Local hyperthermia cleared multiple cutaneous warts on a nephrotic syndrome patient

Abstract

Cutaneous warts are caused by human papillomavirus infection. Immunosuppressive state is one of the risk factors of human papillomavirus infection. A girl diagnosed of nephrotic syndrome and on immunosuppressive therapy developed multiple common warts. We treated her on a single lesion by local hyperthermia therapy at 44 °C for 3 consecutive days, each therapy lasted for 30 min. Ten days later, the patient received another 2 consecutive therapy. All lesions are completely resolved at the 9^th week after the treatment. No recurrent sign was observed in a 3-mo follow-up. Side effects included burning sensation, stabbing pain at the target site during treatment.

Keywords: Hyperthermia; Warts; Nephrotic syndrome; Immunosuppression

Core tip: Common warts on immunosuppressive patients are characterized by multiple lesions, long duration and hard to treat. Current treatment method includes laser therapy, cryotherapy, topical salicylic acid, etc. Scar formation and high recurrence rate are the most common disadvantages of these treatments. In this case report, we provide a noninvasive treatment method called hyperthermia treatment. Using this method we succeed to cure multiple warts on a nephrotic syndrome patient who received immunosuppressive treatment for years without any scar formation. And we did not see recurrence 3 mo after the treatment.