Nd:YAG and pulsed dye laser therapy in infantile haemangiomas: a retrospective analysis of 271 treated haemangiomas in 149 children

Inhibition of infantile hemangioma growth and promotion of apoptosis via VEGF/PI3K/Akt axis by 755-nm long-pulse alexandrite laser

BACKGROUND

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common vascular tumor in female infants, which can lead to aesthetic issues and facial scarring. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects and underlying mechanisms of 755 nm long-pulsed alexandrite laser on IH.

METHODS

Hemangioma endothelial cells (HemECs) were exposed to 755 nm long-pulsed alexandrite laser to evaluate its impact on cell proliferation and apoptosis. A patient-derived xenograft model was established to assess the inhibitory effects of laser treatment on IH in vivo.

RESULTS

In vitro, 755 nm long-pulsed alexandrite laser effectively suppressed the proliferation of HemECs and induced cell apoptosis. Laser treatment significantly inhibited the volume and weight of tumors, accompanied by significant downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) expression levels in both hemangioma cells and tumors. Additionally, laser treatment resulted in the conversion of VEGFA165a to VEGFA165b. TUNEL staining demonstrated increased apoptosis in tumor cells after laser treatment, along with upregulation of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, and downregulation of Bcl-2.

CONCLUSION

In addition to the principle of selective photothermal decomposition, modulation of the VEGF/PI3K/Akt axis may serve as a potential mechanism for IH treatment using a long pulse-width 755 nm laser. This sheds valuable light on the molecular mechanisms underlying IH pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets while providing a theoretical basis for the safe and efficient management of proliferative IH using laser therapy.

Ranugha PS, Seetharam KA. IADVL SIG pediatric dermatology (academy) recommendations on Hemangioma of Infancy (HOI)

Hemangioma of infancy (HOI) is a benign vascular proliferation. Though resolution is the norm, potential complications make an accurate diagnosis and early management of importance. The Indian association of dermatologists, venereologists and leprologists (IADVL) special interest group (SIG) paediatric dermatology in association with IADVL academy did an extensive analysis of the literature on the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of HOI published between 2010 and 2021. Online meetings were conducted from February 2021 to March 2022 to reach a consensus on these recommendations which are made from an Indian perspective.

Management of infantile hemangiomas: Recent advances

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are benign vascular tumors commonly observed in children. A small number of cases can manifest as organ or system dysfunction, permanent scarring, or even disfigurement. Currently, diagnosis is mainly based on clinical history, physical examination, and auxiliary inspection. In the treatment of a hemangioma, the functional damage caused by the lesion and complications that may endanger the patient’s life should be given priority. This suggests that identification, diagnosis, and referral to specialists during the early stages of IHs are important factors in preventing related complications and obtaining a better prognosis. During the past few decades, researchers have explored different treatments according to the condition, including oral or topical drugs, topical drug injections, laser surgery, and surgical treatment. However, oral propranolol remains a well-accepted first-line treatment. This article will primarily focus on the recent advances in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of hemangiomas, along with a literature review on the subject.

Risk factors of long-term alopecia after pulsed-dye laser treatment for infantile scalp hemangiomas: A retrospective study

Pulsed-dye laser (PDL), as an effective and frequently-used treatment modality for infantile hemangiomas (IH), could render patients at risk of developing long-term alopecia. Data on alopecia caused by PDL treatment remain scant and the contributing factors are not clear. Our objective was to identify the risk factors associated with long-term alopecia resulting from PDL treatment for scalp IH. We conducted a retrospective study incorporating patients with IH diagnosis and PDL intervention via thoroughly reviewing the clinical database of the dermatology department. Scalp IH patients were further screened and their medical records were collected. Long-term alopecia was defined as no signs of terminal hair regrowth for at least 2 years in this study. Of the 1293 IH patients, 47 (14 boys and 33 girls) with a mean age of 4.5 months (standard deviation, 3.2) were diagnosed as scalp IH and had subsequently undergone PDL treatments. Hair growth in the treatment area of 18 patients (38.3%) nearly returned to normal, 22 patients (46.8%) had varying degrees of hair loss, and seven patients (14.9%) had no hair regrowth (long-term alopecia). Compared with the older patients receiving treatment, IH patients younger than 3 months who started PDL treatment had a higher risk of developing long-term alopecia (odds ratio, 30.833; 95% confidence interval, 4.079-232.025; p = 0.01). The total number of PDL sessions, post-treatment blisters, and location of IH were not shown to be significantly associated with the development of long-term alopecia. Collectively, our study provides an important insight into curating treatments for IH in infants younger than 3 months. PDL treatments for scalp IH may perhaps be avoided or delayed to prevent the development of treatment-associated long-term alopecia.

