Ann Dermatol.  2009 Aug;21(3):255-260. 10.5021/ad.2009.21.3.255.

Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Therapy of Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules

• Lee WJ
• Han SS
• Chang SE
• Lee MW
• Choi JH
• Moon KC
• Koh JK

• KMID: 2266286
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2009.21.3.255

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules (ABNOM) is a dermal pigmented lesion common in individuals of Oriental origin. The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (QSNYL) has been used successfully to treat a variety of benign, dermal, pigmented lesions, including nevus of Ota lesions. The similarity between ABNOM and nevus of Ota suggested that QSNYL may also be effective in the former.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and side-effect profiles of QSNYL treatment of ABNOM in Korean patients.
METHODS
Of 42 Korean patients with ABNOM, 29 were treated with QSNYL (1,064 nm, 3 mm spot size, fluence 8~9.5 J/cm2), for up to 10 sessions each. Clinical photographs were taken before and after treatment. Lesion clearance was graded and complications such as hyperpigmentation, scarring, hypopigmentation, and erythema were assessed.
RESULTS
Of the 29 treated patients, 19 (66%) showed excellent or good results. Of the patients who were treated more than 3 times, 76% showed good to excellent results. Two patients experienced post-laser hyperpigmentation (PLH), which persisted for more than one month, but no patient experienced persistent erythema or hypertrophic scarring.
CONCLUSION
QSNYL is safe and effective in the treatment of ABNOM in Korean patients. Short-interval repetitive treatment is especially useful in improving therapeutic results and reducing PLH.

Keyword

Acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules; Q-switched Nd:YAG laser

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix
Cicatrix, Hypertrophic
Erythema
Humans
Hyperpigmentation
Hypopigmentation
Laser Therapy
Nevus
Nevus of Ota

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Color of lesions according to the age of patients. Lesions tended to become progressively bluer with age.

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  Fig. 2 (A) A 27-year-old female with ABNOM before treatment. (B) Improvement in ABNOM after three QSNYL treatments. Results were excellent, with a 75~100% reduction in color.

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  Fig. 3 (A) A 53-year-old female with ABNOM before treatment. (B) Improvement of ABNOM after five QSNYL treatments. Results were excellent, with a 75~100% reduction in color.

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  Fig. 4 Number of patients with transient PLH for each lesion color.

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  Fig. 5 Treatment-related worsening in a 34-year-old woman with early-stage brown macules. (A) Before treatment. (B) Worsening of ABNOM after one QSNYL treatment.

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