Evaluation of the clinical usefulness of high-frequency ultrasonography in pre-operative evaluation of cutaneous melanoma - a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: There are many papers in the available literature on the pre-operative evaluation of malignant melanoma (MM) using a 20 MHz probe. In many Western European countries, this examination is standard in the diagnosis of such lesions in terms of the resection margin. However, few papers describe and compare the results of melanoma thickness measurements using 20 and 50 MHz frequency probes. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the thickness of melanoma using 20 and 50 MHz probes. In addition, the obtained values were evaluated in comparison to the thickness values obtained in the histopathological examination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Melanoma malignum was confirmed histopathologically in 19 out of 72 patients. Then only those 19 patients were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: A correlation was demonstrated between the thickness of the melanoma measured with the 20 and 50 MHz probes, expressed in mm, and the thickness obtained in the histopathological examination expressed in millimeters (Breslow's scale). It was 0.759 (p < 0.001) and 0.734 (p < 0.001), respectively. The average thickness of melanomas obtained in ultrasound examination was identical for both probes and was 0.74 mm. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that both types of probes can be used to assess melanoma thickness. The demonstrated correlation of high-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) thickness with Breslow's scale indicates that the HFUS evaluation can be used in determination of melanoma resection margins as a repeatable, painless, non-invasive test.

High-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of selected non-melanoma skin nodular lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasonographic examination is commonly used in an outpatient setting, possibly due to its low cost, low risk for patients and the possibility to obtain real time images. Typically used heads have the frequency ranging from 7.5 to 12 MHz. Higher frequencies ensure higher resolution, yet they are limited by the penetration depth - reaching from several to several tens of millimetres into the skin. High-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) appears to be a promising method for the detection and differential diagnostics of selected nodular skin lesions. AIM: The study aimed at a comparison of the data obtained by using HFUS, histopathological and dermatoscopic images of selected skin lesions to determine their common features. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nodular lesions classified as potentially malignant were subjected to clinical, dermatoscopic and high-frequency ultrasonographic examinations. Then the patients were referred for surgical removal with histopathological assessment. RESULTS: A total of 54 nodular lesions were examined, out of which 34 were diagnosed as non-melanoma. The most common lesions were melanocytic naevi dermatofibroma, nodular basal cell carcinoma and pyogenic granuloma. Other examined lesions included blue naevus, seborrheic wart, xanthogranuloma juvenile and Spits naevus. In all lesions except Spitz naevus, HFUS images corresponded at least with dermatoscopic or histopathology images. CONCLUSIONS: HFUS can be used as a supporting diagnostic tool ensuring better pre-operative proceedings. HFUS is a non-invasive, easy and inexpensive screening method for the determination of different skin cancers as it provides valuable information allowing to determine the cutting margins and lesion shape.

Skin melanoma imaging using ultrasonography: a literature review.

Melanoma is one of the most unpredictable tumours, as regards both morphology and the course of disease. It may have different clinical forms making it very difficult to diagnose. Therefore, it often surprises even the most experienced dermatologists. Despite numerous attempts, no efficient treatment of advanced stages have been elaborated, and early detection and removal of a skin lesion currently constitutes the most efficient treatment method. Diagnostics uses different types of dermoscopic techniques characterised by considerable sensitivity and specificity in detecting melanoma at an early developmental stage. A continuous development of medical technologies leads to improving many methods of skin lesion imaging. Ultrasonography is one of these methods, enabling evaluation of the thickness of melanoma in vivo with high precision. Change thickness is the decisive factor influencing 5-year survival. The paper evaluates the usefulness of high-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) in pre-operative melanoma imaging on the basis of literature review. Additionally, the use, role and placement of HFUS in skin melanoma diagnostics is determined.

[Gout or squamous cell cancer of the ear in a 91-year-old man - diagnostic and therapeutic problems: a case report].

Gout tophi around auricular area are common in old men. The differential diagnosis of papules or nodules on the ear includes tophaceous gout, rheumatoid nodules, basal or squamous cell cancer, melanoma, verruca vulgaris or actinic keratosis. The presence of the skin cancer, most commonly located on the head and neck, is often related to the long exposure of the skin to sunlight. Elderly patients are the predominant group of patients with skin malignancies. The aim of this study is to emphasize the importance of early cancer detection in elderly people and use of appropriate therapeutic options that take into account the special requirements of geriatric patients. In this article the case of a 91-year-old man with advanced gout and squamous cell cancer of the skin of the ear, treated radically with a positive clinical effect, is presented. Moreover, the diagnostic and therapeutic problems are presented.

Linear verrucous epidermal nevi-effects of carbon dioxide laser therapy.

Linear epidermal nevus is a congenital malformation characterized by linear, often one-sided arrangement. The lesions are localized along the Blaschko's lines, are present at birth, or appear in early childhood. They can be single or multiple, and have various colors-from skin color to dark brown. These lesions persist through the whole life making a significant cosmetic defect. Here, we present three clinical cases of epidermal nevus treated with CO2 laser. In a female patient, verrucous, dark brown skin eruptions were observed at the back of earlobe and down the neck. In the cases of the male patients, the lesions were located in the area of the neck and left blade. The removal of nevi was performed in stages, by cutting and evaporation using a CO2 laser. A very good therapeutic effect was obtained. CO2 laser treatment is the method of choice for the removal of extensive epidermal nevi. It is characterized by high efficacy and safety.