine lines improved only on the MN-PDT side (p = .004). At day 90, facial erythema (p = .04) and coarse wrinkles (p = .002) also improved on the MN-PDT side, in addition to fine lines for conventional MAL-PDT (p = .01). Erythema (p = .009), edema (p = .01), crusting (p = .01), and pain (p = .004) were more common and intense on the MN-PDT side. One patient developed a secondary bacterial infection at day 7 on the MN-PDT side. Average AK clearance was 88.3%, with no difference between the sides. CONCLUSION: Microneedling-assisted PDT is a safe and effective method and can produce superior cosmetic results to conventional MAL-PDT for improving photodamaged skin. Further larger prospective studies are needed to determine whether the addition of MN decreases actinic keratosis.

Fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of hypertrophic scars: clinical experience of eight cases.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scars are common problems and represent a challenging condition to treat. Fractional photothermolysis has been effective at resurfacing photodamaged skin, acne scars, and atrophic scars, but there are few reports on its use for hypertrophic scars. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser treatment of hypertrophic scars in eight patients. METHODS: Eight patients (skin phototypes II-IV) with hypertrophic scars received monthly treatments with a 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser. Energy settings ranged from 35 to 50 mJ, and eight to 10 passes were applied with treatment levels 6 to 8. An independent physician evaluator assessed the treatment response by comparing pre- and posttreatment clinical photographs using a quartile grading scale (grade 1, < or =25%=minimal to no improvement; grade 2, 26-50%=moderate improvement; grade 3, 51-75%=marked improvement; grade 4, >75%=near total improvement. RESULTS: At four weeks after the last treatment session, a mean grade of 2.4 was achieved based on an independent physician's clinical assessment. Improvement in pigmentation occurred in all hyperpigmented scars. CONCLUSION: Hypertrophic scars can be effectively and safely improved with 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser treatment.

Pain in photodynamic therapy: mechanism of action and management strategies.

Photodynamic therapy involves administration of a photosensitizing drug and its subsequent activation by irradiation with a light source at wavelengths matching the absorption spectrum of the photosensitizer. In many countries around the world, topical photodynamic therapy has been approved for treatment of cutaneous oncologic conditions such as actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, and superficial basal cell carcinoma. Multicenter, randomized, controlled studies have confirmed its efficacy and superior cosmetic outcomes compared to conventional therapies. Nevertheless, this therapeutic method presents some adverse effects, such as erythema, edema, pigmentation, pustules, and pain. There is no doubt that pain is the most severe of the adverse effects, being sometimes responsible for definitive treatment interruption. The pain mechanism has not yet been fully understood, which makes complete pain control a challenge to be conquered. In spite of that, this literature review presents some useful pain management strategies as well as the most important pain-related factors in photodynamic therapy.

[Photodynamic therapy in dermatology: basic principles]. / Terapia fotodinâmica em dermatologia: princípios básicos e aplicações.

Photodynamic therapy involves the administration of a photosensitizing drug and its subsequent activation by light at wavelengths matching the absorption spectrum of the photosensitizer. Currently, topical photodynamic therapy has received approval for the treatment of cutaneous oncologic conditions such as actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease and superficial basal cell carcinoma in many countries in the world. Multicenter randomized controlled studies have demonstrated high efficacy and superior cosmetic outcome over standard therapies. For many non-oncologic dermatological diseases such as acne vulgaris, viral warts and localized scleroderma, case reports and small series have confirmed the potential of photodynamic therapy. After the development of topical photosensitizers 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or its methyl ester (MAL), photodynamic therapy has gained worldwide popularity in dermatology, as these drugs do not induce prolonged phototoxicity as the systemic photosensitizing hematoporphyrin derivatives do. The production of reactive oxygen intermediates such as singlet oxygen depends on the concentration and localization of the photosensitizer in the diseased tissue as well as the applied light dose. Either incoherent lamps or LED arrays are suitable for the cytotoxic effects resulting in tumor destruction or immunomodulatory effects improving inflammatory condition.

Tratamento para rejuvenescimento das mãos com hidroxiapatita de cálcio / Calcium hydroxylapatite-based treatment for rejuvenation of the hands

A hidroxiapatita de cálcio é material biocompatível, não antigênico, biodegradável, opaco, sendo opção viável no tratamento para rejuvenescimento das mãos, aumentando seu volume e reduzindo a visibilidade de veias e tendões. Relatam-se 16 casos tratados com meia seringa de hidroxiapatita de cálcio em cada dorso de mão. Os resultados demonstraram que o tratamento foi seguro, bem tolerado e eficaz, com alto grau de satisfação em 75% dos casos e melhora clínica por até 12 meses após a injeção.

