Pulsed dye laser treatment of recalcitrant verrucae: A preliminary report

Patients with recalcitrant warts on the fingers and hands, periungual, and other parts of the body including verrucae plana and plantar surfaces were treated using the pulsed dye laser at 585 nm, 450 usec, and a spotsize of 5 mm diameter. Of the 39 patients treated, 28 (72%) were cleared of their warts after an average of 1.68 treatments at fluences of 6.25–7.5 J/cm². Seven (18%) patients had a reduction of between 80–95% of their warts after 1.3 treatments, and verrucae reduced by 50% in four of the 39 patients after one treatment. The average follow-up period of the 28 cases cleared of their warts has been 5 months. Of this group, those with periungual warts have been followed for up to 6.4 months, compared to 4.8 months for those with warts on other parts of their body, 4.0 months for those with finger and hand warts, and 2.0 months for plantar warts. Only one of the 28 patients has had a recurrence after 3 months of clearance. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Giant Verruca Vulgaris

BACKGROUND: Common warts (verrucae vulgares) are hyperkeratotic papulonodules that are most often seen on the hands, arms, and legs, but they can be seen anywhere on the glabrous skin. Common warts represent the most frequent clinical lesions produced by the human papillomavirus (HPV). OBJECTIVE: Although they are diagnosed easily, giant, chronic, isolated, solitary, recalcitrant verruca vulgaris involving nail and nail bed on the digits can be misdiagnosed, and the differential diagnosis should be made carefully and verified by biopsies. METHOD: A 50-year-old male patient had a giant periungual verruca vulgaris on his left second finger. It was present for 2 years, was unresponsive to any treatment modality, and was treated by surgical excision. RESULTS: After 18 months of follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence, and both aesthetic and functional results were quite satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Lesions of long duration generally lose their characteristic histopathologic features, and HPV cannot be detected in these lesions by polymerase chain reaction. Therefore, multiple sections should be examined histopathologically, and extreme care should be taken in order to avoid misdiagnosis.     

A modified periungual approach for treatment of subungual glomus tumour.

Subungal glomus tumours are uncommon; the only treatment is complete surgical excision. Transungual approach is often preferred; however, secondary nail deformity may occur. Lateral periungual approach is used to avoid this complication, but this approach provides limited exposure and is used for peripheral lesion only. We describe a modified periungual approach which can be applied to central lesions. This approach can provide adequate exposure for complete excision of the subungual tumour while avoiding incision of the nail bed.     

Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment of Warts: An Update

BACKGROUND: Warts are a therapeutic challenge. New studies indicate that pulsed dye laser therapy may be effective, with clearance rates of 72 to 93%. OBJECTIVE: To determine clearance rate in pulsed dye laser treatment of warts and compare our rate to those of other published studies. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with 96 warts received pulsed dye laser treatment for recalcitrant plantar, digital, peri- and subungual, and body warts. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of patients had complete wart clearance; 45% partially cleared. Sixty-nine percent of those who cleared remained wart-free for an average of 11 months. Mean fluence was 9.4 J/cm2, with an average of 3.4 treatments. Body and palmar warts responded best, digital and peri- and subungual next, and plantar lesions worst. No significant side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Pulsed dye laser is an effective treatment option for recalcitrant warts with an excellent side effect profile. However, our response rates were not as high as those previously reported, and we feel that further studies would be useful.     

Avulsion and Partial Matricectomy with the Carbon Dioxide Laser for Pincer Nail Deformity

BACKGROUND: Pincer nail deformity is a common nail disorder that sometimes necessitates surgical intervention. A multitude of therapeutic modalities has been implemented to treat this condition. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of the carbon dioxide laser in the successful treatment of pincer nail deformity. METHODS: This is a case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 63-year-old man was evaluated and treated with the carbon dioxide laser for a persistent pincer nail deformity. The patient tolerated the procedure well and had an acceptable surgical outcome. CONCLUSION: Pincer nail deformity may be successfully treated with the carbon dioxide laser, especially when a partial matricectomy is performed.     

Use of CO2 Laser in the Treatment of Periungual Fibromas Associated With Tuberous Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis complex is an autosomal dominant disorder with variable clinical expression. In severe forms it may involve almost any organ system. Periungual fibromas are a common cutaneous manifestation and a frequent source of cosmetic and functional concern. Current treatment involves surgical excision of the lesions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate laser vaporization of periungual fibromas and to compare results to the standard surgical treatment. METHODS: A patient with tuberous sclerosis and recurrent periungual fibromas was treated with a continuous wave CO2 laser in sequential focused and defocused modes at 10-15 W. RESULTS: Laser treatment required approximately 10 seconds per lesion and produced no intraoperative bleeding. The wounds healed well with good cosmetic results. CONCLUSION: Though similar to conventional surgery in terms of cosmetic satisfaction, CO2 laser presents a viable alternative to surgery through significantly reduced treatment time and amount of bleeding.     

Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment is Effective in the Treatment of Recalcitrant Viral Warts

BACKGROUND Verrucae vulgaris can be removed in a variety of ways but a specific therapy of choice has not yet been developed. Doctors are faced with a challenge, especially in the treatment of recalcitrant warts. It has been suggested that the success of pulsed dye laser treatment lies in the fact that warts contain an increased number of dilated blood vessels.
METHODS Seventy-three patients (42 female, 31 male) with verrucae vulgaris on their hands or feet (1:1.5) were given a maximum of 12 treatments with a flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser every 2 weeks over a period of 24 weeks until complete clearance had been achieved. A laser energy density of 8 to 12 J/cm² with a spot size of 5 mm and a pulse duration of 450 μsec were used. The minimum follow-up period was 6 months.
RESULTS A total of 15.1% patients achieved complete clearance after 1 session and 47.9% after 2 to 5 sessions, resulting in a remission of 63.0% patients after a maximum of 5 treatment sessions. A remission of 23.3% patients was seen after 6 to 9 treatments and a total of 89.0% of patients showed remission after a maximum of 10 sessions. Only three patients (4.1%) failed and five patients (6.9%) stopped the treatment on account of pain/noncompliance. Only one patient, from a group of patients treated between January 2003 and April 2004, has relapsed.
CONCLUSION Pulsed dye laser treatment is effective and safe in the treatment of recalcitrant viral warts.     

Pulsed dye laser therapy for viral warts.

Twenty-eight patients with 103 recalcitrant and 20 simple viral warts were treated with the Cynosure PhotoGenica V pulsed dye laser at 585 nm, and fluencies of 6.0-9.0 J/cm(2). An eradication rate of 92% for recalcitrant warts after an average of 2.1 (range 1-7) treatments and 75% for simple warts after an average of 1.6 (range 1-2) treatments was achieved with a mean follow-up period of 7.2 (range 3-15) months. Mild hypopigmentation was noted in one patient and superficial infection in another. Unlike ablative treatment modalities, with pulsed dye laser therapy, no wound was created thus avoiding prolonged postoperative pain, disability and scarring. Treatment was well tolerated by patients, most of whom returned to work or normal activities immediately postoperatively. Pulsed dye laser is an effective treatment for both recalcitrant and simple warts. It is the treatment of choice for these lesions in cosmetically sensitive areas.     

Periungual fibroma

Two cases of periungual fibroma of the hand are described. Lesions caused by periungual fibroma place pressure on the nail matrix, which results in marked nail deformities. In both cases, the nail deformities were improved by excision of the fibroma.     

Pulsed dye laser and intralesional bleomycin for treatment of resistant viol hand warts

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Viral warts affect 7-10% of the population and are a major burden on time and resources of dermatology departments everywhere. Some warts prove resistant to multiple therapies, and this is particularly common in the immunosuppressed patient. Numerous treatments are available, but no one treatment has emerged as the treatment of choice. Bleomycin has been shown to be effective in treating warts, but administration can be difficult with risk of local complications. To demonstrate a new technique for easily and safely administrating bleomycin into warts, we undertook an open study to assess the practicality, efficacy, and tolerability of pulsed dye laser immediately followed by intralesional bleomycin in resistant viral hand warts. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten subjects, all with resistant viral hand warts of at least 3 years duration were recruited. Four subjects were on long-term immunosuppressant drugs. Eighteen warts treated in total. Area of the wart was anaesthetized with 1% lignocaine, then treated with a pulsed dye laser (7 mm spot, fluence 10 J/cm2). Immediately following this bleomycin (0.5 IU/ml) was injected into the base of the wart. Monthly follow-up and treatment until satisfactory clearance. RESULTS: Sixteen out of eighteen warts cleared (89%). Eight out of ten warts in the immunosuppressed subjects cleared. The remaining two warts responded partially to two treatments, but the patient was happy with the result and did not wish further treatment. All warts in the immunocompetent subjects cleared. No serious side effects were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The initial treatment of the wart with pulsed dye laser serves to "prepare" the wart for the bleomycin injection, which can then be given very easily. This ensures the drug is deposited into the base of the wart where it is most needed and minimises the risk of infiltration of normal skin or the operative environment. This method of combining pulsed dye laser and intralesional bleomycin appears to be a safe, rapid, well tolerated, and successful treatment for resistant hand warts. It has proven to be effective in warts in immunosuppressed patients and at difficult sites (e.g., subungual warts). These findings need confirmation from a larger controlled study.     

