Ulcerated Keloid Secondary to a Coexisting Complicated Epidermal Inclusion Cyst: A Sonographic Diagnosis

Abstract

Keloid is a benign fibroblastic tumor that is most often secondary to tissue injury. The clinical presentation is a hard red or purple tumor, mostly itchy or painful. The clinical objectives are to report an ulcerated keloid secondary to a central or inner complicated epidermal inclusion cyst histologically proven and to describe the sonographic findings that permitted the diagnosis. A 29-year-old man with multiple large keloids on the chest wall presented with a two-day pain history, increased volume, and ulceration on one side. Physical examination showed a keloid with edema, peripheral erythema, and a 1-cm central ulcer with purulent discharge. On the sonogram, multiple solid dermal hypodermal pseudotumors were visualized. The lesions were well-defined hypoechogenic heterogeneous solid masses that were hypovascular with color Doppler, concordant with keloids. Within the ulcerated enlarged mass, a complicated epidermal inclusion cyst was discovered with inflammatory changes. The significance of this case lies in the very low frequency of ulceration of a keloid and the high diagnostic value of sonography to demonstrate the presence of a coexisting epidermal inclusion cyst. In the differential diagnosis of an ulcerated keloid, sonography can assist in achieving a better presurgical approach.