Measurement Of Skin Thickness Research Articles

Bringing Inclusivity to "Ethnic" Rhinoplasty: A Novel Anatomical Classification System.

"Ethnic rhinoplasty" is a term that historically has been employed to categorize patterns in nasal anatomy, possible procedures to change appearance, and patient and surgeon expectations for expected outcomes for the multitude of patients with features that belong to non-White groups. Categorizing anatomical structures based on broad definitions of race or ethnicity may not be an accurate representation, nor give an accurate depiction of nasal anatomical features. A shift is needed regarding how race and ethnicity are employed in describing nasal anatomy and rhinoplasty. We present a categorization system based on nasal anatomical patterns that may have more meaningful surgical implications without generalization into ethnic groups. Common anatomical nasal features such as projection, rotation, skin thickness, and anthropometric measurements were grouped into types, which may also help in patient education and remove any ethnic or racial terms.

Itch and Pain Behaviors in Irritant Contact Dermatitis Produced by Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in Mice.

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a nonspecific skin inflammation caused by irritants, leading to itch and pain. We tested whether differential responses to histamine-dependent and -independent pruritogens can be evoked in ICD induced by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). An ICD mouse model was established with 5% SLS in acetone versus a vehicle topically applied for 24 h to the cheek. Site-directed itch- and pain-like behaviors, occurring spontaneously and in response to mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli (histamine, ß-alanine, BAM8-22, and bradykinin) applied to the cheek, were recorded before (day 0) and after irritant removal (days 1, 2, 3, and 4). Skin inflammation was assessed through visual scoring, ultrasound, and measurements of skin thickness. SLS-treated mice exhibited hyperalgesia-like behavior in response to mechanical and heat stimuli on day 1 compared to the controls. SLS mice exhibited more spontaneous wipes (pain) but not scratching bouts (itch) on day 1. Pruritogen injections caused more scratching but not wiping in SLS-treated mice compared to the controls. Only bradykinin increased wiping behavior compared to saline. SLS-treated mice developed noticeable erythema, scaling, and increased skin thickness on days 1 and 2. SLS induced cutaneous inflammation and behavioral signs of spontaneous pain and itching, hyperalgesia to mechanical and heat stimuli and a chemical algogen, and enhanced itch response to pruritogens. These sensory reactions preceded the inflammation peak and lasted up to two days.

Radiofrequency and Electrical Muscle Stimulation: A Synergistic Treatment That Achieves Lipolysis and Circumferential Waist Reduction in Noninvasive Body Contouring.

Surgeons and providers in aesthetic medicine seek noninvasive devices that can be utilized for safe, efficient, and effective body contouring. Patient demand has propelled the development of novel devices that can simultaneously improve skin laxity, adipolysis along with stimulation of muscle hypertrophy. To determine the efficacy of body contouring after 3 treatments using the noninvasive Transform (InMode, Lake Forest, CA) device. A prospective, multicenter study was performed. Outcomes evaluated include: standardized caliper and ultrasound measurements of abdominal skin/soft-tissue thickness, waist circumference, histologic evaluation, patient comfort, and satisfaction assessments. Forty-four patients were successfully enrolled in the study and completed the series of 3 treatments which involved combined electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and noninvasive bipolar radiofrequency (RF). Abdominal ultrasound measurements reveal a decrease in soft-tissue thickness (average 3.1 mm; P = .001), there was a significant decrease in caliper measurements of periumbilical skin thickness (P < .003), and the average reduction of abdominal circumference was 1.9 cm (P < .0001) 3 months after the treatment series. Histology confirmed subcutaneous adipolysis without damaging the dermal layer. Patients reported a high degree of satisfaction with the overall result (P = .003) and that each of the 3 treatments were progressively more comfortable (P < .005). This study demonstrates that a series of simultaneous noninvasive RF with EMS treatments to the abdomen decreases subcutaneous soft-tissue thickness of the treated area. These comfortable treatments ultimately result in a high degree of patient satisfaction at 3 months.

Measurement of Nasal Skin Thickness and Body Mass Index in Preoperative Rhinoplasty Patients Utilizing Computed Tomography Scanning and Ultrasound Techniques: A Prospective Comparative Study.

One of the most important indicators of rhinoplasty success is nasal skin thickness. Nasal thickness can lead to irregularities over the osseocartilaginous framework among patients with thin nasal skin and difficulty making tip work changes in patients with thick nasal skin. This study aimed to compare different objective methods. These include computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) techniques, and report the relationship between nasal skin thickness and body mass index (BMI). A prospective cross-sectional study that included all patients at the rhinoplasty clinic (King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between December 2022 and March 2023. Age, sex, and Fitzpatrick skin type were collected from the patients' histories and physical examinations. Body mass index was calculated for the subjects. The study sample included 29 patients. The median age of the patients was 25 years (interquartile range: 20-32 y). Most of the included patients were Saudi (89.7%, n = 26). Females represented 62.1% of the study sample. The average BMI was 25.6 ± 4.95 kg/m 2 . The highest correlation was observed between the US and CT tip ( r = 0.544, P < 0.01) and rhinion ( r = 0.525, P < 0.01) measurements. Body mass index was not associated with any US or CT measurements when BMI was used as a continuous or ordinal variable. The correlation between the US and CT measurements was highest for rhinoin and tip measurements, whereas supratip measurements were not correlated ( r = -0.029, P = 0.88). The correlation between mid-dorsum and nasion measurements was low (~0.3). The correlation between nasal skin thickness using CT and US varies depending on the nasal point and location. Body mass index was not associated with nasal skin thickness.

Ultrasound measurement of traumatic scar and skin thickness: a scoping review of evidence across the translational pipeline of research-to-practice

ObjectivesTo identify the ultrasound methods used in the literature to measure traumatic scar thickness, and map gaps in the translation of these methods using evidence across the research-to-practice pipeline.DesignScoping review.Data...

Evaluation of Esthetic Results after Mass Removal with Elliptical Skin Excision Using Ultrasonography to Measure Skin Thickness.

Background: The growth of benign cutaneous masses causes the overlaying skin to expand and become thinner, especially at the central, most projected point. In this retrospective study, a surgical technique comprising an elliptical skin excision was employed to account for these skin changes. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 980 patients with benign masses. Preoperatively, all patients underwent ultrasonography to evaluate the mass depth and thickness of the attached skin, and mass excision was performed using the elliptical skin-excision method. The operative time was recorded, and complications and esthetic outcomes were assessed using the Cutometer® and the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) during 1- and 3-month follow-up visits. Results: The mean operative time (17.48 ± 3.46 min) was significantly shorter than that of conventional methods (p < 0.05). Cutometer parameters showed no significant differences from those of intact skin. The average mVSS scores were 5.21 ± 1.42 and 3.50 ± 1.79 at 1- and 3-month follow-ups, respectively. Conclusions: Mass excision with an elliptical skin attachment resulted in improved esthetic results and easy removal. The attached skin enabled convenient handling without damaging the capsule or other adjacent structures, leaving a thick dermis on both wound edges. Thus, this technique resulted in minimal scarring.

Assessing the impact of various tuberculin PPD brands on bovine tuberculosis diagnosis

Although several brands of tuberculin purified protein derivatives (PPDs) are available for diagnosing bovine tuberculosis (bTB), comparative studies to determine their diagnostic accuracy are infrequent. In Ecuador we compared two different PPD brands for bTB diagnosis using skin testing and measuring skin thickness increase. Additionally, we evaluated four PPD brands, including those used for skin testing, in the Bovine Tuberculosis Interferon Gamma Test (IFN-γ test) measuring IFN-γ induction in whole blood. The study included 17 naturally tuberculosis-infected PPD and IFN-γ test positive bovines. Both the field and laboratory results showed significant differences in classifying the 17 bovines as bTB positive or negative. We hypothesize that several factors, such as the genetic background of the cows, sensitization to environmental mycobacteria, M. bovis strains involved in the bTB infection, and the manufacturing procedures of the PPDs, could have influenced the immune reaction toward the different tuberculin PPD brands. Our study emphasizes the necessity for comparative studies aimed at determining the diagnostic accuracy of PPD brands for bTB diagnosis as well as the development of standardized methods for PPD production and potency determination.

Effect of Silicone Patch Containing Metal-organic Framework on Hypertrophic Scar Suppression.

Hypertrophic scars (HS) are an abnormal cutaneous condition of wound healing characterized by excessive fibrosis and disrupted collagen deposition. This study assessed the potential of a silicone patch embedded with chemically stable zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (MOF)-808 structures to mitigate HS formation using a rabbit ear model. A silicone patch was strategically engineered by incorporating Zr-MOF-808, a composite structure comprising metal ions and organic ligands. Structural integrity of the Zr-MOF-808 silicone patch was validated using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The animals were divided into three groups: a control, no treatment group (Group 1), a silicone patch treatment group (Group 2), and a group treated with a 0.2% loaded Zr-MOF-808 silicone patch (Group 3). HS suppression effects were quantified using scar elevation index (SEI), dorsal skin thickness measurements, and myofibroblast protein expression. Histopathological examination of post-treatment HS samples revealed substantial reductions in SEI (34.6%) and epidermal thickness (49.5%) in Group 3. Scar hyperplasia was significantly diminished by 53.5% (p<0.05), while collagen density declined by 15.7% in Group 3 compared to Group 1. Western blot analysis of protein markers, including TGF-β1, collagen-1, and α-SMA, exhibited diminished levels by 8.8%, 12%, and 21.3%, respectively, in Group 3, and substantially higher levels by 21.9%, 27%, and 39.9%, respectively, in Group 2. On the 35th day post-wound generation, Zr-MOF-808-treated models exhibited smoother, less conspicuous, and flatter scars. Zr-MOF-808-loaded silicone patch reduced HS formation in rabbit ear models by inducing the proliferation and remodeling of the wound healing process.

The Problematic Legacy of Skin-Thickness Measurement in Race-Based Dermatology Research

This Viewpoint presents an opportunity for dermatologists to think critically about how race has affected skin research.

Non-invasive imaging and clinical skin scores in juvenile localized scleroderma.

To evaluate whether in juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS), non-invasive imaging can differentiate affected from non-affected skin and whether imaging correlates with a validated skin score [Localised Scleroderma Cutaneous Assessment Tool (LoSCAT)]. A total of 25 children with JLS were recruited into a prospective study and a single 'target' lesion was selected. High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS, measuring skin thickness), infrared thermography (IRT, skin temperature), laser Doppler imaging (LDI, skin blood flow) and multispectral imaging (MSI, oxygenation) were performed at four sites: two of affected skin (centre and inner edge of lesion) and two of non-affected skin (1 cm from the edge of the lesion 'outer' and contralateral non-affected side) at four visits at 3 month intervals. Differences between affected and non-affected skin were detected with all four techniques. Compared with non-affected skin, affected skin was thinner (P < 0.001), with higher temperature (P < 0.001-0.006), perfusion (P < 0.001-0.039) and oxygenation (P < 0.001-0.028). Lesion skin activity (LoSCAT) was positively correlated with centre HFUS [r = 0.32 (95% CI 0.02, 0.61), P = 0.036] and negatively correlated with centre LDI [r = -0.26 (95% CI -0.49, -0.04), P = 0.022]. Lesion skin damage was positively correlated with centre and inner IRT [r = 0.43 (95% CI 0.19, 0.67), P < 0.001 and r = 0.36 (95% CI 0.12, 0.59), P = 0.003, respectively] and with centre and inner LDI [r = 0.37 (95% CI 0.05, 0.69), P = 0.024 and r = 0.41 (95% CI 0.08, 0.74), P = 0.015, respectively]. Non-invasive imaging can detect differences between affected and non-affected skin in JLS and may help to differentiate between activity (thicker, less well-perfused skin) and damage (thinner, highly perfused skin).

