Photodynamic therapy is increasingly being used for the treatment of various cancers.
However, this technique has a major adverse effect, namely skin photosensitization.
An unusual case of skin burn associated with pulse oximetry during photodynamic therapy
in a patient treated for an early esophageal tumor is described. The patient, who
was treated with mTHPC, suffered a second-degree burn on the index finger with subsequent
loss of the nail. The only previously reported case of such a complication occurred
with Photofrin, whereby no tissue other than skin was damaged.
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A. RaduM.D.
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
CHUV Hospital
1011 Lausanne
Switzerland
Phone: + 41-21-314 27 06
Email: Alexandre.Radu@chuv.hospvd.ch
