Treatment of molluscum contagiosum with a pulsed dye laser: Pilot study with 19 children

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2007.06556.x
• Publication Date: 2007-11-09T08:43:21Z
• Authors: Barbara Binder; Wolfgang Weger; Peter Komericki; Daisy Kopera
• Keywords: Male; Molluscum Contagiosum; Adolescent; Lasers, Dye; Lidocaine; Pilot Projects; Prilocaine; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; 0302 clinical medicine; Child, Preschool; Retreatment; Humans; Female; Prospective Studies; Child; Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; Anesthesia, Local

Summary Background: Molluscum contagiosum is a common, self‐limiting viral disease of childhood caused by a poxvirus. Often the children themselves and their parents desire treatment for cosmetic reasons or because of pruritus. Laser therapy offers another option to the traditional methods of treatment. Methods: 19 children aged between 2 and 13 years (median:6) with molluscum contagiosum were treated in a prospective, non‐randomized pilot study with the flashlamp pumped pulsed dye laser (wave length:585 nm, pulse duration 0,45 ms, spot size 7 mm, energy density 6–7 J/cm2). Results: All patients tolerated the laser treatment well. In 84.3% one laser treatment led to total remission. In 10.5% a further laser session was necessary and one patient was treated three times to achieve total remission. Conclusions: Treatment of molluscum contagiosum with the flashlamp pulsed dye laser is a safe and efficient treatment modality.