Calcium hydroxylapatite is a biocompatible, non-antigenic, biodegradable, opaque material that is a viable treatment option for rejuvenating the hands by increasing their volume and reducing the visibility of blood vessels and tendons. This article describes 16 cases treated with a half syringe of calcium hydroxylapatite in the back of each hand. The results suggested that the treatment was safe, well tolerated and effective, with a high degree of satisfaction in 75% of cases and clinical improvement for up to 12 months after the injection.

Pain in photodynamic therapy: mechanism of action and management strategies / Dor na terapia fotodinâmica: mecanismo de ação e estratégias de manejo

Photodynamic therapy involves administration of a photosensitizing drug and its subsequent activation by irradiation with a light source at wavelengths matching the absorption spectrum of the photosensitizer. In many countries around the world, topical photodynamic therapy has been approved for treatment of cutaneous oncologic conditions such as actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, and superficial basal cell carcinoma. Multicenter, randomized, controlled studies have confirmed its efficacy and superior cosmetic outcomes compared to conventional therapies. Nevertheless, this therapeutic method presents some adverse effects, such as erythema, edema, pigmentation, pustules, and pain. There is no doubt that pain is the most severe of the adverse effects, being sometimes responsible for definitive treatment interruption. The pain mechanism has not yet been fully understood, which makes complete pain control a challenge to be conquered. In spite of that, this literature review presents some useful pain management strategies as well as the most important pain-related factors in photodynamic therapy.

A terapia fotodinâmica consiste na administração de uma droga fotossensibilizante e sua subseqüente irradiação com uma fonte de luz de espectro correspondente ao do seu fotossensibilizador. Em diversos países do mundo, a terapia fotodinâmica tópica é aprovada para o tratamento de condições oncológicas cutâneas como queratoses actínicas, doença de Bowen e carcinoma basocelular superficial. Estudos multicêntricos controlados e randomizados confirmam sua eficácia e seus resultados cosméticos superiores em relação às terapias convencionais. No entanto, existem alguns efeitos adversos inerentes a esse método terapêutico, como eritema, edema, pigmentação, pústulas e dor. Essa última é, sem dúvida, a mais importante deles, chegando a ser responsável pela interrupção definitiva do tratamento em alguns casos. O mecanismo dessa dor permanece ainda não completamente entendido. Tal fato faz do controle total da dor durante a terapia fotodinâmica um desafio ainda a ser conquistado. Apesar disso, esta revisão apresenta algumas estratégias que podem ajudar os pacientes a tolerar melhor a terapia fotodinâmica, além de relacionar os principais fatores ligados à dor descritos na literatura.

Experiência no uso do ultrassom focado no tratamento da gordura localizada em 120 pacientes / Experience in the use of focused ultrasound in the treatment of localized fat

Introdução: Existem diversas tecnologias para o tratamento do contorno corporal, embora a maioria apresente baixa eficácia.Os autores relatam sua experiência no uso do ultrassom focado para o tratamento da gordura localizada em 120 pacientes. Materiais e Métodos: 120 pacientes foram submetidos a duas ou três sessões a cada quatro semanas. As áreas tratadas foram abdômen, flancos, coxas, dorso e dobra infraglútea. Resultados: A redução média na circunferência ao final das três sessões foi de 4,95, 4,88 e 3cm para abdômen, flancos e coxas, respectivamente.Conclusão: O ultrassom focado foi procedimento seguro, eficaz e bem tolerado para o remodelamento corporal.

Introduction: There are several techniques for the treatment of the body’s contour.The vast majority, however, are not very effective.We report our experience in the use of focused ultrasound in the treatment of localized fat in 120 patients. Methods: 120 patients underwent 2 or 3 focused ultrasound sessions with 4-week intervals.The abdomen, hips, thighs, dorsum and infragluteal fold were the treated areas. Results: After treatment, there was an average reduction of 4.95, 4.88 and 3 cm in the circumference of the abdomen, hips and thighs, respectively. Conclusion: Focused ultrasound is a safe, effective and well tolerated procedure for remodelling areas of the body.

