Demonstration of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) localized to areas of palmar skin injected with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and pre-treated with a fractionated CO2 laser prior to topically applied ALA☆
published online 29 March 2010.
Summary
Background
Several techniques designed to enhance ALA delivery into subcorneal layers of palmar skin are described.
Methods
Six palms from three subjects were treated with topical ALA, iontophoresis enhanced delivery of ALA, intradermal injections of ALA solution, or fractionated CO2 laser (with or without erbium:YAG surface ablation). The relative efficacy of each technique was determined using Wood's lamp illumination for the presence of fluorescent PpIX.
Results
Palms treated with topically applied ALA alone or with iontophoresis pre-treatment failed to exhibit fluorescence. The palm treated with intradermal injections of ALA and the palms pre-treated with fractionated CO2 laser with or without erbium:YAG laser surface ablation exhibited fluorescence at treatment areas.
Conclusion
Both intradermal injections and fractionated CO2 laser (with or without erbium:YAG laser pre-treatment) may provide an effective means for delivery of ALA into subcorneal layers of palmar skin. Numerous potential clinical applications of these techniques (including treatment of localized palmar hyperhidrosis) exist.
PL, PS, NU – Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, United States
Corresponding author at: Naval Medical Center San Diego, Department of Dermatology, 34800 Bob Wilson Dr., San Diego, CA 92134, United States. Tel.: +1 619 532 9660; fax: +1 619 532 9458.
☆ The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the United States Government.
ABSTRACT