Differentiation of keloid and hypertrophic scar; correlation of the water proton relaxation times with the duration of the scar.

Spin lattice relaxation times of water protons have been reported to correlate with the water contents of malignant as well as benign tissues. In order to investigate whether such a correlation exists in keloid and hypertrophic scars, T1 values of keloid and hypertrophic scars were measured using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and compared with that of normal skin. A linear correlation of the T1 values of the scars with their age was observed. Even though both the scars exhibited higher T1 values in the early stages of lesion, a faster return to the steady state level was observed in hypertrophic scars compared to keloids. It is suggested that the measurement of T1 values could serve to differentiate the two abnormal wound healing situations.