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. 2022 Jul 6;15(1):9528.
doi: 10.4081/dr.2022.9528. eCollection 2023 Mar 7.

Transient cutaneous hypomelanosis after cryoanesthesia

Roberto Pippi  1 , Martina Caputo  1 , Alessandra Pietrantoni  1
Affiliations

Transient cutaneous hypomelanosis after cryoanesthesia

Roberto Pippi et al. Dermatol Reports. .

Abstract

A superficial skin abscess in a young black female patient was incised after cryoanesthesia with tetrafluoroethane spray. A hypopigmented area was found at the first follow-up visit in the treated skin area; complete repigmentation occurred during the next 4 months. There are no other similar reported cases in the literature. Since long duration and possibly permanent hypopigmentation can occur after cryoanesthesia with tetrafluoroethane, especially in black people, this technique should be used with extreme caution.

Keywords: Abscess; Cryoanesthesia; Hypomelanosis; Hypopigmentation; Tetrafluoroethane.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Frontal view of the swelling.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Skin suture for fistula closure.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Clinical view at a 4-month follow-up visit: an approximately 1 cm scar is still visible, but the skin is normally pigmented.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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