An Interim 6-Month Analysis of the Dermatologic Effects and Midface Volume Correction With XTR CL Filler in a Prospective, Single-Center Study.

Hyaluronic acid-based filler injections with parenteral anesthetics have become the standard in treating midface volume deficits. There are currently limited data on the effects of these types of fillers on skin density, thickness, and firmness. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of XTR CL filler in improving skin quality and tissue volume in women with midface volume loss. In this prospective, noncomparative, single-center study, 50 women aged between 40 and 60 years with midface volume loss were recruited. The primary endpoint was the improvement in investigator-assessed Global Aesthetic Improvement Scores (GAIS) 1 month after treatment. Secondary endpoints include objective measurements of skin density, thickness, and quality measurements, facial and/or cheek volume augmentation, subjective GAIS, and device evaluation from after the first injection until 6 months, and the documentation of injection site reactions and adverse events. XTR CL use led to significant improvement in midface volume deficits, and skin quality and skin thickness. Injector and subject satisfaction with the treatment were documented and only mild-to-moderate adverse reactions were reported. XTR CL was shown to be effective in improving volume loss and skin quality at 6 months.

Ultrasonographic measurement of median nerve and wrist skin thickness in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: relationship with clinical, electrophysiologic and functionality.

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between the proximal and distal cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve and wrist skin thickness measured by ultrasound in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), demographics, disease characteristics, electrophysiological measurements, symptom severity, functionality, and symptom severity. 98 patients with electrophysiological diagnoses of CTS in the dominant hand were included in the study. Proximal and distal CSAs of the median nerve and wrist skin thickness were measured ultrasonographically. Demographic and disease characteristics of the patients were recorded. Patients were evaluated with the Historical-Objective scale (Hi- Ob) for clinical staging, the Functional status scale (FSS) for functional status, and the Boston symptom severity scale (BSSS) for symptom severity. Ultrasonographic findings were correlated with demographic and disease characteristics, electrophysiological findings, Hi-Ob scala, Functional status scale (FSS), and Boston symptom severity scale (BSSS). Proximal median nerve CSA median was 11.0 (7.0-14.0) mm2, distal median nerve CSA median was 10.5 (5.0-18.0) mm2, and wrist skin thickness was measured 1.10 (0.6-1.40) mm. Median nerve CSAs were positively correlated with the CTS stage and FSS, negatively correlated with the sensory nerve action potential of the median nerve (SNAP) and the compound muscle action potential of the median nerve (CMAP) ( p<0.05). Wrist skin thickness was positively correlated with disease characteristics, including the presence of paresthesia and loss of dexterity and FSS and BSSS levels. Ultrasonographic measurements in CTS are associated with functionality rather than demographics. Especially the increase in wrist skin thickness leads to an increase in symptom severity.

Improving the Assessment and Diagnosis of Breast Lymphedema after Treatment for Breast Cancer.

Lymphedema can develop after treatment for breast cancer (BCRL). Lymphedema of the breast is not well studied. Currently, the main techniques used to diagnose and monitor the effectiveness of treatment are subjective clinician assessment and patient reports. Eighty-nine women who had undergone breast cancer treatment were recruited with and without breast lymphedema. Blinded clinical assessment determined the presence or absence of breast lymphedema. Measurement of skin thickness by ultrasound scanning, local tissue water by tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and tissue indentation by tonometry was recorded. Breast cancer treatment and demographic details were documented. Descriptive statistics were undertaken to compare sample characteristics, including the Chi-squared test, Odds Ratio (OR) and Relative Risks (RR) calculated. Increased body mass index (BMI), larger bra size, increased number of positive lymph nodes, axillary surgery, chemotherapy and increased Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) were all associated with breast lymphedema (p < 0.05). Ultrasound and TDC measurements were significantly higher in the lymphedema group (p < 0.05). Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated that ultrasound and TDC measurements could distinguish between edematous and non-edematous breasts. Threshold levels were produced, which demonstrated good levels of sensitivity and specificity. These findings have the potential to improve the diagnosis of breast lymphedema.

The Association Between Nasal Skin Thickness and Body Mass Index in Preoperative Rhinoplasty Patients: A Prospective Study.

Skin quality plays a major role in aesthetics, particularly in determining the success of rhinoplasty. Efficient preoperative estimation of nasal skin thickness can improve postoperative results and patient satisfaction. This study aimed to report on the relationship between nasal skin thickness and body mass index (BMI) as a possible tool to measure skin thickness preoperatively among rhinoplasty patients. This prospective cross-sectional study targeted patients who visited a rhinoplasty clinic at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January 2021 and November 2021, and agreed to participate in the study. Data on age, sex, height, weight, and Fitzpatrick skin types were collected. The participant visited the radiology department and underwent ultrasound nasal skin thickness measurement for the five different nasal points. The study included 43 participants (16 males and 27 females). The average skin thickness of the supratip area and the tip was significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.05). The average BMI of the participants was 25.8 ± 5.26Kg/m2. Participants with a normal BMI or less represented 50% of the study sample, whereas overweight and obese represented one-quarter (27.9%) and one-fifth (21%), respectively. BMI was not associated with nasal skin thickness. Differences in nasal skin thickness were found between the sexes.

A Mouse Model of MC903-Induced Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, and extremely pruritic inflammatory skin disease with a particular impact on children. AD pathogenesis is not yet fully understood, and there is no curative treatment for this disease. Therefore, several genetically or chemically-induced AD mouse models have been developed. These preclinical mouse models are an indispensable research tool for studying AD pathogenesis and evaluating the efficacy of new candidate AD therapeutics. A commonly used mouse model of AD has been developed using the topical application of a low-calcemic analog of vitamin D3, MC903, to induce AD-like inflammatory phenotypes that closely resemble human AD. Moreover, this model shows a minimal effect on systemic calcium metabolism that is observed in the vitamin D3-induced AD model. Thus, an expanding number of studies use the MC903-induced AD model to interrogate AD pathobiology in vivo and to test new candidate small molecule and monoclonal antibody therapies. This protocol describes in detail functional measurements including the measurement of skin thickness, which is a surrogate marker for ear skin inflammation, as well as itch assessment, histological evaluation to assess the structural changes associated with AD skin inflammation, and preparation of single-cell suspensions from ear skin and draining lymph nodes for the assessment of inflammatory leukocyte subset infiltration in these tissues using flow cytometry. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Topical application of MC903 induces AD-like skin inflammation Support Protocol 1: Measurement of ear skin thickness Support Protocol 2: Itch assessment Support Protocol 3: Dissection of ear skin and ear draining lymph nodes Support Protocol 4: Histological evaluation and quantification Support Protocol 5: Preparation of single-cell suspension from ear skin and draining lymph nodes for the assessment of inflammatory immune cell infiltration using flow cytometry.

Constraints on Nuclear Symmetry Energy Parameters

A review is made of constraints on the nuclear symmetry energy parameters arising from nuclear binding energy measurements, theoretical chiral effective field predictions of neutron matter properties, the unitary gas conjecture, and measurements of neutron skin thicknesses and dipole polarizabilities. While most studies have been confined to the parameters SV and L, the important roles played by, and constraints on Ksym, or, equivalently, the neutron matter incompressibility KN, are discussed. Strong correlations among SV,L, and KN are found from both nuclear binding energies and neutron matter theory. However, these correlations somewhat differ in the two cases, and those from neutron matter theory have smaller uncertainties. To 68% confidence, it is found from neutron matter theory that SV=32.0±1.1 MeV, L=51.9±7.9 MeV and KN=152.2±38.1 MeV. Theoretical predictions for neutron skin thickness and dipole polarizability measurements of the neutron-rich nuclei 48Ca, 120Sn, and 208Pb are compared to recent experimental measurements, most notably the CREX and PREX neutron skin experiments from Jefferson Laboratory. By themselves, PREX I+II measurements of 208Pb and CREX measurement of 48Ca suggest L=121±47 MeV and L=−5±40 MeV, respectively, to 68% confidence. However, we show that nuclear interactions optimally satisfying both measurements imply L=53±13 MeV, nearly the range suggested by either nuclear mass measurements or neutron matter theory, and is also consistent with nuclear dipole polarizability measurements. This small parameter range implies R1.4=11.6±1.0 km and Λ1.4=228−90+148, which are consistent with NICER X-ray and LIGO/Virgo gravitational wave observations of neutron stars.

Constraints on Neutron Skin Thickness and Nuclear Deformations Using Relativistic Heavy-ion Collisions from STAR

In these proceedings, we present the measurements of neutron skin thickness and nuclear deformation using isobar $^{96}_{44}$Ru+$^{96}_{44}$Ru and $^{96}_{40}$Zr+$^{96}_{40}$Zr collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{\rm NN}}}=200$ GeV by the STAR detector. The significant deviations from unity of the isobar ratios of elliptic flow $v_{2}$, triangular flow $v_{3}$, mean $p_{\rm T}$ fluctuations $\langle\delta p_{\rm T}^{2}\rangle/\langle p_{\rm T}\rangle^{2}$, and asymmetric cumulant ${\rm ac}_{2}\{3\}$ indicate large differences in their quadrupole and octuple deformations. The significant deviations of the isobar ratios of produced hadron multiplicity $N_{\rm ch}$, mean transverse momentum $\langle p_{\rm T}\rangle$, and net charge number $\Delta Q$ indicate a halo-type neutron skin for the Zr nucleus, much thicker than for the Ru nucleus, consistent with nuclear structure calculations. We discuss how we extract the neutron skin thickness, the symmetry energy slope parameter, and deformation parameters from data.

Growth Dinamics on the Skin and the Coat in Normandian and Simmental Cattle During Adaptation to the Farming Technology in Southwestern Part of Bulgaria

Abstract The aim of the present study was to identify the adaptability of Normandy cows raised in a loose system to the climatic and technological conditions and to compare their adaptability with already acclimatized Simmental cows in one farm in Southwestern Bulgaria. Total of 20 cows at same age (II – IV lactation) and same body weight (630-660 kg) from both breeds were classified into 2 groups (each having 10 cows) and subjected to skin thickness measurement, fibers total weight determination and fiber categorization during the winter and summer season. The results have shown that during the winter season, the Normandy breed had significantly higher skin thickness at the elbow compared to the Simmental breed, whereas no differences were observed in the skin thickness between both breeds either at the neck or at the middle of the last rib. During the summer season, the differences on the skin thickness compared to the Simmental breed were observed at the neck (p&lt;0.05), whilst at the elbow and at the middle of the last rib no differences were recorded (p&gt;0.05). During the winter seasons, the coat of Normandy cows contained more soft fibers in comparison to the Simmentals cows. Furthermore, the changes in the observed parameters, influenced by climatic conditions showed similar pattern in both breeds. It can be concluded that the two breeds have emphasized their genetic potential and have a good adaptability to the temperate continental climate of the region.

