Assessment of Actinic Elastosis by 20-MHz Sonography

Abstract

Evaluation of age-related changes of the dermal connective tissue in light-exposed and protected skin areas was performed non-invasively by 20 MHz sonography in 90 persons. The method allows to measure sonographic structures and quantify densitometric values in a region of interest (ROI). Sonography of sun-exposed skin regions shows an echopoor band (ELB = echolucent band) in the upper dermis which corresponds to actinic elastosis in the histological picture. The band is sharply demarcated from the entry echo. The border towards the non-actinically altered dermis below is often serrated. The sonographic phenomena can be explained by the micromorphological changes that develop in the upper dermis in actinic elastosis. An increased amount of elastotic material and the destruction of the fiber architecture as well as an increase in ground substance and a mild inflammatory reaction cause a reduction in echogenicity.