They report, Compared with broadband UVB:

• Exposure times are shorter but of higher intensity.
• The course of treatment is shorter.
• It is more likely to clear the skin condition.
• Longer periods of remission occur before it reappears.

They also mention that “This range of UV radiation has proved to be the most beneficial component of natural sunlight for psoriasis. Narrowband UVB may also be used in the treatment of many other skin conditions including atopic eczema, vitiligo, pruritus, lichen planus, polymorphous light eruption, early cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and dermographism.”

The original can be found at http://dermnetnz.org/procedures/narrowband-uvb.html - Enjoy!

AUTHORS: Pavlotsky F, Nathansohn N, Kriger G, Shpiro D, Trau H.

Department of Dermatology, Phototherapy and Day Care Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. felixp@post.tau.ac.il

BACKGROUND: Previous small reports suggested the role of ultraviolet (UV)-B in the management of cutaneous lichen planus.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize our experience with UVB in a relatively large study group looking specifically into predictive factors for complete response and the long-term relapse rates.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 50 patients with generalized cutaneous lichen planus, treated by broad or narrow band UVB.

RESULTS: Seven and 43 patients were treated by broad and narrow band UVB, respectively. Complete response was achieved in 70% and 85% of those were still in remission after a median of 34.7 months. The complete response rate and the need for higher cumulative exposure doses were not influenced by sex, age, skin type, presence of additional diseases, failure of previous treatment or disease duration. Limitations: This is a retrospective non-randomized analysis of a usually self-limiting disease.

CONCLUSION: UVB is a safe and efficient treatment option for generalized cutaneous lichen planus.

Authors: Saricaoğlu H, Karadogan SK, Başkan EB, Tunali S.

Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, University of Uludağ, Görükle, Bursa, Turkey. hayriye@uludag.edu.tr

BACKGROUND: Recently, UVB lamps with a peak emission around 311 nm have been used successfully for the treatment of many dermatologic diseases known to be treated with psoralen plus UVA (PUVA). Narrowband UVB (NBUVB) radiation causes less erythema and carcinogenicity with lower cumulative doses than PUVA, while the treatment response remains high. Lichen planus (LP) is a cell-mediated immune response of unknown origin.

METHODS: We present our results of NBUVB therapy administered to 10 LP patients. The sessions were administered three to four times weekly with an average cumulative dose of 17.7+/-1.6 J/cm2.

RESULTS: Five patients responded completely, and four were partially responsive at the end of the 30th session. Three of the partially responsive cases responded completely at the 31st, 36th and 51st sessions, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Clinical improvements observed in our study as well as the potential advantages of NBUVB imply that it is an inevitable treatment alternative for resistant cases of LP.