Background
Plantar warts represent a therapeutic challenge for dermatologists.
Aim and objectives
To evaluate the effectiveness of intralesional injection of ionic contra virus therapy
(ICVT) (combined digoxin and furosemide) versus intralesional 5-Fluorouracil
(5-FU) in the treatment of plantar warts.
Patients and methods
This study involved 50 patients with plantar warts divided into two equal groups,
group I (25 patients) treated with intralesional ICVT (combined digoxin and Lasix)
and group II (25 patients) treated with intralesional 5-FU. The injection was
repeated every 2 weeks to a maximum of six sessions (baseline, 2, 4, 6, 8, and
10 weeks). Dermoscopic examination to all patients was done to confirm the
diagnosis of wart and also to follow-up the response to treatment.
Results
Complete/partial response was observed at higher rates among patients of group-II
(96%) compared with group-I (72%). No response was higher among group-I (28%)
than group-II (4%). Regarding a number of sessions, group II patients had
significantly (P<0.001) lower mean number of sessions (3.5±1.9) than group I
(5.98±0.4). Respecting the side effects of treatment, a significant difference
(P<0.001) in the rate of side effects between the two treatment modalities was
recorded. The majority (92%) of group-II patients had pain for 12 h after injection,
and only one (4%) case had small ulcer while all cases of group-I had no side
effects.
Conclusion
Both intralesional ICVT and 5-FU were effective, safe, and well-tolerated methods
for the treatment of plantar warts clinically and dermoscopically, however,
intralesional 5-FU had relatively higher efficacy.