Retrospective analysis of the correlation between dermoscopic vascular features and the response to hemoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy in previously untreated children with port wine stains

Sheng Zhang; Xiuwei Wang; Yijing Chen; Yuhan Wang; Jianyou Chen; Xiaoyan Liu; Gao Lei Zhang; Wei Su

doi:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2025.104691

Retrospective analysis of the correlation between dermoscopic vascular features and the response to hemoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy in previously untreated children with port wine stains

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2025 Jun 25:104691. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2025.104691. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Sheng Zhang¹, Xiuwei Wang², Yijing Chen³, Yuhan Wang¹, Jianyou Chen¹, Xiaoyan Liu¹, Gao Lei Zhang⁴, Wei Su⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Capital Center for Children's Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
² Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China.
³ Child Health Big Data Research Center, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China.
⁴ Department of Dermatology, Capital Center for Children's Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: pkuzhgl@163.com.
⁵ Department of Dermatology, Capital Center for Children's Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: drsuwei@sina.com.

PMID: 40578726
DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2025.104691

Abstract

Background: Port wine stains (PWS) are congenital capillary malformations that affect the quality of life for children. Hemoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy (HMME-PDT) is a promising therapeutic modality for patients with PWS. However, the variability in the clinical efficacy of HMME-PDT has necessitated further investigations into the factors influencing the therapeutic efficacy of this modality.

Objectives: To explore the correlation between dermoscopic vascular features and the efficacy of HMME-PDT in previously untreated children with PWS.

Methods: Clinical data were collected from children with PWS who were treated with HMME-PDT. Correlations between clinical efficacy and gender, age, lesion location, lesion color and dermoscopic vascular features were analyzed retrospectively in previously untreated children with PWS.

Results: A total of 100 previously untreated children with PWS were enrolled, including 52 males and 48 females aged between 1 and 14 years. The efficacy of HMME-PDT differed significantly in relation to lesion location and color of the PWS (P<0.05). Sausage-like vessels (66.67%), dotted and globular vessels (87.50%) and linear vessels (50.00%) were associated with excellent treatment outcomes. Reticular vessels (65.00%) showed improved outcomes. HMME-PDT was not effective in some cases with homogeneous reddish background (35.71%) features. No serious adverse events and recurrences were observed following HMME-PDT.

Conclusion: The dermoscopic vascular features showed a significant correlation with the effectiveness of HMME-PDT in previously untreated children with PWS. Thus, the vascular features of PWS classified by dermoscopy can provide helpful clinical information to evaluate the efficacy of HMME-PDT and develop individualized treatment program for children with PWS.

Keywords: Hemoporfin; children; dermoscopy; photodynamic therapy; port wine stains.