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Patricia Lee Yun, MD; Kenneth A. Arndt, MD; R. Rox Anderson, MD
From the Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston (Drs Yun and Anderson), Skin Care Physicians of Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, Mass (Dr Arndt).

Arch Dermatol. 2002;138:1012-1014.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

REPORT OF A CASE

A 70-year-old woman presented for elective treatment of lentigines on her face. This was her first treatment with any laser. She was treated with a Q-switched alexandrite laser (755 nm, 50 nanoseconds, 3.5 J/cm², 15 pulses of 4-mm spot diameter; Candela, Wayland, Mass), causing what appeared to be usual purpura immediately following laser exposure of 8 tan macules. Several weeks later, blue-black discoloration was present, and was attributed to postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, but failed to lighten over the next 4 months.

Her medical history was significant for rheumatoid arthritis, treated with methotrexate and prednisone. Further questioning revealed that she had received a 3-year course of oral gold therapy 20 years prior. The total dosage taken could not be determined.

Four months following Q-switched alexandrite laser therapy, her examination revealed 8 blue macules without texture changes located at the . . . [Full Text of this Article]

THERAPEUTIC CHALLENGE

SOLUTION

SPECTRAL ANALYSIS

TREATMENT

COMMENT