David Veitch1, Georgios Kravvas, Firas Al-Niaimi. 1. *Department of Dermatology, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom; †Department of Dermatologic Surgery and Laser Unit, St. John's Institute of Dermatology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Warts or verrucae vulgaris are common cutaneous infections with currently no definitive curative treatments available. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of warts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases. A search using {(Wart[s], verruca or condylomata)} AND [(Pulsed dye laser)] was used. Forty-four articles were identified as relevant to this review. RESULTS: Simple warts were very responsive to PDL, being treated successfully in over 95% of patients. Facial and anogenital warts also demonstrated excellent outcomes. Recalcitrant warts, displayed significant variability in their response, ranging between 50% and 100% across all articles. The response rates seen in peripheral warts (involving the hands and feet) were also very variable, ranging between 48% and 95%. Recurrence rates at 4 months of follow-up were documented as 0% to 15%. Complications have been described as very few and rare, the main ones being topical discomfort and erythema. CONCLUSION: Pulsed dye laser is a safe and effective modality in the treatment of warts that can be applied to most body parts. Cost and availability remain a limitation to the use of PDL; however, this modality can be used when other more traditional and accessible treatments have failed.
BACKGROUND: Warts or verrucae vulgaris are common cutaneous infections with currently no definitive curative treatments available. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of warts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases. A search using {(Wart[s], verruca or condylomata)} AND [(Pulsed dye laser)] was used. Forty-four articles were identified as relevant to this review. RESULTS: Simple warts were very responsive to PDL, being treated successfully in over 95% of patients. Facial and anogenital warts also demonstrated excellent outcomes. Recalcitrant warts, displayed significant variability in their response, ranging between 50% and 100% across all articles. The response rates seen in peripheral warts (involving the hands and feet) were also very variable, ranging between 48% and 95%. Recurrence rates at 4 months of follow-up were documented as 0% to 15%. Complications have been described as very few and rare, the main ones being topical discomfort and erythema. CONCLUSION: Pulsed dye laser is a safe and effective modality in the treatment of warts that can be applied to most body parts. Cost and availability remain a limitation to the use of PDL; however, this modality can be used when other more traditional and accessible treatments have failed.
Authors: Anh Ly Nguyen; Koen D Quint; Jan Nico Bouwes Bavinck; Angelina Erceg; Wim J A de Kort; John E M Körver Journal: Dermatol Ther Date: 2019-11-20 Impact factor: 2.851