Medical Policy

Policy Num:       02.001.070
Policy Name:     Laser Treatment for Onychomycosis
Policy ID:          [2.001.070]  [Ac / B / M- / P-]  [2.01.89]


Last Review:  January 22, 2024

Next Review: January 20, 2025

Related Policies:
02.001.010 - Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Rosacea      

Laser Treatment of Onychomycosis

Population Reference No.

Populations

Interventions

Comparators

Outcomes

1

Individuals:

·       With onychomycosis

Interventions of interest are:

·       Laser therapy

Comparators of interest are:

  • Topical antifungal nail lacquer
  • Oral antifungal therapy

Relevant outcomes include:

  • Symptoms
  • Change in disease status
  • Medication use
  • Treatment-related morbidity

Summary

Description

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of the nail. Currently available treatments for onychomycosis, including systemic and topical antifungal medications, have relatively low efficacy and require a long course of treatment. Laser systems are proposed as another treatment option.

Summary of Evidence

For individuals who have onychomycosis who receive treatment with laser therapy, the evidence includes small, randomized controlled trials. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, change in disease status, medication use, and treatment-related morbidity. The randomized controlled trials reported inconsistent results and had methodologic limitations. Clinical and mycologic outcomes differed across the trials, lacked consistent blinding of outcome assessments, and often reported outcomes on a per-nail basis without accounting for correlated measurements. The published evidence to date does not permit determining whether laser treatment improves health outcomes in patients with onychomycosis. Additionally, some registered clinical trials are completed without publication of results, indicating potential publication bias. Additional well-designed, adequately powered, and well-conducted randomized controlled trials are needed. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcomes.

Additional Information

Not applicable.

Objective

The objective of this evidence review is to evaluate whether the use of laser therapy improves net health outcomes in individuals with onychomycosis compared with topical and oral medications alone.

Policy Statements

Laser treatment of onychomycosis is considered investigational.

Policy Guidelines

Coding

Please see the Codes table for details.

Benefit Application

Benefits are determined by the group contract, member benefit booklet, and/or individual subscriber certificate in effect at the time services were rendered.  Benefit products or negotiated coverages may have all or some of the services discussed in this medical policy excluded from their coverage.

BlueCard/National Account Issues

State or federal mandates (eg, Federal Employee Program) may dictate that certain U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved devices, drugs, or biologics may not be considered investigational, and thus these devices may be assessed only by their medical necessity.

The approach to laser treatment of onychomycosis will depend on benefit language related to definitions of medically necessary, reconstructive, and cosmetic services. Procedures are considered reconstructive when intended to address a significant variation from normal related to accidental injury, disease, trauma, treatment of a disease, or congenital defect. Not all benefit contracts include benefits for reconstructive services. Benefit language supersedes this document.

BACKGROUND

Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a common chronic fungal infection of the nail. It is estimated to cause up to 50% of all nail diseases and 33% of cutaneous fungal infections.1, The condition can affect toenails or fingernails but is more frequently found in toenails. Primary infectious agents include dermatophytes (eg, Trichophyton species), yeasts (eg, Candida albicans), and nondermatophytic molds. In temperate Western countries, infections are generally caused by dermatophytes.

Aging is the most common risk factor for onychomycosis, most likely due to decreased blood circulation, longer exposure to fungi, and slower nail growth. Also, various medical conditions increase the risk of comorbid onychomycosis. They include diabetes, obesity, peripheral vascular disease, immunosuppression, and HIV infection. In certain populations, onychomycosis may lead to additional health problems. Although there is limited evidence of a causal link between onychomycosis and diabetic foot ulcers, at least 1 prospective study with diabetic patients found onychomycosis to be an independent predictor of foot ulcers.2, Moreover, onychomycosis, especially more severe cases, may adversely impact the quality of life. Patients with onychomycosis have reported pain, uncomfortable nail pressure, embarrassment, and discomfort wearing shoes.3,4,

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of onychomycosis can be confirmed by potassium hydroxide preparation, culture, or histology.

