Recent progress in the treatment of portwine staining by argon laser: some observations on the prognostic value of relative spectro-reflectance (RSR) and the histological classification of the lesions.

Over a period of more than three years 1264 patients with a portwine stain have been treated by argon laser. This form of therapy is more effective and worthwhile than the other procedures we have used in the past. The histological classification of the various types of portwine stain and the measurements of Spectro-reflectance (RSR) obtained by the spectrophotometric colour difference meter (Murakami) provide valuable and reliable prognostic criteria for this form of treatment.