Efficacy of erbium glass laser in the treatment of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis: A case series.

BACKGROUND

Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis remains a challenge; new physical treatment modalities including laser systems are of interest in the treatment of localized lesions.

METHOD: Fourteen patients (10 females) with 20 lesions of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis underwent weekly treatments of 1540 nm erbium glass fractional laser (Palomar) using 10 mm spot size hand piece in four passes of 50-70 mJ/cm2 fluence and 10 ms pulse duration.

RESULTS

Twelve lesions were available for assessment: six (50%) improved at 6 weeks and eleven lesions (91.7%) at 12 weeks. There were no recurrences at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

CONCLUSION

Erbium glass fractional laser may be an alternative treatment for localized cases of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis.