OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect between electroacupuncture at "four points of sacral region" and transurethral Erbium laser in treatment of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. METHODS: A total of 68 patients of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy were divided into an electroacupuncture group (34 cases) and an Erbium laser group (34 cases, 3 cases dropped off) according to the settings. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied at "four points of sacral region", i.e. points of 0.5 cun beside bilateral sacrococcygeal joints and bilateral Huiyang (BL 35), with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 60 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week, 12 times as one course of treatment. In the Erbium laser group, transurethral Erbium laser technology was given, once every 4 weeks as one course of treatment. Both groups were treated for 5 courses. The scores of the International Consultation on Incontinence questionnaire-short form (ICI-Q-SF) and the incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL) were observed before treatment, after each course of treatment and in follow-up after 1 and 2 months of treatment completion, respectively, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with those before treatment, the ICI-Q-SF scores were decreased while the I-QOL scores were increased after 5 courses of treatment and in follow-up after 1, 2 months of treatment completion in the two groups (P<0.01). The ICI-Q-SF score in follow-up after 2 months of treatment completion were higher than that after 5 courses of treatment in the Erbium laser group (P<0.05). After 3, 4, 5 courses of treatment and in follow-up after 1 and 2 months of treatment completion, the ICI-Q-SF scores in the electroacupuncture group were lower than those in the Erbium laser group (P<0.05, P<0.01); after 2, 3, 4, 5 courses of treatment and in follow-up after 1 and 2 months of treatment completion, the I-QOL scores in the electroacupuncture group were higher than those in the Erbium laser group (P<0.01). The change ranges of ICI-Q-SF score and I-QOL score between before treatment and after each course of treatment in the electroacupuncture group were lager than those in the Erbium laser group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate was 61.8% (21/34) in the electroacupuncture group, which was superior to 19.4 (6/31) in the Erbium laser group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Both electroacupuncture at "four points of sacral region" and transurethral Erbium laser can improve the clinical symptoms and the quality of life in patients of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. The short-term efficacy and long-term efficacy of electroacupuncture are superior to the Erbium laser technology.
Male ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/therapy* ; Sacrococcygeal Region ; Electroacupuncture ; Erbium ; Prostatectomy/adverse effects*

BACKGROUND: Treatment of congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) with intense pulsed light (IPL) has recently produced promising results. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histological outcomes of small-to-medium sized CMN treated with IPL alone and in combination with erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er: YAG) laser. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 26 small-to-medium sized CMN treated as described above. The reduction in visible pigmentation, signs of recurrence and any adverse skin changes were evaluated by two independent clinicians. RESULTS: Seventeen patients completed treatment and were followed-up. Nine were not able to complete treatment due to work, change in residence, and treatment related stress. Ten patients received IPL alone (mean: 10.5 sessions) and 7 underwent treatment with IPL (mean: 7.7 sessions) and Er: YAG/IPL combination therapy (mean: 4.7 sessions). The initial treatment outcome was cleared in 5 patients and excellent in 12. Fourteen patients (82.4%) showed CMN recurrence one year after treatment completion. The histological results from a patient with an excellent clinical outcome showed remnant nevus cells nests in the deep dermis. CONCLUSION: IPL treatment alone and in combination with Er: YAG laser are not definitive treatments for CMN and should not be considered as first-line treatment.
Dermis ; Erbium* ; Humans ; Intense Pulsed Light Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Nevus ; Nevus, Pigmented* ; Pigmentation ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies* ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Treatment of congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) with intense pulsed light (IPL) has recently produced promising results. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histological outcomes of small-to-medium sized CMN treated with IPL alone and in combination with erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er: YAG) laser. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 26 small-to-medium sized CMN treated as described above. The reduction in visible pigmentation, signs of recurrence and any adverse skin changes were evaluated by two independent clinicians. RESULTS: Seventeen patients completed treatment and were followed-up. Nine were not able to complete treatment due to work, change in residence, and treatment related stress. Ten patients received IPL alone (mean: 10.5 sessions) and 7 underwent treatment with IPL (mean: 7.7 sessions) and Er: YAG/IPL combination therapy (mean: 4.7 sessions). The initial treatment outcome was cleared in 5 patients and excellent in 12. Fourteen patients (82.4%) showed CMN recurrence one year after treatment completion. The histological results from a patient with an excellent clinical outcome showed remnant nevus cells nests in the deep dermis. CONCLUSION: IPL treatment alone and in combination with Er: YAG laser are not definitive treatments for CMN and should not be considered as first-line treatment.
Dermis ; Erbium* ; Humans ; Intense Pulsed Light Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Nevus ; Nevus, Pigmented* ; Pigmentation ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies* ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet laser in different output powers for removing permanent resin cement residues and therefore its influence on microshear bond strength compared to other cleaning methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 90 extracted human molars were sectioned in 1 mm thickness. Resin cement was applied to surface of sliced teeth. After the removal of initial cement, 6 test groups were prepared by various dentin surface treatment methods as follows: no treatment (Group 1), ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid application (Group 2), Endosolv R application (Group 3), 1.25 W Erbium, Chromium:Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet laser irradiation (Group 4), 2 W Erbium, Chromium:Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet laser irradiation (Group 5) and 3.5 W Erbium, Chromium:Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet laser irradiation (Group 6). The topography and morphology of the treated dentin surfaces were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (n=2 for each group). Following the repetitive cementation, microshear bond strength between dentin and cement (n=26 in per group) were measured with universal testing machine and the data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis H Test with Bonferroni correction (P<.05). Fracture patterns were investigated by light microscope. RESULTS: Mean microshear bond strength +/- SD (MPa) for each group was 34.9 +/- 17.7, 32.1 +/- 15.8, 37.8 +/- 19.3, 31.3 +/- 12.7, 44.4 +/- 13.6, 40.2 +/- 13.2 respectively. Group 5 showed significantly difference from Group 1, Group 2 and Group 4. Also, Group 6 was found statistically different from Group 4. CONCLUSION: 2 W and 3.5 W Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet laser application were found efficient in removing resin residues.
Acetic Acid ; Cementation ; Characidae ; Chromium ; Dentin* ; Erbium ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Molar ; Resin Cements ; Tooth

