Case Report
Open Access
Successful CO2 Laser Treatment of Facial
Angiofibromas in a Female Patient with Tuberous
Sclerosis: Case Report
Julian Penev1, Ilko Bakardzhiev1* and Margarita Gospodinova1
1Department of Infections Diseases and Dermatology, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria
*1Medical College, Medical Univerity of Varna, Bulgaria
*1Medical College, Medical Univerity of Varna, Bulgaria
*Corresponding author: Ilko Bakardzhiev, Associate Professor, Medical College, Medical University of Varna, Tsar Osvoboditel 84, Bulgaria,
Tel:+359 888 768413; E-mail:
@
Received: January 15, 2019; Accepted: February 12, 2019 ; Published: February 15, 2019
Citation: Penev J, Bakardzhiev I, Gospodinova M (2019) Successful CO2 Laser Treatment of Facial Angiofibromas in a Female Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis: Case Report. Clin Res Dermatol Open Access 6(1): 1-3. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15226/2378-1726/6/1/00183
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis (Morbus Bourneville-Pringle) is a rare,
multisystemic,autosomal dominant disease, associated with a
mutation of either of two genes TSC1 and TSC2, responsible for
synthesis of proteins hamartin and tuberin - tumor growth suppressing
factors, involved in cell proliferation and differentiation processes.
Perhaps the most common findings of TS are angiophibromas -
cutaneous manifestations of the disease, serving as clinical pointers
to the diagnosis. Different methods are being used to treat facial
angiofibromas with little or no success. Treatment with CO2 laser
ablation can provide fruitful results in removing facial angiofibromas.
Presented is a case of a 40 year-old female patient, diagnosed
with tuberous sclerosis with multiple facial angiofibromas, subjected
to CO2 laser ablation.
Keywords: Angiofibroma; tuberous sclerosis; TSC; Bourneville- Pringle; CO2 laser ablation;
Keywords: Angiofibroma; tuberous sclerosis; TSC; Bourneville- Pringle; CO2 laser ablation;
Abbreviations
(AF) - Angiofibroma
(TSC) - Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
(CO2) - Carbon Dioxide
(TSC1) - Gene coding hamartin
(TSC2) - Gene coding tuberin
(TSC) - Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
(CO2) - Carbon Dioxide
(TSC1) - Gene coding hamartin
(TSC2) - Gene coding tuberin
Introduction
Tuberous sclerosis, also called Tuberous sclerosis complex
(TSC) can affect virtually all vital organs, causing benign tumors
to grow in them. Those benign tumors extend to the areas of
head, heart, brain, and kidneys [4]. Tuberous sclerosis is easily
seen and diagnosed in early childhood with the manifestation of
angiofibroma on the face. Facial angiofibromas are a social problem
for those suffering of tuberous sclerosis, additionally worsening
their already impaired social life, interpersonal interaction, and
daily activities.
Case report
A 40 year-old female patient diagnosed with tuberous
sclerosis (Morbus Bourneville-Pringle). Patient reported initial
angiofibroma eruption around nasal region appeared at 5 years of
age. Lesions were then scarce, and dischydradenoma eruptivum,
Erythema teleangiectaticum, verruce plane juvenilis and Morbus
Bourneville-Pringle were discussed as possible differential
diagnosis. Neurological symptoms appear for the very first time
when patient was at 10 years of age with the presence of epileptic
seizures, as these neurological symptoms confirm diagnosis
of tuberous sclerosis. At 20 years of age longitudinal nail plate
depressions, as well as Koenen (garlic-clove) tumors appeared
(Figure-1). Patient is currently on anti-epileptic drug therapy.
Figure 1:Longitudinal nail plate depressions, and Koenen (garlic-clove)
tumors present
The patient presented slight neurological impairment. She was
able to communicate her thoughts and complains. She articulated
her desire to eliminate the cutaneous manifestations of the disease
on her face, mainly under aesthetic considerations, as for the past
35 years lesions got bigger and larger, worsening her quality of life
(Figure-2).
