Unusual explosive growth of a squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp after electrical burn injury and subsequent coverage by sequential free flap vascular connection--a case report.
BACKGROUND
Squamous cell carcinomos may arise from chronic ulcerating wounds in scars, most commonly postburn scars. Tumour growth usually takes place over months to years. Localization on the scalp is a relatively rare condition.


METHODS
This report presents the case of a 63-year-old man with chronic ulceration of a postburn scar of the scalp due to an electrical burn 58 years ago. Sudden tumour growth started within weeks and on presentation already had extended through the skull into frontal cortex. After radical tumour resection, defect was covered with a free radial forearm flap. Local recurrence occurred 6 weeks later. Subsequent wide excision including discard of the flap and preservation of the radial vessels was followed by transfer of a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap, using the radial vessels of the first flap as recipient vessels. The patient received radiotherapy post-operatively. There were no problems with flap survivals or wound healing. Due to rapidly growing recurrence the patient died 2 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
Explosive SCC tumour growth might occur in post-burn scars after more than 50 years. As a treatment option the use of sequential free flap connections might serve in repeated extensive tumour resections, especially in the scalp region, where suitable donor vessels are often located in distance to the defect.
Horch
Raymund E
RE
Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Germany. Raymund.Horch@chir.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Stark
G Bjoern
GB
Beier
Justus P
JP
D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000503:physiopathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing