Background and Objectives: Hemangiomas remain a challenge for patients and plastic surgeons. Promising results have been reported using intralesional photocoagulation (ILP) for treatment. The objective of our study is to review the long term results of a large series of hemangiomas in patients treated by ILP.
Materials (Subjects) and Methods: A retrospective review of 684 hemangiomas in patients were treated by ILP with an Nd:YAG (neodymium-yttrium-aluminium-garnet) (1064 nm) laser over a period of 10 years (January 1996 - January 2005). Patients’ ages ranged from one month to 11 years 5 months (mean, 1 year 10 months). The patient group consisted of 474 females and 210 males.
Results: Patients were treated with an Nd:YAG laser delivered through a 600 m optical fiber. Laser power was set at 7 to 15 watts (W) and delivered with pulse duration of 7 to 15 seconds (s). The results showed 603 (88.6%) patients had more than 50% reduction of the volume in hemangiomas at 3 months after one treatment; and 663 (96.9%) patients had more than 50% reduction of the volume at 3 months after two treatments. Patients who had continuous ILP achieved excellent results.
Conclusions: Postoperative complications have been related to photocoagulation that has been delivered too extensively or superficially, with resultant ulceration, infection, bleeding, and scarring. These complications can be avoided if this potential for harm is kept in mind.

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Background and Aims: Currently, the method of choice for the treatment of port-wine stains is laser photocoagulation. Because of evolving treatment options, it is no longer enough for portwine stains merely to be lightened through laser treatment. The best course of management consists of the most appropriate laser that will produce the most complete clearing of a lesion in the fewest treatment sessions with the least morbidity. The goal is generally accomplished with the use of yellow-light lasers.
Materials (Subjects) and Methods: Absorption of laser energy by melanin causes localized heating in the epidermis, which may, if not controlled, produce permanent complications such as hypertrophic scarring or dyspigmentation. Refinements of the results can be achieved by using the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (FLPDL) in conjunction with the cryogen spray cooling (CSC) system. In our related studies, the infrared thermal image instrument is used for doctors in determining the optimum laser light dosage and preventing the side effects caused by FLPDL. Topic application of angiogenesis inhibitor (Imiquimod) in conjunction with pulsed dye laser treatment for the PWS patients has been assessed for improvement of FLPDL treatment.
Results: We present the clinical effect of FLPDL, and the efficacy and safety of cooled laser treatment of PWS birthmarks. Our clinical outcome in the laser treatment of patients with PWS has been achieved to maximize thermal impact on targeted vessels, while minimizing adverse complications.
Conclusions: CSC in conjunction with FLPDL can improve the treatment of PWS. The infrared image instrument is helpful for doctors in determining the optimum laser light dosage. Topic application of angiogenesis inhibitor (Imiquimod) in conjunction with laser treatment for the PWS patients is promising in the near future.

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Background and aim: Although intentional replantation for extraoral treatment is a solution for complicated endodontic cases, it is accompanied with risk of root resorption which is most likely due to extraction trauma and infected remnants. Laser therapies have long been proved for bactericidal and biostimulation effects. In the present case, a pulpitis combined severe periodontal destruction molar was extracted with an Er:YAG laser for thorough degranulation and disinfection. Before the extraction and right after the treatment, low level laser therapy (LLLT) with 810nm diode was applied for biostimulation.
Result: Patient reported no post operative pain after laser treatment. Clinical follow-up showed uneventful healing, and excellent bone regeneration.
Conclusion: The Er:YAG laser coupled with low level laser therapy (810 nm diode) has shown to assist and improve intentional replantation in disinfection procedure, and it may preserve more vital cells and enhance bioregeneration for less operative pain and better healing.

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Background and Aims: The limited available effective treatments make the management of keloids challenging. Intralesional triamcinolone and pulsed dye laser have been used for the treatment of keloids. We sought to assess the efficacy of a treatment regime using rotational intralesional triamcinolone and pulsed dye laser in the management of keloids.
Materials (Subjects) and Methods: Case notes and photographic records of 99 patients with keloids treated with pulsed dye laser (PDL) alone or rotational PDL and intralesional triamcinolone (ILT) at our centre between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed. Patients with raised, erythematous and/or symptomatic keloids unresponsive to ILT alone (usually 6 treatments) are referred for consideration of PDL. Patients are offered repeated rotational treatments of three PDL (4-15 J/cm², 7 mm spot, 1.5 msec pulse duration, 595 nm wavelength, DCD, 30 msec spray: 20 msec delay; spaced at 6-8 weeks intervals) followed by one ILT (10 mg or 40 mg/dl). ILT-treated flat but erythematous and/or symptomatic keloids are treated with PDL alone at 6-8 week intervals. Response after each laser treatment is documented as a percentage improvement from baseline. Based on the improvement in redness, thickness and pruritus the operator classified the response to treatment as mild (0-49%), moderate (50-75%) or excellent (>75%). Patients are reviewed at 6 months following last treatment. A patient satisfaction questionnaire was also sent out to all patients who received treatments between 2005 and 2010 and this was compared with the information gathered from the notes.
Results: Of the 99 patients, 58 were women and 41 were men and most were Caucasian (n=84). A total of 755 keloids were treated. The average number of PDL treatments to achieve a moderate-excellent result was 14 in male and 12 in females. Moderate-excellent improvement was seen in 76% patients. The average number of ILT required to achieve a moderate-excellent result was 5 in males and 4 in females. All patients were sent a satisfaction questionnaire and 33 responses were received wherein patients reported an average of 70% improvement in the redness and thickness of the keloids. Localised cutaneous atrophy, self-limiting erythema and injection site discomfort were noted in 3 female patients whilst no side-effects noted in the male cohort.
Conclusions: Pulsed dye laser with or without intralesional triamcinolone is a moderately effective treatment of keloid scars with a very good side-effect profile and high patient satisfaction.

