Intralesional vs. contact cryosurgery in treatment of keloids: a clinical and immunohistochemical study

Background Cryosurgery is a safe and effective treatment of keloids. Intralesional cryosurgery has been shown to bring about significant improvement in keloids. The histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in keloids following cryosurgery are not well‐assessed. Methods Twenty‐three patients with 66 keloids were treated with either the contact (cryoprobe) method or intralesional cryosurgery. Keloid specimens were obtained before treatment and after two sessions of treatment for evaluation of keloid pathology and immunohistochemical changes in expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tenascin C induced by both cryosurgical techniques. Results A better therapeutic response was detected after intralesional cryosurgery (excellent response [ER], 87%) than contact cryosurgery (ER, 60%; P