A Surgical Approach to Ingrown Nail: Partial Matricectomy Using CO2 Laser

BACKGROUND: Ingrown nail is a deformity characterized by a transverse overcurvature of the lateral nail plate that causes nail fold inflammation. Currently recommended surgical procedures vary considerably. OBJECTIVE: We report our experience with a modified partial matricectomy and nail edge excision with CO2 laser. METHODS: A total of 116 ingrown nail edges in 77 patients were treated with the procedure. RESULTS: The incidence of recurrence was 2 of 76 cases (2.6%). CONCLUSION: This new surgical approach was found to be effective and is presented as an alternative treatment technique.     

Treatment of Nevoid Hyperkeratosis of the Nipple and Areola Using a Radiofrequency Surgical Unit

BACKGROUND: Nevoid hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola (NHNA) is a rare condition of unknown etiology. Verrucous thickening and pigmentation of the nipple and areola are the main features of the condition. Different therapeutic options, both medical and surgical, have been described. OBJECTIVE: To use a radiofrequency surgical unit to treat an NHNA case, which was unresponsive to keratolytic therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lesions of the nipple and areolas were excised tangentially with a diamond-shaped electrode of a radiofrequency surgical unit under local anesthesia. RESULTS: The patient had a good cosmetic appearance after the treatment, and there was no recurrence at the ninth postoperative month. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency for tangential excision in the treatment of NHNA lesions that have not responded to medical therapy can be an alternative surgical method.     

A system for the surgical staging of musculoskeletal sarcoma. 1980

Historically, an adequate surgical procedure has been the most effective means of treating the majority of primary musculoskeletal sarcomas, and amputation has figured prominently in the surgical armamentarium. 4, 7, 9, 19, 21, 29, 41 The recent evidence that certain chemotherapeutic agents may have significant anti-sarcoma activity 2, 15, 17, 38 and coincident technical advances in irradiation therapy, radiographic localization, and reconstructive surgery have fostered enthusiastic interest in extremity-saving treatments. Almost all such treatments emphasize limb salvage as an alternative to amputation and are usually performed under a protective cloak of adjunctive chemotherapy, irradiation or immunoactive agents. 20, 23, 24, 30, 37, 39 Since neither chemotherapy nor irradiation therapy alone has been shown to assure long-term local control of bulk disease, surgical intervention remains an essential step in the overall management of musculoskeletal sarcomas. 3, 9, 17, 18, 29 Questions concerning the magnitude and timing of the surgical procedure are as unanswered as those relating to the most appropriate use of the adjuncts themselves. Increasingly, the surgeon and his patient are confronted with a bewildering array of therapeutic options, the long-term outcomes of which are unknown.These relatively rare sarcomas increasingly are distributed among a variety of treatment protocols in which multiple parameters differ. This trend necessitates interinstitutional cooperation if sufficient numbers of patients are to be available for the timely evaluation of treatments in clinical use.Such cooperation and even effective interinstitutional communication are seriously hampered by the lack of uniform language, so that meaningful comparison of treatments is currently impossible. Prime factors include the lack of a consistent definition of the surgery performed and a serviceable surgical staging system encompassing bone and soft tissue. Standard terminology will assure that like and unlike treatments are appropriately compared. Although an effective staging system should serve all members of the multidisciplinary team, the biologic behavior of musculoskeletal sarcomas suggests that the most useful staging system will articulate with the surgical procedure.     

Subungual glomus tumors of the hand: Treated by transungual excision

Background:Glomus tumors are benign hamartomas arising from the glomus body, mostly occurring in the subungual region of the digits. A triad of excruciating pain, localized tenderness and cold sensitivity is the key to diagnosing these tumors. Two surgical approaches are described in the literature for excision of subungual glomus tumors-transungual and periungual. We reviewed retrospectively the results of subungual glomus tumors of the hand treated by transungual excision.Results:All patients had complete pain relief. There was no new nail deformity and no recurrence till last followup. One patient had deformity of the nail preoperatively due to previous surgery, which persisted after excision of the tumor. All of them returned to their preoperative occupation and regained full function of the hand.Conclusions:The transungual approach provides good access to the entire lesion and facilitates complete excision. Contrary to reported literature, we did not find the development of any new nail deformity with this approach.     