Treatment

Treatments for onychomycosis include topical antifungals such as nail paints containing ciclopirox (ciclopiroxolamine), efinaconazole, tavaborole, or amorolfine (not available in the US), and oral antifungals such as terbinafine and itraconazole. These have low-to-moderate efficacy and a high relapse rate. Topical antifungals and some long-available oral medications (eg, griseofulvin) require a long course of treatment, which presents issues for patient compliance. Moreover, oral antifungal medications have been associated with adverse effects such as a risk of hepatotoxicity.

Several types of device-based therapies are under investigation for the treatment of onychomycosis, including ultrasound, iontophoresis, photodynamic therapy, and laser systems. A potential advantage of lasers is that they have greater tissue penetration than antifungal medication and thus may be more effective at treating infection embedded within the nail. Another potential advantage is that laser treatments are provided in a clinical setting in only 1 or several sessions and, thus, require less long-term patient compliance.

Laser treatment of onychomycosis uses the principle of selective photothermolysis, defined as the precise targeting of tissue using a specific wavelength of light. The premise is that light is absorbed into the target area and heat generated by that energy is sufficient to damage the target area while sparing the surrounding area. The aim of laser treatment for onychomycosis is to heat the nail bed to temperatures required to disrupt fungal growth (approximately 40°to 60°C) and at the same time avoid pain and necrosis to surrounding tissues.5,

Characteristics of laser systems used to treat onychomycosis are listed in Table 1.5,

Table 1. Characteristics of Lasers for Treating Onychomycosis
Variables Characteristics
Wavelength Lasers are single-wavelength light sources. There needs to be sufficient tissue penetration to adequately treat nail fungus. The near-infrared spectrum tends to be used because this part of the spectrum has maximum tissue penetrance in the dermis and epidermis and the nail plate is similar to the epidermis. To date, most laser systems for treating onychomycosis have been Neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers that typically operate at 1064 nm; 940- to 1320-nm and 1440-nm wavelengths are also options.
Pulse duration Pulses need to be short to avoid damaging the tissue surrounding the target area. For example, short-pulse systems have microsecond pulse durations and Q-switched lasers have nanosecond pulse durations.
Repetition rate (frequency of pulses, in hertz) Spot size to the diameter of the laser beam. For treating onychomycosis, laser spot sizes range from 1 to 10 nm.
Fluence (in J/cm2) Fluence refers to the amount of energy delivered into the area

Regulatory Status

Multiple Nd:YAG laser systems have been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing for the temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis. The FDA has determined that these devices were substantially equivalent to existing devices. Table 2 lists select approved laser systems.

Table 2. Select Laser Systems Approved for Temporary Increase of Clear Nail in Patients with Onychomycosis
Device Manufacturer Approved
Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser systems    
PinPointe™ FootLaser™ PinPointe USA (acquired by NuvoLase 2011) 2010
GenesisPlus™ Cutera 2011
JOULE ClearSense™ Sciton 2011
GentleMax Family of Laser Systems Candela 2014
Nordlys Ellipse A/S 2016
Dual-wavelength Nd:YAG 1064-nm and 532-nm laser system  
Q-Clear™ Light Age 2011
Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser systems (FDA product code: GEX); dual-wavelength Nd:YAG 1064-nm and 532-nm laser system (FDA product code: PDX).

Rationale

This evidence review was created in May 2013 and has been updated regularly with searches of the PubMed database. The most recent literature update was performed through October 18, 2023.

Evidence reviews assess the clinical evidence to determine whether the use of technology improves the net health outcome. Broadly defined, health outcomes are the length of life, quality of life, and ability to function, including benefits and harms. Every clinical condition has specific outcomes that are important to patients and managing the course of that condition. Validated outcome measures are necessary to ascertain whether a condition improves or worsens; and whether the magnitude of that change is clinically significant. The net health outcome is a balance of benefits and harms.

To assess whether the evidence is sufficient to draw conclusions about the net health outcome of technology, 2 domains are examined: the relevance, and quality and credibility. To be relevant, studies must represent one or more intended clinical use of the technology in the intended population and compare an effective and appropriate alternative at a comparable intensity. For some conditions, the alternative will be supportive care or surveillance. The quality and credibility of the evidence depend on study design and conduct, minimizing bias and confounding that can generate incorrect findings. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is preferred to assess efficacy; however, in some circumstances, nonrandomized studies may be adequate. Randomized controlled trials are rarely large enough or long enough to capture less common adverse events and long-term effects. Other types of studies can be used for these purposes and to assess generalizability to broader clinical populations and settings of clinical practice.

Promotion of greater diversity and inclusion in clinical research of historically marginalized groups (e.g., People of Color [African-American, Asian, Black, Latino and Native American]; LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual); Women; and People with Disabilities [Physical and Invisible]) allows policy populations to be more reflective of and findings more applicable to our diverse members. While we also strive to use inclusive language related to these groups in our policies, use of gender-specific nouns (e.g., women, men, sisters, etc.) will continue when reflective of language used in publications describing study populations.

Population Reference No. 1 

Laser treatment for Onychomycosis

Clinical Context and Therapy Purpose

The purpose of laser treatment in patients who have onychomycosis is to provide a treatment option that is an alternative to or an improvement on existing therapies.

The question addressed in this evidence review is: Does the use of laser treatment improve the net health outcome compared with topical antifungal nail lacquer or oral antifungal therapy in patients who have onychomycosis?

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.

Populations

The relevant population of interest is patients with onychomycosis.

Interventions

The therapy being considered is laser treatment. Laser treatment allows for precise targeting of the fungal areas with enough heat to disrupt growth while avoiding damage to surrounding tissues. Two types of lasers have been developed to treat onychomycosis: neodymium-doped:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) and diode lasers.

Comparators

Current treatments for onychomycosis include topical antifungal nail lacquer and oral antifungal therapy. These treatments typically require long courses, which result in poor patient compliance and high relapse rates. Nail lacquers contain ciclopirox or amorolfine. Oral medications are terbinafine and itraconazole, which have been associated with a risk of hepatotoxicity.

Outcomes

The general outcomes of interest are symptom relief (eg, clear nail growth), change in disease status (eg, mycologic remission or Onychomycosis Severity Scale scores), reduction in medication use, and treatment-related morbidity.

Clinical response can be measured after laser treatment (3-6 months). To determine remission rates, follow-up may last a year or more.

Study Selection Criteria

To assess efficacy outcomes, comparative controlled prospective trials were sought, with a preference for RCTs.

Review of Evidence

Systematic Reviews

A systematic review by Bristow et al (2014) identified 12 published studies on laser treatment for onychomycosis in a literature search conducted in June 2014.6, Two were RCTs, 4 were nonrandomized comparative studies with no placebo or control group, and 6 were case series. Bristow et al (2014) did not pool study findings, concluding the evidence was limited and of poor methodologic quality.

Randomized Controlled Trials

Representative RCTs published after the systematic review, with the largest sample sizes, and comparing laser treatment with placebo or a different intervention are described next and in Tables 3 through 6.

Eight representative RCTs published after the systematic review compared laser treatment with placebo or a different intervention.7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14, These RCTs have generally compared laser therapy with either systemic or topical therapy, and often a combination laser and systemic/topical regimen. The primary outcomes evaluated in these trials have varied and generally were not uniformly or explicitly defined. Many trials report on clinical or mycological cure or improvement, the results of which have been conflicting. Moreover, follow-up duration has varied, ranging from 12 weeks in Kim et al to 12 months in Karsai et al and Nijenhuis-Rosien et al (LASER-1: Laser Therapy for Onychomycosis in Patients With Diabetes at Risk for Diabetic Foot Complications).10,12,11, Various methodologic limitations are also present. For example, Sabbah et al (2019) did not recruit the prespecified sample required to be adequately powered, and reported outcomes only for the most severely affected greater toenail, which may not be representative of less severely affected nails.13, Additionally, Xu et al (2014) reported outcomes on a per-nail basis, which did not account for correlated measurements.14, All trials employed laser therapy with 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy.

