Unilateral nevoid telangiectasia--response to pulsed dye laser

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Vascular Lesions
• Laser Therapy

Background:

• Unilateral nevoid telangiectasia (UNT) is a rare vascular disorder with unknown causes.
• The efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) for UNT, particularly in darker skin types, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of flash-lamp pulsed dye laser (PDL) for treating unilateral nevoid telangiectasia (UNT) in Indian patients.
• To assess the safety and side effects of PDL treatment for UNT.

Main Methods:

• Nine confirmed cases of UNT were analyzed for potential etiologic associations.
• Six patients with UNT were treated with PDL (585 nm, 7 mm spot size, 5–7.5 J/cm², 450 µs pulse duration) with cryogen cooling.
• Treatment sessions were repeated every 4–6 weeks, with clinical and photographic assessments.

Main Results:

• The mean age of presentation was 20.6 years, with lesions predominantly on the head, neck, and upper limbs.
• All six treated patients showed moderate to excellent lightening (26–>75%) after an average of 2.33 to 3.66 sessions.
• Mild, reversible pigmentary alterations occurred in five cases; one patient had mild textural changes. No scarring or recurrence was noted.

Conclusions:

• Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is a beneficial treatment for unilateral nevoid telangiectasia (UNT) in the Indian population.
• Reversible pigmentary changes are the primary adverse effects associated with PDL treatment for UNT.