Laser de érbio 2940nm fracionado no tratamento do fotoenvelhecimento cutâneo da face - avaliação após 15 meses / Use of 2940 erbium fractional laser in the treatment of facial photodamaged skin. 15 months follow-up

Introdução: Os procedimentos fracionados ablativos oferecem resultados consistentes, com menor tempo de recuperação e menor risco de efeitos adversos do que os ablativos não fracionados. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de uma nova tecnologia fracionada ablativa com laser de érbio (2.940nm) no fotoenvelhecimento facial. Métodos: Pacientes femininas com fotodano moderado na face foram submetidas ao tratamento com laser de érbio 2,940 nm fracionado (Palomar Inc., Burlington MA). Os parâmetros variaram de 5 a 9 mJ/µb com duração de pulso de 250 microssegundos a 5 milissegundos. Foram realizadas duas a seis passadas com 50% de sobreposição. As avaliações clínicas ocorreram 3 dias, 1,4,8 e 12 semanas, e 15 meses após o procedimento. Três dermatologistas não envolvidos no estudo avaliaram a melhora global do fotodano antes e após 3 meses, através de fotografias digitais e de acordo com a seguinte escala: grau 1=melhora menor que 25%; grau 2=melhora de 26-50%; grau 3=melhora de 51-75% e grau 4=melhora de 76 a 100%. Resultados: Doze pacientes (n=12) femininas, com idade variando de 48 a 78 anos foram incluídas.A avaliação após 3 meses, demonstrou que 23% das pacientes obtiveram grau 3, 55% grau 2 e 22% grau 1. Melhora significativa (grau > 2) foi observada em 78% e 63% das rugas periorbitárias e periorais respectivamente. Dois pacientes desenvolveram hiperpigmentação pós-inflamatória transitória. Conclusão: O laser com érbio fracionado mostrou-se eficaz e seguro no tratamento do fotoenvelhecimento moderado. Use of 2940 Erbium fractional laser in the treatment of photodamaged skin: clinical evaluation and follow up

Introduction: Fractional ablative procedures offer more robust results, with shorter recovery time and lower risk of adverse effects compared to non-fractional ablative methods. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a new fractional ablative technology employing Erbium laser (2,940nm) in facial photoaging. Methods: Female patients with moderate facial photodamage were subjected to treatment with a 2,940nm fractional Erbium laser (Palomar Inc., Burlington MA).The parameters varied from 5 to 9 mJ/µb, with pulses of a duration from 250 microseconds to 5 milliseconds.Two to six passes with a 50% overlap were carried out.The clinical evaluations occurred 3 days, 1,4,8 and 12 weeks, and 15 months after the procedure.Three dermatologists who were not involved in the study evaluated the global improvement of the photodamage before and 3 months after the procedures, by reviewing digital pictures, and classified the results according to the following scale: grade 1 = improvement less than 25%; grade 2 = improvement of 26% to 50%; grade 3 = improvement of 51% to 75% and grade 4 = improvement from 76 to 100%. Results: Female patients (n =12), aged 48 to 78 were studied.After 3 months, 23% of the patients were classified as grade 3, 55% as grade 2 and 22% as grade 1. Significant improvement (grade 2) was observed in 78% and 63% of the periorbital and perioral wrinkles, respectively.Two patients developed transitory post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Conclusion: The fractional Erbium laser was shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of moderate photoaging

Terapia fotodinâmica em dermatologia: princípios básicos e aplicações / Photodynamic therapy in dermatology: basic principles

A terapia fotodinâmica envolve a administração de uma droga fotossensibilizante e sua ativação subsequente pela luz de comprimento de onda correspondente ao espectro de absorção do fotossensibilizador. Atualmente, a terapia fotodinâmica tópica é aprovada para o tratamento de condições oncológicas cutâneas como queratoses actínicas, doença de Bowen e carcinoma basocelular superficial em diversos países do mundo. Estudos multicêntricos controlados e randomizados demonstram a alta eficácia e resultado cosmético final superior dessa modalidade terapêutica em relação aos tratamentos convencionais. Para condições cutâneas não oncológicas, como acne vulgar, verrugas virais e esclerodermia localizada, há também relatos e série de casos confirmando o potencial terapêutico da terapia fotodinâmica. O desenvolvimento de fotossensibilizantes tópicos, ácido 5-aminolevulínico (ALA) ou seu metiléster (MAL), frente aos derivados da hematoporfirina de aplicação sistêmica, permitiu um grande avanço na popularidade da TFD na dermatologia, uma vez que tanto ALA quanto MAL tópicos não induzem mais fotossensibilidade generalizada prolongada. A produção de intermediários reativos de oxigênio, como oxigênio singlet, depende da concentração, da localização do fotossensibilizante no tecido alvo, assim como da dose de luz utilizada. Tanto as lâmpadas de amplo espectro quanto os LEDs (do inglês light emitting diodes) constituem fontes de luz adequadas para que os efeitos citotóxicos da terapia fotodinâmica resultem na destruição do tumor ou seus efeitos imunomodulatórios atuem melhorando as condições inflamatórias cutâneas.