Efficacy Evaluation of 755-nm Long-Pulse Alexandrite Laser Combined with 0.5% Timolol Maleate Eye Drops in the Treatment of Thicker Infantile Hemangioma

Purpose

Assessment of the clinical effectiveness and safety of 755-nm long-pulse alexandrite laser combined with 0.5% timolol maleate eye drops in treating thicker infantile hemangioma (IH).

Materials and Methods

Retrospective analysis of IH treated with 755-nm long-pulse alexandrite laser and topical timolol in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from October 2019 to October 2020. Seventy-eight cases were included, with a five-week laser treatment interval. Treatment status was documented during the 35 weeks before each treatment, the effect was assessed at the visual analog scale (VAS), and side effects were recorded. During the 6-month follow-up period, the recurrence and residual skin lesions were monitored. The relationship between IH thickness, treatment duration and VAS was analyzed.

Results

Among the 78 children with hemangioma, 4 children were treated with a combination of propranolol, fractional laser and cinnamyl alcohol injection due to poor curative effect. Finally, the lesions were effectively alleviated. At the 5th, 15th, 25th, and 35th weeks of treatment, the average VAS of 74 children were 3.56 ± 1.20, 4.61 ± 1.43, 5.63 ± 1.60, and 6.63 ± 1.72, respectively. We analyzed VAS in different thickness groups with Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance(RMANOVA). The results show that the VAS of the thickness 2–3 mm and 3–5mm groups were higher than the 5–7mm and 7–8mm groups (F _group = 440.54, P <0.05, F _time = 448.31, P <0.05). During the 6-month follow-up period, none of the 74 children relapsed and the residual skin lesions gradually vanished.

Conclusion

Combined treatment of IHs with a 755-nm long-pulse alexandrite laser and 0.5% timolol maleate eye drops which has apparent clinical efficacy and safety reduce residual skin lesions and decrease the IH recurrence rate.

Infantile Hemangiomas: An Update on Pathogenesis and Treatment

Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign vascular tumors in infancy. This review includes an update on the current knowledge on pathogenesis, a discussion on indications for treatment, and a review of the mechanisms underlying the different treatment methods. Although most infantile hemangiomas require only active observation because of their natural course, which results in involution, about 10% present with complications that require immediate treatment. The basic treatment includes systemic and topical options. In cases of insufficient response or rebound growth, other forms of treatment should be considered. In some cases, combined therapy might be initiated.

Infantile hemangioma. Part 2: Management

The majority of infantile hemangiomas (IH) can be managed conservatively, but for those requiring active treatment, management has been revolutionized in the last decade by the discovery of propranolol. Patients that may require active intervention should receive specialist review, ideally before 5 weeks of age to mitigate the risk of sequelae. Propranolol can commence for most infants in the outpatient setting and the most frequently employed dosing regimen is 1 mg/kg twice daily. In the future, β-blockers with a more-selective mechanism of action, such as atenolol, show some promise. In recalcitrant lesions, systemic corticosteroids or sirolimus may be considered. For small, superficial IHs, topical timolol maleate or pulsed dye laser may be considered. Where the IH involutes with cutaneous sequelae, a range of interventions have been reported, including surgery, laser, and embolization. IHs have a well-described clinical trajectory and are readily diagnosed and managed via telemedicine. Algorithms have been constructed to stratify those patients who can be managed remotely from those who warrant in-person review during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vascular anomalies of the head and neck: diagnosis and treatment

Vascular malformations and vascular tumors comprise the two specific subsets of vascular anomalies that arise as a result of disorganized angiogenesis and neoplasm, respectively. Malformations are separate entities from vascular tumors (e.g., hemangiomas) and are recognized by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) as such. Vascular malformations are classified into four main groups: simple, combined, anomalies of major vessels, and those associated with other vascular anomalies. Vascular tumors are neoplastic growths of blood vessels and are morphologically and molecularly distinct from malformations but can arise in the head and neck and have syndromic association. Head and neck vascular anomalies are not uncommon in the pediatric population and require special care in the workup, diagnostic imaging and clinical care. The purpose of this manuscript is to discuss the diagnosis and management of the most common intracranial and extracranial vascular malformations and tumors in the head and neck in children and adolescents.

