Multimodal Ultrasound Imaging Assessment on Keloid

NCT06034587 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CQMUSAZL0619
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Skin keloids are common dermatological conditions that can lead to physical limitations, functional impairments, and deformities. Beyond the physiological implications, the aesthetic ramifications of keloids can also result in significant psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, causing both physical and emotional suffering to the affected individuals. The incidence of keloids is high, characterized by their chronicity, resistance to treatment, and high recurrence rate. They have become one of the most challenging conditions to treat across burn surgery, plastic surgery, and dermatology disciplines. The lack of standardized clinical treatment guidelines globally, combined with an absence of a well-defined standardized evaluation system, means that the effectiveness of various treatments is not consistently and objectively assessed, creating significant challenges in clinical applications. This project integrates traditional high-frequency ultrasound with cutting-edge technologies like real-time shear wave elastography and ultra-micro blood flow imaging. By using multimodal ultrasound, investigators aim to observe the therapeutic response of 90Sr-90Y patch treatment on skin keloids. Investigators seek to determine the objectivity and quantification role of multimodal ultrasound data and indicators in assessing keloid severity, including blood flow information and elasticity hardness. Another goal is to obtain quantitative data on keloid thickness, volume, stiffness, and microvascular distribution before and after treatment to monitor the therapy response. This would address the current limitations of subjective keloid scoring scales. It would also serve as an objective assessment standard for precise diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of keloids in a clinical setting, thereby standardizing the clinical diagnosis and treatment of keloids.

Conditions

Keloid

Keywords

multimodal ultrasound; shear wave elastography; microvessel imaging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in stiffness measured by SWE

  The difference of stiffness in good response group and poor response group

  from baseline to 6 months

• Change in microvessel signal grade measured by AP

  The difference of microvessel signal grade in good response group and poor response group

  from baseline to 6 months

• Change in thickness measured by high frequency ultrasound

  The difference of thickness in good response group and poor response group

  from baseline to 6 months

Study Arms (2)

good response group of treated keloids

The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) is the most established questionnaire used for the evaluation of pathological scarring. This scale evaluates aspects of scar vascularity, pigmentation, pliability, and height, with the scoring system ranging from 0 to 15, where 0 is the least severe and 15 is the most severe.All the keloids in the study were classified into three categories based on the VSS score: mild (0-5), moderate (6-9), and severe (10-15). For treatment assessment, investigators further divided the treated participants into two groups: a good response group (showing an improvement of 5 or more points in the VSS score) and a poor response group (less than 5 points improvement in the VSS score)

Diagnostic Test: multimodal ultrasound; Radiation: radioisotope applicator therapy

poor response group of treated keloids

The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) is the most established questionnaire used for the evaluation of pathological scarring. This scale evaluates aspects of scar vascularity, pigmentation, pliability, and height, with the scoring system ranging from 0 to 15, where 0 is the least severe and 15 is the most severe. All the keloids in the study keloids were classified into three categories based on the VSS score: mild (0-5), moderate (6-9), and severe(10-15). For treatment assessment, investigators further divided the treated participants into two groups: a good response group (showing an improvement of 5 or more points in the VSS score) and a poor response group (less than 5 points improvement in the VSS score)

Diagnostic Test: multimodal ultrasound; Radiation: radioisotope applicator therapy

Interventions

multimodal ultrasound DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

An Aixplorer ultrasound machine (SuperSonic Imaging, Ltd, Aixen-Provence, France), equipped with AngioPLUS(AP) and shear wave elastography(SWE) functions, was used for all examinations using a 4-15MHz linear probe.AP function can detect microvessels of lesions,SWE can evaluate the stiffness of lesions and high frequency ultrasound can measure the thickness and volume of keloid.

good response group of treated keloids; poor response group of treated keloids

radioisotope applicator therapy RADIATION

The radioisotope applicator therapy utilized 90Sr-90Y(0094SR814975) isotope, customized by the China Atomic Energy Research Institute. The element therapy instrument used had overall dimensions of 2.8cm x 2.8cm, with an effective treatment area of 2.0cm x 2.0cm. It delivered a radiation dose of 5.0Gy/h. Each patient received superficial radiation therapy through a single 90Sr source, administered in repeated doses. The isotope therapy instrument was customized to fit the exact size of the keloid, ensuring coverage the irradiation range extending 0.5cm beyond the keloid's edge. During treatment, the surface of the applicator was aligned with the irradiated area and directly contact the surface of the keloid tissue. The treatment was carried out low-dose irradiation method, over 5 sessions, with each session delivering a dose of 2Gy. Each irradiation lasted for 25min.

good response group of treated keloids; poor response group of treated keloids

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

34 outpatients (mean age 43 ± 10.4 years, 14 male, 20 female) with untreated 63 keloids in different anatomical locations and 63 corresponding normal skin sites was performed

You may qualify if:

• Male and female patients aged 16 years and above
• Outpatients with no received any treatment in previous 6 months
• Willing to participate in this trial and have signed an informed consent form

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• patients with malignant tumors, hypertension, diabetes, skin rupture, skin infection which may influence keloid healing and other dermatologic diseases

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chongqing Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University

Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, 400010, China

Location

Related Publications (17)

• Dirrichs T, Quack V, Gatz M, Tingart M, Rath B, Betsch M, Kuhl CK, Schrading S. Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) for Monitoring of Treatment of Tendinopathies: A Double-blinded, Longitudinal Clinical Study. Acad Radiol. 2018 Mar;25(3):265-272. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2017.09.011. Epub 2017 Nov 16.

  PMID: 29153963 BACKGROUND

• DeJong H, Abbott S, Zelesco M, Spilsbury K, Ziman M, Kennedy BF, Martin L, Wood FM. Objective quantification of burn scar stiffness using shear-wave elastography: Initial evidence of validity. Burns. 2020 Dec;46(8):1787-1798. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2020.05.009. Epub 2020 May 19.

  PMID: 32534890 RESULT

• Schwaiger H, Reinholz M, Poetschke J, Ruzicka T, Gauglitz G. Evaluating the Therapeutic Success of Keloids Treated With Cryotherapy and Intralesional Corticosteroids Using Noninvasive Objective Measures. Dermatol Surg. 2018 May;44(5):635-644. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001427.

  PMID: 29701618 RESULT

• Nast A, Gauglitz G, Lorenz K, Metelmann HR, Paasch U, Strnad V, Weidmann M, Werner RN, Bauerschmitz J. S2k guidelines for the therapy of pathological scars (hypertrophic scars and keloids) - Update 2020. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2021 Feb;19(2):312-327. doi: 10.1111/ddg.14279. Epub 2020 Oct 4. No abstract available.

  PMID: 33015930 RESULT

• Yang Y, Wang L, Yan F, Xiang X, Tang Y, Zhang L, Liu J, Qiu L. Determination of Normal Skin Elasticity by Using Real-time Shear Wave Elastography. J Ultrasound Med. 2018 Nov;37(11):2507-2516. doi: 10.1002/jum.14608. Epub 2018 Mar 25.

  PMID: 29575120 RESULT

• Yang Y, Qiu L, Wang L, Xiang X, Tang Y, Li H, Yan F. Quantitative Assessment of Skin Stiffness Using Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography in Systemic Sclerosis. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2019 Apr;45(4):902-912. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.11.015. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

  PMID: 30665723 RESULT

• Tsai WY, Hsueh YY, Chen PY, Hung KS, Huang CC. High-Frequency Ultrasound Elastography for Assessing Elastic Properties of Skin and Scars. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2022 Jun;69(6):1871-1880. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2022.3154235. Epub 2022 May 26.

  PMID: 35201987 RESULT

• Guo R, Xiang X, Wang L, Zhu B, Cheng S, Qiu L. Quantitative Assessment of Keloids Using Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2020 May;46(5):1169-1178. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.01.010. Epub 2020 Feb 13.

  PMID: 32063394 RESULT

• Reinholz M, Schwaiger H, Poetschke J, Epple A, Ruzicka T, Von Braunmuhl T, Gauglitz GG. Objective and subjective treatment evaluation of scars using optical coherence tomography, sonography, photography, and standardised questionnaires. Eur J Dermatol. 2016 Dec 1;26(6):599-608. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2016.2873.

  PMID: 27762215 RESULT

• Elrefaie AM, Salem RM, Faheem MH. High-resolution ultrasound for keloids and hypertrophic scar assessment. Lasers Med Sci. 2020 Mar;35(2):379-385. doi: 10.1007/s10103-019-02830-4. Epub 2019 Jun 25.

  PMID: 31240510 RESULT

• DeJong H, Abbott S, Zelesco M, Spilsbury K, Martin L, Sanderson R, Ziman M, Kennedy BF, Wood FM. A Novel, Reliable Protocol to Objectively Assess Scar Stiffness Using Shear Wave Elastography. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2020 Jul;46(7):1614-1629. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.03.003. Epub 2020 May 5.

  PMID: 32386847 RESULT

• Xu C, Ting W, Teng Y, Long X, Wang X. Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging for the Objective Assessment of Blood Perfusion in Keloids Treated With Dual-Wavelength Laser Therapy. Dermatol Surg. 2021 Apr 1;47(4):e117-e121. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000002836.

  PMID: 33795568 RESULT

• Son Y, Phillips EON, Price KM, Rosenberg LZ, Stefanovic B, Wolfe CM, Shaath TS, Om A, Cohen GF, Gunjan A. Treatment of keloids with a single dose of low-energy superficial X-ray radiation to prevent recurrence after surgical excision: An in vitro and in vivo study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Nov;83(5):1304-1314. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.06.023. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

  PMID: 32540415 RESULT

• Tang Y, Cheng S, Tang X, Guo R, Zhang L, Qiu L. Quantification of skin lesions using high-frequency ultrasound and shear wave elastography in port-wine stain patients: a clinical study. Ann Transl Med. 2019 Dec;7(24):803. doi: 10.21037/atm.2019.12.57.

  PMID: 32042819 RESULT

• Xiang X, Yan F, Yang Y, Tang Y, Wang L, Zeng J, Qiu L. Quantitative Assessment of Healthy Skin Elasticity: Reliability and Feasibility of Shear Wave Elastography. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2017 Feb;43(2):445-452. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2016.10.002. Epub 2016 Dec 2.

  PMID: 27919522 RESULT

• Poetschke J, Schwaiger H, Gauglitz GG. Current and Emerging Options for Documenting Scars and Evaluating Therapeutic Progress. Dermatol Surg. 2017 Jan;43 Suppl 1:S25-S36. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000698.

  PMID: 27153039 RESULT

• Zhou L, Zhou Q, Zheng C, Wang Z, Rao M. Multimodal ultrasound assessment for monitoring keloid severity and treatment response. Sci Rep. 2025 Mar 12;15(1):8568. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-91111-y.

  PMID: 40074795 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Keloid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Collagen Diseases; Connective Tissue Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Cicatrix; Fibrosis; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Wang Zhigang

  Chongqing Medical University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: chief physician

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 5, 2023
• First Posted: September 13, 2023
• Study Start: July 21, 2021
• Primary Completion: August 30, 2023
• Study Completion: August 30, 2023
• Last Updated: September 13, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)