Cidofovir Intralesional Injection for Recalcitrant Common Warts: A Comparison with Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate Intralesional Injection.

BACKGROUND

A novel treatment method is required for recalcitrant common warts.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the complete wart removal rate of cidofovir, a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, intralesional injection and sodium tetradecyl sulfate intralesional injection.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 45 patients with recalcitrant common warts on the hands and/or feet, treated with cidofovir or sodium tetradecyl sulfate intralesional injection.

RESULTS

The treatment results were evaluated in three groups as follows: (1) failure - recalcitrant common warts remaining despite three or more injections, (2) success - free from warts for more than 6 months after the injection, and (3) recurrence. The cidofovir group (n=22) showed significantly higher treatment success rates than the sodium tetradecyl sulfate group (n=23) (90.91% vs. 26.09%, <0.001). Two immunosuppressed patients in the cidofovir group had recurrent lesions after 2 months of being declared free from warts. Considering adverse effects, two patients in the cidofovir group complained of bulla formation with severe pain requiring narcotic painkillers.

CONCLUSION

Although this study has the limitations of a small sample size and retrospective design, patients with recalcitrant common warts showed a dramatic response to the treatment with cidofovir intralesional injection, with minimal complications.