A combination of phototherapy modalities for extensive lip lesions in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2021 Mar:33:102196. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2021.102196. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

Abstract

Many oral signs and symptoms related to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been reported; however, both prevalence and etiology are still undetermined. Since the clinical features of the oral lesions seen in COVID-19 are highly heterogeneous and the treatments differ considerably in the literature, the present study aimed to report a clinical case in which a combination of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) was used for extensive lip lesions in a patient suffering from COVID-19. Within 4 days and without any systemic drug administration, after two sessions of aPDT and one session of PBMT, the lip lesions were completely healed, and the patient recovered her orofacial functions satisfactorily. According to the current case report and taking into consideration the evident lack of information about many aspects of COVID-19 infection, this combination of phototherapy modalities seems to be a promising tool for managing COVID-19-related lip lesions; however, more studies are necessary.

Keywords: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy; COVID-19; Oral manifestations; Photobiomodulation therapy; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lip / drug effects*
  • Lip / pathology*
  • Low-Level Light Therapy / methods*
  • Methylene Blue / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Methylene Blue