Cryotherapy in the treatment of pyogenic granuloma.

BACKGROUND

Pyogenic granuloma is a benign, acquired, proliferative vascular lesion of the skin and mucous membranes. Many different treatments have been used for pyogenic granuloma with variable success rates.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of cryotherapy in the treatment of pyogenic granuloma.

METHODS

In a prospective observational study, 135 patients with pyogenic granuloma were treated with cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen. The patients were followed up every 3 weeks until 3 months after disappearance of the lesion.

RESULTS

Complete resolution of the pyogenic granuloma was achieved in all patients after a mean of 1.58 treatments (range, 1-4 treatments). At the end of follow-up period, there was a flat imperceptible scar, smaller than the treated lesion, in 16 patients (11.8%). A hypertrophic scar, 3 mm in diameter, was observed in one patient. Hypopigmentation was observed in seven patients (5.1%). No other complication or side-effect was recorded in the study.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that pyogenic granuloma can be treated simply and effectively with cryotherapy.