A combination of phototherapy modalities for extensive lip lesions in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Abstract

Many oral signs and symptoms related to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been reported; however, both prevalence and etiology are still undetermined. Since the clinical features of the oral lesions seen in COVID-19 are highly heterogeneous and the treatments differ considerably in the literature, the present study aimed to report a clinical case in which a combination of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) was used for extensive lip lesions in a patient suffering from COVID-19. Within 4 days and without any systemic drug administration, after two sessions of aPDT and one session of PBMT, the lip lesions were completely healed, and the patient recovered her orofacial functions satisfactorily. According to the current case report and taking into consideration the evident lack of information about many aspects of COVID-19 infection, this combination of phototherapy modalities seems to be a promising tool for managing COVID-19-related lip lesions; however, more studies are necessary.

Keywords: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy; COVID-19; Oral manifestations; Photobiomodulation therapy; SARS-CoV-2.

Fig. 1

Clinical evaluation. (A) Initial presentation – extensive lip lesions; (B) Methylene blue solution applied over the lesions; (C) Four days after the first aPDT session, showing complete wound healing.