Treatment of venous malformations with an intense pulsed light source (IPLS) technology: A retrospective study

Background and Objective: The intense pulsed light source (IPLS) technology provides an innovative concept in the treatment of vascular lesions. We in vestigated the effectiveness of IPLS in the treatment of venous malformatio ns. Study Design/Materials and Methods A retrospective study of 11 patients wit h venous malformations (VMA) treated with IPLS was initiated. Clinical VMA characteristics recorded were size and location. Data collected included tr eatment parameters (filters, pulse duration, fluence, and pulse sequencing) , % clearance, and side effects (e.g., swelling, blisters, crusting, pain, altered pigmentation, and scarring). Results: Good and very good (70-100%) clearance was achieved in 8 malformat ions smaller than 100 cm(2). Especially small lesions needed only 2-3 treat ments. Three VMA larger than 100 cm(2) could be cleared well in an average of 18 sessions. The most frequently used parameters were the 590 nm filter in long pulse mode, triple pulses, and fluences at an average of 80.4 J/cm( 2). Side effects included prolonged erythema in 23.6, swelling in 17.9%, cr usting in 4.7%. Bleeding, hypo-, hyperpigmentation, and scarring were rare (0.9% respectively). Conclusion: IPLS presents an effective method for treating VM especially sm all malformations, with a justifiable rate of side effects when optimal par ameters are chosen. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.