Background Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction leads to protein denaturation and necrosis of connective tissue, resulting in scarring followed by retraction of soft tissue. Aim To study the efficacy and safety of intralesional corticosteroids alone versus radioporation-assisted delivery of topical application of triamcinolone acetonide. Methods A single-centre, randomised, non-blinded study included 31 patients (18-65 years), each with at least two comparable keloids. Patients were randomised (1:1) to receive either intralesional corticosteroid or radioporation-assisted topical corticosteroid for five sessions at 3-week interval, with follow-up at 18 and 24 weeks. Results The Vancouver scar scale (VSS) scores improved in both groups, but the radioporation group showed greater reductions in VSS (mean difference +1.21, p = 0.002), vascularity, pigmentation, pliability, and scar height, despite higher baseline values. Limitations Short follow-up precluded relapse assessment. Conclusion Both modalities significantly improved keloids, but radioporation-assisted corticosteroid delivery demonstrated superior efficacy with comparable safety.
Background Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common form of hair loss, where early diagnosis is challenging. Trichoscopy offers a non-invasive method for evaluating androgenetic alopecia, but its relationship with disease severity is not well-established. Aim To evaluate the correlation between qualitative and quantitative trichoscopic features and disease severity of androgenetic alopecia graded by the basic and specific (BASP) classification. Methods This retrospective study analysed 471 trichoscopic images from 157 Korean participants (129 males, 28 females; 99 with androgenetic alopecia, 58 controls). Disease severity was graded using the BASP classification. Qualitative scalp signs (vellus hair, peripilar sign, yellow dot, pinpoint white dot, focal atrichia, honeycomb pigmentation) and quantitative trichoscopic factors (total hair count, follicular unit composition and follicular unit density) were compared between groups and assessed for trends across BASP stages. Results The prevalence of all trichoscopic scalp signs was significantly higher in the androgenetic alopecia group than in controls (e.g., vellus hair, 80.1% vs. 24.2% in occipital controls; p < 0.001). As BASP stages advanced, there was a significant increase in all scalp signs (e.g.,vellus hair prevalence, from 46.9% in BASP 0 to 100% in BASP 3) and the proportion of single-hair follicular units (1FU%, 39.1% to 76.6%). Conversely, total hair count and proportion of multi-hair follicular units decreased significantly with increasing severity (p< 0.001 for trend). Follicular unit density remained stable until the most advanced stage. Additionally, females showed a significantly higher 1FU% than males in the early stage. Limitations Retrospective, single-centre design and lack of hair shaft diameter measurement. Conclusion A significant association was observed between trichoscopic features and the severity of AGA as graded by the BASP classification. Vellus hairs can serve as an early indicator, and changes in the composition of follicular units, particularly an increased proportion of 1FU%, may serve as quantitative markers of follicular miniaturisation. These findings support the use of trichoscopy as an objective tool for the early detection and monitoring of AGA.
