Phase Of Disease Process Research Articles

Ultrasonographic and histopathologic images of atopic dermatitis are closely related

Aim High-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG) allows noninvasive objective evaluation of atopic dermatitis (AD). The level of skin inflammation can be assessed by measurement of subepidermal low echogenic band (SLEB) and skin echogenicity. However, the exact meaning of changes of skin echogenicity is not known. The main aim was the comparison of B-scan images obtained from patients suffering from AD with histological features in biopsies. Materials and methods We performed HF-USG examination (Derma Scan Cortex Technology, version 3, Germany) in 27 patients diagnosed with AD (aged 14–57 years). Before the introduction of proper treatment 5 mm punch biopsies were taken from the area of scanned lesions. Control group consisted of 15 healthy individuals without any signs of atopic and chronic diseases. Results The mean skin echogenicity from lesional antecubital skin in AD was significantly lower than in controls. SLEB was observed in 25 out of 27 patients. There were statistically significant correlations between the hypoechoic band thickness and the following parameters: degree of epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis and spongiosis as well as the intensity of inflammatory infiltrates. Skin echogenicity strongly negatively correlated with the intensity of inflammation. Conclusions USG images of AD reflect the phase of disease process.

Comparison between high‐frequency ultrasonography (Dermascan C, version 3) and histopathology in atopic dermatitis

The main purpose of this study was the exact comparison of B-scan images obtained from 16 patients suffering from AD with histological. Sixteen patients diagnosed with AD aged between 14 and 57 years, were chosen for the study. In all patients before the introduction of proper treatment regimen, the high frequency skin ultrasonography (Derma Scan Cortex Technology, version 3, Hadsund, Germany) has been performed and then a 5 mm wide punch biopsies have been taken from the area of scanned lesions. Control group consisted of 15 healthy individuals without any signs of atopic and chronic diseases. There was 7.8 ± 0.4% mean skin echogenicity from lesional antecubital skin in AD patients (min value 7.2%, max value 8.5%). The skin hypoechoic band was detected in fifteen out of sixteen patients (93.7%). There were statistically significant correlations between the hypoechoic band thickness and the following parameters: degree of epidermal hyperplasia, the degree of epidermal hyperkeratosis, the degree of parakeratosis and the degree of spongiosis as well as the intensity of inflammatory infiltrates. Skin echogenicity strongly correlated negatively with the intensity of inflammatory infiltrates. On the basis of analysis of 16 specimens we can conclude that all pathological changes of AD influence ultrasound image and in addition, the USG picture depends on the phase of disease process.