Argon laser treatment of cutaneous multiple angiokeratomas.

BACKGROUND: Angiokeratomas are cutaneous vascular lesions with common clinical and histological features: dark red to black papules and ectasia of upper dermis vessels, respectively. Multiple angiokeratomas are difficult to treat because they are often too extensive for surgery and cautery, procedures frequently leading to hemorrhage and scarring.

OBJECTIVE: Our report is designed to evaluate the efficacy of argon laser photocoagulation in the treatment of multiple angiokeratomas.

METHODS: Two male patients affected by angiokeratoma circumscriptum and angiokeratoma of Fordyce, respectively, were treated using an argon laser under local anesthesia. The laser beam was used as a hemostyptic and to flatten vascular papules by photocoagulation.

RESULTS: The cosmetic results of argon laser treatment were good. Posttreatment crusting lasted 2 weeks; 4 months later there was excellent healing without scarring.

CONCLUSION: Angiokeratomas respond favorably to argon laser photocoagulation since vascular ectasias are localized in the papillary dermis. Thus, the argon laser offers significant advantages over traditional methods and produces no side effects.