Treatment of dermatosis papulosa nigra using a carbon dioxide laser.

BACKGROUND

Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) is characterized by the presence of multiple, small, hyperpigmented, warty papules affecting the face, neck, and trunk that bear to histological semblance to seborrheic keratosis. Although the lesions are benign tumors, they can cause distress for cosmetic reasons.

OBJECTIVE

We, herein, report the cases of three female Japanese patients (mean age, 46 years) with DPN who were treated using a carbon dioxide (CO ) laser with a computerized scanner. The patients were all suffering from an increased number of brown asymptomatic papules (size, 1-5 mm), which were located all over the trunk. Histological examinations revealed acanthosis, hyperkeratosis and horn cyst formation in the epidermis.

METHODS

We performed CO laser (LASER 30C; Lumenis Inc) treatment (settings: 8-10 W; pulse duration, 0.05-seconds; rest duration, 0.36 seconds; laser spot size, 1.2 mm) for 5-10 months.

RESULTS

With CO laser treatment, were could completely remove the lesions and achieve excellent cosmetic results without scar formation in all cases. The treated lesions did not relapse for more than 1 year.

CONCLUSION

In our opinion, CO laser treatment with a computerized scanner is an effective therapeutic option for DPN.