Pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy for noninvasive treatment of a massive hemangioma: case report

OBJECTIVE: The author determined whether cutaneous Nd:YAG laser therapy is a viable treatment option for a massive hemangioma located in the musculus soleus muscle of a patient's left leg. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Giant hemangiomas generally require aggressive medical or surgical therapy to address complications. Because of the size of the lesions, there are risks inherent with conventional treatment options. In selected patients, Nd:YAG laser therapy is a noninvasive approach to treating large, subcutaneous hemangiomas. METHODS: A 59-year-old female patient, who was diagnosed with a large, venous-type hemangioma in the musculus soleus muscle of the left leg, was treated during two treatment sessions with Nd:YAG laser therapy. A Plexiglas ring was placed on the leg, over the hemangioma, to force the hemangioma closer to the surface and laser irradiation was applied to the skin. RESULTS: At 6-month follow-up after the second treatment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated 75%-80% reduction in lesion size. There were no permanent adverse effects encountered with the treatment method. CONCLUSIONS: The author concludes that in carefully selected cases Nd:YAG laser therapy can be used to treat large hemangiomas whose size poses risks with surgical and other treatments.