Ultrasonography is a sensitive tool for monitoring localized scleroderma.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the usefulness of ultrasonography (USG) for monitoring paediatric localized scleroderma (LS).


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of six paediatric patients who had USG of their LS.


RESULTS
USG detected several abnormalities in active lesions including increased blood flow, increased echogenicity and loss of subcutaneous fat. USG findings corresponded with clinical assessment, and documented regeneration of subcutaneous fat and reduction in lesion size during treatment. In one patient, USG was more sensitive than magnetic resonance evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
USG was found to be a sensitive tool for assessing the activity and extent of LS lesions in paediatric patients. Further studies are needed to assess its general applicability for monitoring these patients.
Li
S C
SC
Department of Pediatrics, Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Avenue, Imus 365, Hackensack, NJ 07601, USA. sli@humed.com
Liebling
M S
MS
Haines
K A
KA
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler