Research on dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) continues, andscientists are finding more and more beneficial uses for thismedical and solvent compound first discovered by Dr. StanleyJacob at the Oregon Health Science University.

Although DMSO has been labeled an "orphan drug," it hasproven by researchers to have many useful medical applications.

Recently reported is its use in patients undergoing pulsed dyelaser treatment for vascular malformations.

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine, St.Louis, and the University of Arkansas departments ofdermatology, looking for a topical agent that would wouldproduce anesthesia for painful procedures but would not have tobe injected, report that topical lidocaine at 25% concentration indimethyl sulfoxide 70% was most effective.

"Pulsed dye laser treatment of vascular malformations,including strawberry birthmarks in children, has now become avaluable treatment option for capillary vascular malformationsand hemangiomas, but is moderately painful. Since many of thepatients are children who do not tolerate painful procedureswell, the length of a single treatment is often limited by pain.Many of these lesions are large and may encompass half of theface, or an entire limb.

"The object of the study was to develop a rapidly acting, topicalanesthetic formulation to reduce the pain associated with pulseddye therapy, yet wear off within a few hours and have noprolonged side effects," according to the researchers.

The lidocaine DMSO topical application was "well tolerated onthe evaluated patients, age 6 years and older, and had no sideeffects except transient mild erythema."

This article appeared in "The Oregon Scientist," Spring, 1995.

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