Therapeutic Effects of High Fluence Pulsed Dye Laser for Periungual Warts

Jung, Kyoung Eun; Park, Byung Cheol; Cinn, Yong Woo; Kim, Myung Hwa

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Viral warts are benign epithelial proliferations induced by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and they affect 7~10% of the population. Some warts such as periungual warts are resistant to various treatment modalities, including cryotherapy, surgical excision, carbon dioxide laser therapy and immune therapy. Thus, some studies have reported that pulsed dye laser has been effectively used for treating recalcitrant warts.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic response and safety of pulsed dye laser using high fluence for the treatment of periungual warts.
METHODS
66 periungual warts on 28 patients were treated with pulsed dye laser. The treatment parameters were a spot size of 5.0 mm, a pulse duration of 0.45~1.5 ms and a fluence of 14.0~15.0 J/cm2. The warts were evaluated at 2~3 week intervals to assess the clearance rate and side effects.
RESULTS
Complete clearance was achieved for 47 out of 66 periungual warts (71.2%). The average number of treatment sessions was 2 (range: 1~6). After the first session, complete clearance was achieved for 24 out of 66 warts (36.4%). No significant side effects were observed except for pain during and after the procedure. During a median follow up period of 7 months (range: 3~15 months), 10 periungual warts on 3 patients recurred.
CONCLUSION
Pulsed dye laser using high fluence could be used as a safe and successful treatment for recalcitrant periungual warts.