LASER THERAPY IN HEMANGIOMAS AND ARTERIO-VENOUS MALFORMATIONS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Nd: Y AG laser on treatment of hemangiomas and vascular malformations. Twenty seven patients suffering from hemangiomas and vascular malformations have been subjected to the Nd: Y AG laser therapy. They were 21 females (77.8%) and 6 males (22.2%) whome age ranged from 4 months to 22 years. Most of them, 19 patients (70.3%), were in their first year of life.

These 27 patients were presented by 34 vascular lesions, 13 of

• them (38.2%) were in the form of capillary hemangiomas, 12 lesions (35.3%) in the form of cavernous hemangiomas, 5 lesions (14.7%) were mixed capillary and cavernous hemangiomas while 4 lesions ( 11.8%) were in the form of vascular malformations.

As regards the anatomical distribution of these lesions, 24 lesions (70.6%) were in the head and neck region, 3 lesions (8.8%) were in the trunk while 7 lesions (20.6%) were in the extremities.

These patients were subjected to laser therapy due to cosmetic disfugerment in 26 lesions (76.5%), functional problems in 6 cases (17.6%) and ulceration and bleeding in 2 cases only (5.9%).

Our patients were subjected to 132 laser sessions, usmg both contact and non contacts techniques with a power ranged from 10 to 20 watt for the first technique and 30 to 50 watt for the second technique.

Twenty two lesions (64.7%) showed good response, while in 9 lesions (26.5%) fair response was observed. Poor response had occurred in 3 lesions only (8.8%).

Complications encountered included, scarring which was observed ,. • in 2 cases only and ulceration and infection which occurred in 4 cases.