[CO2 laser treatment of skin cylindromas in Brooke-Spiegler syndrome].

BACKGROUND: Multiple skin cylindromas are of autosomal dominant transmission and may be associated with spiradenoma and trichoepithelioma. This condition is known as Brooke-Spiegler syndrome. The aim of this study is to compare surgical and laser treatment for these lesions.

CASE REPORTS: Five patients from a single family (two male and three female) consulted at the dermatology department for the treatment of multiple cylindromas of the scalp. The female patients presented a more severe form that had developed into "turban tumour". All patients were initially treated by surgery. Two had undergone multiple surgical excisions alone while the others had been treated with CO2 laser. One of the female patients treated with surgery had undergone complete excision of the scalp covered by total skin graft. The three patients treated with CO2 laser were completely satisfied with their therapy, which enabled a larger number of lesions to be treated at each session. They underwent one session every three months under local anaesthesia.

CONCLUSION: CO2 laser constitutes an alternative to surgery in the treatment of multiple skin cylindroma. It gives excellent cosmetic result with excellent safety and a high degree of satisfaction among treated patients. It should be proposed for patients refusing surgery or where the number of lesions enables first-line use of this approach to be envisaged.