Nymann P, Hedelund L, Haedersdal M, et al.
The British journal of dermatology. Date of publication 2009 Jun 1;volume 160(6):1237-41.
1. Br J Dermatol. 2009 Jun;160(6):1237-41. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09104.x.
Epub 2009 Mar 20.
Intense pulsed light vs. long-pulsed dye laser treatment of telangiectasia after
radiotherapy for breast cancer: a randomized split-lesion trial of two different
treatments.
Nymann P(1), Hedelund L, Haedersdal M.
Author information:
(1)Department of Dermatology D, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen,
Denmark. nymann@dadlnet.dk
BACKGROUND: Chronic radiodermatitis is a common sequela of treatment for breast
cancer and potentially a psychologically distressing factor for the affected
women.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of treatments with a
long-pulsed dye laser (LPDL) vs. intense pulsed light (IPL) in a randomized
split-lesion trial.
METHODS: Thirteen female volunteers with radiodermatitis and Fitzpatrick skin
types II-III were included in the study. Subjects received a series of three
treatments at 6-week intervals with half-lesion LPDL (V-beam Perfecta, 595 nm)
and half-lesion IPL (Ellipse Flex); the interventions were randomly assigned to
left/right or upper/lower halves. Primary end-points were reduction in
telangiectasia, patient satisfaction and preferred treatment. Secondary
end-points were pain and adverse effects. Efficacy was registered by blinded
photographic evaluations 3 months after the final treatment.
RESULTS: Eleven patients completed the study. Telangiectasia cleared with both
treatments but the efficacy of LPDL was superior. Blinded photographic
evaluations showed median vessel clearances of 90% (LPDL) and 50% (IPL) (P =
0.01). LPDL treatments were associated with lower pain scores than IPL treatments
[median visual analogue scale (VAS) score 4.3 and 6.0, respectively, P < 0.01].
Patients were slightly more satisfied with LPDL (median VAS score 8) than IPL
treatments (median VAS score 7; P < 0.05) and more preferred LPDL (n = 9) to IPL
(n = 2) (P < 0.01). Two patients withdrew from the study because of
hypopigmentation of the IPL treated areas, which slowly repigmented within 1
year.
CONCLUSIONS: This study was based on two specific laser and IPL devices, and
found the LPDL treatment to be advantageous compared with IPL due to superior
vessel clearance and less pain.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09104.x
PMID: 19309367 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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