Treating REM syndrome with the pulsed dye laser.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

REM syndrome (reticular erythematous mucinosis) is a benign but bothersome skin disease that common occurs in middle age and among women. Local and systemic treatment measures are often associated with a high rate of side effects and relapses are common. We evaluated the pulsed dye laser as an alternative method because of its good efficacy in vascular skin diseases.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We treated two female patients with REM syndrome using the pulsed dye laser.

RESULTS

In both patients the erythematous skin changes were almost completely removed after five and three laser sessions, respectively. Other than transient hypopigmentation, no side effects occurred. In one case there is still no evidence of recurrence 6 years after a trial treatment was conducted. In the same patient, clinical success was histologically confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report on the successful treatment of REM syndrome of two female patients with the pulsed dye laser.