Purpose: Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition that is associated with multiple noncancerous flesh coloured hamartomas that can worsen over time. Intestinal tumours, lung cysts and kidney tumours have also been described. Symptoms of this disease often present in adulthood around the third decade of life and can progressively worsen over time. Most published research centres around the diagnosis and dermatopathology of Birt- Hogg-Dube, which is rare and very few published reports describe successful treatment of the hamartomas.
Methods: A single patient at a single site was treated by one surgeon with a continuous wave fractionated laser (MIXTO Lasering, Lasering USA, San Ramon, CA) with both deep (180 micron) and superficial (300 micron) passes. Superficial passes were maximized in energy intensity.
Results: The patient reported successful reduction in the appearance and size of the facial hamartomas after 90 days. High definition photographs taken before and after highlight the differences of one continuous wave fractionated laser treatment.
Conclusion: Continuous wave fractionated CO2 laser can be used safely and effectively to reduce the appearance of facial hamartomas related to Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome.