Angioblastoma showing aggravation after treatment with long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm)

Effectiveness of Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment in Tufted Angioma: A Promising Intervention

Introduction

Tufted angioma (TA) is a rare benign vascular tumor usually occurring in the first year of life. It may present as reddish papules or purplish red to black plaques. Tender lesions commonly affect the neck, upper trunk, and shoulders. Histologic tufts of capillaries infiltrating the dermis in a "cannon ball" distribution pattern confirm the diagnosis. However, effective treatments for TA are scarce. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is an alternative therapy for TA, particularly concerning cosmetics and pain relief. This case report demonstrates the effectiveness of PDL as a treatment for TA.

Case

We report a 15-year-old girl with five-year history of painful purplish red plaques on her left cheek, neck, chest, left shoulder, and back. Histopathological examination from skin biopsy showed discrete "cannon ball" pattern in the dermis. Laboratory examination revealed normal platelet count and fibrinogen level. Based on these presentations, the diagnosis of TA without complications was made. We treated the lesion using 595-nm PDL with 6.5-10 J/cm2 fluence of, 1.5 ms pulsed duration, and 5-7 mm spot size every three weeks. Reductions in redness and pain were seen after four sessions of treatment.

Discussion

PDL promotes selective vascular damage with minimal injury to the surrounding skin. Capillary tufts in TA could therefore serve as a target for laser treatment, which may result in fading redness and pain reduction.

Conclusion

PDL is effective in reducing redness and pain in TA.

Angiofibroma of inferior turbinate as an unusual complication of CO2 laser turbinoplasty

Angiofibroma is a benign vascular tumor that usually occurs in the nasopharynx, and extranasopharyngeal angiofibromas are rarely reported. We report the first case of an angiofibroma arising from the inferior turbinate after CO2 laser turbinoplasty. Endoscopic excisional biopsy was performed, but the tumor recurred after 2 months of surgery. The mass was excised by endoscopic approach including surrounding normal mucosal tissue. Histologic examination suggested the diagnosis of angiofibroma. The patient was asymptomatic, and there was no evidence of recurrence after 1 year of the second surgery.

The role of optical radiations in skin cancer

Purpose. Electromagnetic radiation with wavelength in the range 100 nm to 1 mm is known as optical radiation and includes ultraviolet radiation, the visible spectrum, and infrared radiation. The deleterious short- and long-term biological effects of ultraviolet radiation, including melanoma and other skin cancers, are well recognized. Infrared radiation may also have damaging biological effects. Methods. The objective of this review was to assess the literature over the last 15 years and to summarize correlations between exposure to optical radiation and the risk of melanoma and other cancers. Results. There is a clear correlation between exposure to UV radiation and the development of skin cancer. Most importantly, a strong association between artificial UV radiation exposure, for example, tanning devices, and the risk of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma has been clearly demonstrated. There is no clear evidence that exposure to IR and laser radiation may increase the risk of skin cancer, although negative health effects have been observed. Conclusions. Preventative strategies that involve provision of public information highlighting the risks associated with exposure to sunlight remain important. In addition, precautionary measures that discourage exposure to tanning appliances are required, as is legislation to prevent their use during childhood.

Acquired tufted angioma of upper lip: case report and review of the literature

Acquired tufted angioma is a rare, cutaneous and slow growing benign vascular neoplasm that usually affects pediatric populations. Only six cases of oral mucosal acquired tufted angioma have been reported in the English language literature. We present in this report the seventh case and discuss its clinical and pathological features.