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Review
. 2024 Jan 31;39(1):53.
doi: 10.1007/s10103-024-04004-3.

Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-photodynamic therapy (PDT) for lichen sclerosus of face: case report and literature review

Nello Tommasino  1 , Giuseppe Lauletta  2 , Gustavo Spanò  1 , Lorenzo Scaramuzzino  1 , Gaia De Fata Salvatores  1 , Massimiliano Scalvenzi  1 , Luigi Coronella  1
Affiliations
Review

Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-photodynamic therapy (PDT) for lichen sclerosus of face: case report and literature review

Nello Tommasino et al. Lasers Med Sci. .

Abstract

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis typical of the genital region, with rare involvement of extragenital areas and particularly the face. LS therapeutic management is challenging, and common therapies including topical and systemic corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, surgery are often ineffective. Herein, we present a case of LS occurred in a 36-year-old girl with facial involvement resistant to therapy with systemic corticosteroids and topical tacrolimus. Considering the involvement of a sensitive area, the young age of the patient, and the consistent clinical experience in using photodynamic therapy for the treatment of facial skin disease, we started a treatment with topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a dosage of 37 J/cm2 once a month. We compared our case with eight other facial LS patients from the literature and treated differently.

Keywords: ALA; Face; Lichen sclerosus; PDT; Red light.

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