Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
- history of inciting event (e.g., body piercing, surgery, insect bite, vaccination)
- slow growth
- erythematous, smooth, and shiny elevated scar with overhanging edge
Other diagnostic factors
- itchiness, tingling, or pain
Risk factors
- history of prior keloid
- family history of keloid
- darker skin types
- trauma
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- clinical diagnosis
Investigations to consider
- skin biopsy
Treatment algorithm
all patients
Contributors
Authors
Andrew Burd, MB ChB, MD, FRCSEd, FHKAM(Surgery)
Professor
Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
China
Disclosures
AB is an author of a number of references cited in this monograph.
Lin Huang, PhD, MBBS
Scientific Officer (Medical)
Skin Bank, Burns Centre
Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery
Prince of Wales Hospital
Hong Kong
China
Disclosures
LH is an author of a reference cited in this monograph.
Peer reviewers
Edward E. Tredget, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Director
Firefighters' Burn Treatment Unit and Plastic Surgery Wound Healing Research Laboratory
Professor
Department of Surgery
University of Alberta
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
Disclosures
EET declares that he has no competing interests.
David Cassarino, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
University of California
Los Angeles
CA
Disclosures
DC declares that he has no competing interests.
Brian L. Swick, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Pathology
University of Iowa
Iowa City
IA
Disclosures
BLS declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Hypertrophic scar
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
- Dermatofibroma
More Differentials
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