BACKGROUND: Apocrine hidrocystoma is a benign cystic tumour with apocrine d
ifferentiation. Although most cases are solitary tumours, multiple tumours
may occur. Surgical removal is the usual treatment for apocrine hidrocystom
a, but it may be troublesome and disfiguring in cases with multiple tumours
.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and cosmetic outcome of carbon dioxide
laser vaporization in the treatment of multiple apocrine hidrocystomas.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 11 lesions in three adult patients were tr
eated with carbon dioxide laser vaporization using a continuous and defocus
ed mode, with a power density of 5 J/cm(2). The lesions were localized late
ral to the outer canthus, on the free edge of the eyelids, and on the ear.
Only a single session of treatment was performed for each lesion. Photograp
hic controls were taken before and after treatment.
RESULTS: The lesions cleared after laser treatment without residual changes
, and a successful cosmetic result was obtained.
CONCLUSION: Carbon dioxide laser is an efficient method of the treatment fo
r multiple apocrine hidrocystomas.