Idiopathic elastosis perforans serpiginosa with satisfactory response after 5-ALA photodynamic therapy

Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the use of photochemical reactions mediated through the interaction of photosensitizing agents, light, and oxygen for the treatment of malignant or benign diseases. Topical photosensitizers employed in dermatology are 5-aminolevulinic acid (5 ALA) and methyl aminolevulinate, classically used for the treatment of superficial non-melanoma skin cancer and their precursors. Recently the efficacy of PDT has been introduced in other benign diseases. Elastosis perforans serpiginosa (EPS) is a rare skin disorder characterized by transepidermal elimination of abnormal elastic fibers. Management of this condition is complicated, various methods have been used but with limited success. We report a case of EPS in a 30-yeard-old woman treated with 5 ALA-PDT. After 4 sessions the lesions have almost completely disappeared with no residual side effects. Therefore we present an effective and safe alternative for the treatment of EPS.