Successful palliation and significant remission of cutaneous calcinosis in CREST syndrome with carbon dioxide laser.

BACKGROUND: There are few satisfactory medical or surgical therapies for cutaneous calcinosis in connective tissue disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Carbon dioxide laser vaporization allows precise ablation of superficial dystrophic calcification. This treatment modality was considered because of the severity of our patient's symptoms and failure to respond to various medical therapies.

METHODS: Over a 5-year period, six affected digits received a single treatment with carbon dioxide laser vaporization.

RESULTS: Treated digits healed over a 6-week period and led to a significant remission in symptoms. The average remission time for affected digits to date is at least 3 years and has allowed our patient to remain in full-time employment.

CONCLUSION: Carbon dioxide laser vaporization may offer effective remission of symptoms in cutaneous calcinosis of CREST syndrome (including cutaneous calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia).