Pulsed-dye laser
Also written as: PDL — Pulsed-dye laser
A laser system emitting light at 585–595 nm, selectively targeting oxyhaemoglobin and used as first-line treatment for vascular lesions such as port-wine stains in paediatric patients.
Full Definition
Pulsed-dye laser (PDL) therapy exploits the principle of selective photothermolysis, delivering light energy preferentially absorbed by oxyhaemoglobin in dermal blood vessels while sparing surrounding tissue. In paediatric dermatology, PDL is the primary treatment modality for port-wine stains and is also used for hypertrophic scars, haemangiomas, and verrucae. Treatment in young children typically requires general anaesthesia. Editors must hyphenate 'pulsed-dye' as a compound modifier when it precedes 'laser' and abbreviate as 'PDL' only after first definition.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate 'pulsed-dye' as a compound modifier before 'laser.' Abbreviation PDL acceptable after first use. Note the British spelling 'laser' (not an abbreviation requiring capitalisation) is universally lower case in compound terms.
In Context
- "Six sessions of pulsed-dye laser therapy achieved significant lightening of the facial port-wine stain by the child's second birthday." — Paediatric dermatology clinic letter
- "The study compared pulsed-dye laser with intense pulsed light for port-wine stain treatment in a paediatric cohort." — Clinical trial abstract