$Unique_ID{BRK01527}
$Pretitle{Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue}
$Title{How Should Port Wine Stain be Treated?}
$Subject{port wine stain treatment}
$Volume{L-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Should Port Wine Stain be Treated?


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QUESTION:  When our baby son was born, we thought we had a Gorbachev in the
family for there was a big, red mark across his forehead.  Our doctor has
diagnosed this as a port wine stain.  We have also found out that our child is
normal in all other ways.  Our question is when and how should this blemish be
treated?  Do you know of any new treatments that can help?

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ANSWER:  I am glad I have nothing but good news for you.  Port wine stains or
as medical terminology would have it, a "nevus flammeus" occurs quite
frequently.  As many as 3 children out of every 100 may be born with similar
marks.  When such "blemishes" (as you put it) are seen on certain parts of the
face, it may be part of a condition known as Sturge-Weber Syndrome.  It is
this syndrome that sometimes causes problems in the neurological system of
these children, but that only occurs in about 8 percent of all cases, and it
seems apparent that your son is not one of these.  The fact is that these skin
lesions do not fade over time, as some others do, but must be treated.  In the
past a variety of techniques were used, including freezing with liquid carbon
dioxide, plastic surgery and skin grafts, tattoos and even just an opaque
cosmetic cream that matches the patient's skin color to cover the mark.  Argon
laser therapy, considered the best technique generally available, often left
scars in place of the red spot.  A new technology, using a flash-lamp pulsed
tunable dye laser, is now receiving high praise from those who have seen its
results.  Although it may take several treatments to totally erase a port wine
stain, there is little risk of scarring when the skin is properly protected.
Early treatment is recommended, when the baby's skin is thinner.  Though there
are only a few centers offering this technique, it is not that expensive.
Charges per visit are in the $200 range, and much of that cost should be
covered by insurance.  You should consult with your own physicians, but my
advice is to start treatments as soon as you can.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
