CO2 laser treatment of trichoepithelioma with focused and defocused beam

A patient with multiple trichoepithelioma was treated with the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. The beam was utilized in a defocused mode for debulking and exposing the tumors. The focused mode was used for destruction of the dermal remnants of the tumors and in the sculpting of lesions to match the contour of the external ear. Examination of lesional tissue for the presence of estrogen or progesterone receptors revealed the absence of these receptors.