Description

A keloid is an abnormal proliferation of scar tissue that forms at the site of cutaneous injury. Keloids are benign dermal fibro proliferative tumors with no malignant potential. A 17-year-old female patient came with complaint of Pedunculated necrosed mass over right ear lobe since 2 days of approx. size 5 x 5 cm. She gave a history of ear piercing 6 months back. Since then, the swelling started to grow. Since last 2 days the swelling started to turn dark and patient had severe pain and itching over it. The swelling was firm & tender on examination. The pedunculated keloid, being attached to the skin by a narrow base, which restricted blood flow to the tissue, leading to tissue death. As the keloid grows larger, it exerted pressure on the blood vessels, reducing oxygen and nutrient supply to the tissue. So, Clinical diagnosis of Gangrenous Keloid was made. The patient must be having keloid tendency because she had developed a keloid on the superior helix of same ear also after piercing. The swelling was then excised under local anesthesia & primary suturing was done.

Figure 1: Gangrenous keloid (Before excision).

Figure 2: Gangrenous keloid specimen (After excision).