Argyria is a rare but cosmetically distressing and difficult-to-treat condition for which quality-switched (Q-switched) lasers have been most commonly employed. However, at least one previous report suggests that the picosecond alexandrite laser may also serve as a successful treatment modality. Herein, we present a side-by-side comparison of a picosecond 755-nm alexandrite laser and a Q-switched 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in the treatment of argyria. Our results reveal an equivalent success of the picosecond alexandrite when compared to the more commonly employed Q-switched Nd:YAG, suggesting that the picosecond 755-nm alexandrite laser is equally effective in the treatment of argyria.
Porphyrias are a group of disorders caused by defective enzymes involved in the heme biosynthesis pathway. A defective enzyme in heme biosynthesis will lead to a reduction in heme production and an accumulation of porphyrin precursors. Depending on the defective enzyme, the accumulation of porphyrins can lead to a number of clinical manifestations. Porphyrias are enshrouded in a cloud of terminology that includes names of molecules, enzymes, associated diseases, and diagnostic markers. To differentiate porphyrias from other diseases and accurately diagnose porphyrias, one must understand the ''language of porphyrias.'' In this article, we aim to simplify the language of porphyrias by presenting a synopsis of the metabolic pathway, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of porphyrias.
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