Cryotherapy in the treatment of pyogenic granuloma

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic granuloma is a benign, acquired, proliferative vascular lesion of the skin and mucous membranes. Many different treatments have been used for pyogenic granuloma with variable success rates. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of cryotherapy in the treatment of pyogenic granuloma. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, 135 patients with pyogenic granuloma were treated with cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen. The patients were followed up every 3 weeks until 3 months after disappearance of the lesion. RESULTS: Complete resolution of the pyogenic granuloma was achieved in all patients after a mean of 1.58 treatments (range, 1-4 treatments). At the end of follow-up period, there was a flat imperceptible scar, smaller than the treated lesion, in 16 patients (11.8%). A hypertrophic scar, 3 mm in diameter, was observed in one patient. Hypopigmentation was observed in seven patients (5.1%). No other complication or side-effect was recorded in the study. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that pyogenic granuloma can be treated simply and effectively with cryotherapy.