Zeitschrift für Plastische Chirurgie und Kosmetologie

A Case of Verruca Plana treated with 585-nm Pulsed-Dye Laser

Hyeon Jeong Park

Verruca plana (VP) is a kind of benign epithelial neoplasms of the skin and mucosa resulting from human papillomavirus infection, which generally
occurs in exposed parts. It is extremely common disease and conventional treatment consists of nonspecific tissue destruction including repeated
application of topical medications, Cryotherapy, electrocautery, surgical excision, and the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Although extensively studied,
the treatment poses a therapeutic challenge for physicians. A 65-year-old man was referred to the out-patient clinic complaining of itching, multiple,
erythematous plaques on the left aspect of forehead which occurred 6 years ago. Various laser treatments were done several times, but the lesion
worsened and spreaded. Also, he denied of frequent sun exposure. Skin biopsy was conducted, and histopathologic finding showed mild acanthosis
with focal distinctive koilocytotic cells that patient was finally diagnosed with VP. Three times of treatment sessions with the pulsed dye laser (PDL)
at 585 nm-7 mm-8.0~8.5J/cm2–2.0 ms–1.5 Hz were done, and the skin lesion much improved. Herein, we report a case of VP successfully treated
with PDL therapy. Clinicians should consider PDL among the better established approaches in the treatment of VP. Pulsed dye lasers produce pulses
of visible light at a wavelength of 585 or 595 nm with pulse durations of the order of 0.45–40 ms. Pulsed dye laser treatment can be combined with
radiofrequency to enhance effects; lower PDL doses possible with the combination can reduce adverse effects.