title: Pilot Study of the Efficacy of 578 nm Copper Bromide Laser Combined with Intralesional Corticosteroid Injection for Treatment of Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatments including intralesional corticosteroid injection, pressure therapy, cryotherapy, and various laser therapies have had limited success for keloids and hypertrophic scars.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This trial evaluated the efficacy of a combination of 578 nm copper bromide laser and the more traditional intralesional corticosteroid injection for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars with respect to scar color.
  
  
  METHODS
  Keloids or hypertrophic scars of 12 Korean patients were treated five times by the combined treatment at 4-week intervals. Clinical improvement was assessed by the physicians' global assessment (PGA) comparing pre- and post-treatment photographs, as well as 4 weeks after the last treatment. Erythema intensity was quantified using a mexameter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most scars showed significant clinical improvement in PGA and decreased erythema intensity after 5 treatments. All patients showed improvements in symptoms like pruritus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined treatment is effective for keloids and hypertrophic scars, especially when the telangiectatic portion of the scars is prominent. The adjunctive use of 578 nm copper bromide laser decreased the telangiectatic side effects of an intralesional corticosteroid injection by reducing the vascular components of scars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: In Pyeong
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kui Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Beomjoon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Myeung Nam
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: 578 nm copper bromide laser; Hypertrophic cicatrix; Intralesional corticosteroid injection; Keloid