Treatment of cutaneous and mucosal telangiectases in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: Report of three cases

Abstract

Introduction: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) or Rendu–Osler–Weber disease is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by epistaxis, mucocutaneous telangiectases and visceral arteriovenous malformations. Cutaneous telangiectases are the most obvious sign of this disorder and are not a merely cosmetic problem owing to their risk for bleeding, which may constitute an authentic matter of concern to these patients. Methods: Three patients with type‐II HHT disease who presented cutaneous and labial lesions were treated with an intense pulsed light (IPL) system associated with a long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser (Photoderm‐Vasculight, Lumenis). Labial lesions were treated with the IPL system and cutaneous lesions were treated with the IPL system and the long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser. All treatments were accomplished on an outpatient basis, without anesthesia. Results: All three patients experienced a reduction in the frequency and severity of bleeding episodes and a great cosmetic improvement, with total lesion clearance. Side effects, such as purpura, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation or textural changes, were not observed. Recurrences were not detected after a maximum period of 24 months of follow‐up. Conclusion: The combination of an IPL system and a long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser is efficient and safe for the treatment of cutaneous and labial telangiectases in patients with HHT disease and constitutes an important tool in improving their quality of life.

• Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
• intense pulsed light
• IPL
• laser
• mucocutaneous telangiectases
• Rendu–Osler–Weber disease