Fractional thermoablation using an erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet fractionated laser for the treatment of pulsed dye laser-resistant port wine stain birthmarks.

摘要

Port-wine stain (PWS) birthmarks are relatively common vascular malformations, affecting 3 out of 1,000 individuals at birth. The exact etiology of these vascular lesions remains uncertain, but the presence of ectatic dilation of otherwise normal vessels in the papillary and mid-dermis is well established. Although these malformations can occur anywhere on the body, they most commonly present on the face. Involvement of an exposed area such as this often leads to significant psychological distress, with the patient anxious to find treatment options.