Comparison of efficacy of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) versus liquid nitrogen cryotherapy in the treatment of palmoplantar warts
Keywords:
Cryotherapy, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Potassium hydroxide (KOH), WartsAbstract
Background Viral Warts are benign proliferation of epidermis caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Different types of cutaneous warts include flat warts, palmoplantar warts, common warts, genital warts etc. Treatment options includes salicylic acid, formaldehyde, liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), tretinoin, potassium hydroxide (KOH) and cauterization.  Objective To compare the efficacy of 10% KOH solution versus liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) in the treatment of palmoplantar warts.  Methods A total of 120 patients of palmoplantar warts fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were inducted in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; 60 patients in Group A received 10% KOH solution daily at night while 60 patients in Group B received treatment with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy weekly by cotton bud method. Efficacy was assessed at the end of 4 weeks for both groups. Treatment was labeled as efficacious if complete disappearance of warts occurred after 4 weeks of therapy.  Results Mean age of patients was 22.97±10.69 years. Efficacy was seen in 73.3% patients in group A and 60% patients in group B. Treatment was found to be efficacious in both groups and there was no statistically significant difference in efficacy between these treatment modalities.  Conclusion 10% KOH was found to be equally as effective as liquid nitrogen cryotherapy in treating palmoplantar warts. ÂReferences
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