[Photoaging of the skin and occupation: correlation between clinical ultrasound and histological findings].
OBJECTIVE
We described the ultrasound (US) signs that can define occupational photoaging of the skin. We also studied the clinical importance of these signs, so as to aid the specialist in the diagnosis and evaluation of "anti-aging" treatments.


METHODS
The dermis and hypodermis of 180 subjects (6 groups of 15 men and 15 women each), were studied with US test (echograph Sonora 400 MD). We used a 10 MHz probe and recorded the thickness and echogenicity of the dermis and hypodermis. US images were correlated with the histological findings of 60 patients.


RESULTS
In skin not exposed to sunlight aging produces an increase in thickness and a reduction in echogenicity, whereas in photoaging there is a reduction in thickness and an increase in echogenicity of the skin.


CONCLUSIONS
Photoaging produces an increase in elastic fibres and consequently hyperechogenicity of the dermis, while, in the advanced phase, the loss of collagen and elastic fibres justify the reduction in thickness and echogenicity of the dermis. These observations allow as to classify the US signs of the photoaging of the skin into four clinical/ultrasound stages.
Iurassich
S
S
Dipartimento di Dermatologia, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli. Iuraderm@libero.it
Pedana
Maria Antonietta
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001415:Back; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D020405:Dermis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003094:Collagen