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Possible hazards of cryogen use with pulsed dye laser. A case report and summary
J M White1, E Siegfried, M Boulden
1School of Medicine, St. Louis University Health Sciences Center, Missouri, USA.
Background:
Pulsed dye laser treatment of port-wine stains is safe and effective. However, the pain associated with this treatment is often difficult to tolerate, especially for children. A laser-coupled delivery system known as dynamic epidermal cooling has recently been developed to improve local anesthesia.
Objective:
To report laser ignition of a commercially-available, hand-held cryogen spray used for local anesthesia, and describe possible mechanisms of the fire; to define the chemical characteristics of other skin coolants suitable and unsuitable for skin cooling with laser treatment.
Methods:
Case report and literature review.
Conclusions:
Clinicians must be aware of the thermodynamic properties, potential for skin damage, cost and environmental consequences of commercially available cryogens before considering their use for topical anesthesia with laser surgery.