Efficacy of cryotherapy versus intralesional meglumine antimoniate (glucantime) for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in children.

We compared intralesional glucantine and cryotherapy for treatment of children with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. We observed that cryotherapy is an effective treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis in children. No serious post-treatment side effects were observed in either group. At six months of follow-up, no recurrence of disease was observed in cured patients in either group. Because of its simplicity, lower cost, low rate of serious complications, and greater tolerability, cryotherapy should be recommended as an appropriate alternative treatment for leishmaniasis in children.