Treatment of recalcitrant-pigmented flat warts using frequency-doubled Q-Switched Nd-YAG laser

Background and Objective: Recalcitrant-pigmented flat warts may persist for years despite treatment. Many methods have been used to manage pigmented f lat warts, but their efficiencies are varied. Since pigmented flat warts ar e very similar to lentigo clinically, we used frequency-doubled Q-switched (FDQS) Nd-YAG laser at the wavelength of 532 nm to treat recalcitrant-pigme nted flat warts and evaluated the effect. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Seven patients with recalcitrant-pigmen ted flat warts were enrolled in this study. We set the FDQS Nd-YAG laser to deliver 2.5 J/cm(2) fluence at the wavelength of 532 nm to treat these les ions. After 6 months, we evaluated the recurrence of pigmented flat warts, pigmentary, and textural changes on the treated areas. Results: There were absences of recurrent lesions, pigmentary, and textural changes on the treated areas of these seven patients after 6 months. Conclusion: Through both selective photothermolysis effect and propagation of photoacoustic waves, FDQS Nd-YAG laser at the wavelength of 532 nm can b e used as an effective alternative to treat recalcitrant pigmented flat war ts. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.