Refractory angular cheilitis treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT): an observational pilot study.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this observational pilot study is to identify whether photodynamic therapy, performed with two different protocols, can be effective in the clinical resolution of recurrent or refractory angular cheilitis, previously treated with gold standard topical pharmacological therapy without results.

METHODS

The selected patients were treated with: 1) 1 % phenothiazine chloride protocol; 2) curcumin-based photosensitizer protocol. Patients were observed at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months follow up.

RESULTS

Data were collected from 10 treated patients who met our inclusion criteria, 7 women and 3 men, 1 of them smoker, with a mean age of 51,4 years, the youngest being 38 years and the oldest 81 years. Healing occurred in 9 out of 10 cases. One case showed incomplete healing, one case showed recurrence after one month.

CONCLUSIONS

Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of refractory or recurrent angular cheilitis could be considered a valid therapeutic alternative, with limited side events.