The effectiveness of long Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser alone for treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars versus its combination with bleomycin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pathological scars are benign hyper-proliferative growths of dermal collagen that causes severe psychological and physical problems. This study was performed to assess and compare safety and clinical efficiency of combined pulsed Nd-YAG laser and intralesional bleomycin versus pulsed Nd-YAG laser alone to treat the hypertrophic scars and keloids. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Randomly, 40 patients with hypertrophic scars or keloids were divided into two groups A and B. Group A were handled by pulsed Nd:YAG laser and intralesional bleomycin while group B were handled by pulsed Nd:YAG laser only. Response was assessed subjectively by clinical imaging and modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS). While for objective evaluation, skin biopsies were taken from volunteer patients before and after treatment, and were examined by Hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) and Masson trichrome staining. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated almost complete improvement in 4 (20%) patients, partial improvement in 16 (80%) patients and 0 patient with no improvement in group A. Furthermore, in group B, we demonstrated almost complete improvement in 2 (10%) patients, partial in 14 (70%) patients and no improvement in 4 (20%) patients. Modified Vancouver Scar Scale reduced from 10.15 to 3.5 in group A and from 11.05 to 4.95 in group B. Elastica Masson-Goldner staining and Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that treatment in both groups structurally changed tissue collagen. CONCLUSION: Long-pulsed Nd-YAG laser combined with intralesional bleomycin could be a promising way for treatment of keloids or hypertrophic scars.

Contrasting the efficacy of pulsed dye laser and photodynamic methylene blue nanoemulgel therapy in treating acne vulgaris.

The treatment of acne remains a challenge for dermatologists. A variety of conventional therapies are available for acne treatment such as topical and systemic medications. Although many of these traditional acne treatments are effective, the wide-spread nature of the disease and its sometimes resistant nature delineate the need for alternative therapies. Therefore, over the past decade, phototherapy has been introduced for the treatment of acne, such as pulsed dye lasers (PDLs) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of PDL and methylene blue-mediated photodynamic therapy (MB-PDT) in the treatment of mild to moderate acne. Split-face clinical trial including fifteen patients presenting with mild to moderate acne were treated with 585 nm PDL on the right side of the face and MB-PDT with 665-nm diode laser on the left side. The photosensitizer MB was prepared in nanoemulgel formulation, and the treatment was carried out for three sessions maximum at 2-weeks intervals. Results revealed that both PDL and MB-PDT were effective therapies in the treatment of acne, as manifested by the reduction of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions throughout the treatment period. However, the latter therapy was proven more potent in the reduction of acne severity, and in terms of patients' tolerance. Therefore, it can be concluded that MB in the nanoemulgel form is a promising treatment approach for acne, and can be further experimented in the treatment of other dermatological diseases.

The Effect of the Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser on Improving Minoxidil Delivery for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia.

Introduction: Recently, laser treatment for hair loss has become very popular. Laser-assisted drug delivery (LAD) is an evolving technology with potentially broad clinical applications. This work aims at inspecting the effect of the fractional carbon dioxide laser (CO2 ) on improving the delivery of minoxidil in patients with androgenetic alopecia and detecting the role of the fractional CO2 laser in its treatment. Methods: We enrolled 45 Egyptians with male androgenetic alopecia (MAGA); clinical grading was assessed based on Norwood-Hamilton classification. The patients were divided into 3 groups: the first group (combined group) received the fractional CO2 laser session followed by topical application of minoxidil and also in between sessions; the second group received fractional CO2 laser sessions only and 6 sessions with 2-week intervals were performed; the third group applied topical minoxidil only for 3 months. Global photographs and dermoscopic assessments were performed before treatment and 3 months after the treatment. Results: Several dermoscopic findings were detected, including peripilar sign, hair diversity, yellow spot, white dots, and arborizing red lines. The number of double hair units significantly increased after the treatment in the combined group. The mean number of hair after the treatment in the 3 groups significantly increased, mostly in the combined group. The hair thickness (thin & thick) significantly increased after the treatment in the combined group and the fractional group; however, in the minoxidil group, only thin hair thickness increased. In all the 3 groups, there was a significant improvement in hair count and thickness. Conclusion: The ablative fractional CO2 laser alone or combined with minoxidil may serve as an additional treatment for MAGA.

