CO ₂ laser treatment for plantar warts in children: A case series

Abstract

Several types of human papillomaviruses induce warts. Warts are one of the most common infections in childhood with a reported prevalence of up to 20%. Warts are divided clinically into genital and nongenital forms. Plantar warts are common nongenital warts. In this series, five pediatric cases treated with CO2 laser for their plantar warts are presented. One patient was a known case of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Three of our patients had history of unsuccessful treatments with other modalities, while the other had received no previous treatment. CO2 laser with continuous mode (focused and defocused) was used. In our cases, only one session was enough for clearance of the warts. All the patients were visited 1 week and 3 months after treatment to assess the efficacy and any possible recurrences. Follow‐up showed that all the patients remained in remission up to 3 months posttreatment with no adverse events.

Evaluation of combined treatment with Er:YAG laser and long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of recalcitrant warts: A prospective randomized controlled trial

“…The CO 2 laser was the first laser used for the treatment of recalcitrant warts, 17 it emits high-energy laser light, which results in removing the bulk of the lesion, coagulation of blood vessels and necrosis of the wart. 18 In a review of previous studies, it was found that the success rate of CO 2 lasers against recalcitrant warts ranged between 46.2% and 100%, 2 but scarring and pain may occur in about 60% of cases. [19][20][21][22] The use of the CO 2 laser was later followed by the Er:YAG laser.…”

“…Ablative lasers like Er:YAG and CO 2 lasers, and non‐ablative lasers like long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser and PDL laser, are among the laser modalities that have been used to treat recalcitrant viral warts. The CO 2 laser was the first laser used for the treatment of recalcitrant warts, 17 it emits high‐energy laser light, which results in removing the bulk of the lesion, coagulation of blood vessels and necrosis of the wart 18 . In a review of previous studies, it was found that the success rate of CO 2 lasers against recalcitrant warts ranged between 46.2% and 100%, 2 but scarring and pain may occur in about 60% of cases 19–22 .…”

Combined therapy of local recombinant human interferon α1b injection and acupuncture on verruca vulgaris: a retrospective study

“…Oral immune modulators were taken for 1–3 months according to the drug instructions, whereas imiquimod was topically applied on the lesions every other day till the lesions were disappeared. For CO 2 group, CO 2 laser was applied to all lesions as described previously [ 18 ].…”

Update on lasers in pediatric dermatology: how primary care providers can help patients and families navigate appropriate treatment options and timelines

“…Clearance rates have been reported between 0 and 100%, and recurrence rates from 0 to 40% [54]. Ablative laser can also be used to destroy virally infected keratinocytes and may allow for immune recognition of previously hidden viral particles [56]. Remission rates with ablative lasers are reported between 59 and 100%, with reported recurrence of 0-40% [54].…”