title: High-frequency sonography and color Doppler in the management of pigmented skin lesions.
abstract: We aimed to evaluate high-frequency sonography (HFS) coupled with color Doppler in the management of pigmented skin lesions (PSL). HFS examination was performed in 111 patients with 130 PSL. A color Doppler study was conducted in 107 lesions, to assess intralesional vascularization. Imaging findings were compared with histologic diagnosis. In the case of melanoma, sonographic and histologic maximum thickness measurements were compared. HFS showed 114 of the 130 lesions. Among the detected lesions, HFS alone provided 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the distinction of melanoma/nevi from other lesions, and 100% sensitivity and 32% specificity in the distinction of melanomas from nonmelanoma lesions. Sonographic and histologic measurement of melanoma thickness strongly correlated (r > 0.96, p < 0.001). Color Doppler detection of intralesional vessels had a 100% specificity and 34% sensitivity in the distinction of melanomas from other PSL. HFS coupled with color Doppler is a simple, reliable tool for PSL management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bessoud
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lassau
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koscielny
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Longvert
authors.forename: Marie-Francoise
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Avril
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duvillard
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rouffiac
authors.forename: Jerôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leclère
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roche
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color