Recalcitrant breast lymphangioma circumscriptum treated by ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser

BACKGROUND. Lymphangioma circumscriptum is a relatively rare cutaneous disorder, consisting of superficial and deep lymphatic cisterns. These vascular blebs are difficult to trent,frequently recur, and can cause patients significant morbidity. OBJECTIVE. We report a difficult case of lymphangioma circumscriptum, recurrent from a two prior surgical treatments, which was treated in a straightforward manner by one of the newer, high-energy, short-pulse carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers. METHODS. Report of a case and literature review. CONCLUSION. Like continuous-wave CO2 laser systems, the newer, high-energy, short-pulse CO2 lasers may be effective in vaporizing some of the surface lymphatic vessels, which may in turn seal some of the communicating channels to the deeper cisterns, yielding functionally and cosmetically acceptable results for this difficult disorder. However, given the nature of the lesion, the potential for recurrence exists no matter what modality is chosen. (C) 1998 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Dermatol Surg 1998;24:893-895.