Treatment of Small and Medium Congenital Nevi With the Q-Switched Ruby Laser
Heidi A. Waldorf, MD;
Arielle N. B. Kauvar, MD;
Roy G. Geronemus, MD
Arch Dermatol. 1996;132(3):301-304.
Abstract
| |
Background
The Q-switched ruby laser has been used successfully to treat a variety of benign pigmented lesions. In this study, congenital nevi (diameter,  5 cm) in 18 prepubertal children were treated with the Q-switched ruby laser.
Observations
Photographic evaluation revealed an average of 57% clearance of pigmentation in all treated nevi by the fourth treatment session and an average maximum clearance of 76% after approximately eight sessions. Greater than 90% clearance of pigment was attained in five patients. Partial repigmentation was seen in all patients who were followed up after discontinuation of therapy. Findings from histopathologic studies, obtained from one patient, revealed a reduction of nevus cells in the papillary dermis and upper reticular dermis that correlated with clinical lightening. There was no such reduction in the lower reticular dermis. Side effects were limited to transient erythema and hypopigmentation.
Conclusions
The Q-switched ruby laser effectively lightens and may clear pigmentation and eliminate superficial nevus cells from small and medium congenital nevi safely without scarring. However, these results are not permanent. The Q-switched ruby laser may be a viable alternative for providing cosmetic improvement for unresectable lesions, but it should not be considered definitive treatment. Additional studies are needed to address the long-term results of this therapy.
(Arch Dermatol. 1996;132:301-304)
Author Affiliations
From the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York (NY). Dr Waldorf was a Mohs, laser, and dermatologic surgery fellow of the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York at the time the work was done for the manuscript.
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Laser Treatment of Pigmented Lesions-2000: How Far Have We Gone?
Stratigos et al.
Arch Dermatol 2000;136:915-921.
FULL TEXT
Long- and Short-term Histological Observations of Congenital Nevi Treated With the Normal-Mode Ruby Laser
Imayama and Ueda
Arch Dermatol 1999;135:1211-1218.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Treatment of Benign and Atypical Nevi With the Normal-Mode Ruby Laser and the Q-Switched Ruby Laser: Clinical Improvement but Failure to Completely Eliminate Nevomelanocytes
Duke et al.
Arch Dermatol 1999;135:290-296.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Clinical and Histological Responses of Congenital Melanocytic Nevi After Single Treatment With Q-Switched Lasers
Grevelink et al.
Arch Dermatol 1997;133:349-353.
ABSTRACT
Normal-Mode Ruby Laser for Treating Congenital Nevi
Ueda and Imayama
Arch Dermatol 1997;133:355-359.
ABSTRACT
Congenital Nevi Recur after Q-Switched Ruby Laser Treatment
Journal Watch Dermatology 1996;1996:2-2.
FULL TEXT
|
