Hyperbaric oxygen Tx beneficial for systemic sclerosis ulcers

(HealthDay)—Adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may be beneficial for treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) ulcers, according to a report published online Feb. 23 in the International Journal of Dermatology.

Bengusu Mirasoglu, M.D., from Istanbul University, and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis of six SSc patients who had undergone treatment for at least a month and a half with various modalities and then underwent HBOT for their ulcers. Three patients had digital ulcers and three had leg ulcers; three of the ulcers were bilateral (two leg ulcers and one digital ulcer).

The researchers found that four patients' ulcers healed completely after HBOT was applied and two had near-complete healing. None of the patients needed amputation.

"Our case series, which has the largest patient population and variability in ulcer size, also showed HBOT-enhanced healing of both digital and leg ulcers of SSc patients," the authors write. "We believe HBOT may be helpful as an adjunctive therapy for these wounds."