Excess tissue friability during CO2 laser vaporization of nodular amyloidosis

BACKGROUND. Nodular amyloidosis is a rare cutaneous disorder for which many treatments have been described, including carbon dioxide (CO2) laser vapor ization. OEJECTIVE. We describe the intraoperative tissue effects encountered during successful treatment of nodular amyloidosis with CO2 laser surgery. METHODS. Two nodules of cutancous amyloid on the nose of a patient wee vapo rized With a defocused, continuous-wave CO2 laser. RESULTS. The tissue was found to be highly Giable and hemostasis was difficult to achieve during th e surgery. These clinical observations were correlated with amyloid infiltr ation of the dermis and blood vessels on preoperative histologic examinatio n. CONCLUSION. CO2 laser vaporization of nodular amyloidosis may be associated with prominent tissue friability and poor hemostasis.