Selective heat therapy in cutaneous leishmaniasis: a preliminary experience using the 585 nm pulsed dye laser

Abstract

Aim The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the yellow pulsed dye laser on the natural history of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).Materials and methods A 31 year old Saudi patient suffered from CL due to L. tropica. He was treated with 585 nm, 450 μs flashlamp pulsed dye (FLPD) laser. The patient received two laser sessions, 2 weeks apart using 5 mm spot size with a fleunce range of 8–8.5 J/cm2.Results The lesion healed completely within 6 weeks with hyperpigmentation. At 16 weeks, the skin exhibited excellent texture with no scarring or recurrence.Discussion The ability to achieve a high temperature at structures or individual cells with minimal injury in healthy tissue and/or selective destruction of superficial dermal capillaries may in theory explain the possible efficacy of FLPD laser in CL. However, the exact mechanism(s) remains unknown.Conclusion The use of FLPD laser may promise local, practical, and a safe alternative form of heat therapy in CL. It has a unique advantage of possible scar improvement. Further extensive well-controlled studies are indicated.