Table 3. Characteristics of RCTs of Laser Treatment of Onychomycosis
Study; Trial Countries Sites Dates Participants Interventions
          Active Comparator
Nasif et al (2023)15, Egypt 1 NR 40 adults with onychomycosis Laser therapy (6 sessions) Itraconazole pulse therapy only (200 mg twice daily for 1 week per month over 3 months)
Hamed Khater et al (2020)9, Egypt 1 NR 30 adults with onychomycosis Laser therapy (every 2 weeks for 3 months) + itraconazole pulse therapy (200 mg twice daily for 1 week per month over 3 months) Itraconazole pulse therapy only
Bunyaratavej et al (2020 )7, Thailand 1 2015-2019 60 adults with mycologically proven onychomycosis Laser therapy only (4 sessions at 1-month intervals)

Laser therapy + topical amorolfine
Topical amorolfine only
Nijenhuis-Rosien et al (2019); LASER-112, Netherlands 1 2015-2016 63 adults at risk for diabetic foot ulcer and with suspected onychomycosis Laser therapy (4 sessions) Sham laser therapy
Sabbah et al (2019)13, Canada 1 2013-2014 51 adults with mycologically confirmed onychomycosis involving at least 25% of 1 great toenail Laser therapy (3 sessions) Sham laser therapy
Karsai et al (2017)10, Germany 1 2013-2015 20 adults with mycologically proven onychomycosis Laser therapy (4 treatments at 4- to 6-week intervals) No laser therapy
Kim et al (2016)11, Korea 1 2014-2015 56 patients with mycologically proven onychomycosis Laser therapy only (3 sessions at 4-week intervals; 4th session permitted if <50% clinical response)

Laser therapy + topical naftifine
Topical naftifine only
El-Tatawy et al (2015)8, Egypt 1 NR 40 adult females with onychomycosis Laser therapy (4 sessions at 1-week intervals) Topical terbinafine
Xu et al (2014)14, China 1 2011-2012 53 adults with onychomycosis Laser therapy only (once weekly)

Laser + oral terbinafine
Oral terbinafine only
RCT: randomized controlled trial; NR: not reported.
Table 4. Results of RCTs of Laser Treatment of Onychomycosis
Study; Trial Onychomycosis Severity Index Clinical response Mycological cure Improvement Clearance
Nasif et al (2023)15, N=40 N=40 N=40    
Laser therapy only Reduction %, median (IQR) = 100 (90 to 100) No: 0
Mild: 0
Moderate: 1
Marked: 19
Negative: 19
Positive: 1
   
Itraconazole pulse therapy alone Reduction %, median (IQR)
= 100 (90 to 100)
No: 0
Mild: 0
Moderate: 5
Marked: 15
Negative: 15
Positive: 5
   
p-value .721   .181    
Hamed Khater et al (2020)9,       N=30  
Laser therapy + itraconazole pulse therapy       Clinical improvement at 6 to 9 months:
Mild: 1/15 (6.7%)
Moderate: 1/15 (6.7%)
Good: 3/15 (19.9%)

Mycological improvement at 6 to 9 months:
Mild: 5/15 (33.3%)
Moderate: 6/15 (40%)
Excellent: 10/15 (66.7%)
 
Itraconazole pulse therapy alone       Clinical improvement at 6 to 9 months:
Mild: 2/15 (13.3%)
Moderate: 5/15 (33.3%)
Good: 6/15 (40%)

Mycological improvement at 6 to 9 months:
Mild: 5/15 (33.3%)
Moderate: 6/15 (40%)
Excellent: 2/15 (13.3%)
 
p-value       Clinical improvement:.001

Mycological improvement: NS
 
Bunyaratavej et al (2020 )7,     N=60    
Laser therapy only     7/20 (35%) at mean 5.9 months    
Laser therapy + topical amorolfine     12/20 (60%) at mean 5.2 months    
Topical amorolfine only     13/20 (65%) at mean 4.8 months    
p-value     p=.05 for combination therapy vs. laser therapy alone; p=NS for combination therapy vs. topical amorolfine    
Nijenhuis-Rosien et al (2019); LASER-112,     N=63    
Laser therapy     52 weeks: 14/32 (43.8%)    
Sham laser therapy     52 weeks: 13/31 (41.9%)    
p-value     1.00    
Sabbah et al (2019)13,     N=51    
Laser therapy     52 weeks: 0/25    
Sham laser therapy     52 weeks: 2/26 (7.7%)    
p-value     .49    
Karsai et al (2017)10, N=20   N=20    
Laser therapy 52 weeks: 2.0-point increase   52 weeks: 0/20    
No laser therapy 52 weeks: 3.6-point increase   52 weeks: 0/20    
Difference (95% CI); p-value -1.6 (-0.7 to +3.9); p=.5531        
Kim et al (2016)11,   N=56 N=56    
Laser therapy alone   12 weeks: 70.9%
24 weeks: 76.0%
12 weeks: 8.9%
24 weeks: 15.2%
   
