BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Molluscum contagiosum is caused by the molluscum 
contagiosum virus (MCV) and is a very common skin disorder mainly involving 
young children Cryotherapy, curettage or some topical therapies have been 
applied for MC, but all of these treatments need several sessions, can be 
somewhat ineffective, and very painful. The present study assessed the impact of 
a single session of pulsed dye laser treatment of MC lesions which had proved 
resistant to other approaches Subjects and methods: Fifteen children comprised 
the study subjects, 11 boys and 4 girls, 3-5 years of age (mean 4.2 yr) with 
recalcitrant MC. Lesions were counted at baseline, and a single shot from a 585 
nm pulsed dye laser was applied to each lesion (3 mm, 300 ms, 8.0 J/cm(2)). 
Lesions were counted again at 1 week post-treatment and followed for up to 3 
months thereafter.
RESULTS: All patients completed the study and no patient dropped out through 
pain or discomfort. Purpura was seen at each treated lesion immediately after 
irradiation, but at 1 week after treatment, lesion clearance was virtually 
complete which was maintained for 1 month, and no recurrence was seen at 3 
months in 8 of the 15 patients who remained available for followup.
CONCLUSIONS: A single treatment of MC lesions with the pulsed dye laser 
successfully cured even recalcitrant lesions with no recurrence on follow up, 
and was well tolerated by the young subjects.