Pulsed dye laser treatment of genital warts

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Genital warts represent benign epithelial proliferations induced by human papillomavirus. The goal of treatment is the clearance of visible warts. Different regimens are available. Flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (FPDL) represents one of many treatment options for the management of viral warts (verrucae vulgares), its effectiveness being comparable with that of conventional therapies. We evaluated the effectivity of FPDL light for the treatment of genital warts. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed to examine the efficacy of FPDL in untreated genital warts in which 22 patients were included. RESULTS: All patients showed complete remission after 1.59 (1-5) laser sessions and no scarring was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrate that FPDL is a simple and safe, cost and time saving alternative treatment option for genital warts and should be listed in genital warts treatment guidelines.     

Treatment of Anogenital Warts by Pulsed Dye Laser

BACKGROUND: Treatment of anogenital warts is difficult in that the disease spectrum is wide. Moreover, varying degrees of improvement are obtained. OBJECTIVE: To study the treatment of persistent anogenital warts by pulsed dye laser. METHODS: Pulsed dye laser was used with the following settings: spot size 7 mm, pulse duration 1500 microsec, and fluence 7.5 J/cm2. Two different wavelengths were used: 585 and 595 nm. RESULTS: Lesions healed completely using both wavelengths after one treatment. CONCLUSION: Pulsed dye laser has been found to be safe, effective, satisfactory, and less traumatic compared to other options for treatment of perianal warts in children.     

Development of Multiple Warts After Skin Resurfacing with CO2 Laser

BACKGROUND: Skin resurfacing with CO2 laser is a common surgical procedure to improve photodamaged skin. Many complications may occur after this procedure, however, common warts is relatively rare. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of multiple warts after CO2 laser resurfacing and discuss the complete involution of these lesions. METHODS: A 78-year-old woman with multiple warts after CO2 laser resurfacing is described. RESULTS: The patient developed multiple common warts on the face after resurfacing with CO2 laser. Retinoic acid was introduced and complete involution of the lesions was observed after 5 days with no scars. CONCLUSION: Although emphasis is placed on the hazards of the laser plume to the medical staff, one should be aware of this complication. We believe that the regression of the lesions was spontaneous rather than induced by the retinoic acid.     

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer

The limitations of surgical treatment for advanced esophageal cancer have been clarified, although esophagectomy with extended lymph node dissection has been widespread in Japan. Preoperative adjuvant therapy has been investigated in Western countries, and recently preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has been introduced for the treatment of resectable esophageal cancer. There are several reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CRT followed by surgery and surgery alone. According to the results of a meta-analysis, preoperative CRT is considered to be the standard therapy in Western countries. However, problems in the clinical heterogeneity of meta-analyses include: small number of patients in each RCT; differences in stage grouping; presence of both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma; various surgical techniques used; and differences in the amount of radiation administered. Preoperative CRT appears to be a promising method for the treatment of potentially resectable advanced esophageal cancer patients with nodal metastasis. Currently, phase I and II trials of new anticancer agents or molecular targeting agents are ongoing. However, since the surgical procedure in the Western method is still being debated, well-designed RCTs are necessary, especially in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The effectiveness of CRT followed by surgery should be clarified based on excellent Japanese surgical techniques.     

Partial Matricectomy with a CO2 Laser for Ingrown Toenail after Nail Matrix Staining

BACKGROUND: Ingrown toenail is a common nail disease that causes pain, discomfort, and difficulty in walking. It is treated with either conservative therapy or surgery. OBJECTIVE: To present a new surgical approach to ingrown toenail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 19 ingrown toenail borders of 14 toes in 14 patients (1 male and 13 females), the nail matrix was stained with methylene blue and then partial matricectomy was performed with a CO2 laser. RESULTS: There was no recurrence at 18 nail borders after a mean follow-up period of 13.4 months, whereas a spike grew at one border but caused no walking pain. No serious complications occurred. Cosmetic improvement was also satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Partial nail matricectomy with a CO2 laser after staining the nail matrix with methylene blue allows visual confirmation of the completeness of cauterization.     

Surgical intervention for congenital nail fold hypertrophy

Congenital nail fold hypertrophy of the hallux is an uncommon abnormality affecting the periungual soft tissue of the great toe. It is usually identified at birth or shortly thereafter, and is known to spontaneously resolve in most cases. In this report, we describe the case of a 14-month-old boy presenting with nail fold hypertrophy of both great toes. The completely united skin bridge covering the nail on the right was excised and the nail folds recreated, with debulking of the left hypertrophic nail fold. We propose that management should be conservative in the first instance and that surgery should be reserved for cases in which 1) inflammation is unresponsive to conservative measures, 2) there is a dense condensation of tissue crossing the nail surface, or 3) there is significant hypertrophy persisting past 1 year of age with no signs of resolution.