Cryosurgical Treatment of Warts: Dimethyl Ether and Propane Versus Liquid Nitrogen — Case Report and Review of the Literature

October 2011 | Volume 10 | Issue 10 | Original Article | 1174 | Copyright © October 2011


equate for keratinocyte necrosis, melanocytes may be destroyed at -5°C. Consequently, the potential for post-exposure hypopigmentation also exists, especially in dark skinned individuals. But perhaps the greatest morbidity is not the immediate burns or pigmentation changes, but, rather, the delay in proper treatment of a malignant lesion masquerading as a viral wart.
In summary, the above case clearly demonstrates a poor outcome following multiple treatments with an OTC wart-freezing device. But given the lack of prospective data comparing OTC wart-freezing cryotherapy to standard cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, only tentative conclusions regarding the safety and efficacy of these OTC products should be made.

DISCLOSURES

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

REFERENCES

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ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE

Craig G. Burkhart MD MPH5600 Monroe StreetSuite 106BSylvania, OH 43560Phone: (419) 885-3403Fax: (419) 885-3401cgbakb@aol.com