DIGITAL CALCIFICATION IN SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS - EFFECTIVE TREATMENT WITH GOOD TISSUE PRESERVATION USING THE CARBON-DIOXIDE LASER

Tissue calcification of the fingers associated with limited systemic s clerosis is a common problem and is the source of considerable morbidi ty as it may be extremely tender and cause considerable functional dis ability. The current treatment of digital calcification is unsatisfact ory. We evaluated the use of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser in the man agement of this condition in six patients with the limited form of sys temic sclerosis. A total of 21 areas of symptomatic digital calcificat ion of the fingers were treated, Complete resolution of symptoms occur red in 12, moderate response with partial improvement was seen in five , little improvement was observed in two, and recurrence of calcinosis was found in two, The patient's average healing time was 6 weeks (ran ge 4-10). The median duration of follow-up was 20 months (range 12-40) . Postoperative infection was seen in two patients, and resolved compl etely in both with the use of topical and oral antibiotics. We found t he CO2 laser a simple and effective treatment for most of the symptoma tic lesions of digital calcification, and it may obviate the need for deforming surgery in many cases.