title: Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction for treatment of auricle keloids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Keloids are often refractive to treatment, and recurrences occur quite frequently. Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction (RFTVR) is a surgical technology that induces extensive fibrosis at the target tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  We applied RFTVR in 14 patients (19 auricles, 5 patients treated bilaterally; 9 female, 5 male; range, 10-66 years) with keloids of the auricle. Keloids were located at the earlobe in 4 patients (5 auricles), helix in 9 patients (12 auricles), and at both earlobe and helix in 1 patient (2 auricles). In 6 patients (8 auricles) RFTVR was the sole treatment modality applied, and in 7 patients (10 auricles) intralesional steroid injection was also performed. Patients underwent one to seven sessions of RFTVR. Patients were followed up between 2 and 92 months postoperatively (median, 24.5 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Good cosmetic results were achieved in 10 of 14 patients (13 auricles). Three patients (5 auricles) were refractive to treatment, and 1 patient (1 auricle) showed progressive disease despite treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction may be considered as a new, minimally invasive treatment option for keloids of the auricle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany. kai.fruth@unimedizin-mainz.de
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fruth
authors.forename: Haralampos
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gouveris
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuelkens
authors.forename: Wolf J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000601:surgery*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D055815:Young Adult