The Assessment of the Long-Term Impact of Radiotherapy on Biophysical Skin Properties in Patients after Head and Neck Cancer.

Background and Objectives: Chronic radiotherapy-induced skin injury (cRISI) is an irreversible and progressive condition that can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. Despite the limited literature available on the assessment of the epidermal barrier in cRISI, there is a consensus that appropriate skincare, including the use of emollients, is the primary therapeutic approach for this group of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biophysical properties of the skin during the late period (at least 90 days) following radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center prospective non-randomized study. It involved the analysis of 16 adult patients with head and neck cancer who underwent RT at the Greater Poland Cancer Center, along with 15 healthy volunteers. The study and control groups were matched for gender and age (p = 0.51). Clinical assessment, based on the LENT-SOMA scale, was conducted for all patients. Evaluation of the skin's biophysical properties included: an analysis of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), and skin visualization using high-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG). Results: A significantly higher TEWL was observed in the irradiated area compared to the control area in the study group (p = 0.004). However, there was no statistically significant difference in SCH (p = 0.073). Additionally, no significant difference was observed in the values of TEWL and SCH in the irradiated area between the group of patients with and without clinically obvious RISI (p = 0.192 and p = 0.415, respectively). The skin thickness of the irradiated area, assessed by HF-USG, did not differ significantly from the skin thickness of the control area (p = 0.638). Furthermore, no difference in skin thickness was observed in patients with clinical features of cRISI in the irradiated and control areas (p = 0.345). The mean time after RT was 6.1 years. Conclusions: This study marks the first demonstration of epidermal barrier damage in patients in the long term following RT for head and neck cancer. The impairment of the epidermal barrier was observed independently of evident cRISI features. This observation underscores the necessity to recommend appropriate skin care, including the use of emollients, for all patients following RT. We also suggest that HF-USG examination is generally inconclusive in determining the degree of skin damage in the late period after RT.

Echo-intensity characterization at implant sites and novel diagnostic ultrasonographic markers for peri-implantitis.

AIM: To apply high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) echo intensity for characterizing peri-implant tissues at healthy and diseased sites and to investigate the possible ultrasonographic markers of health versus disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients presenting 60 implants diagnosed as healthy (N = 30) and peri-implantitis (N = 30) were assessed with HFUS. HFUS scans were imported into a software where first-order greyscale outcomes [i.e., mean echo intensity (EI)] and second-order greyscale outcomes were assessed. Other ultrasonographic outcomes of interest involved the vertical extension of the hypoechoic supracrestal area (HSA), soft-tissue area (STA) and buccal bone dehiscence (BBD), among others. RESULTS: HFUS EI mean values obtained from peri-implant soft tissue at healthy and diseased sites were 122.9 ± 19.7 and 107.9 ± 24.7 grey levels (GL); p = .02, respectively. All the diseased sites showed the appearance of an HSA that was not present in healthy implants (area under the curve = 1). The proportion of HSA/STA was 37.9% ± 14.8%. Regression analysis showed that EI of the peri-implant soft tissue was significantly different between healthy and peri-implantitis sites (odds ratio 0.97 [95% confidence interval: 0.94-0.99], p = .019). CONCLUSIONS: HFUS EI characterization of peri-implant tissues shows a significant difference between healthy and diseased sites. HFUS EI and the presence/absence of an HSA may be valid diagnostic ultrasonographic markers to discriminate peri-implant health status.

Digitally Enhanced Methods for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Treatment Responses in Actinic Keratoses: A New Avenue in Personalized Skin Care.

Non-melanocytic skin cancers represent an important public health problem due to the increasing incidence and the important local destructive potential. Thus, the early diagnosis and treatment of precancerous lesions (actinic keratoses) is a priority for the dermatologist. In recent years, non-invasive skin imaging methods have seen an important development, moving from simple observational methods used in clinical research, to true diagnostic and treatment methods that make the dermatologist's life easier. Given the frequency of these precancerous lesions, their location on photo-exposed areas, as well as the long treatment periods, with variable, imprecise end-points, the need to use non-invasive imaging devices is increasingly evident to complete the clinical observations in the diagnosis and treatment of these lesions, with the aim of increasing accuracy and decreasing the adverse effects due to long treatment duration. This is the first review that brings together all skin imaging methods (dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, ultrasonography, dermoscopy-guided high frequency ultrasonography, and optical coherence tomography) used in the evaluation of actinic keratoses and their response to different treatment regimens.

Ultrasound Features of Onychopapilloma at High-Frequency and Ultra-High Frequency.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the sonographic features of pathologically confirmed onychopapilloma cases. METHODS: High-frequency up to 24 MHz and ultra-high frequency-ultrasound up to 71 MHz examinations were performed and correlated with their clinical and pathologic presentations. RESULTS: Twenty-two cases met the criteria. Clinical presentations revealed longitudinal erythronychia in 63.3% of cases. The ultrasound examinations identified a hypoechoic band in the nail bed (86.3%), nail plate abnormalities including upward displacement (68.2%) and thickening (68.1%), focal hyperechoic focal spots on the nail plate (50%) and irregularities of the ventral plate (33.3%). Color Doppler imaging showed no hypervascularity of the nail bed in all studies. These findings correlate with histological characteristics of onychopapilloma, including nail bed acanthosis, papillomatosis, and layered hyperkeratosis. Recurrence occurred in two cases after surgery, with tumors showing proximal extension in the matrix region on ultrasound not evident during clinical examination. CONCLUSION: High-frequency and ultra-high-frequency can provide anatomical information in onychopapilloma that could enhance understanding and management.

Diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome with the lower trunk compression of brachial plexus by high-frequency ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) with the lower trunk compression of brachial plexus (BP) is difficult to diagnosis. This study aimed to summarize the features of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) with the lower trunk compression of brachial plexus observed on high-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS). METHODS: The ultrasound data of 27 patients who had TOS with the lower trunk compression of brachial plexus were collected and eventually confirmed by surgery. The imaging data were compared, and the pathogenesis of TOS was analyzed on the basis of surgical data. RESULTS: TOS occurred predominantly in females (70.4%). Most cases had unilateral involvement (92.6%), mainly on the right side (66.7%). The HFUS features of TOS can be summarized as follows: (1) Lower trunk compression. HFUS revealed focal thinning that reflected compression at the level of the lower trunk; furthermore, the distal part of the nerve was thickened for edema (Affected side: 0.49 ± 0.12 cm vs. Healthy side: 0.38 ± 0.06, P = 0.009), and the cross-sectional area of brachial plexus cords was markedly greater on the injured side than on the healthy side (0.95 ± 0.08 cm² vs. 0.65 ± 0.11 cm², P = 0.004). (2) Hyperechoic fibromuscular bands behind the compressed nerve (mostly the scalenus minimus muscle). (3) Abnormal bony structures: cervical ribs or elongated transverse processes of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7). Surgical results showed that the etiological factors contributing to TOS were (1) muscle hypertrophy and/or fibrosis (100%) and (2) cervical ribs/elongated C7 transverse processes (20.7%). CONCLUSION: TOS with the lower trunk compression of brachial plexus can be diagnosed accurately and reliably by high-frequency ultrasound.

High-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of skin neoplasms.

High-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) is a non-invasive and highly repetitive medical imaging method with a great and still rising value in the diagnostic process of skin tumours. It accompanies the physician's examination, dermoscopy, and biopsy; facilitates real-time assessment of locoregional staging and planning of surgical excision; and provides postoperative inspection of treatment results. The aim of this review article is to discuss HFUS application in common cutaneous malignant tumours while depicting the use of both the grayscale and colour Doppler methods.

Early Diagnosis of Herpes Zoster Neuralgia: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Early intervention reduces the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Typical shingles are easy to diagnose; however, there is no clear diagnostic method for neuralgia symptoms manifested before the onset of the rash, which can easily cause misdiagnosis. This not only increases the patient's pain, medical expenses, and mental burden, but more importantly, delays the valuable time for early treatment of shingles, and increases the probability of complications and PHN. OBJECTIVE: In this paper, the diagnostic methods of preherpetic neuralgia were summarized and analyzed, and the current challenges were put forward to provide directions for the early diagnosis of herpes zoster (HZ) in the future. METHODS: PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) libraries were searched using the terms "herpes zoster," "before the blistering," "diagnosis," and "neuralgia." Clinical trials, reviews, and case reports were collected and reviewed. The period of literature search is from 1 January 1980 to 1 October 2022. RESULTS: The early diagnosis of herpes zoster neuralgia can reduce misdiagnosis and mistreatment, and timely and effective intervention can significantly reduce the incidence of PHN. The body may possess a mechanism that limits the local breakthrough of the virus in the skin, causing blistering later than the onset of pain. Changes in the plasma proteins of patients with varicella-zoster virus shingles neuralgia may be used as an early diagnostic indicator in patients with HZ neuralgia before eruption. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of HZ neuralgia before eruption can facilitate timely targeted treatment, thereby reducing the incidence of PHN. Proteomic quantitative analysis and validation results can serve as a simple, micro, rapid, and accurate diagnostic method.

