ABSTRACT
Eight patients, 2 males and 6 females, between 10-21 years in age with epidermal (4) and sebaceous nevi (4) were taken up for this study. The lesions in all the patients were vaporized with the indigenously developed carbon dioxide laser. All the patients were evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weekly visits. The final evaluation was done at the 12 weekly visit to assess the overall response to the treatment and side effects. The patients were then followed up every month for 6 months to look for any recurrence. All the patients responded to the treatment. Three patients each with epidermal and sebaceous nevi had 8090% improvement while I patient each with above disorders had % and 60% improvement respectively. Transient hypopigmentation was seen in all the patients. There were no other significant side effects.
ABSTRACT
Facial angiofibromas in systemic sclerosis cause significant cosmetic disfigurement and emotional distress. The treatment of these lesions have been a challenge because of the multiplicity of the lesions and the presence of the lesions at anatomically difficult sites. Four female patients between 12-22 years in age with extensive angiofibromas on face, nasolabial folds and chin for 2-10 years were treated with carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. The lesions in all patients were vaporized with the indigenously developed CO2 laser. All the patients were evaluated at 1 and 2 weeks and then every month for 6 months to assess the overall response to treatment and side effects. All the patients responded to the treatment and had an improvement of 50-80%. Transient erythema and hypopigmentation were seen in all the patients while post laser hyperpigmentation was seen in 2 patients. There were no other significant side effects. CO2 laser seems to be a good therapeutic tool for the treatment of extensive facial angiofibromas with good, cosmetically acceptable results even in dark (brown) skin patients with negligible side effects and minimal recurrences.