Topical photodynamic therapy for nevus sebaceous on the face

Recently, topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been tried to treat sebaceous gland disorders. However, only one case of nevus sebaceous treated with PDT has been reported. Our aim was to investigate the outcomes of PDT on nevus sebaceus on the face. A total of 12 patients were treated with topical 20% ALA or methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) after CO(2) laser ablasion. The lesions were irradiated with light emitting diodes (LED) device. The regimen was delivered repeatedly at 1 to 4 week intervals to each patient. Clinical improvement was visually assessed at 1 month after treatment by the lesional responses; No response was defined as less than 25%, mild improvement as 25-50%, moderate improvement as 51-75% and marked improvement as more than 75% decrease of lesional volume. All 12 patients showed mild (3 patients, 25%), moderate (7 patients, 58%), and marked (2 patients, 17%) improvement of the lesions. However, 2 patients showed partial recurrences after completion of treatment. There was no significant side effect.These results suggest that topical PDT may be considered as an effective alternative treatment modality of nevus sebaceous on the face.