Treatment of multiple facial syringomas with the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser.

BACKGROUND: Syringomas are benign tumors of eccrine origin most commonly found in the periorbital area. Previously reported treatments for syringomas include excision, electrodesiccation and curettage, dermabrasion, and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing. The ideal treatment of syringomas should be destruction of the tumor with minimal scarring and no recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to present a treatment method for multiple syringomas without scarring or recurrence.

METHOD: Ten patients with multiple periorbital syringomas were treated with a high energy, scanned carbon dioxide laser. Settings of 5 watts, 0.2 second scan time, and 3mm spot size were used. Two passes were performed, but some lesions required four passes. In some cases the entire lower periorbital area was treated. Results were evaluated clinically by both physicians and patients over a span of 1 to 24 months.

RESULTS: Elimination of the syringomas was successful in all patients. Each patient remains free of recurrence 1 to 24 months after therapy. Prolonged erythema was the most common side effect, but no scarring was seen. Four out of the ten patients required repeat spot treatments.

CONCLUSION: The CO2 laser is a dependable, safe, and nonscarring method for the treatment of periorbital syringomas.