Background: Recalcitrant palmoplanter warts represent a therapeutic challenge. Side effects of local destructive methods necessitates the need for other less morbid modalities. Recently immunotherapy as well as light based devices and lasers have emerged as therapeutic approaches.
Aim of the study: To compare between the safety and efficacy of intralesional vitamin D3 injection and photodynamic therapy (PDT) using eosin in treatment of recalcitrant palmoplanter warts.
Patients and methods: Prospective, randomized, controlled comparative study. Fifty -six patients with recalcitrant palmoplanter warts were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A was injected with intralesional vitamin D3. Group B was subjected to PDT using eosin loaded in trasferosomes as a photosensitizer. Group C is the control group. Clinical improvement was assessed by photographic records and dermoscopic assessment, at baseline, before each session and after completion of treatment. Patients were followed up for 6 months after cure to detect recurrence.
Results: Group A and B showed complete clearance in 88.89 % and 86.36 % respectively compared to 18.75 % in the control group. These results were statistically significant (P value<0.001). No side effects were reported except for pain during injection in group A.
Conclusion: In the current study, both vitamin D3 and PDT using Eosin are safe, highly effective and well tolerated modalities in treatment of viral warts.
Keywords: Dermoscope; Eosin; Photodynamic therapy; Vitamin D3; Warts.
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