Laser + topical antifungal therapy   12 weeks: 73.2%
24 weeks: 71.8%
12 weeks: 14.1%
24 weeks: 22.5%
   
Topical therapy alone   12 weeks: 14.9%
24 weeks: 20.9%
12 weeks: 6.0%
24 weeks: 4.5%
   
p-value   p<.05 for both groups vs. topical therapy alone p<.05 for both groups vs. topical therapy alone    
El-Tatawy et al (2015)8,       N=40  
1064-nm Nd:YAG laser       6 months:
Marked: 20/20 (100%)
 
Topical terbinafine       6 months:
Marked: 0
Moderate: 2/20 (10%)
Mild: 8/20 (40%)
None: 10/20 (50%)
 
p-value       .002  
Xu et al (2014)14,         N=54
Laser therapy         24 weeks: 20 (64.5%) of 31 nails1
Topical terbinafine         24 weeks: 22 (73.3%) of 30 nails1
Laser therapy + topical terbinafine         24 weeks: 28 (96.6%) of 29 nails1
p-value         p<.05 for both groups vs. combination therapy
CI: confidence interval; NS: not significant

1≤5% nail plate involvement in onychomycosis
Table 5. Study Relevance Limitations
Study; Trial Populationa Interventionb Comparatorc Outcomesd Follow-Upe
Nasif et al (2023)15,       5. Clinically significant difference not prespecified  
Hamed Khater et al (2020)9,       5. Clinically significant difference not prespecified  
Bunyaratavej et al (2020 )7,   1. Topical therapy regimen not described 2. Patient applied 5. Clinically significant difference not prespecified  
Nijenhuis-Rosien et al (2019); LASER-112,          
Sabbah et al (2019)13,          
Karsai et al (2017)10,     2. Patient applied 5. Clinically significant difference not prespecified  
Kim et al (2016)11,     2. Patient applied 5. Clinically significant difference not prespecified  
El-Tatawy et al (2015)8,     2. Patient applied 5. Clinically significant difference not prespecified  
Xu et al (2014)14,       5. Clinically significant difference not prespecified  
IQR: interquartile range. 
The study limitations stated in this table are those notable in the current review; this is not a comprehensive gaps assessment.
a Population key: 1. Intended use population unclear; 2. Clinical context is unclear; 3. Study population is unclear; 4. Study population not representative of intended use.
b Intervention key: 1. Not clearly defined; 2. Version used unclear; 3. Delivery not similar intensity as comparator; 4.Not the intervention of interest.
c Comparator key: 1. Not clearly defined; 2. Not standard or optimal; 3. Delivery not similar intensity as intervention; 4. Not delivered effectively.
d Outcomes key: 1. Key health outcomes not addressed; 2. Physiologic measures, not validated surrogates; 3. No CONSORT reporting of harms; 4. Not establish and validated measurements; 5. Clinical significant difference not prespecified; 6. Clinical significant difference not supported.
e Follow-Up key: 1. Not sufficient duration for benefit; 2. Not sufficient duration for harms.
Table 6. Study Design and Conduct Limitations
Study; Trial Allocationa Blindingb Selective Reportingc Data Completenessd Powere Statisticalf
Nasif et al (2023)15, 3. Allocation concealment method not reported 1. Blinding methods not described     1. Power calculations not performed  
Hamed Khater et al (2020)9, 3. Allocation concealment method not reported 1. Blinding methods not described     1. Power calculations not performed  
Bunyaratavej et al (2020 )7, 3. Allocation concealment method not reported 1. Blinding methods not described     1. Power calculations not performed  
Nijenhuis-Rosien et al (2019); LASER-112,            
Sabbah et al (2019)13,   1. Patients, not clinicians, were blinded        
Karsai et al (2017)10, 3. Allocation concealment method not reported 1. Patients, not clinicians, were blinded     1. Power calculations not performed  
Kim et al (2016)11, 3. Allocation concealment method not reported 1. Blinding not reported     1. Power calculations not performed  
El-Tatawy et al (2015)8, 3. Allocation concealment method not reported 1. Blinding not reported     1. Power calculations not performed  
Xu et al (2014)14, 3. Allocation concealment method not reported 1. Blinding not reported     1. Power calculations not performed  
The study limitations stated in this table are those notable in the current review; this is not a comprehensive gaps assessment.
a Allocation key: 1. Participants not randomly allocated; 2. Allocation not concealed; 3. Allocation concealment unclear; 4. Inadequate control for selection bias.
b Blinding key: 1. Not blinded to treatment assignment; 2. Not blinded outcome assessment; 3. Outcome assessed by treating physician.
c Selective Reporting key: 1. Not registered; 2. Evidence of selective reporting; 3. Evidence of selective publication.
d Data Completeness key: 1. High loss to follow-up or missing data; 2. Inadequate handling of missing data; 3. High number of crossovers; 4. Inadequate handling of crossovers; 5. Inappropriate exclusions; 6. Not intent to treat analysis (per protocol for noninferiority trials).
e Power key: 1. Power calculations not reported; 2. Power not calculated for primary outcome; 3. Power not based on clinically important difference.
f Statistical key: 1. Analysis is not appropriate for outcome type: (a) continuous; (b) binary; (c) time to event; 2. Analysis is not appropriate for multiple observations per patient; 3. Confidence intervals and/or p values not reported; 4. Comparative treatment effects not calculated.