Effect of Topical 5-Fluorouracil Alone versus Its Combination with Erbium:YAG (2940 nm) Laser in Treatment of Vitiligo.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of topical 5-FU as monotherapy to combined therapy of topical 5-FU and Er:YAG (2940 nm) laser in the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo (NSV). METHODS: This is a prospective randomized comparative study. Thirty patients diagnosed with NSV were recruited from the dermatology outpatient clinics of the Medical Research Centre of Excellence, the National Research Centre and the National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences. Our study group was divided into two subgroups, Group 1 was subjected to ablative Er:YAG and 5-FU cream and Group 2 applied topical 5-FU cream. Three treatment sessions were repeated every 4 to 6 weeks and patients were followed up to 9 months. Repigmentation was assessed by digital photography and subsequent computer based image analysis. RESULTS: Repigmentation of Group 1 patients ranged from 0 to 70% (mean 12±7%) whilst in Group 2 this ranged from 0 to 5% (mean 1.4±0.8%). In Group 1 repigmentation was mild in 22/30 (73.3%) and moderate to severe in 3/30 (10%) starting after 3 months and persisted or increased during the period of follow up to 9 months. Groups 1 and 2 were subdivided into A and B, vitiligo involving non-resistant and resistant areas respectively. Group 1A showed more repigmentation (mean 13.8±8.5%) than Group 1B (mean 9.8±4.5%) and Group 2A showed more repigmentation (mean 1.5±1%) than Group 2B (mean 1.3±0.5%). CONCLUSION: The combination of Er:YAG with 5-FU is safe and effective in treating and improving outcome in vitiligo especially of non-resistant areas. Computer based image analysis of vitiliginous lesions and assessing post-therapy response is an easy, quick, and reliable method.

Effect of methylene blue-mediated photodynamic therapy for treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is regarded as a treatment option for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of methylene blue (MB)-based PDT in patients suffering from nodular or ulcerative BCCs. This study is a prospective clinical trial with a 6-months follow-up. The study setting is at the Dermatology Clinic at NILES, Cairo University, Egypt. Seventeen patients complaining of nodular BCC (nBCC) and three patients complaining of ulcerative BCC (uBCC) were taken as samples. Methylene blue, the photosensitizer, was prepared in two different formulas: liposomal-loaded MB (LMB) was prepared and formulated in hydrogel (MB 0.2%) to be used topically alone for treating BCCs <2 cm in diameter or to be combined with intralesional injection (ILI) of free MB 2% aqueous solution for treating BCCs ≥2 cm in diameter. A session was performed every 2 weeks until complete response (CR) of the lesion or for a maximum of six sessions. Clinical assessments of clinical improvement, dermatological photography, monthly follow-up visits for 6 months, and skin biopsy after 3 months of follow-up to confirm the response, recurrence, or both in cases in which the clinical evaluation was ambiguous. Seventeen patients of the 20 completed the study, 11 patients achieved CR with very good cosmetic outcome, photosensitizer tolerance, and minimal reported side effects. MB is a cheap promising alternative photosensitizer for PDT of nBCC.

Crucial role of CD4+CD 25+ FOXP3+ T regulatory cell, interferon-γ and interleukin-16 in malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions.

The differential diagnosis between malignant and tuberculous exudative pleural effusions is an important clinical problem. The aim of current study is to evaluate the frequencies of T-regulatory cells (Treg) on the basis of distinct phenotypes in the differential diagnosis between malignant and tuberculous pleural effusion. In addition, to evaluate Interferon-gamma (IFN- γ) and interleukin-16 (IL-16) levels and their correlation to Treg cells in malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions. Sixty patients with pleural effusion (26 tuberculous and 34 malignant) and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. Pleural fluid and peripheral blood were assessed for frequencies of T regs, IL-16, and IFN-γ. Pleural effusions from both tuberculous and malignant groups represented significantly higher levels (more in TB) for the following cell populations than peripheral blood: total lymphocytes, CD3+lymphocyte, CD4+CD25+lymphocyte and Treg (CD4+ CD25+FoxP3+). Levels of IL-16 and IFN-γ in tuberculous group were significantly higher than that in malignant group. Regulatory T cells, INF-γ and IL-16 are new important tools for differentiation between tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion.

Using pulsed dual-wavelength 595 and 1064 nm is more effective in the management of hemangiomas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of application of dual long-pulsed dye/Nd:YAG lasers in the management of skin and mucous membrane infantile hemangiomas. BACKGROUND: Management of hemangiomas may be a challenge. Different laser systems have been reported to be of significant help for such cases with variable results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, the authors present a unique sequential laser system, which delivers pulsed dye laser (PDL) 595 nm followed by Nd:YAG 1064 nm, which they have found to be superior and more effective than other reported techniques. Twenty-five cases of infantile hemangiomas in the skin and mucous membrane in the head and neck region were selected to be enrolled in this study. Assessment for progress was achieved clinically. RESULTS: The authors achieved excellent results in eighteen patients (72%) out of the 25 treated patients, with no recurrence after six-month follow-up. Laser application from skin and mucous membrane sides (sandwich technique) decreased number of sessions. CONCLUSION: The sequential application of 595 nm PDL followed by 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser can be considered a superior method for management of infantile hemangiomas, especially in the head and neck region, due to its excellent cosmetic results with fewer treatment sessions.

