Intralesional vitamin D3 in recalcitrant palmoplantar and periungual warts: A prospective, observational study

Cutaneous warts are particularly difficult to treat with conventional treatment on sites such as the palms, soles, and periungual region. Immunotherapy boosts the host immune response and helps clear warts with less chance of recurrence. Vitamin D plays an important role in proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. The aim of this observational study was to study the efficacy and safety of intralesional vitamin D immunotherapy in the treatment of recalcitrant palmoplantar and periungual warts. Patients who had palmoplantar and periungual warts for more than 6 months and were non-responsive to at least two conventional treatment modalities were selected for the study. A maximum of four warts were injected with 0.2 mL of lignocaine (20 mg/mL), followed by intralesional injection of 0.2-0.5 mL of vitamin D3 (15 mg/mL), every 2 weeks for a maximum of four sessions. Response was assessed based on the reduction in the number of warts. A total of 63 patients were included in the study. The mean number of intralesional vitamin D3 injections required for complete clearance was 3.05 ±0.83 (mean ± Standard Deviation). Complete response was observed in 56 (88.9%) patients. Maximum clearance was observed in periungual warts (92.9%), followed by palmar warts (90.0%) and plantar warts (86.2%). The most common adverse effect was pain during injection (100.0%) and local swelling (25 .4%). Two patients developed recurrence during follow-up. Immunotherapy with vitamin D3 appears to ...
Source: Acta Dermatovenerologica Croatica - Category: Dermatology Source Type: research