Extensive Keloid and Hypertrophic Mixed Scarring Pattern in Ear Lobes of a 14-Year-Old African Female: A Case Report

Abstract

Background Massive earlobe scarring/keloid formation can occur after ear piercing in individuals of African descent. Case report: A 14-year-old African girl with pierced ears in childhood presented with two progressively growing and disfiguring tumors on both earlobes. The maximum diameter of each lesion was 5.5 centimeters, and the weight of each lesion was approximately 20 grams. Histologically, there was a mixed pattern of keloid and hypertrophic scarring. Discussion: Massive keloids can occur after ear piercing in childhood. It is unclear why some individuals develop these massive keloids.

Keywords:

• keloid
• hypertrophic
• African
• earlobe
• scarring
• mixed
• pattern
• massive

Disclosure statement

There is no conflict of interest or external funding to declare. None of the authors have anything to disclose

Authors’ contributions

Dr. Javier Arredondo Montero and Dr. Monica Bronte Anaut conceptualized and designed the study, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. Dr. Carlos Bardají Pascual conceptualized and designed the study, coordinated, and supervised data collection, and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content.

Original work

All authors of the manuscript declare that it is an original contribution, not previously published, and that at the present time it has not been sent to any other journal to assess its publication.

Additional information

Funding

There is no external funding to declare.