title: Use of a non-contact 3D digitiser to measure the volume of keloid scars: a useful tool for scar assessment.
abstract: Keloid scars often fail to respond to treatment, so research into new therapeutic regimes is important. However, research is limited by a scarcity of reliable, objective scar assessment tools. The volume of a keloid scar should decrease with successful treatment. This study demonstrates the use of a non-contact 3D digitiser to measure digitally the volume of a keloid scar. The scanner was used to scan 62 keloid scars and one fine-line normal scar. The scan took approximately 9s to complete. The volume was measured using 3D reverse modelling software. A previously validated scar assessment scale was used to score the scars according to their physical parameters. A significant correlation was found between volume and the scar score (Pearson's r=0.627, p<0.001). Linear regression was also statistically significant (p<0.001, R(2)=0.44). Therefore it was possible to predict the scar score from the measured volume. This technique could allow monitoring of a patient on treatment, or comparison of treatments in a research setting. It overcomes previous problems with the measurement of scar volume as it is quantitatively objective and well-tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Research, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Room 3.102, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: D Angus
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: McGrouther
authors.forename: Ardeshir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bayat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007627:Keloid / Q000473:pathology*; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012984:Software