The efficacy and safety of 5-Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) as an adjunct therapy for symptoms in patients with dissecting cellulitis of the scalp: A retrospective study

摘要

Background: Medicinal therapies such as systemic retinoids and antibiotics have shown efficacy in the treatment of dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS), but refractory cases are common. 5-Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) has been successfully used in medicine-resistant cases in recent years. Methods: A total of 12 patients who received ALA-PDT in addition to formally failed medicinal therapies were interviewed by telephone regarding improvement of symptoms, satisfaction, and side effects. Results: Overall, 58.3 % patients achieved greater than 50 % improvement of at least one symptom, and 16.7 % had little improvement for any symptom. The proportion of patients who had greater than 50 % improvement for pain, pruritus, swelling and suppuration were 36.4 %, 66.7 %, 33.3 % and 58.3 % respectively. 41.7 % patients were either satisfied or very satisfied with the ALA-PDT. The side effects were mainly pain and crusting that were mostly mild and recovered quickly. Conclusion: ALA-PDT was safe and partially effective in reducing DCS symptoms as an adjunct to systemic medicinal therapies.