High-frequency ultrasonography index in evaluation of pincer nail.

BACKGROUND: The measurements of width index, height index, and curvature index were used for assessment of the curvature severity. Nevertheless, both sides of the nail root are buried subcutaneously, impossibility in measuring the width index correctly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed a technique to measure the index under high-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG). RESULTS: There was good agreement between the HF-USG index and the result examined after surgery. CONCLUSION: The observation on HF-USG helps to distinguish between ingrown nail and pincer nail. The HF-USG index will be useful in the examination and measurement of nail roots buried subcutaneously or nail penetration under the hypertrophic lateral nail fold, and comparing the effectiveness among treatments for pincer nail objectively.

Subepidermal Low-Echogenic Band-Its Utility in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review.

High-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG) is a relatively new imaging method that allows the evaluation in a non-invasive manner of the skin layers and skin appendages. It is a diagnostic tool with increasing usefulness in numerous dermatological pathologies. High reproducibility, non-invasiveness and short diagnostic time make this method an increasingly used tool in dermatological practice. The subepidermal low-echogenic band is a relatively newly described parameter that seems to be a marker not only of intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging, but also of inflammatory processes taking place at the skin level. This systematic review aims to evaluate the role that SLEB has in the diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment of some inflammatory and non-inflammatory dermatological conditions, as well as its utility as a disease marker.

Application value of high-frequency ultrasonography in endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy for pediatric acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) is a new method of treating acute appendicitis that has emerged in recent years in children, but the application of radiological examination in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric diseases is greatly limited. Therefore, high-frequency ultrasonography imaging has attracted more and more attention because of its advantages such as non-invasiveness, no radiation, and a simpler procedure. This study aims to explore the application value of high-frequency ultrasonography in ERAT for pediatric acute appendicitis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 136 children admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to October 2021 who were definitively diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent endoscopic retrograde intra-appendiceal irrigation treatment under the guidance of high-frequency ultrasonography. They were divided into the preschool age group (< 6 years) and school age group (≥ 6 years) according to age. Before the operation and at 1-2 days after ERAT, the external diameter of the appendix, as well as the thickness of the intestinal wall, mucosal layer, and muscular layer in each group were measured by high-frequency ultrasonography and recorded in detail. During the operation, a stent was placed under real-time guidance, and the situation in the cavity was observed. The clinical data of the two groups of children before and after the operation were collected, and the recurrence status after treatment was followed up. RESULTS: Endoscopic treatment was completed in 131 patients with a success rate of 96.32%. There was no significant difference between the two groups in appendix diameter, intestinal wall, or muscular layer after the operation when compared to those before the operation (p > 0.05), but there was a significant difference in the mucosal thickness after operation when compared to before the operation (p < 0.05). Abdominal pain in the two groups was significantly relieved immediately after the operation, and the white blood cell count returned to normal, with a significant difference before and after the ERAT operation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic intra-appendiceal irrigation under the guidance of high-frequency ultrasonography is a real-time and convenient method that is safe and effective in treating pediatric acute appendicitis.

