BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cutaneous brown discolorations in the area of injection can be a cosmetically bothersome side effect from a parenteral iron treatment, and have not responded to an effective therapy until now. STUDY DESIGN/PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report retrospectively on five patients who were treated with the Q-switched ruby and/or Nd:YAG laser for circumscripted siderosis after intramuscular or intravenous iron injection. RESULTS: The number of required laser treatments was between 3 and 16. The clinical improvement after the first 2-4 sessions was the most impressive, especially after the application of the Nd:YAG laser. Hypopigmentation and scars did not develop. In one case hyperpigmentation appeared. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there is an effective method of clearing persistent brown discolorations with few side effects after parenteral iron therapy, using Q-switched laser technology. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cutaneous brown discolorations in the area of injection can be a cosmetically bothersome side effect from a parenteral iron treatment, and have not responded to an effective therapy until now. STUDY DESIGN/PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report retrospectively on five patients who were treated with the Q-switched ruby and/or Nd:YAG laser for circumscripted siderosis after intramuscular or intravenous iron injection. RESULTS: The number of required laser treatments was between 3 and 16. The clinical improvement after the first 2-4 sessions was the most impressive, especially after the application of the Nd:YAG laser. Hypopigmentation and scars did not develop. In one case hyperpigmentation appeared. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there is an effective method of clearing persistent brown discolorations with few side effects after parenteral iron therapy, using Q-switched laser technology. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.