Cutaneous lupus erythematosus following argon laser treatment

Background, it is well known that exposure to ultraviolet light can trigger lupus manifestations, Other light sources may have the same effect. We rep ort a case of argon argon laser-induced lupus erythematosus. Case report. A 59-year-old women developed an erythematous edematous infilt rated and senstive lesion over the right cheek ten days after an argon lase r treatment of the retina. The lesion spread towards the chin despite antib iotic treatment. Histology examination of a biospy specimen and direct immu nofluorescence suggested the diagnosis of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Th e lesions regressed in one month with hydroxychloroquine (400 mg/d) treatme nt. Discussion. Our patient developed argon laser induced cutaneous lupus eryth ematosus. It is known that ultraviolet light and non-ultraviolet frequencie s (x-rays, visible light) can induce lupus manifestations, One case of disc oid lupus erythematosus after argon laser has been reported. In our case, d ue to a technical error the laser beam was directed onto the ipsilateral ch eek during the laser treatment of the retina. The low-energy beams used in ophthalmology would explain the absence of local burn but would be sufficie nt to trigger lupus. This case demonstrates that argon laser, a visible blu e or green beam, can provoke cutaneous lupus erythematosus even if there is no heat-induced burn. It is important to be aware of this adverse effect d ue to the widespread use of lasers in dermatology, particularly for the tre atment of cutaneous lupus lesions.