Figure 2:Clinical manifestations
Series of therapy sessions of lesion ablation with a CO2 laser
were performed, as initially conducted on the right side of the face
in order to determine therapy efficiency. Two months past starting
therapy, the left side of her face was also treated. Laser ablation
treatment was conducted under 5X optical magnification in order
to remove even the tiniest lesions, and performed under topical
anesthesia (Emla). During therapy sessions no epileptic seizures
were elicited, which was the main expected complication. An
excellent therapeutic and aesthetic result even after the first laser
session was observed, which motivated patient in continuing
treatment.
Lesions were ablated slightly below the level of surrounding
tissue. Superpuls mode with an average optical power of 4W
with small focal spots up to 2 mm was applied (Figure-3). Topical
powdered antibiotic was prescribed post treatment in order to
help under crust epithelialization, and for achieving a better
aesthetic result. Laser treatment sessions were conducted every
other month, as residual lesions were removed on a step by step
basis. Lesions larger than 7mm of diameter were also treated on
stages, reducing this way their size gradually. An untreated area
around each lesion was left, using a checkerboard pattern. Within
one year the skin became visibly smoother, as erythema at the
points of impact continued to fade gradually. Borders of the nose
were subjected to a laser ablation in-depth, since lesions merged
together and deformed nose shape. As a result of this ablation,
nasal folds become more notabe and sculptured (Figure-4).
Patient reported highly improved self-esteem post laser therapy.
Figure 3:CTypical view of the treated area immediately after CO2 laser
ablation
Figure 4:Clinical results at late stage of treatment
Discussion
Removing facial angiofibromas in TS with CO2 laser ablation
is an outpatient, minimally invasive, bloodless and seamless
laser procedure. CO2 laser is the most preferable mean of laser
treatment due to the following reasons: Nd:Yag laser is known to
leave boxcar scars, and rolling scars, and keloids in some cases.
Use of pulsed dye laser is not to be considered either, since the
vascular component is not major in TSC angiofibromas, and
the right fluence for treating lesions of various sizes cannot be
precisely determined. Last but not least, the use of lasers in the
visible and near infrared range can accidentally damage eyesight,
as tears of the human eye completely absorb scattered radiation
of the CO2 laser. This opinion is supported by other authors [3-6].
Angiofibromas tend to grow slow. Once removed, aadditional CO2 laser therapy should be applied during the follow-ups to correct newly appeared tumor vegetations. Research provides evidence that rapamycin therapy is a new treatment option [5, 7-8]. Rapamycin therapy could stop the process of emergence of new lesions, and growth of the already existing ones. Removal of existing lesions using an ablative CO2 laser, and subsequent treatment with rapamycin could be a good solution for the treatment of cutaneous manifestation of this genetic disease [8].
Angiofibromas tend to grow slow. Once removed, aadditional CO2 laser therapy should be applied during the follow-ups to correct newly appeared tumor vegetations. Research provides evidence that rapamycin therapy is a new treatment option [5, 7-8]. Rapamycin therapy could stop the process of emergence of new lesions, and growth of the already existing ones. Removal of existing lesions using an ablative CO2 laser, and subsequent treatment with rapamycin could be a good solution for the treatment of cutaneous manifestation of this genetic disease [8].
Conclusion
Stepwise checkerboard-like laser ablation of facial
angiofibromas ensures an aesthetic outcome with no noticeable
facial scarring. CO2 laser ablation is to be considered as an
effective choice of treatment in eliminating skin manifestations
of TSC [1, 2, 8, 9]. Effective laser treatment delivers an aesthetic
result, which may improve self-esteem and quality of life of these
patients. Of course, they should be monitored for brain, eye, renal,
pulmonary and cardiac accompanying symptoms, as TSC is a
genetic disorder with a slow, yet progressive behavior.
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