Assessment of cryotherapy for the treatment of verrucous epidermal naevi.

Epidermal naevi are hamartomas that are characterized by hyperplasia of the epidermis and adnexal structures and may be associated with serious disfiguration. Management of epidermal naevi is challenging. We present here our experience with cryosurgery in the treatment of verrucous epidermal naevi. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of cryosurgery for the treatment of epidermal naevi. Nine patients with verrucous epidermal naevi and two with extensive unilateral epidermal naevus were treated with cryosurgery. Two cycles of open spray technique were used, 10-15 sec each, depending on the size and extent of the naevus. Ten patients had their naevi treated successfully in 2-5 sessions with two cycles of therapy, and the cosmetic result was excellent with no scarring. One patient showed a relapse within 8 months after the treatment. One patient with phototype IV developed hypochromic scarring, but repigmentation occurred after 6 months. Postoperative healing time was 10-20 days. Cryosurgery is an extremely effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of epidermal naevi. The low cost, the simplicity of the technique and the good cosmetic result makes cryosurgery an excellent therapeutic modality for the treatment of epidermal naevus.