Cryosurgery as a Single Agent and in Combination with Intralesional Corticosteroids Is Effective on Young, Small Keloids and Induces Characteristic Histological and Immunohistological Changes: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND

As the pathogenesis of keloids is poorly understood, there is no sound biological basis of keloid management. Few controlled therapeutic studies have been published, and recurrences are a major reason for treatment failure.

OBJECTIVE

To detect efficacy and safety of cryosurgery regimens on keloids and the occurring biological changes caused by the treatment.

METHODS

This prospective randomized study compared efficacy and tolerability as well as histological/immunohistochemical effects of liquid nitrogen contact cryosurgery as a single regimen (group A) and combined with intralesional corticosteroids (group B) on young (<2 years old), small (≤10 cm2) keloids in 40 patients (2-sided effect, α-error 1%, power 95%).

RESULTS

Marked flattening of the lesions was achieved by both regimens. Median lesional volumes decreased from 106 to 7 mm3 in group A (p = 0.001) and from 138 to 6 mm3 in group B (p < 0.0001; ns, between groups). Good to excellent responses were registered in 83.3 and 90% of patients in groups A and B, respectively, by evaluating the lesional volume, in 80 and 95% of patients by the physician's evaluation and in 95% of patients in either group by the patient's assessment. Follow-up of 6-36 months revealed no further significant changes. Cryosurgery was generally well tolerated, with minor pain during treatment not requiring (27.5%) or requiring local anaesthesia (5%) - but not analgesics -, and hypopigmentation (25%). Histological examination showed increased vessel number and lumen dilatation after treatment in group B and reduction of rete ridge length in both groups with more prominent changes in group A. Tenascin C staining demarcated keloids from normal skin before therapy, while after therapy the entire treated tissue was labelled. Interferon-γ expression was significantly decreased after therapy both regarding positively stained cells and intensity in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Cryosurgery without and with intralesional corticosteroids is effective and safe on young, small keloids not only as a destructive physical procedure, but also by inducing biochemical and immunological scar rejuvenation.