Flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser treatment for pyogenic granuloma

Pyogenic granuloma is a frequently diagnosed, benign vascular lesion common in children and young adults. Treatment of pyogenic granuloma consists of removal of the lesion for therapeutic as well as diagnostic purposes. Current treatment modalities include curettage with electrodesiccation, cryosurgery, chemical cauterization, and argon laser therapy. However, these methods are not without the risk of complications such as scarring and pigmentary changes. The recently reported success of the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser for treating telangiectasias, hemangiomas, and port-wine stains led us to hypothesize that this same device, using different variables, such as multiple overlapping pulses, would be of benefit in the treatment of pyogenic granuloma. We describe three patients with pyogenic granuloma treated with the pulsed dye laser, with the total number of treatments and energy densities varying according to the size of the initial lesion. All three patients demonstrated complete resolution of lesions with no evidence of scarring, atrophy, or pigment changes. This preliminary report suggests that pulsed laser therapy should be considered in the treatment of pyogenic granuloma, especially in cosmetically sensitive areas.