Optimal pulse durations for the treatment of leg telangiectasias with a neodymium YAG laser

PubMed Reference:Parlette EC, Groff WF, Kinshella MJ, et al. Lasers Surg Med. 2006 Feb.

Study Details:

  • 21 females (Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV) with leg vessels ranging from 0.1 to 1.6 mm in diameter (mean size of 0.8 mm)
  • Radiant exposures: 80-200 J/cm2with the 6mm spot size, 200-300 J/cm2with the 3 mm spot size, 280 to 580 J/cm2with the 1.5mm spot size
  • Histology from 1 biopsied patient
  • 3 blinded physicians evaluated treatment response at 13 weeks after full treatment.

Study Results:

IMMEDIATE RESULTS

  • In very small vessels (0.1-0.6 mm): immediate stenosis with fluences ranging from 280 to 320 J/cm2(3 mm spot), pulse duration range 20-100 msec
  • In the 0.6-1.6 mm vessels, a range of fluences (200-260 J/cm2) achieved vessel constriction.
  • Higher fluences achieved complete stenosis in 80% of the vessels.

RESULTS AT 13 WEEKS AFTER FULL TREATMENT

  • Blinded observers rated complete clearance in 71% of treated vessels
  • Where there was permanent stenosis lasting beyond 1 day, vessels remained clear
  • In smaller vessels where the lumen was only partially stenotic, partial clearance resulted
  • Patient satisfaction mean score of 4.2 (5-point scale) with their treatment
  • Hyperpigmentation was seen in 48% of patients following test sites (tended to fade by week 16 of the study).