PO11: MRI for Simultaneous Skin and Applicator Imaging in Surface Brachytherapy

<h3>Purpose</h3> In skin High-Dose-Rate (HDR) brachytherapy, CT is commonly used for surface applicator imaging and treatment planning. However, since CT does not clearly depict skin, lesion depth is estimated from additional ultrasound examinations. MRI offers better soft tissue contrast than CT, and a PETRA MR sequence has recently shown the potential to visualize surface applicators and catheters, producing treatment plans comparable to CT-based ones. Additional skin detection on MR images would provide a complete information set for MR-only treatment planning. We investigated the feasibility of simultaneous skin and surface applicator imaging using MRI. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> A Freiburg flap applicator (14 catheters with 24 beads each) was wrapped around the right shin of a healthy female volunteer. The volunteer was scanned in a 3T Siemens Vida using an UltraFlexLarge18 coil around and a Spine32 coil under her lower right leg. A 3D Dixon VIBE sequence (TR\TE 4.02\1.32 ms, field-of-view (FOV) 350 × 350 mm², 1.09 × 1.09 × 1.1 mm³ voxels, bandwidth 1116 Hz/pixel, acquisition time 1min 38s) was acquired coronally. Obtained in-phase, opposed-phase, water-only and fat-only image series were assessed for applicator and skin detectability in all three orientations. The series providing best visibility for both features was selected, and skin thickness was measured at five points around the leg (figure top left), on five reconstructed axial slices with distance 17.5 mm from each other, using a linear distance tool in the MIM software. <h3>Results</h3> The 3D properties of the Dixon VIBE sequence allowed for coronal acquisition orientation to best cover the area of interest, with reliable reconstruction in the axial plane employed for treatment planning. Both skin and applicator spheres were visible on the opposed-phase (figure top) and water-only (figure bottom) images in the three orthogonal planes. Opposed-phase images were selected for further analysis due to the consistent sphere signal and clear demarcation of the skin from the underlying bright subcutaneous fat. All applicator beads contained inside the FOV were visualized. Empty plastic catheters produced no signal, but their position in the center of the spheres could be determined by their negative contrast. Average skin thickness from assessed points and slices of the opposed-phase images was 0.18 ± 0.02 mm (mean ± standard deviation). These results lie inside the range of dermal and total skin thickness values reported for extremities of female subjects. The small standard deviation of the mean suggests that measured skin thickness was consistent among measurement locations. <h3>Conclusions</h3> An optimized 3D Dixon VIBE MR sequence offered simultaneous visualization of human skin and a surface brachytherapy applicator for the first time. While PETRA sequences can provide positive catheter contrast, the lack of catheter signal on Dixon VIBE images can also be used to determine their position inside the brighter applicator spheres. Dixon VIBE offered the additional advantage of skin visualization on opposed-phase and water-only series with spatial resolution around 1 mm, providing reasonable skin thickness assessments. As its acquisition time is short, Dixon VIBE can be combined with T2-weighted MR sequences for contouring organs at risk, presenting the possibility to achieve surface brachytherapy treatment simulations with a single imaging modality. Its implementation may pave the path towards MR-only treatment planning in surface HDR brachytherapy.

Serum Adiponectin, a Novel Biomarker Correlates with Skin Thickness in Systemic Sclerosis.

The aim was to evaluate the longitudinal association between basal serum adiponectin and repeated measurements of skin thickness during 12 months of follow-up in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. We enrolled SSc patients with disease duration > 2 years in a prospective observational study. Skin thickness was measured at baseline and after 12 months of follow-up with modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS). Baseline serum adiponectin was determined using a commercial ELISA kit. We enrolled 66 female SSc patients (median age 54 years, IQR 42–62 years). The median disease duration was 12 (IQR 8–16) years and median baseline serum adiponectin was 9.8 (IQR 5.6–15.6) mcg/mL. The median mRSS was 10 (IQR 6–18) at baseline and 12 (IQR 7–18) at follow-up. A significant correlation was observed between baseline serum adiponectin and disease duration (r = 0.264, p < 0.05), age (r = 0.515, p < 0.0001), baseline mRSS (r = −0.303, p < 0.05), and mRSS at follow-up (r = −0.322, p < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, only mRSS at follow-up showed an inverse correlation with baseline serum adiponectin (β = −0.132, p < 0.01). The reduction in serum adiponectin levels is correlated with skin thickness.