Carbon Dioxide ; Dental Enamel ; injuries ; Dental Pulp ; injuries ; Dentin ; injuries ; Erbium ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; adverse effects ; Lasers ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Neodymium ; Tooth ; radiation effects

Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is a rare autosomal dominant multisystem disorder due to a mutation in the PTCH1 gene. Dermatologic manifestations include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and palmoplantar pits. This case of childhood-onset BCC arising in a child of Filipino descent with BCNS illustrates the importance of early detection and diagnosis, which will then facilitate early counseling and management of this lifelong condition. An 11-year-old Filipino-American girl presented with multiple variegated pearly papules on the face, clavicular area and upper back. She also had multiple palmoplantar pits. Shave biopsy of a papule showed BCC. Trans-abdominal ultrasound revealed bilateral ovarian calcifications. Jaw and chest radiography were unremarkable. Skin lesions were initially treated with ablative erbium:YAG laser and later recurred after 3 months. Imiquimod cream was then started which resulted in partial resolution of lesions after 12 weeks. The dermatologist's role in the diagnosis of BCNS is integral, especially in this case where the patient is a seemingly well child with predominantly dermatologic manifestations. Clinical findings of BCNS, including BCC, are recurrent. Lifetime monitoring, counseling and adequate patient education and appropriate treatment of lesions are central to the management of this condition.

Human ; Female ; Child ; Aminoquinolines ; Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Dermatologists ; Erbium ; Lasers, Solid-state ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms

Buschke-Lowenstein tumor(BLT) is a rare sexually transmitted disease triggered by human papillomavirus type 6 or 11. It presents as an anogenital exophytic tumor characterized by its size, local infiltration, high recurrence rate and risk of malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma. A 45-year-old heterosexual male presented with a 22-year history of slow-growing, multiple, dark brown, verrucous, exophytic nodules and plaques over the trunk, extremities, inguinal and gluteal areas. Two years prior to consult, there was coalescence of lower abdominal plaques with rapid growth of a pinkish cauliflower-like tumor. Pelvic MRI showed that the tumor was limited to the skin. Biopsy of the lower abdominal mass was consistent with BLT and positive for HPV DNA. There was no internal organ involvement or metastasis. Pulsed dye and erbium:YAG lasers were done on the gluteal area test sites followed by wide excision and split-thickness skin graft of the lower abdominal and pubic area.

Human ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Biopsy ; Brassica ; Buschke-lowenstein Tumor ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Dna ; Erbium ; Heterosexuality ; Human Papillomavirus 6 ; Lasers, Solid-state ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Torso

Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is a rare autosomal dominant multisystem disorder due to a mutation in the PTCH1 gene. Dermatologic manifestations include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and palmoplantar pits. This case of childhood-onset BCC arising in a child of Filipino descent with BCNS illustrates the importance of early detection and diagnosis, which will then facilitate early counseling and management of this lifelong condition. An 11-year-old Filipino-American girl presented with multiple variegated pearly papules on the face, clavicular area and upper back. She also had multiple palmoplantar pits. Shave biopsy of a papule showed BCC. Trans-abdominal ultrasound revealed bilateral ovarian calcifications. Jaw and chest radiography were unremarkable. Skin lesions were initially treated with ablative erbium:YAG laser and later recurred after 3 months. Imiquimod cream was then started which resulted in partial resolution of lesions after 12 weeks. The dermatologist's role in the diagnosis of BCNS is integral, especially in this case where the patient is a seemingly well child with predominantly dermatologic manifestations. Clinical findings of BCNS, including BCC, are recurrent. Lifetime monitoring, counseling and adequate patient education and appropriate treatment of lesions are central to the management of this condition.

Human ; Female ; Child ; Aminoquinolines ; Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Dermatologists ; Erbium ; Lasers, Solid-state ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: Many studies have carried out research on comparisons between laser etching and conventional etching systems to investigate methods of reinforcing shear bond strength. The purposes of this study were to assess the efficiency of bonding with erbium, chromium doped: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser etching combined with the conventional etching technique. METHODS: Sixty-four sound premolars, extracted for orthodontic purposes, were randomly divided into 4 groups and treated in the following manner. First group, conventional etching of 37% phosphoric acid for 15 seconds (control); second group, 1.5 W laser etching for 10 seconds followed by conventional etching; third group, conventional etching followed by 1.5 W laser etching; fourth group, 1.5 W laser etching for 15 seconds only. We assessed the shear bond strength, the surface characteristics, and the adhesive remnant index scores between all groups. RESULTS: Experimental groups showed higher shear bond strength than the control group. But no statistically significant differences were found between the second and third groups. Adhesive remnant scores were compared with the Kruskal-Wallis test, and no statistically significant differences were found between all groups. CONCLUSIONS: To obtain maximum shear bonding strength, a combined technique of Er,Cr:YSGG and 37% phosphoric acid is useful even though it may be inconvenient.
Adhesives ; Bicuspid ; Chromium ; Dental Enamel ; Erbium ; Phosphoric Acids

Erbium laser exposure causes lesser inflammation with A-laser rather than B-laser.]]>
Animals ; Dinitrofluorobenzene ; Ear ; Electrons ; Erbium ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-1beta ; Laser Therapy ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Mice ; Skin ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha