INTRODUCTION:Pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment is based on the principle of selective photothermolysis and is widely considered to be the treatment of choice for a variety of cutaneous vascular lesions. OBJECTIVE:To review the indications and outcome of PDL treatment and summarise new developments. METHOD:A literature-based study has been conducted entailing the review of publications over the period January 1993-December 2003 using the databases Medline and Cochrane CENTRAL. RESULTS:The PDL was found to be effective in port wine stain, facial telangiectasia, leg telangiectasia <0.5 mm, scars, hypertrophic scars and ulcerated haemangioma. DISCUSSION:Essential characteristics of lesions suitable for PDL treatment are discussed and guidelines are presented for future research.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant trait characterized by epistaxis, telangiectasia, visceral lesions, and a positive family history. A patient is presented with painful ulcers on the fingertips secondary to HHT, causing impairments in daily activities. The most affected sites were stripped of their dermis and resurfaced with skin grafts. This treatment proved to be a good therapeutic option, and stable long-term results can hopefully be expected.