Cryosurgery of Benign Skin Lesions
Australasian Journal of Dermatology
Volume 40, Issue 4, pages 175–186, November 1999
1440-0960/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=9cb31ba89a92b9f10e2a36d20b4714d7ee7ac497 "Australasian Journal of Dermatology")
Cryosurgery is a widely used treatment modality in dermatology. Its place in cutaneous malignant and premalignant disease is well established; however, it also has great utility with benign lesions. Vascular, infectious, fibrotic diseases, solar damage, acne, as well as some cosmetic defects are amenable to freezing. The mechanism of treatment involves inducing tissue damage, vascular stasis and occlusion, as well as inflammation, to destroy unwanted tissue. After destruction of epidermal lesions, healing involves rapid re-epithelialization over a relatively cold- insensitive dermal network. Side effects are common but shortlived and are rarely severe. The equipment required is relatively economical and readily available. The technique is straightforward and reproducible, making cryosurgery an attractive option for many commonly encountered benign skin conditions. This review outlines treatment with the timed spot freeze technique of some commonly encountered benign lesions.
Thai, K.-E. and Sinclair, R. D. (1999), Cryosurgery of benign skin lesions. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 40: 175–186. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-0960.1999.00356.x
