A Systematic Review of Laser Treatment for Angiofibromas in Tuberous Sclerosis

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#male #female #child #adolescent #young-adult

A Systematic Review of Laser Treatment for Angiofibromas in Tuberous Sclerosis

Gu et al., 2024 | Dermatol Surg | Systematic Review

Citation

Gu Yaron, Verheyden Matthew J, ... Liu Rose C. A Systematic Review of Laser Treatment for Angiofibromas in Tuberous Sclerosis. Dermatol Surg. 2024-Sep-01;50(9):840-846. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000004222

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors have revolutionized the management of angiofibroma in tuberous sclerosis complex (TS), physical modalities such as laser are still indicated for recalcitrant lesions. OBJECTIVE: The authors performed a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of laser treatment for TS-related facial angiofibroma. METHODS: The electronic databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science were searched from inception to October 10, 2023, for eligible records. RESULTS: Forty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria, representing a total of 217 patients with TS-related facial angiofibroma who received laser treatment. Several lasers have been trialed in patients including carbon dioxide ( n = 95, 43.7%), pulsed dye ( n = 21, 9.7%), argon ( n = 16, 7.4%), neodymium-doped: yttrium aluminum garnet ( n = 12, 5.5%), copper vapor ( n = 9, 4.1%), potassium titanyl phosphate ( n = 7, 3.2%), erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet ( n = 2, 0.9%), lasers and various combination therapies ( n = 55, 25.3%). CONCLUSION: Potassium titanyl phosphate, pulsed dye, and neodymium-dopsed:yttrium aluminum garnet lasers are better suited to manage the vascular components of angiofibroma while ablative lasers such as erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet and carbon dioxide lasers may present better options for lesions with a prominent fibrous component. While several lasers have been trialed with broadly favorable results, the low level of evidence precludes definitive conclusions, and no single laser appears superior.

Key Findings

Forty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria, representing a total of 217 patients with TS-related facial angiofibroma who received laser treatment. Several lasers have been trialed in patients including carbon dioxide ( n = 95, 43.7%), pulsed dye ( n = 21, 9.7%), argon ( n = 16, 7.4%), neodymium-doped: yttrium aluminum garnet ( n = 12, 5.5%), copper vapor ( n = 9, 4.1%), potassium titanyl phosphate ( n = 7, 3.2%), erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet ( n = 2, 0.9%), lasers and various combination

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population ts
Sample Size 95
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Male
  • Female
  • Child
  • Adolescent
  • Young Adult
  • Adult
  • Angiofibroma
  • Tuberous Sclerosis
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Laser Therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Lasers
  • Facial Neoplasms
  • Humans

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: potassium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09