Superficial shaving combined with photodynamic therapy for treating verrucous epidermal nevi: A case report

Verrucous epidermal nevi is a refractory skin disease. Photodynamic therapy is considered a third-line treatment for verrucous epidermal nevi due to its unstable efficacy and high recurrence rate, mainly because of its limited depth of penetration. In this case, we conducted a successful treatment using superficial shaving combined with photodynamic therapy to treat verrucous epidermal nevi and gained a satisfactory efficacy. Before photodynamic therapy treatment, the epidermis in situ of each lesion in the tissue is removed with superficial shaving. Removal of the epidermal layer by intentional in situ injury improves the diffusion and absorption of topically applied photosensitizers and enhances the efficacy of photodynamic therapy. Our results show that photodynamic therapy combined with superficial shaving maybe is a safe and effective treatment for verrucous epidermal nevi.