Nd:YAG laser in association with pulsed dye laser for the treatment of PHACES syndrome

The acronym PHACES stands for posterior fossa malformations, hemangiomas, arterial anomalies (cardiovascular or cerebrovascular), coarctation of the aorta/cardiac defects, eye abnormalities, and sternal defects. The characteristic dermatological clinical manifestation of PHACES syndrome is a segmental and extensive hemangioma, usually on the face. A combined therapy with 1,064 nm Nd-YAG/595-nm pulsed dye laser was performed in a young 15-year-old patient with PHACES syndrome, who presented a hemangioma on the left side of the face, located in the periorbital region. A first session with Nd-YAG laser (2,5 mm spot size, fluence 100 J/cm², pulse duration 7 ms) for the treatment of teleangectasias and subsequently, three treatment sessions with pulsed dye laser (12 mm spot size, fluence 7 J/cm², pulse duration 0,5 ms, repetition rate 0,6 Hz), once every 2 months, were performed. No postoperative complications were recorded, except for transient purpura after the pulsed dye laser sessions. The vascular lesion had a decrease in size bigger than 75%, and these results was maintained 6 months after the last treatment. Combined therapy Nd- YAG/pulsed dye laser is an effective and noninvasive procedure for hemangiomas in patients with PHACES syndrome.

Sequelae After Involution of Superficial Infantile Hemangioma: Early Intervention with 595-nm Pulsed Laser Combined with 755-nm Long-Pulsed Alexandrite Laser versus Wait-and-See

Background and Objective

Infantile haemangioma (IH) is the most common benign tumor in children. At present, pulsed dye laser (PDL) has made great progress in the treatment of superficial IH, showing good safety and effectiveness. But some doctors think that superficial IH should choose to wait-and-see. However, studies have reported that most of the IH after resolution still has residual disease, and thickness seems to be an important factor. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between Sequelae and thickness after superficial IH involution. In addition, compare the Sequelae difference between 595-nm pulsed laser combined with 755-nm long-pulse alexandrite laser treatment and wait-and-see.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective observational study included patients with superficial IH evaluated in the past 6 years and divided them into a laser group and an observation group.

Results

The incidence of sequelae in the laser group was 44.6%, and the incidence of sequelae in the observation group was 69.5%. The incidence of Sequelae of superficial IH in the laser group was significantly lower than that in the observation group (χ ²-test, χ ²=10.790, P <0.001). In the observation group, the average A scores of the three thickness subgroups (<2mm, 2-5mm, and >5mm) were 4.38, 3.39, and 1.80, and there were significant differences in the A scores between the three groups (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05). There is a significant difference in the A score between the laser group and the observation group in the superficial IH with a thickness of 2-5 mm and>5mm (Wilcoxon rank sum test, P<0.05).

Conclusion

This retrospective study showed that the degree of Sequelae of superficial IH after involution is related to its thickness. In addition, the early intervention of 595-nm pulsed laser combined with 755-nm long-pulse alexandrite laser can reduce the incidence and extent of sequelae.

Combination therapy of oral propranolol and combined Nd:YAG/pulsed dye laser therapy in infantile hemangiomas: a retrospective analysis of 48 treated hemangiomas in 30 children

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Infantile hemangiomas can be successfully treated by both systemic propranolol and neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG)-dye laser combination therapy. In this retrospective study, the efficacy and safety of sequential and parallel therapy of complicated hemangiomas treated with both methods were evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

30 children with 48 complicated hemangiomas were treated with propranolol and Nd:YAG-dye laser combination therapy. Using photo comparison, the percentage remission rate was evaluated by three investigators on a four-step scale (I: 0-25 %, II: 26-50 %, III: 51-75 % and IV: 76-100 %).

RESULTS

Eleven children received propranolol and laser therapy in parallel (A), twelve children received laser therapy after propranolol (B) and seven children received propranolol after laser therapy (C). Due to emigration abroad, one child was lost to follow-up. A strong improvement (IV) was observed in 23/29 (79.3 %) of all treated children (A: 90.9 %, B 75 %, C 66.7 %). The mean duration of propranolol therapy in all children was 8.6 months (A: 8.9 months, B: 8.2 months, C: 8.9 months). On average, 2.33 laser treatments were performed per hemangioma (A: 1.95, B: 3.2, C: 1.91). Serious side effects caused by propranolol and laser therapy were not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Propranolol and Nd:YAG-dye laser combination therapy can be used sequentially or in parallel safely and effectively. They complement each other in a meaningful manner.

Clinical efficacy of 595-nm pulsed-dye laser in treatment of childhood facial spider nevi: a retrospective study of 110 patients

Background:

Spider nevi (SN) are quite common in children. SN are treated via different techniques, and complete removal often requires multiple treatments. However, few studies have evaluated the treatment of SN. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of a 595-nm pulsed-dye laser (PDL) for treating facial SN in children.

Methods:

A total of 110 children aged 0.2 to 12 years with facial SN were treated with a 595-nm PDL in a single institution from January 2016 to February 2018. In accordance with the treatment method, the patients were retrospectively divided into the small-spot-combined-with-large-spot group (SL-group) and the large-spot group (L-group). Patients with poor therapeutic results were re-treated every 6 weeks until the lesions disappeared. The minimum follow-up period was 1 year. The groups were compared using independent-samples t tests, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Fisher exact probability test.

