NEVUS OF OTA - TREATMENT WITH HIGH-ENERGY FLUENCES OF THE Q-SWITCHED RUBY-LASER

Background: The nevus of Ota is a benign dermal melanocytic lesion tha t has previously proved difficult to treat. Recently, the Q-switched r uby laser has been reported to be successful in treating benign pigmen ted lesions and tattoos.Objective. Our study evaluates the treatment o f 16 patients with nevus of Ota with the Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm ). Methods: Sixteen patients with nevus of Ota were treated with the Q -switched ruby laser with a pulse width of 28 nsec and energy fluences ranging from 7.5 to 10 J/cm2. Response to treatment was assessed by a n independent investigator with photographs. Results: The average numb er of treatments was 3.8 per patient. After two treatments, 44% of pat ients showed a 50% or greater improvement. After three treatments, 85% of patients showed a 50% or greater improvement; after four treatment s, 100% of patients showed 50% or greater improvement. No patients had permanent textural changes or scarring. Conclusion: High-energy fluen ces of the Q-switched ruby laser lead to significant improvement witho ut scarring of nevus of Ota after a few treatments.