Ann Dermatol.  2017 Jun;29(3):331-333. 10.5021/ad.2017.29.3.331.

Intense Pulsed Light and Q-Switched 1,064-nm Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser Treatment for the Scarring Lesion of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Dermatology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hyeonekim@gmail.com
  • 2Department of Dermatology, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.

Abstract

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic form of cutaneous lupus that can cause permanent scarring. Treatment of DLE includes protection from sunlight and artificial sources of ultraviolet light, as well as systemic and topical medications. The first-line standard therapies are antimalarials and topical steroids. Other systemic therapies include systemic steroid, azathioprine, dapsone, and immunosuppressive agents. Topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have also been evaluated. Recent studies reported that several treatments, including pulsed dye laser, COâ‚‚ laser, intense pulsed light (IPL), and 1,064-nm long-pulse neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum (Nd:YAG) have been used for the cosmetic treatment of DLE. Here, we report a case of a DLE scar that was successfully treated with a combination therapy of IPL and Q-switched 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser.

Keyword

Intense pulsed light therapy; Lupus erythematosus; discoid; Q-switched 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser

MeSH Terms

Aluminum*
Antimalarials
Azathioprine
Cicatrix*
Dapsone
Immunosuppressive Agents
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
Lasers, Dye
Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid*
Steroids
Sunlight
Tacrolimus
Ultraviolet Rays
Yttrium*
Aluminum
Antimalarials
Azathioprine
Dapsone
Immunosuppressive Agents
Steroids
Tacrolimus
Yttrium

Figure

  • Fig. 1 The epidermis shows vacuolar basal cell degeneration, and the perivascular inflammatory cells infiltrate the upper dermis (H&E, ×40).

  • Fig. 2 (A) Before treatment. Sharply demarcated erythematous and hyperpigmented, indurated plaques and atrophic scars on the cheek. (B) After only intense pulsed light treatment. It resolved the erythematous lesions but not the hyperpigmentation.

  • Fig. 3 After the third session of combined treatment of intense pulsed light and Q-switched 1,064-nm Nd:YAG treatment. The skin lesion showed marked improvement.


Reference

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