Effectiveness of low-voltage radiofrequency in the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum: a pilot study of 15 cases.

Background: Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is the most common form of xanthoma, which is mostly located on the eyelids. Various treatment options are available, with certain limitations, and none of them is satisfactory.

Objectives: To offer another treatment option (low-voltage radiofrequency (RF)) and to evaluate its efficacy in XP.

Methods: Fifteen patients were included in the study. The patients were examined before treatment, at the end of treatment, and 5 months later at a follow-up visit. Improvement was judged according to clinical examination by comparing before and after photographs. Electrodes from a dual-frequency 4.0-MHz RF machine were applied superficially to the lesions. The clinical scores were calculated using a 5-point scale (0=no result, 0-25%=mild, 26-50%=moderate, 51-75%=good, 76-100%=excellent). RESULTS All participants completed the study. Of these, scores of nine patients were excellent, scores of five were good, and the score of one was moderate. Statistically significant percentage improvement of the clinical scores from baseline was seen at the end (p<.05).

Conclusion: Low-voltage RF treatment of XP is effective. If the lesions are too close to the eyes or are multiple or patched with indistinct borders, low-voltage RF can be used.