Topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid followed by 595-nm pulsed dye laser irradiation for the treatment of recalcitrant port-wine stains: a primary study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) followed by pulsed dye laser (PDL) irradiation for the treatment of recalcitrant port-wine stain (PWS).
METHODS: Thirty-five patients (19 females and 16 males) with recalcitrant PWS were treated with topical application of 20% ALA and then irradiated with a 595-nm PDL (energy density of 6.5-9.0 J/cm(2) and pulse duration of 6 or 10 ms) at 6-8 weeks intervals. Clinical improvement of lesions was evaluated by comparing photographs of lesions at baseline and 2 months after the last treatment.
RESULTS: Topical ALA spreading followed by irradiation with a 595-nm PDL improved PWS in 21 out of 35 patients who were previously recalcitrant to PDL treatment alone. Side effects were limited to transient erythema, vesicle formation, edema and mild purpura with no obvious subsequent scarring or undesirable pigment changes.
CONCLUSION: The topical application of ALA followed by irradiation with a 595-nm PDL is an effective and safe treatment for PWS recalcitrant to PDL therapy alone.