Abstract: Laser Induced Chrysiasis: Disfiguring Hyperpigmentation Following Q-Switched Laser Therapy in a Woman Previously Treated with Gold

Laser Induced Chrysiasis: Disfiguring Hyperpigmentation Following Q-Switched Laser Therapy in a Woman Previously Treated with Gold

HANI ALMOALLIM, ALICE V. KLINKHOFF, ANNE B. ARTHUR, JASON K. RIVERS, and ANDREW CHALMERS

ABSTRACT.

We describe a 40-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and a history of 2 previous courses of intramuscular gold who developed disfiguring hyperpigmentation immediately after Q-switched laser therapy. This is the third case report of localized chrysiasis induced by laser therapy. (J Rheumatol 2006;33:620–1)

Key Indexing Terms:

LASER INDUCED CHRYSIASIS
LASER
GOLD
CHRYSIASIS
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

From the Divisions of Rheumatology and Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

H. Almoallim, MBBS, FRCP, Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine Department, University of Umm Alqura, Former Clinical Rheumatology Fellow, Division of Rheumatology; A.V. Klinkhoff, MD, FRCPC, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Rheumatology; J.K. Rivers, MD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine, Division of Dermatology; A.B. Arthur, RN, MSN, Research Nurse, Arthritis Research Centre of Canada; A. Chalmers, MD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of British Columbia.

Address reprint requests to Dr. A. Klinkhoff, 895 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L7.

Accepted for publication October 28, 2005.