Port-Wine Stain Nodules in the Adult: Report of 20 Cases Treated by CO2 Laser

Port-Wine Stain Nodules in the Adult: Report of 20 Cases Treated by CO2 Laser
Issue online:
20 Dec 2001
To cite this article: Jes?s del Pozo MD, Eduardo Fonseca MD (2001)
Port-Wine Stain Nodules in the Adult: Report of 20 Cases Treated by CO2 Laser Vaporization
Dermatologic Surgery 27 (8), 699Ò702.
doi:10.1046/j.1524-4725.2001.00219.x
Blackwell Synergy

Jes?s del Pozo, MD and Eduardo Fonseca, MDDepartment of Dermatology, Hospital Juan Canalejo, La Coru“a, Spain
J. del Pozo, MD and E. Fonseca, MD have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Jes?s del Pozo, MD, Servicio de DermatologÃa, Hospital Juan Canalejo, Xubias de Arriba 84, 15006 La Coru“a, Spain, or e-mail: der@canalejo.org.

Abstract
Background. Port-wine stain (PWS) is a congenital vascular malformation of the superficial dermal vessels. These vessels become progressively ectatic, with development of nodular and hypertrophic areas on the surface of the lesions.

Objective. To determine the efficacy of CO2 laser vaporization in the treatment of nodules in PWS.

Methods. Twenty adult patients with PWS who developed nodules and hypertrophy on the surface of the lesions were treated by CO2 laser vaporization. Only one pass was performed to each area of the lesions, using a continuous and defocused mode, with a power density of 10 W/cm2. When the treated lesion was very large, several sessions of treatment were necessary to vaporize its entire surface. Photographic controls were performed before and after treatment.

Results. The nodules and hypertrophy were removed and the smooth surface of the lesions was reestablished. The color, usually violaceous, was transformed in a slight erythema.

Conclusion. CO2 laser is a good method for treatment of nodules and hypertrophy in PWS. With adequate precautions, excellent cosmetic results can be obtained. Other more-specific laser systems may be successively used to treat the remaining erythema.

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