Liposomal methylene blue hydrogel for selective photodynamic therapy of acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proposed as a treatment option for acne vulgaris. The authors have proposed in this work a liposomal delivery for methylene blue (MB) for selective acne treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of liposomes loaded methylene blue (LMB) based photodynamic therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris in a randomized, controlled and investigator blinded study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liposomes loaded methylene blue (LMB) was prepared and studied for different pharmaceutical properties and formulated in hydrogel (MB 0.1%). Permeability and selective sebaceous gland targeting in mice skin was studied. Gel containing LMB was used for treating 13 patients complaining of mild-moderate acne vulgaris once a week for two weeks. Efficacy evaluation included changes in lesions counts, clinical assessments of clinical improvement by patients and evaluating dermatologists. Pain and local adverse effects were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mechanism of the drug released from liposomes (both in pH = 5.5 and in pH = 7.2) was following zero order kinetics with significant increase in the drug released in pH = 5.5. Drug released from free methylene blue (FMB) gel was significantly higher (P < 0.05) with Higuichi's diffusion model than LMB gel, which followed zero order kinetics. Free MB gel showed superficial destruction in the mice hair shaft while LMB showed complete destruction of pilosebaceous unit. After only two sessions, there was a 83.3% reduction in the number of inflammatory acne lesions and a 63.6% reduction in the number of non-inflammatory acne lesions. At 12 weeks, 90% of patients had a moderate-to-marked improvement of their acne in the treated areas. Most patients had no pain; also no serious adverse side effects were recorded. All the patients had no edema. Slight transient hyperpigmentation was seen only in three patients. CONCLUSION: Liposomal MB hydrogel selectively delivered MB to sebaceous gland and was effective in photodynamic treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.

Methylene blue mediated photodynamic therapy for resistant plaque psoriasis.

Topical treatment of resistant psoriatic plaque stage lesions may be difficult and the systemic therapies seem inappropriate. Therefore, a topical 0.1% methylene blue (MB) hydrogel was prepared and evaluated for percent drug content, drug uniformity, pH, rheological and organoleptic characters such as feel tackiness, grittiness sensation, and transparency in addition to release kinetics study in vitro. The efficiency of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of MB photo-activated using 565 mW Light emitting diode (LED) 670 nm was evaluated in patients with resistant plaque psoriasis. The gel was evaluated in single blinded study. The patients were subjected to repeated sessions of irradiation, skin biopsies from each patient in the beginning and at the end of the sessions were taken for histopathological studies. Results showed the hydrogel was transparent nongritty and the drug uniformly dispersed with pH=7.2 and viscosity value=25.04 Pa. The drug content was found to be 99.4 +/- 0.15 %. Drug release was following zero order kinetics with rate constant K=0.348 +/- 0.01 and T(1/2) = 0.95 +/- 0.5 hours. Sixteen patients experienced complete clearance of their treated lesions. Skin appeared normal in color, texture, and pliability with no complications indicating the lack of skin sensitivity. Histopathological examinations showed nearly normal epidermis at the end of all sessions. The authors concluded that the prepared hydrogel was safe, stable, and very effective. The results are encouraging to accept MB as a photosensitizer for PDT and as a safe and effective method for treatment of selected cases of resistant localized psoriasis

Liposomal methotrexate hydrogel for treatment of localized psoriasis: preparation, characterization and laser targeting.

BACKGROUND: Because systemic treatment of psoriasis is associated with several adverse effects, methotrexate (MTX), either topically or as targeted delivery, has become a more-interesting alternative. MATERIAL/METHODS: Methotrexate liposomes (LMTX) were prepared from DPPC, soy PC, egg yolk PC, and cholesterol. We studied the characterization, formulation of hydrogel (MTX 0.25%), and skin permeability, and compared LMTX gel with plain MTX gel and placebo for treating localized psoriasis in a double-blind study using albino mice. Gel formulations were applied daily, followed by irradiation with 80 joules from a 650-nm diode laser 3 times weekly for 12 weeks. Changes in disease signs and histopathological features were assessed. RESULTS: Drug release increased as laser energy increased following Higuchi's diffusion model and changed to zero order with energies > or = 80 J; significantly more MTX was released at all time intervals. Both LMTX and FMTX gels showed zero order kinetic release and antipsoriatic activity. During 8 months' follow-up, up to 60% of the patients treated with LMTX gel had no recurrence; this difference was statistically significant. No clinically significant changes were seen regarding blood or other laboratory variables. CONCLUSIONS: Application of an 80-J diode laser to 0.25% LMTX hydrogel was beneficial for relieving psoriasis and did not exert systemic toxicity.

Treatment of genital warts in males by pulsed dye laser.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser for the treatment of uncomplicated genital warts in adult males. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study set in the outpatient clinics of the Department of Andrology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, the Dermatology Clinic, Cairo University, and the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Suez Canal University. A total of 174 adult male patients with 550 uncomplicated anogenital warts were included. Selective photothermolysis and photocoagulation of the lesions with the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser was carried out. A pulsed dye laser (wavelength 585 nm, 450 s pulse duration; Cynosure, USA) was used with the following settings: spot size 5-7 mm; fluence 9-10 J/cm2. RESULTS: Complete resolution of treated warts was achieved in 96% of lesions. Side effects were limited, transient and infrequent. Lesion recurrence rate was 5%. CONCLUSION: The pulsed dye laser has been found to be safe, effective and satisfactory for the treatment of anogenital warts in males. It could be used to selectively destroy warts without damaging the surrounding skin.