title: Treatment of Nodular Fasciitis Occurring on the Face.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical excision is generally recommended for the treatment of nodular fasciitis (NF) to rule out sarcoma. However, in cases of NF occurring on the face, the reported recurrence rate is higher and the surgical approach may result in considerable aesthetic concern.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe our experience with NF occurring on the face and evaluate the outcomes of surgical and nonsurgical methods of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of 16 patients with NF on the face. The patients were treated with surgical excision or nonsurgical methods such as triamcinolone intralesional injection (TA ILI) and pinhole method with a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 16 patients, surgical treatment was performed in 9 and recurrence occurred in 7 of these 9 patients (77.8%). The recurred lesions showed regression after repeated TA ILI. On the other hand, five patients underwent nonsurgical treatment after the histologic exclusion of malignancy. Their lesions showed regression after repeated pinhole treatment and TA ILI. In one case, NF spontaneously regressed. On a visual analogue scale, the nonsurgical approach showed superior results. However, the values were not statistically significant (6.90±1.56 vs. 5.61±1.36; p=0.163). The satisfaction level was lower in patients who experienced recurrence after surgical excision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical treatment for NF on the face showed a noticeable recurrence rate and resulted in scarring. Therefore, considering the possibility of spontaneous regression, the nonsurgical method can be considered as an alternative treatment option for NF on the face.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Ho
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jihee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Zhenlong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Ryung
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kee Yang
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chung
keywords: Intralesional injection; Laser therapy; Nodular fasciitis