High-frequency ultrasonography-assisted evaluation of treatment outcomes of erysipelas: a prospective controlled study / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To measure the skin thickness in patients with erysipelas by high-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG), and to compare the clinical efficacy of systemic antibiotics alone versus their combination with glucocorticoids in the treatment of erysipelas.Methods:Hospitalized patients with erysipelas were enrolled from Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University from January to December in 2021, and randomly divided into the study group and control group according to the order of visits. The study group was treated with systemic cefathiamidine for 7 days followed by oral methylprednisolone at a dose of 0.4 mg·kg -1·d -1, while the control group was treated with cefathiamidine alone. Before and after the treatment for 10 days, the thicknesses of the epidermis-dermis layers and subcutaneous tissues were measured by HF-USG at the sites of the most severe skin lesions on the affected limbs and at the corresponding sites on the healthy limbs, and white blood cell (WBC) counts, neutrophil (NEU) counts, as well as C-reaction protein (CRP) levels were determined. The t test and non-parametric test were used to compare the efficacy between two groups. Results:A total of 23 patients with erysipelas were enrolled. Among the 12 patients in the study group, 8 were males and 4 were females, and their age was 71.4 ± 11.4 years. Among the 11 patients in the control group, 7 were males and 4 were females, and their age was 67.4 ± 11.1 years. Before treatment, the thicknesses of the epidermis-dermis layers (0.33 ± 0.12 cm) and subcutaneous tissues (1.08 ± 0.49 cm) in the study group were not significantly different from those in the control group (0.25 ± 0.09 cm, 0.98 ± 0.46 cm; t = -1.83, -0.49, P = 0.081, 0.626, respectively). After the 10-day treatment, the thicknesses of the epidermis-dermis layers and subcutaneous tissues of the skin lesions on the affected limbs significantly decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.05), and the decrease in the thicknesses of subcutaneous tissues was significantly stronger in the study group (0.32 ± 0.33 cm) than in the control group (0.10 ± 0.07 cm; t = 2.20, P = 0.039). Before treatment, the WBC counts ([11.16 ± 4.42] × 10 9/L), NEU counts ([8.26 ± 4.16] × 10 9/L) and CRP levels (median [ Q1, Q3]: 72.20 [19.28, 140.50] mg/L) in the study group were not significantly different from those in the control group ([10.10 ± 4.53] × 10 9/L, [7.21 ± 3.00] × 10 9/L, 34.40 [8.00, 74.20] mg/L, respectively; t or Z = 0.60, 0.71, -0.85, P = 0.578, 0.496, 0.196, respectively). After the 10-day treatment, the WBC counts, NEU counts, and CRP levels significantly decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05) . Conclusion:The combined treatment with systemic antibiotics and glucocorticoids could effectively alleviate skin inflammation, and more rapidly reduce the thicknesses of inflamed subcutaneous tissues in patients with erysipelas compared with systemic antibiotics alone.

High-Frequency Ultrasonography Evaluation of Acne by Thickness and Power Doppler Vascular Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess acne vulgaris quantitatively using high-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG) and power Doppler (PD), and investigate the feasibility and application value of HF-USG and PD in acne vulgaris. METHODS: A total of 105 patients with the diagnosis of acne vulgaris in the face referred by a dermatologist were studied prospectively. All the acne patients enrolled were clinically classified by two attending dermatologists independently using three degrees with four levels of classification evaluating only the severest lesion. Gray-scale ultrasound was used to assess the thickness of the lesion, and the thickness ratio was calculated. PD equipped with Qpack semi-quantitative analysis software was used to assess blood signals of the lesion, and Qpack ratio, Qpack peak were calculated. Ten level-4 acne patients were re-evaluated after 2 weeks' treatment, and the results were compared with those before treatment. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were categorized into four groups by dermatologists, 23 cases were comedones, 33 were papules, 26 were pustules, and 23 were nodules/cysts. There were significant differences in thickness ratio (P < .001), Qpack ratio (P < .001), and Qpack peak (P < .001) among the four groups. For the 10 level-4 acne patients treated 2 weeks by the dermatologist, the difference in thickness ratio between pre-treatment and post-treatment showed no significance (P = .06). However, Qpack ratio and Qpack peak were significantly decreased between pre-treatment and post-treatment (both P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: HF-USG and PD equipped with semi-quantitative analysis software can assess acne vulgaris quantitatively, which provides a good basis for the classification and treatment of acne. Their features include thickness ratio, Qpack ratio, and Qpack peak, with Qpack ratio and Qpack peak being the sensitive features for the early efficacy evaluation.

Usefulness of high-frequency ultrasonography in the assessment of alopecia areata - comparison of ultrasound images with trichoscopic images.

