Current Treatment Options for Port Wine Stain Birthmarks.

I applaud Qin et al. for their publication, “Photodynamic therapy of port wine stains – a report of 238 cases”1. Such extensive experience with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for port wine stains (PWS) is impressive and I believe, unequaled in the Western world. In the United States and Europe, pulsed lasers and light sources, especially the pulsed dye laser (PDL; wavelengths = 585 or 595 nm) are the treatment of choice for PWS and it is unusual for other treatment modalities to be utilized 2. However, physicians familiar with PDL therapy for PWS agree that while dramatic results can be achieved, many lesions are resistant and complete removal is uncommon. Lesions in older patients (non-infants) and in those with darker skin types are particularly difficult to treat.