A low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser for the treatment of café-au-lait macules

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 Sep;73(3):477-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.06.002. Epub 2015 Jul 10.

Abstract

Background: Café-au-lait macules (CALMs) are a common pigmentary disorder. Although a variety of laser modalities have been used to treat CALMs, their efficacies vary and dyspigmentation may develop.

Objective: We evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of a low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for the treatment of CALMs.

Methods: In a preliminary investigation, 6 patients underwent a split-lesion comparative study with 532- and 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment. In total, 32 patients with 39 CALMs were enrolled in a subsequent prospective trial to evaluate the treatment with a low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

Results: In the preliminary study, the 1064-nm treatment group had a more favorable response and a shorter recovery time. In a subsequent prospective trial of a 1064-nm laser, 74.4% of the lesions showed a clinical response with clearance of ≥50.0%. The treatment regimen was well tolerated; 15.4% of patients experienced adverse events.

Limitations: The study participants were followed for 6 months, and there were no relevant treatment controls in the prospective trial group.

Conclusion: Low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser therapy afforded good clinical improvement for treating CALMs.

Keywords: 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser; café-au-lait macules; laser therapy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aluminum*
  • Cafe-au-Lait Spots / pathology
  • Cafe-au-Lait Spots / radiotherapy*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lasers, Solid-State / therapeutic use*
  • Low-Level Light Therapy / methods*
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult
  • Yttrium*

Substances

  • yttrium-aluminum-garnet
  • Yttrium
  • Aluminum