Introduction: Trichoscopy allows us to distinguish between different types of alopecia and to determine the stage of the disease. High-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG) enables the evaluation of structures that are not available for clinical and trichoscopic examination, but it has not been widely used to date in the evaluation of patients with alopecia areata (AA) and other scalp disorders. Aim: To characterise the ultrasound images of patients with AA, including different stages of the disease, and to compare them with trichoscopic images and other scalp diseases. Material and methods: Twenty-five patients with AA, on the basis of trichoscopic examination, were qualified to three groups: with active, inactive, and regrowth phase. Next, HF-USG (20 MHz) with qualitative and quantitative evaluation of various elements of the images was performed: entrance echo (EE), dermis (dermal background; DB), follicular structures (FS), dermal/ subdermal border (D/SB). The results were compared with 10 healthy volunteers, 10 patients with androgenic alopecia (AGA), and 12 with seborrhoeic dermatitis (SebD). Results: Active AA was characterised by FS with distinct borders, drop-like shaped, with a widened distal end located in the lower layers of DB. Inactive AA was characterised by a smaller number of FS without distinct borders. In the regrowth phase, FS of different widths, elongated, and with widened distal parts located at different DB depths were observed. Conclusions: HF-USG (20 MHz) may be a valuable diagnostic method in patients with AA. Ultrasound images of AA vary according to the stage of the disease and in comparison with AGA, SebD, and healthy individuals.

The Effects of a 2-W Laser on the Nasolabial Fold of Ageing Individuals Investigated by High-Frequency Ultrasonography: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Biomechanical qualities of the skin tissue change following numerous pathological and natural (ageing) conditions. The best skin treatments are those resulting in a positive outcome with the fewest adverse effects. In this study, high-frequency ultrasonography (US), which provides a quantifiable scale, was utilized to evaluate the impact of a 2-W laser on characteristics of nasolabial fold (NLF) including depth and area, epidermis and dermis thicknesses, and Young's modulus (YM). Methods: Nine female subjects (54.09±0.09 years old) with Fitzpatrick skin types III-IV and five young control participants (26±1.28 years old) for providing the control data were included in this study. Laser therapy was applied twice weekly for seven consecutive sessions. A class IV laser with 810-nm and 980-nm wavelengths, 2-W power, and 25-Hz frequency was applied twice a week for seven consecutive sessions. The energy administered had a density of 8 J/cm2. An evaluation using high-frequency ultrasound (40 MHz) was accomplished before and 48 hours after the final treatment session. The Face-Q questionnaire was used to assess the patient's perspective on this procedure. Results: For each US parameter, the intraclass correlation coefficient was high (ICC>0.9). After the laser treatment, NLF depth, area, epidermis, dermis, YM, and Face-Q significantly improved compared to baseline (P<0.05). Conclusion: For the assessment of skin tissue, high-frequency US is a reliable technique. The 2-W laser is a safe, effective, and non-invasive procedure for enhancing skin features.

Cutaneous ultrasound: key diagnostic tool for the relapse of a single eccrine spiradenoma.

Eccrine spiradenoma is a rare, benign, adnexal skin tumor of the sweat gland. It is frequently solitary and presents as a small lesion in the dermal or the subcutaneous fat layer. Eccrine spiradenomas rarely progress to malignant transformation but they can relapse. Due to its rarity, there have been few reports about the sonographic appearances of eccrine spiradenoma. Sonographic findings were reported in a relapsing case of an eccrine spiradenoma, located in the deep dermal layers and hypodermis of the preauricular region in a middle-aged man. Ultrasound was very useful to suspect the relapse. Histology was correlated with the sonography and discussed the previously reported imaging findings of eccrine spiradenoma and other sweat gland tumors.

Value of high frequency ultrasonography for diagnosis of superficial intravascular tumors / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the high-frequency ultrasonographic and clinical features of superficial intravascular tumors.Methods:Thirteen superficial intravascular tumor patients who underwent ultrasound examination form Beijing Jishuitan Hospital during 2016-2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The location, anatomic blood vessels, shape, size, boundary, internal echo, blood flow and clinical characteristics of the tumors were analyzed.Results:Among the 13 cases, most of the tumors were oval like or long strip, and a few were round like. All 11 cases of primary intravascular tumors showed hypoechoic mass; 2 cases of intravascular metastasis or recurrence showed solid hypoechoic with hyperechoic mass. Arterial blood flow spectrum was detected in 12 cases. Two patients with glomus tumor showed typical tenderness at the fixed point. Two patients had a history of bone tumors in the upper or lower extremities.Conclusions:High frequency ultrasound can clearly recognize the location of the superficial intravascular tumors, describe the morphological characteristics and sonographic features of the tumor, then help to make a more accurate qualitative diagnosis.

