Laboratory Studies

Diagnosis is usually based on clinical findings. Biopsy may confirm the diagnosis in equivocal cases.

Other Tests

There is no objective method or reliable device to measure and assess the physical properties of keloids and hypertrophic scars, and they have generally been assessed subjectively using the Vancouver burn scar scale. A novel device, the Vesmeter, was recently studied by Niyaz et al for the quantification of the physical properties of keloids and hypertrophic scars.^[3]Simultaneous automatic assessment of 6 physical properties were made (ie, skin elasticity, viscosity, viscoelastic ratio, penetration depth, relaxation time, hardness) is performed while the sensor is in contact with the lesion. Data are transmitted to a personal digital assistant (electronic handheld information device) via Bluetooth.

The most important advantages demonstrated of the Vesmeter were its ability to measure the physical properties of keloids and hypertrophic scars at any point during the clinical course and digitalize the data and its capability to evaluate clinical improvement or deterioration after a given treatment. Vesmeter was demonstrated to be sensitive and can detect very slight changes in skin hardness and elasticity.

Histologic Findings

Formation of collagen in keloids and hypertrophic scars in the inflammatory stage takes much longer than usual in healing wounds. Collagen fibers in granulation tissue are arranged in a whorled pattern. In keloids, the nodules demonstrate thick, hyalinized bands in the central portion of the nodule. Note the images below.

Histology of keloid demonstrating central zone of hyalinized collagen (hematoxylin and eosin stain). Courtesy of Dirk M. Elston, MD.

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Histology of keloid demonstrating thick hyalinized collagen bundles (hematoxylin and eosin stain). Courtesy of Dirk M. Elston, MD.

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Treatment & Management

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Wirohadidjojo YW, Radiono S, Budiyanto A, et al. Cellular viability, collagen deposition, and transforming growth factor beta-1 production among ultraviolet B-irradiated keloid fibroblasts. Aesthetic Plast Surg. Dec/2011. 35(6):1050-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Media Gallery

Clawlike outline of a keloid. Courtesy of Dirk M. Elston, MD.
Keloid. Courtesy of Dirk M. Elston, MD.
Keloid. Courtesy of Dirk M. Elston, MD.
Keloid. Courtesy of Dirk M. Elston, MD.
Histology of keloid demonstrating central zone of hyalinized collagen (hematoxylin and eosin stain). Courtesy of Dirk M. Elston, MD.
Histology of keloid demonstrating thick hyalinized collagen bundles (hematoxylin and eosin stain). Courtesy of Dirk M. Elston, MD.

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Author

Brian Berman, MD, PhD Dermatologist and Partner, Skin and Cancer Associates; Professor Emeritus of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Brian Berman, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Aclaris; Bifrontera; Aiviva; Pulse; Celumigen; Dermira; DUSA Sun; Exeltis, Ferndale; Galderma; GSK; Halscion; Klara; Leo; Medimetriks; Miragen; Novan; Novartis; TopMD; Aclaris; Menlo; Cara; Lemonex; Mediwound; Almirall; Pfizer; Sirnaomics; Minolab<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Sun; Exeltis, Ferndale; Galderma; GSK; Halscion; Leo Pharmaceuticals; Medimetriks; Miragen; Novan; Novartis; Valeant Pharmaceuticals; Anacor; Clark; Aclaris; Sensus;Almirall<br/>Received research grant from: Dermira; DUSA; Exeltis, Ferndale; Galderma; Leo; Menlo; Anacor; Clark; Pulse; Miragen; Sensus; Minolab<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Bifrontera; Aiviva; Pulse Biosciences; Dermira; DUSA; Sun; Menlo; Exeltis, Ferndale; Galderma; GSK; Halscion; Leo; Medimetriks; Miragen; Novan; Novartis; TopMD; Anacor;Aclaris; Sensus; Cara; Lemonex; Mediwound;Almirall;Minolab;.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Steven R Feldman, MD, PhD Professor, Departments of Dermatology, Pathology and Public Health Sciences, and Molecular Medicine and Translational Science, Wake Forest Baptist Health; Director, Center for Dermatology Research, Director of Industry Relations, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Steven R Feldman, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, North Carolina Medical Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Received honoraria from Amgen for consulting; Received honoraria from Abbvie for consulting; Received honoraria from Galderma for speaking and teaching; Received consulting fee from Lilly for consulting; Received ownership interest from www.DrScore.com for management position; Received ownership interest from Causa Reseasrch for management position; Received grant/research funds from Janssen for consulting; Received honoraria from Pfizer for speaking and teaching; Received consulting fee from No.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Sadegh Amini, MD Dermatologist, Skin Cancer Associates; Voluntary Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine.

Sadegh Amini, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, International Society of Dermatology

Disclosure: Own stocks at NYSE for: AbbVie Inc.

Martha H Viera, MD Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Martha H Viera, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Arash Taheri, MD Research Fellow, Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Andrea D Maderal, MD Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Andrea D Maderal, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical Dermatology Society, Miami Society for Dermatology, Rheumatologic Dermatology Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Whitney Valins, MD, to the development and writing of the source articles.

Keloid and Hypertrophic Scar Workup

Laboratory Studies

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Histologic Findings

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