Investigation of photodynamic therapy optimization for port wine stain using modulation of photosensitizer administration methods

To raise photosensitizer concentration level during the photodynamic therapy process, two new methods of photosensitizer administration were investigated. The first method involves the slow intravenous injection of photosensitizer throughout the first 15 min of irradiation, and the second method involves 30 min fomentation before photosensitizer injection and irradiation. The fluorescence spectra of port wine stain skin were monitored and the therapeutic effect correlated index was calculated with a previously published spectral algorithm. Thirty cases were divided into group A (slow injection of photosensitizer during the first 15 min), group B (fomentation), and group C (control group, traditional injection method), with 10 cases in each group. To analyze the effect of these two new methods, the change of therapeutic effect correlated index values of two photodynamic therapy sessions for each patient were calculated, and the photodynamic therapy outcome was compared. The results showed that the change of therapeutic effect correlated index in group A was slightly more remarkable than that in the control group. The change of therapeutic effect correlated index in group B was similar to that in the control group. Slow injection of photosensitizer during photodynamic therapy has a potential to increase photosensitizer concentration level during photodynamic therapy. However, fomentation before photodynamic therapy has no such potential. There is a need for new methods to be attempted.