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ABSTRACT: The objective was to study the effectiveness of the 308-nm excimer laser for the treatment of various forms of localized stable psoriasis.
Recent reports show that 308-nm excimer laser may be an effective and safe method for the treatment of localized stable psoriasis. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of a population-based group of 98 patients with various forms of localized stable psoriasis treated with excimer laser. Of these, 41 were male, and 57 were female patients. Ages ranged from 10 to 84 years (mean, 51.4 years). Patients who completed at least 10 sessions were included unless they had achieved >70% improvement in PASI scores before 10 treatments. The initial dose was determined by the MED (minimal erythema dose), and the dose was raised gradually in a stepwise fashion.
Significant improvement (≥70%) was achieved by 59 (60.2%) patients; they needed an average cumulative dose of 6.46 J/cm(2), and an average of 17 sessions. Twenty-four (24.5%) patients achieved good improvement (50% to 70%); the average cumulative dose needed was 5.36 J/cm(2), and the average number of sessions required was 12. Side effects were limited to sunburn-like reaction.
The 308-nm excimer laser is an effective and safe modality for the treatment of psoriasis, with good results achieved in a relatively short time.
Photomedicine and laser surgery 10/2010; 28(5):693-5. · 1.76 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Recent reports show that 308-nm excimer laser may be an effective and safe method for the treatment of vitiligo, which is usually resistant to other available treatment methods.
The objective was to study the effectiveness of the new 308-nm excimer laser for the treatment of vitiligo.
A retrospective chart review of thirty-two patients with 55 spots of vitiligo were enrolled; a population-based sample was studied that included men and women, adults and children, with different ethnic backgrounds. The treatment was started with the lowest dose, which is 100 mJ/cm(2) (comparable to one minimal erythema dose value and one multiplier). Depending on Fitzpatrick skin type, the dose was raised gradually in a stepwise fashion. In skin types I to II, the same does was repeated twice before going up to avoid burns. Patients were treated for 30 sessions, or 75% repigmentation, whichever comes first.
Overall 55 spots were treated: 29 (52.8%) had 75% pigmentation or greater, and 35 (63.7%) had 50% pigmentation or greater. The best results were on the face: of the 21 spots treated 15 (71.5%) had 75% pigmentation, and 16 (76.2%) had 50% pigmentation or greater. Other areas (neck, extremities, trunk, and genitals) had moderate response in comparison to the face. The least response was on the hands and feet; of the 5 spots treated only 20% showed 50% pigmentation or more.
Slightly more than 50% of the patients tested showed 75% or more pigmentation of their lesions, after 30 treatments or less; most of the responders had Fitzpatrick skin type III and above. All the untreated patches (controls) remained unchanged. This demonstrates that the 308-nm excimer laser is an effective method of treatment for vitiligo.
Dermatologic Surgery 08/2004; 30(7):983-6. · 1.80 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The excimer lasers are a group of lasers that have found wide application in a variety of medical fields including dermatology, cardiology, ophthalmology, and orthopedics. The word excimer refers to excited dimer. These lasers operate in the ultraviolet range, and examples include the 193 nm argon-fluroide, 248 nm krypton-fluoride, 351 nm xenon-fluoride, and of particular interest to dermatology, the 308 nm xenon-chloride. These lasers utilize a mixture of a noble gas and a halogen as a lasing material. They were first used in medicine for their ability to produce cold tissue ablation, but more recently have been used in dermatology as a method of non-ablative phototherapy.
Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD 3(5):522-5. · 1.57 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Patch testing is an important diagnostic tool commonly used to identify allergens responsible for allergic contact dermatitis, especially in cases where the diagnosis is not clearly apparent. The authors report the patch test results from 2004-2008 and compare the results with the North American Contact Dermatitis Group and Mayo Clinic. Four hundred thirty-four patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis underwent standardized patch testing with a tray consisting of 50 allergens at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Two hundred ninety patients (66.8%) had positive reactions to at least one allergen. The most frequent contact allergens included nickel sulfate (13%), fragrance mix (9.6%), propylene glycol (7.8%), neomycin sulfate (6.6%), thimerosal (6.4%), bacitracin (6.2%), and sodium gold thiosulfate (5.8%).
SKINmed 8(5):257-60.