Summary of Evidence

For individuals who have onychomycosis who receive treatment with laser therapy, the evidence includes small, randomized controlled trials. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, change in disease status, medication use, and treatment-related morbidity. The randomized controlled trials reported inconsistent results and had methodologic limitations. Clinical and mycologic outcomes differed across the trials, lacked consistent blinding of outcome assessments, and often reported outcomes on a per-nail basis without accounting for correlated measurements. The published evidence to date does not permit determining whether laser treatment improves health outcomes in patients with onychomycosis. Additionally, some registered clinical trials are completed without publication of results, indicating potential publication bias. Additional well-designed, adequately powered, and well-conducted randomized controlled trials are needed. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcomes.

Population

Reference No. 1

Policy Statement

[ ] Medically Necessary [X] Investigational

Supplemental Information

The purpose of the following information is to provide reference material. Inclusion does not imply endorsement or alignment with the evidence review conclusions.

Practice Guidelines and Position Statements

Guidelines or position statements will be considered for inclusion in ‘Supplemental Information’ if they were issued by, or jointly by, a US professional society, an international society with US representation, or National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Priority will be given to guidelines that are informed by a systematic review, include strength of evidence ratings, and include a description of management of conflict of interest.

No Practice Guidelines or Position Statements regarding issued by, or jointly by, a US professional society, an international society with US representation, or National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) were identified.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations

Not applicable.

Medicare National Coverage

There is no national coverage determination. In the absence of a national coverage determination, coverage decisions are left to the discretion of local Medicare carriers.

Ongoing and Unpublished Clinical Trials

Some currently ongoing and unpublished trials that might influence this review are listed in Table 7.

Table 7. Summary of Key Trials
NCT No. Trial Name Planned Enrollment Completion Date
Ongoing      
NCT05415852 Comparison Between Different Types of LASER in the Treatment of Onychomycosis, a Randomized Controlled Trial 40 Sept 2022
Unpublished      
NCT01915355 Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment of Onychomycosis 11 Jul 2015
(completed)
NCT02019446 Laser Treatment for Onychomycosis in Diabetesa 60 Dec 2021
NCT: national clinical trial; Nd:YAG: neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet
a Denotes industry-sponsored or cosponsored trial

