ND-YAG LASER HYPERTHERMIA IN THE TREATMENT OF RECALCITRANT VERRUCAE VULGARES (REGENSBURGS TECHNIQUE)

Heat therapy of cutaneous diseases has been used for decades. During t he last years several kinds of energy sources, including electromagnet ic energy from radiofrequency, microwaves and sonic energy from ultras ound, have been used to produce local hyperthermia. The general princi ple of this treatment is based on the fact that disease tissue which i s being treated is more sensitive to the effects of elevated temperatu re than normal tissue and thus less able to recover after heat exposur e. me report the case of a 54-year-old female patient with recalcitran t verrucae vulgares on the little finger of her right hand and on her left sole, who was treated with Nd:YAG laser hyperthermia. Laser energ y was applied twice with an interval of 6 weeks. Laser output power wa s 10 W, spot size 8 mm and irradiation time up to 20 s. By this techni que it was possible to receive a surface temperature of about 40 degre es C for 30 s. After hyperthermia no skin changes like whitish discolo ration, blistering or crusting were observed. After the patient had co mpleted the second course a total remission took place. No recurrence was seen in a follow-up period of 3 months. This method could be used in the treatment of recalcitrant warts on the fingers and hands, periu nglal and other parts of the body including plantar surfaces.