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Treatment of nodular facial angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis, using ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser
Author(s) -
Biondo G.,
Greco S.,
Mavilia L.,
Mercuri S. R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
clinical and experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1365-2230
pISSN - 0307-6938
DOI - 10.1111/ced.12327
Subject(s) - tuberous sclerosis , carbon dioxide laser , medicine , disfigurement , dermatology , surgery , pathology , laser , laser surgery , physics , optics
Summary Tuberous sclerosis ( TS ) is a genodermatosis characterized by facial angiofibromas ( FA s). These tumours cause aesthetic disfigurement and obstruction of vision, and haemorrhage when traumatized, which can lead to emotional distress and relationship difficulties. We report the case of a 35‐year‐old patient with extensive TS ‐associated FA s that were treated with an ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser ( UPCDL ). UPCDL laser seems to be a easy, useful and convenient tool for the treatment of nodular FA s, which provides good aesthetic results, and a positive response from patients, who report high levels of satisfaction with the results. Minimal recurrence of the tumours occurred during long‐term follow‐up, and these were successfully treated with UPCDL . It is not yet possible to correct the genetic alterations underlying TS , but UPCDL treatment is a convenient tool to improve the facial appearance of patients with severe FA s.