Grossman, 1995  Title: Treatment of cafe au lait macules with
lasers. A clinicopathologic correlation.
Authors: Grossman MC, Anderson RR, Farinelli
W, Flotte TJ, Grevelink JM
Journal: Arch Dermatol 1995 Dec;131(12):1416-20
PMID: 7492131, UI: 96094874
Affiliated institution: Dermatology
Laser Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
Cited in: Solomon
BACKGROUND: Cafe au lait macules (CALMs) respond
variably to treatment with different lasers. This study was done
to determine whether the type of laser and the individual histologic
features of the CALMs could predict clinical response to treatment.
Nine CALMs were treated with both the frequency-doubled Q-switched
neodymium: YAG laser (wavelength, 532 nm; beam diameter, 2.0 mm)
and the Q-switched ruby laser (wavelength, 694 nm; beam diameter,
5.0 mm). Both lasers were used at a fluence of 6.0 J/cm2. Biopsy
specimens of the CALMs were obtained before and after treatment.
Clinical follow-up was done at 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals.
OBSERVATIONS: Both lasers yielded variable responses
to treatment. Two histologic subtypes of CALMs were identified,
but these different subtypes did not predict clinical outcome
after laser treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Cafe au lait macules respond variably
to treatment with both the Q-switched ruby laser and the frequency-doubled
Q-switched neodymium:YAG laser. Further research might address
the effect of using multiple treatments. In view of these results,
clinicians using lasers to treat CALMs should inform their patients
of the potential for recurrence or darkening of CALMs.
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