Elizabeth Ethington1,2,3, Andia Mitri1,2,3, David Surprenant1,2,3, Michael Murphy1,2,3, Rebecca Rovner1,2,3, Jeave Reserva1,2,3, James Swan1,2,3, William Adams1,2,3, Rebecca Tung1,2,3, Kristin Lee1,2,3. 1. Drs. Ethington, Surprenant, Rovner, Reserva, Swan, Lee, and Mr. Murphy are with the Divison of Dermatology at Loyola University in Maywood, Illinois. Ms. Andia is with the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University in Maywood, Illinois. 2. Dr. Adams is with the Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University, in Maywood, Illinois. 3. Dr. Tung is with Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers in Florida.
Abstract
Background: Seborrheic keratoses (SKs) are one of the most common benign epithelial tumors seen by dermatologists. Many people elect to have these lesions removed, most commonly by way of cryosurgery or electrodesiccation. Objective: We sought to evaluate the comparative efficacy and patient preferences regarding cryosurgery and electrodesiccation for the treatment of truncal SK lesions. Methods: In this randomized, blinded clinical trial, 33 eligible subjects with two similar truncal SKs were assigned to receive treatment with cryosurgery and electrodesiccation applied to separate lesions. Patients rated their pain and preference at the time of treatment and follow up at two and eight weeks. Physicians rated the color, texture, and efficacy of lesion removal at eight weeks. Results: Patients did not have a treatment preference (p=0.10) and there was no significant difference in pain when comparing cryosurgery to electrodesiccation (p=0.43). Both treatment modalities were similar in terms of efficacy (p=0.50). Skin texture was rated similarly (p=0.64); however, lesions treated with cryosurgery were nominally less likely to have posttreatment hyperpigmentation compared to lesions treated with electrodesiccation (odds ratio: 0.35, 95% confidence interval: 0.12-1.002; p=0.0504). Conclusion:Cryosurgery and electrodesiccation are both effective treatment modalities for truncal SKs. While cosmetic outcomes were similar, cryosurgery resulted in less postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
RCT Entities:
Background: Seborrheic keratoses (SKs) are one of the most common benign epithelial tumors seen by dermatologists. Many people elect to have these lesions removed, most commonly by way of cryosurgery or electrodesiccation. Objective: We sought to evaluate the comparative efficacy and patient preferences regarding cryosurgery and electrodesiccation for the treatment of truncal SK lesions. Methods: In this randomized, blinded clinical trial, 33 eligible subjects with two similar truncal SKs were assigned to receive treatment with cryosurgery and electrodesiccation applied to separate lesions. Patients rated their pain and preference at the time of treatment and follow up at two and eight weeks. Physicians rated the color, texture, and efficacy of lesion removal at eight weeks. Results:Patients did not have a treatment preference (p=0.10) and there was no significant difference in pain when comparing cryosurgery to electrodesiccation (p=0.43). Both treatment modalities were similar in terms of efficacy (p=0.50). Skin texture was rated similarly (p=0.64); however, lesions treated with cryosurgery were nominally less likely to have posttreatment hyperpigmentation compared to lesions treated with electrodesiccation (odds ratio: 0.35, 95% confidence interval: 0.12-1.002; p=0.0504). Conclusion: Cryosurgery and electrodesiccation are both effective treatment modalities for truncal SKs. While cosmetic outcomes were similar, cryosurgery resulted in less postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Authors: J Mark Jackson; Andrew Alexis; Brian Berman; Diane S Berson; Susan Taylor; Jonathan S Weiss Journal: J Drugs Dermatol Date: 2015-10 Impact factor: 2.114
Authors: Janet C DuBois; Michael Jarratt; Brian B Beger; Mark Bradshaw; Christopher V Powala; Stuart D Shanler Journal: Dermatol Surg Date: 2018-03 Impact factor: 3.398