Histochemical Evaluation of the Vessel Wall Destruction and Selectivity After Treatment with Intense Pulsed Light in Capillary Malformations

Abstract Background Among the different approaches for improving the effectiveness in the treatment of Capillary Malformations type Port Wine Stain (CM type PWS) are the intense pulsed light sources. There are few clinical studies prove useful in the treatment of CM. Furthermore, no studies have been published yet demonstrating the histological effects of IPL in CM. Objectives To assess the histological effects of pulsed light in capillary malformations type port wine stain. We wanted to compare epidermal, dermal and vessel wall damage after treatment with different combinations of IPL parameters. Material and methods Fifty-five post-treatment biopsies were performed in 15 consenting patients with CM and stained with nitroblue-tetrazolium chloride (NBTC). Patients had not been treated previously. Results Fifteen patients with CM, with a median age of 39 years-old were enrolled in this study. In this series, the patients with the most severe epidermal damage were those with a darker phototype. Pink CM were especially resistant to treatment, even using high fluences, short pulse durations and stacking pulses. Longer intra- and interpulse delays were effective in purple CM, achieving adequate vessel destruction. Conclusions IPL devices provide a vast amount of treatment possibilities and further studies are necessary to optimize therapeutic approaches to CM. In this study we have observed the histological effects of different pulses on the MC type PWS.