STRUCTURE OF THE COLLAGEN NODULE FROM HYPERTROPHIC SCARS AND KELOIDS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • p. 371-376
Abstract
The collagen nodule is the structural unit of all hypertrophic scars and keloids. It is never found in fully mature scars. A study of the fine structure of the nodule might reflect its origin, and the origin of the hypertrophic scar and keloid. Nodules are composed of a marked increase of unidirectional collagen fibrils aligned in a highly stressed orientation. There is a marked increase in the numbers of fibroblasts. Few microvessels appear within the nodule; they remain peripheral and encompass the main body of the nodule as a net. There is a heavier concentration of microvessels (3-13 .mu.m in diameter) at the terminal ends, many of which are occluded. The occlusion appears due principally to an apparent increase in the number of endothelial cells. The character of the nodule and its relationship with a peripheral semioccluded microvascular network suggests an origin of the hypertrophic scar and keloid to be related to revascularization of a deep wound. Human material was used in this study.

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