Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

    Background and Aim: Warts are benign tumours of the skin and mucosa and are caused by Human Papilloma viruse (HPV). They are one of the common skin disorders found mainly in children and adolescents.

Although most of the warts disappear spontaneously and or respond to the usual therapeutic measures, difficult to treat and persistent forms of warts exist which are a problem in dermatology.

Intra lesional injection of Bleomycin has been used in the treatment of resistant warts, and is associated with variable results in different researches. This study assessed the efficacy of intralesional administration in resistant warts and compared it with other simillar studies.

Patients and Methods: This was a cross sectional study. A total of 130 warts from 30 patients were injected with (1 mg/ml) intralesional injection of Bleomycin. Patients received one to three times of injection of bleomycin every 4 weeks, and were followed for six months. Response to treatment was as complete resolution, partial resolution and not treated. We used SPSS version 13 and t and Anova tests as statistical methods for analyzing the data.

Results: 126 of 130 warts (97%), showed resolution after bleomycin injections 95 warts (73%) showed complete resolution and 31(24%) showed incomplete resolution. The cure rate was better in warts with size less than 20 mm compared to those with lesions greater than 20mm ( 80% vs 46% ). After 6 months follow up, 7 of the 30  patients had recurrence of lesions. Recurrence was more among those with greater number of warts.

Conclusion: It is concluded that this form of treatment for resistant warts is reliable, safe and acceptable to patients, if performed undercare and with proper dose and concentration.