A new method to treat onychopapilloma with pulsed dye laser irradiation: a 13-case series report

Abstract

Purpose: Onychopapilloma is a rare benign nail tumor affecting the distal matrix and the nail bed. Currently, the only available treatment is surgical resection, which has a recurrence rate of 20% and may lead to various complications. Here we report a new method to treat onychopapilloma with pulsed dye laser (PDL).

Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 13 cases and evaluated disease classification, dermoscopic examination, laser treatment parameters, photographs before and after treatment, and treatment outcome.

Results: The site distribution of onychopapilloma was consistent with previous reports. PDL treatment was performed with 595 nm laser, with 1.5 ms pulse duration, spot diameter 3–5 mm, and 11.5–13.5 J/cm² fluence. Irradiation covered the telangiectatic area up to the edge of the nail folds, with the terminal response of purpura occurrence. The overall effective rate was 77%; the effective rates for erythronychia, leukonychia, and melanonychia were 88%, 67%, and 50%, respectively.

Conclusions: PDL treatment for onychopapilloma provides an alternative to traditional surgery with comparable effectiveness but much less risk for complications.

Keywords:

• Onychopapilloma
• pulsed dye laser
• erythronychia
• nonsurgical treatment
• onychosis
• nail tumor

Author contributions

Y.L. and B.L. have full access to all data in this study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of data analysis. X.F., T.L., and X.Z. conceived and designed the study. All authors contributed to data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation. X.F. and Y.L. drafted the manuscript, and all authors contributed to the critical revision of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors are unable to provide individual patient data as consent for distribution of personal information was not obtained in the report.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by NSFC: 81572676 and NSFSX: 2022SF-493.