Photodynamic Therapy With Liquid Crystal Loaded Methylene Blue in the Treatment of Verruca

ABSTRACT Background Verrucae (warts) are caused by human papilloma viruses. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a widely recommended option to treat warts. Objectives To assess the role of liquid crystal loaded methylene blue (MB) combined with intense pulsed light (IPL) in the treatment of verrucae. Patients and Methods A total of 42 clinically and dermoscopically confirmed patients complaining of at least four cutaneous warts of various types were recruited in this clinical study. The lesions for the same patient were divided into 4 groups: Group (1) received topical 10% liquid crystal loaded MB, then was subjected to two passes of IPL with a 650 nm cutoff filter; Group (2) was subjected to two passes of IPL; and Group (3) received topical 10% liquid crystal loaded MB gel. They underwent four sessions at 2‐week intervals. Group (4) was left with no treatment (control). Results Complete disappearance of warts was observed in 52.4%, 19%, and 4.8% in Group 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with no recurrence throughout the following 3 months. Regarding PDT‐treated group, verruca plantaris showed the best result, followed by verruca plana, then verruca vulgaris. Comparing all groups, there was a statistically significant difference in which the PDT group showed the best result. Conclusion PDT using 10% liquid crystal loaded MB combined with IPL is an effective option in wart treatment with the best results in V. plantaris, followed by V. plana and V. vulgaris.