Chronologic change of the maximum dimension of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-induced keloids.

BACKGROUND

Because keloids grow gradually, there is a long time lag until the patients visit the hospital.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the chronologic change of the maximum dimension of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-induced keloids to provide information on their nature and facilitate early treatment intervention.

METHODS

Clinical records of patients with keloid treated between 1998 and 2005 were reviewed, and patients with BCG-induced keloids were assessed with reference to age at onset of keloid, age at first hospital visit, length of the major axis of keloid at first visit, growth rate, and histopathologic features.

RESULTS

Of 716 patients with keloid, 60 (8.4%) had BCG-induced keloid. A significant difference was found between mean age at onset and at first visit. The mean length of maximum dimension was 42.4 mm and increased proportionally to age at first visit. Keloids grew rapidly between the ages of 20 and 40, during which time many patients did not seek therapy. Histopathologically, no significant differences were noted between BCG-induced keloid and non-BCG keloid.

CONCLUSION

Early therapeutic intervention might prevent keloids from growing larger, emphasizing a need to provide adequate information on keloid behavior to patients and physicians involved in BCG vaccination.