References

  1. Rodgers P, Bassler M. Treating onychomycosis. Am Fam Physician. Feb 15 2001; 63(4): 663-72, 677-8. PMID 11237081
  2. Boyko EJ, Ahroni JH, Cohen V, et al. Prediction of diabetic foot ulcer occurrence using commonly available clinical information: the Seattle Diabetic Foot Study. Diabetes Care. Jun 2006; 29(6): 1202-7. PMID 16731996
  3. Drake LA, Scher RK, Smith EB, et al. Effect of onychomycosis on quality of life. J Am Acad Dermatol. May 1998; 38(5 Pt 1): 702-4. PMID 9591814
  4. Elewski BE. Onychomycosis. Treatment, quality of life, and economic issues. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2000; 1(1): 19-26. PMID 11702301
  5. Gupta A, Simpson F. Device-based therapies for onychomycosis treatment. Skin Therapy Lett. Oct 2012; 17(9): 4-9. PMID 23032936
  6. Bristow IR. The effectiveness of lasers in the treatment of onychomycosis: a systematic review. J Foot Ankle Res. 2014; 7: 34. PMID 25104974
  7. Bunyaratavej S, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Ungaksornpairote C, et al. Randomized controlled trial comparing long-pulsed 1064-Nm neodymium: Yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser alone, topical amorolfine nail lacquer alone, and a combination for nondermatophyte onychomycosis treatment. J Cosmet Dermatol. Sep 2020; 19(9): 2333-2338. PMID 31925917
  8. El-Tatawy RA, Abd El-Naby NM, El-Hawary EE, et al. A comparative clinical and mycological study of Nd-YAG laser versus topical terbinafine in the treatment of onychomycosis. J Dermatolog Treat. Oct 2015; 26(5): 461-4. PMID 25669435
  9. Hamed Khater M, Khattab FM. Combined long-pulsed Nd-Yag laser and itraconazole versus itraconazole alone in the treatment of onychomycosis nails. J Dermatolog Treat. Jun 2020; 31(4): 406-409. PMID 31157575
  10. Karsai S, Jäger M, Oesterhelt A, et al. Treating onychomycosis with the short-pulsed 1064-nm-Nd:YAG laser: results of a prospective randomized controlled trial. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Jan 2017; 31(1): 175-180. PMID 27521028
  11. Kim TI, Shin MK, Jeong KH, et al. A randomised comparative study of 1064 nm Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and topical antifungal treatment of onychomycosis. Mycoses. Dec 2016; 59(12): 803-810. PMID 27402466
  12. Nijenhuis-Rosien L, Kleefstra N, van Dijk PR, et al. Laser therapy for onychomycosis in patients with diabetes at risk for foot ulcers: a randomized, quadruple-blind, sham-controlled trial (LASER-1). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Nov 2019; 33(11): 2143-2150. PMID 30920059
  13. Sabbah L, Gagnon C, Bernier FE, et al. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Nd:YAG 1064 nm Short-Pulse Laser Compared With Placebo in the Treatment of Toenail Onychomycosis. J Cutan Med Surg. 2019; 23(5): 507-512. PMID 31296045
  14. Xu Y, Miao X, Zhou B, et al. Combined oral terbinafine and long-pulsed 1,064-nm Nd: YAG laser treatment is more effective for onychomycosis than either treatment alone. Dermatol Surg. Nov 2014; 40(11): 1201-7. PMID 25322165
  15. Nasif GA, Amin AA, Ragaie MH. Q-switched Nd:YAG laser versus itraconazole pulse therapy in treatment of onychomycosis: A clinical dermoscopic and mycologic study. J Cosmet Dermatol. Jun 2023; 22(6): 1757-1763. PMID 36716167

Codes

Codes Number Description
    There is no specific code. See below
CPT 17999 Unlisted procedure, skin, mucous membrane and subcutaneous tissue
  96999 Unlisted special dermatological service or procedure
ICD-10-CM   Investigational for relevant diagnoses
  B35.1 Dermatophytosis - Tinea unguium (includes onychomycosis)
ICD-10-PCS   ICD-10-PCS codes are only used for inpatient services. There is no specific ICD-10-PCS code for this procedure.
Type of Service Medicine  
Place of Service Outpatient  

Applicable Modifiers

N/A

Policy History

Date Action Description
01/22/2024 Annual Review Policy updated with literature review through October 18, 2023; reference added. Policy statement unchanged.
01/12/2023 Annual Review Policy updated with literature review through October 21, 2022; no references added. Policy statement unchanged.
01/31/2022 Annual Review Policy updated with literature review through September 20, 2021; no references added. Policy statement unchanged.
01/29/2021 Annual Review Policy updated with literature review through October 21, 2020; references added. Policy statement unchanged.
01/22/2020 Annual Review Policy updated with literature review through October 14, 2019; no references added. Policy statement unchanged.

01/30/2019

Created

New policy