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

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/cm(2)).

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.