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Purpose: The aim of the present work was to study the effect of Helium-Neon (HeNe) and Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) laser upon nitric oxide (NO) plasma levels, an inflammatory biomarker associated with oxidative stress, in rats with experimental myopathy. These were evaluated through histological assessment.
Materials and Methods: The groups studied were: (A) control (intact rats that received LLLT sham exposures), (B) rats with myopathy and sacrificed at 24 h later, (C) rats with myopathy and sacrificed 8 days later, (D) rats with myopathy and treated with HeNe laser, (E) rats with myopathy and treated with GaAs laser, (F) intact rats treated with HeNe laser and (G) intact rats treated with GaAs laser. Myopathy was induced by injecting 50μl of 1% carrageenan λ (type IV) in the left gastrocnemius muscle. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) was applied with 9.5 J.cm^-2 daily for 10 consecutive days with each laser. The determination of the NO was made by spectrophotometry. The muscles were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and examined by optic microscopy. Quantitative variables were statistically analyzed by the Fisher test, and categorical by applying Pearson’s Chi Squared test at p <0.05 for all cases.
Results: In groups B and C, NO was significantly increased compared to groups A, D, E, F and G (p<0.05). In group C, the percentage of area with inflammatory infiltration was significantly increased compared to the other groups (p<0.001).
Conclusions: LLLT decreased plasma levels of NO in rats with experimental myopathies and significant muscle recovery.

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Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder that involves inflammation and pain of joints. Low-level laser irradiation is being evaluated for treating RA, however, the effectiveness of linear polarized near infrared light (SuperLizer;SL) irradiation is unclear.
Aim: It has been reported that interleukin 6 (IL-6) plays a key role in the progression of RA. In our previous study, using DNA microarray analysis, we examined the gene expression profiling of human rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocyte MH7A in response to IL-1β administration and SL irradiation. As a result, IL-6 was listed in altered gene as increased by IL-1β and decreased by SL irradiation.
Material and methods: The reduction of IL-6 gene expression in MH7A by SL irradiation was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR. Effect of SL irradiation on the RA inflammation in the collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rats was also studied by measuring temperature. IL-6 production in knee joint of rats was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.
Results: Scatter plot analysis demonstrated that an increase in IL-6 gene expression by IL-1β was reduced by SL irradiation. The reduction of IL-6 mRNA level by SL irradiation was successfully confirmed by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. SL irradiation treated CIA rat decreased the temperature of knee joints. The immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated a strong IL-6 staining in synovial membrane tissue of CIA rat joint, and SL irradiation significantly reduced the staining.
Discussion: Since IL-6 has been identified to be an important proinflammatory cytokine in the pathogenesis of RA, the reduction of IL-6 expression is one of mechanisms in reduction of inflammation in RA joints by SL irradiation suggesting that SL irradiation may be useful for RA therapy.
Conclusion: SL irradiation reduced IL-6 gene expression in MH7A, and reduced inflammation and IL-6 protein expression in knee joint of CIA rats

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Background and Aims: A small mass of melanocytic nevi on the face is commonly treated by surgical resection. This method is associated with cosmetic complications, such as scarring and scar contracture. The use of CO₂ Laser treatment to avoid these complications is increasing. However, scarring or recurrence may still occur after CO₂ Laser treatment. To resolve these problems, we developed a new Combined Laser Therapy (CLT) protocol using three laser instruments.
Subjects and Methods: We used CO₂ Laser, Nd:YAG Laser and Q-Switched Ruby Laser. The first treatment was a minimal mass reduction using CO₂ Laser. The surface is covered with carbonized tissue. The second treatment with Nd:YAG Laser which removes the carbonized tissue, because the laser specifically absorbs black chromatophores. Finally, any surviving nevus cells containing melanin are destroyed with Q-Switched Ruby Laser.
Results: This method was used for 12 cases presenting with small masses of melanocytic nevi on the face. The maximum size of the mass was 20 mm. All cases resulted in a cosmetic improvement and there was no scarring or recurrence. Either satisfactory or greatly improved cosmetic results were obtained in all cases.
Conclusions: We think that the wound healing without scarring observed in all of our cases is related to the administration of both CLT and auto-simultaneous Low reactive Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in these cases. Therefore, this method may provide the better treatment than surgical resection in the future.

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