Results:

The therapeutic efficacy was significantly higher in the SL-group than in the L-group, with clearance rates of 90.9% and 53.0% after the primary treatment, respectively (χ² = 17.937, P < 0.001). For skin lesions with a central spider body diameter ≥1 mm, the once-treatment cure rates were 100% in the SL-group and 34.8% in the L-group (χ² = 20.780, P < 0.001). For skin lesions with a central spider body diameter <1 mm, the once-treatment cure rates were 82.6% in the SL-group and 62.8% in the L-group (χ² = 3.961, P = 0.138). The rates of adverse reactions and recurrence did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.141 and P = 1.000, respectively).

Conclusions:

The 595-nm PDL might be a safe and effective treatment option for facial SN in children. The small-spot-combined-with-large-spot method is especially suitable for SN with a central spider body diameter ≥1 mm.

Observation on the effects of 595- nm pulsed dye laser and 755- nm long-pulsed alexandrite laser on sequential therapy of infantile hemangioma

BACKGROUND

Infantile hemangioma (IH) can lead to severe complications. The 595-nm pulsed dye laser is poorly effective on thick and deep IH. Long-pulsed alexandrite laser has the proper wavelength of 755 nm and a relatively deep penetration. Thus, this may be a safe and effective treatment method for relatively deep or thick IH.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine whether 595-nm pulsed dye laser and 755-nm long-pulsed alexandrite laser in sequential therapy are safer and more effective for relatively deep or thick hemangioma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective study. A total of 194 infantile IH patients (thickness greater than 2 mm and less than 8 mm) were randomly divided into two groups: control group (treated using 595-nm pulsed dye laser) and experimental group (treated by sequential therapy with 755-nm long-pulsed alexandrite laser and 595-nm dye laser).

RESULTS

The control group had a total effective rate of 36.1%, while the experimental group had a total effective rate of 76.3%. Enumeration data were compared by X² -test. The results were considered statistically significant at P < .05.

CONCLUSION

Sequential therapy with 755-nm pulsed dye laser and 595-nm long-pulsed alexandrite laser is a safe and effective treatment approach for relatively deep or thick hemangioma.

A STUDY ON COGNITIVE RESPONSE TENDENCY AND DAMAGE THRESHOLD OF ABSORBING MEDIUM BY LASER-INDUCED INDIRECT STIMULATION

Laser-based research can be used in biology, medicine, engineering and many other industries. The use of pulsed laser can induce thermoelastic effect in a short time and give mechanical stimulation to the human body. When the elastic medium is attached to the human body and the laser is irradiated, the mechanical stimulus induced in the elastic medium can be transferred to the human body, which may cause tactile sensation. In this study, we investigated the effects of laser-induced indirect stimulation on cognitive response and damage to absorbing medium. Through the human body experiment, we studied the laser parameter condition that most subjects feel touch. In addition, thermal analysis simulations were performed to predict the condition of the laser pulse energy, the laser frequency and the temperature at the damage threshold of the absorption medium. The results of this study are expected to be useful for conducting non-contact tactile sensation using laser, and this technique can be widely used in laser biomedical stimulation, haptic technology, and other biological and medical fields.

Laser treatment of vascular dermatological diseases using a pulsed dye laser (595 nm) in combination with a Neodym:YAG-laser (1064 nm)

There are many vascular anomalies which are often a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. They are classified in vascular tumors (e.g. infantile hemangioma) or vascular malformations (e.g. port-wine-stain). Moreover there are several other and rare vascular disregulations and diseases in the field of dermatology. Many laser systems focus on the therapy of vascular pathologies. We use a pulsed dye laser (595 nm) on its own or in combination with a Neodym:YAG-laser (1064 nm) to treat those vascular diseases. This paper points out the advantages and side effects of these two laser systems and describes the limitations of those.

CHANGE OF INDUCED STRESS WAVE ON COLLAGEN TISSUE FOR BIOSTIMULATION BY FREQUENCY-DOUBLED Nd:YAG LASER

In this research, thermoelastic effect was investigated for biostimulation without damage on the biological medium using laser. Thermoelastic effect was generated and mechanical stress was induced by laser irradiation on the collagen, the main protein in the human body, under various conditions with short pulsed laser. The threshold laser energy to induce stress wave in each medium thickness was examined with a piezo sensor. Based on the test, the stimulation strength can be controlled through the adjustment of medium thickness, laser energy and beam diameter. The result implies that precise stimulation with various strengths of stress waves can be generated at the target depth without direct contact with the biological medium. This research can be used valuably in various fields such as contactless biostimulation, low power laser treatment and laser haptic applications.