Nevus flammeus is a benign but cosmetically devascating congenital malformation involving mature capillaries. The copper vapor laser is a therapeutic device which had been newly applied to this. Yellow copper vapor light is absorbed by the
intraluminal
oxyhemogiobulin molecules, leading to the destruction of blood vessels. This study was undertaken to evaluate the histologic findings in a patient with nevus flammeus according to the sequential time after copper vapor laser therapy.
The results were as followed, One hour after treatment, nonspecific damages to the epidermis and upper part of the dermis were observed. The specific damage to the vessels which showed thrombi formations and partial disruption of the vessel walls
was
prominent. One day after treatment, degeneration of the epidermis and separation of the dermoepidermal junction were apparent. Three days after treatment, extravasations of a small amount of erythrocytes and inflammatory cell infiltrations were
present,
especially around the vessels.
Seven days after treatment, the capillaries showed a deposition of fibrinoid material around themselves. Partial disapperarance of the vessel walls was seen. There was shistologic evidence of the replacement of abnormal ectatic vessels by normal
appearing vessels with small luminal diameters, surrounded by endothelial cells. (Kor J Dermatol 1993;3(4):596~600)
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