Evaluation of microvascular flow imaging combined with high-frequency ultrasonography in children with haemophilic arthropathy A / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To explore the application of microvascular flow imaging (MVFI) combined with high-frequency ultrasonography in children with haemophilic arthropathy A (HAA).Methods:Retrospective study.A total of 82 children diagnosed with HAA in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2018 to October 2020 were recruited.The elbow, knee and ankle joints of each child were examined by high-frequency ultrasonography.The numbers of thickened synovial joints were recorded.Blood flow signals of the thickening of synovial joints was checked by the MVFI and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS), respectively.Color flow signals were graded by the semi-quantitative scoring systems.The chi- square test and independent multi-group ordinal multi-category rank-sum test were used to compare the differences of MVFI and PDUS in the display of thickened synovial blood flow. Results:A total of 254 joints were involved in 82 children with HAA, including synovial hypertrophy in 188 joints, hydrops articuli in 146 joints, fibrotic septa in 66 joints, cartilage damage in 63 joints, haemosider indeposition in 45 joints, bone erosion in 25 joints, osteophytes in 15 joints and bone remodeling in 8 joints.Grade Ⅱ synovial thickened joints were the most common.The proportion of blood flow signals detected by PDUS in thickened synovial membranes was significantly higher than that detected MVFI (52.66% vs.70.21%, χ2=12.225, P<0.05). Numbers of grade 0 and Ⅰ joints with thickened synovial membranes detected by MVFI were less than those of PDUS, while the opposite result was obtained in detecting grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ joints ( H=21.158, P<0.05). Compared with PDUS, MVFI more sensitively visualized the blood flow of the thickened synovial membrane. Conclusions:MVFI can more prominently detect the thickened synovial blood flow in children with HAA.A combined application of MVFI and high-frequency ultrasonography contributes to the evaluation of children with HAA.

Application value of high-frequency ultrasonography in some disfiguring dermatoses / 中华皮肤科杂志

Disfiguring dermatoses are a group of cutaneous diseases that affects the appearance and mental health of patients to various extents. Patients usually have high expectations for the treatment outcome, and there is an urgent need for convenient and accurate non-invasive auxiliary evaluation tools for better diagnosis and treatment. With the development of high-frequency ultrasonography, more and more skin diseases, including disfiguring dermatoses, have been objectively and accurately assessed by this technology. This review summarizes research progress in the application of high-frequency ultrasonography in the diagnosis and treatment of some disfiguring dermatoses.

Diagnosis of cervical plexus tumours by high-frequency ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: Cervical plexus (CP) tumours are difficult to diagnose because of atypical symptoms. This study aimed to summarize the features of a normal CP and CP tumours observed on high-frequency ultrasonography. METHODS: The ultrasound data of 11 CP tumour patients and 22 normal volunteers were collected. All 11 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 4 patients also underwent computed tomography (CT). The imaging data were compared with surgery and pathology data. RESULTS: The C7 vertebra and bifurcation of the carotid common artery (CCA) were useful anatomic markers for identifying the CP. In contrast to the C1 nerve (22.7%), the C2-4 nerves were well displayed and thinner than the brachial plexus (P < 0.05). CP tumours were more common in females (72.7%) and generally located at C4 (72.7%) on the right side (81.8%). Additionally, the nerve trunk in tumour patients was obviously wider than that in normal controls (7.49 ± 1.03 mm vs 2.67 ± 0.36 mm, P < 0.01). Compared with pathology, the diagnostic rates of CP tumours by MRI, CT and high-frequency ultrasound were 72.7% (8/11), 25% (1/4) and 90.9% (10/11), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of CP neuropathy is accurate and reliable by high-frequency ultrasound, and the C7 vertebra and bifurcation of the CCA are useful anatomic markers in CP ultrasonography.