Histopathologic Examination Changes Observed as Mechanotransduction Following Focused and Radial Acoustic Wave Therapy

Abstract

The author executed a series of self-biopsies following focused acoustic, and focused and radial acoustic wave therapy to examine the effectiveness of the two types of acoustic wave therapy and to identify and investigate mechanotransduction; the mechanism of action produced by acoustic wave therapy. A case of a 28-year-old patient’s acoustic wave therapy that improved a vascular malformation is reported as a successful example. The series of histopathologic examinations following acoustic wave therapy strongly suggest that mechanotransduction causes neither fatal damage nor critical degeneration of tissue, and rather create moderate changes; indicating that the treatment is safely effective. There are distinctive differences in histopathologic changes between the two types of acoustic waves; the combination of focused and radial acoustic wave therapy leads to a faster normalizing change with less infiltration of cells than that following only focused-acoustic wave therapy. Further research on the mechanism of acoustic wave therapy is awaited, and a clear elucidation of this mechanism will bring about widespread recognition of this modality as a promising treatment for skin tightening and rejuvenation.