Topical 5-aminolevulinic Acid-based Photodynamic Therapy for Sarcoidosis

Abstract

We used photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA-PDT) to treat ten patients with skin lesions (8 of the systemic type, 2 of the skin type) of sarcoidosis. Improvements were seen in the eruptions in all ten cases, and in two of these cases, disappearance of epithelioid cell granuloma was also confirmed histologically. Skin lesions of sarcoidosis are often generally resistant to treatment. ALA-PDT for the treatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis is a convenient, non-invasive treatment with excellent cosmetic results.