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Score of Dover et al for Complications of Laser Therapy of Skin Lesions

Description

Laser therapy of skin lesions may be complicated by one or more cosmetic problems. Dover et al used a simple scoring system for monitoring patients following laser therapy for port wine stains. The authors are from New England Deaconess and Beth Israel Hospitals in Boston and the New York University Medical Center.


 

Complications:

(1) hypopigmentation

(2) hyperpigmentation

(3) atrophy

(4) hypertrophy

 

Severity of Complication

Points

none, no change

0

slight

1

moderate

2

dramatic, marked, extreme

3

 

where:

• A visual analogue scale (VAS) would be an alternative measuring element.

• The point scale could be expanded to allow for greater discernment of injury.

 

total score =

= SUM(points for all 4 complications)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 12 (although it is more likely that a lesion would not show both pigmentary or thickness changes)

• The higher the score the more severe the reaction.

• Any dramatic/extreme responses would be indicative of a serious problem.

 


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