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Co2/Erbium:YAG/Dye Laser Combination: An Effective and Successful Treatment for Angiofibromas in Tuberous Sclerosis

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An Erratum to this article was published on 19 April 2017

Abstract

Background

Tuberous sclerosis, an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous syndrome seen in approximately 1 in 6,000 people worldwide, is characterized by the appearance of hamartomas in multiple organs. The classic clinical triad consists of angiofibromas, epilepsy, and developmental delay. Dermatologic disorder is one of the main characteristics. Angiofibromas, a common form of presentation, causes significant cosmetic and medical problems. The current treatment for skin lesions is laser therapy. The carbon dioxide (CO2) laser has been used satisfactorily in treating these lesions, but several studies have demonstrated a high percentage of recurrences. Erbium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (YAG) laser treatment has been used to resurface skin abnormalities in patients with dermatologic conditions. The dye laser as an alternative uses the principles of selective photothermolysis and is very effective in treating the vascular component of tuberous sclerosis. The use of all these lasers to treat skin lesions in patients affected by tuberous sclerosis has never been described in the literature.

Methods

A retrospective study, conducted from 2007 to May 2013, investigated 13 patients who had tuberous sclerosis treated with an erbium:YAG/CO2/dye laser combination.

Results

All the patients showed great improvement of their skin lesions. The results were evident immediately after the first treatment. No patient experienced complications or recurrence.

Conclusions

The combined use of the erbium:YAG/Dye/CO2 laser is a safe and effective treatment for skin lesions in patients affected by tuberous sclerosis.

Level of Evidence V

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy

    Paolo Fioramonti, Liliana De Santo, Martina Ruggieri, Sara Carella, Lo Torto Federico, Maria Giuseppina Onesti & Nicolò Scuderi

  2. Sapienza University of Rome, Via Tiburtina 443, 00159, Rome, Italy

    Liliana De Santo

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  1. Paolo Fioramonti
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  2. Liliana De Santo
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Correspondence to Liliana De Santo.

Additional information

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00266-017-0878-z.

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Fioramonti, P., De Santo, L., Ruggieri, M. et al. Co2/Erbium:YAG/Dye Laser Combination: An Effective and Successful Treatment for Angiofibromas in Tuberous Sclerosis. Aesth Plast Surg 38, 192–198 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-013-0252-8

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