Case of acne conglobata successfully treated by CO2 laser combined with topical tretinoin therapy

Case of acne conglobata successfully treated by CO2 laser combined with topical tretinoin therapy
August 2007
To cite this article: Toshio HASEGAWA, Tomoyuki MATSUKURA, Yasushi SUGA, Shigenori MURAMATSU, Yuki MIZUNO, Hitoshi TSUCHIHASHI, Kunitaka HARUNA, Hideoki OGAWA, Shigaku IKEDA (2007)
Case of acne conglobata successfully treated by CO2 laser combined with topical tretinoin therapy
The Journal of Dermatology 34 (8), 583Ò585.
doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.2007.00337.x
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Toshio HASEGAWA 11Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, , Tomoyuki MATSUKURA 22Matsukura Clinic and Medical Spa, Tokyo, Japan, Yasushi SUGA 11Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, , Shigenori MURAMATSU 11Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, , Yuki MIZUNO 11Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, , Hitoshi TSUCHIHASHI 11Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, , Kunitaka HARUNA 11Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, , Hideoki OGAWA 11Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, , Shigaku IKEDA 11Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine,

Correspondence: Toshio Hasegawa, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan. Email: t-hase@med.juntendo.ac.jp
Key words: acne conglobata, CO2 laser, tretinoin.

ABSTRACT

Acne conglobata is an uncommon disorder characterized by the presence of nodulocystic lesions. Conservative therapy with oral and topical antibiotics is of limited efficacy in many cases, and surgical excision is often needed for removal of the cystic lesions. Treatment is particularly difficult in cases with lesions located in aesthetically sensitive areas, such as the face. We successfully treated a case of acne conglobata by CO2 laser ablation to remove the top of the sinuses and their tracts. In addition, topical tretinoin therapy was also initiated simultaneously to prevent the appearance of new acne lesions. Based on the results, we propose that the use of CO2 laser for opening the cysts, combined with topical tretinoin therapy to prevent the appearance of new lesions, is a powerful treatment option for acne conglobata.

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