title: Combination of radiofrequency and intralesional steroids in the treatment of keloids: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  None of therapeutic options for the treatment of keloids has been found completely effective and satisfactory. A combination approach is the best modality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the clinical safety and efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) followed by intralesional (IL) steroid injection in keloids.
  
  
  METHODS
  This pilot study included 18 patients who were suffering from keloids. All patients were subjected to 3 to 4 sessions of RF followed by IL steroid injection. Assessment of the scar volume and both objective and subjective parameters has been performed before and after completion of the sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant reduction of volume of all lesions in all patients after a total of 3 to 4 sessions (p = .001), with a mean volume reduction of 95.4%. There was a significant reduction of keloid pliability, height, and erythema compared with baseline (p < .001). Patients reported a significant reduction of their subjective symptoms compared with baseline (p < .001). No pain, infection, nor bleeding were reported after the RF procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction combined with IL steroid is an effective treatment modality for keloids. It is an easy procedure with acceptable cosmetic outcome and less rate of recurrence.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; †Department of Dermatology, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed Hany
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Weshay
authors.forename: Rania Mounir
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Abdel Hay
authors.forename: Khadiga
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sayed
authors.forename: Marwa Safwat
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: El Hawary
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nour-Edin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007627:Keloid / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014221:Triamcinolone