Photodynamic therapy involves the administration of a photosensitizing drug and its subsequent activation by light at wavelengths matching the absorption spectrum of the photosensitizer. Currently, topical photodynamic therapy has received approval for the treatment of cutaneous oncologic conditions such as actinic keratoses, Bowen’s disease and superficial basal cell carcinoma in many countries in the world. Multicenter randomized controlled studies have demonstrated high efficacy and superior cosmetic outcome over standard therapies. For many non-oncologic dermatological diseases such as acne vulgaris, viral warts and localized scleroderma, case reports and small series have confirmed the potential of photodynamic therapy. After the development of topical photosensitizers 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or its methyl ester (MAL), photodynamic therapy has gained worldwide popularity in dermatology, as these drugs do not induce prolonged phototoxicity as the systemic photosensitizing hematoporphyrin derivatives do. The production of reactive oxygen intermediates such as singlet oxygen depends on the concentration and localization of the photosensitizer in the diseased tissue as well as the applied light dose. Either incoherent lamps or LED arrays are suitable for the cytotoxic effects resulting in tumor destruction or immunomodulatory effects improving inflammatory condition.

Síndrome carcinóide: relato de caso / Carcinoid syndrome: case report

Os tumores carcinóides são raros, com incidência aproximada de um a dois casos por 100.000 habitantes. Estima-se que a síndrome carcinóide - que se caracteriza por flushing, diarréia, dor abdominal e, em menor freqüência, pelagra, broncoespasmo e doença valvar cardíaca - ocorra em menos de 10% dos doentes. Entretanto, nos casos avançados a incidência varia de 40 a 50%. Estudos retrospectivos e de série de casos mostram que as manifestações cutâneas são freqüentes nessa entidade, embora sejam raramente relatadas. Apresenta-se um caso de síndrome carcinóide diagnosticadoa partir das manifestações dermatológicas.

Carcinoid tumors are rare neoplasms with an estimated incidence of 1 to 2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The malignant carcinoid syndrome, characterized by flushing, diarrhea, abdominal pain and, less frequently, pellagra, bronchospasm and valvular disease, occurs in less than 10% of patients. Nevertheless, in advanced stages of the disease, the incidence is about 40 to 50%. Retrospective studies and descriptive case series have shown that cutaneous involvement is relatively common but has rarely been reported. We present a case of carcinoid syndrome diagnosed with basis on skin findings on clinical examination.

Carcinoma basocelular em localizações incomuns / Basal cell carcinoma in unusual locations

Os autores apresentam cinco pacientes que desenvolveram carcinomas basocelulares em locais incomuns de ocorrência desse tumor. O objetivo é relatar a raridade topográfica da neoplasia cutânea e discutir o conceito de localização incomum para o carcinoma basocelular.

The authors present five patients who develop basal cell carcinomas in sites this tumor rarely occurs. The aim is to report the rare location of this frequent cutaneous malignancy and to briefly discuss the concept of unusual location of basal cell carcinoma.

Tratamento com laser fracionado / Fractional laser treatment

Os lasers ablativos, como o laser de CO2 (10.600 nm) e o erbium:YAG (Er:YAG-2.940 nm), removem a epiderme e provocam dano térmico residual na derme. Apresentam algumas desvantagens, como tempo de recuperação prolongado, não podem ser usados fora do rosto e têm risco significativo de efeitos colaterais. Para reduzir esses efeitos colaterais, surgiram os lasers não ablativos, que penetram profundamente na pele e aquecem a derme, poupando a epiderme. Seus efeitos colaterais e o tempo de recuperação são mínimos porém, comparado ao resurfacing ablativo, têm eficácia modesta e requerem múltiplos tratamentos. Lasers fracionados não ablativos foram desenvolvidos para rejuvenescimento cutâneo semelhante ao do laser de CO2, sem os inconvenientes e o pós-operatório deste. O princípio do laser fracionado é poupar áreas de pele sãs entre as áreas tratadas, facilitando e promovendo uma cicatrização mais rápida a partir das áreas poupadas. O resurfacing fracionado não ablativo apresenta bons resultados para o tratamento de rugas finas a moderadas e outros sinais do fotoenvelhecimento cutâneo. Outras indicações são cicatrizes atróficas, cicatrizes de acne, cicatrizes cirúrgicas e há relatos da eficácia no melasma. O tempo de recuperação é rápido, mas os resultados são inferiores aos obtidos com os tratamentos ablativos. Recentemenente surgiram os lasers fracionados ablativos de CO2 (10.600 nm) e érbio (Er:YAG 2.940 nm), com o intuito de se alcançar um resultado semelhante ao dos lasers ablativos, porém com recuperação e risco de efeitos colaterais mais próximos ao dos lasers fracionados não ablativos, já que também poupam áreas de pele sãs entre as áreas tratadas.