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. 2009 Aug;21(3):255-60.
doi: 10.5021/ad.2009.21.3.255. Epub 2009 Aug 31.

Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Therapy of Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules

Woo Jin Lee  1 , Seung Seog Han, Sung Eun Chang, Mi Woo Lee, Jee Ho Choi, Kee Chan Moon, Jai Kyoung Koh
Affiliations

Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Therapy of Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-like Macules

Woo Jin Lee et al. Ann Dermatol. 2009 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules (ABNOM) is a dermal pigmented lesion common in individuals of Oriental origin. The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (QSNYL) has been used successfully to treat a variety of benign, dermal, pigmented lesions, including nevus of Ota lesions. The similarity between ABNOM and nevus of Ota suggested that QSNYL may also be effective in the former.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and side-effect profiles of QSNYL treatment of ABNOM in Korean patients.

Methods: Of 42 Korean patients with ABNOM, 29 were treated with QSNYL (1,064 nm, 3 mm spot size, fluence 8~9.5 J/cm(2)), for up to 10 sessions each. Clinical photographs were taken before and after treatment. Lesion clearance was graded and complications such as hyperpigmentation, scarring, hypopigmentation, and erythema were assessed.

Results: Of the 29 treated patients, 19 (66%) showed excellent or good results. Of the patients who were treated more than 3 times, 76% showed good to excellent results. Two patients experienced post-laser hyperpigmentation (PLH), which persisted for more than one month, but no patient experienced persistent erythema or hypertrophic scarring.

Conclusion: QSNYL is safe and effective in the treatment of ABNOM in Korean patients. Short-interval repetitive treatment is especially useful in improving therapeutic results and reducing PLH.

Keywords: Acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules; Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Color of lesions according to the age of patients. Lesions tended to become progressively bluer with age.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(A) A 27-year-old female with ABNOM before treatment. (B) Improvement in ABNOM after three QSNYL treatments. Results were excellent, with a 75~100% reduction in color.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A) A 53-year-old female with ABNOM before treatment. (B) Improvement of ABNOM after five QSNYL treatments. Results were excellent, with a 75~100% reduction in color.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Number of patients with transient PLH for each lesion color.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Treatment-related worsening in a 34-year-old woman with early-stage brown macules. (A) Before treatment. (B) Worsening of ABNOM after one QSNYL treatment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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