title: Evaluation of ultrasonography for measurement of skin thickness in Shar-Peis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether high-frequency diagnostic ultrasonography is useful for assessment of skin thickness in Shar-Peis.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 healthy Shar-Peis and 10 healthy Beagles used as controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasonographic examination of the skin was performed on 4 cutaneous sites by use of a 13-MHz linear-array transducer, and the mean of 3 measurements was calculated. Ultrasonography results were compared with histologic findings of skin specimens stained with H&E, Alcian blue at a pH of 2.5, and Masson trichrome stains, with histometric measurements of skin thickness made by use of a microscope, and with measurements of skin thickness made by use of a plicometer. Ultrasonograpy results were also compared via age and sex of selected animals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A clear correlation was detected between ultrasonography results and results of histologic and histometric analysis in both groups. In Shar-Peis, no correlation was found between ultrasonography results and age and sex, whereas in Beagles, a weak positive correlation was found only between skin thickness in dorsal cervical and frontal (on the rostral margins of the supraorbital processes) regions and age. A positive overall correlation was found in Shar-Peis between measurements made via ultrasonography and plicometery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonography was a useful tool to assess skin thickness, and in Shar-Peis, it might be considered a valid alternative to invasive methods such as histologic examination to objectively estimate the severity of hereditary cutaneous hyaluronosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. giordanazanna@libero.it
authors.forename: Giordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanna
authors.forename: Dolors
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fondevila
authors.forename: Lluis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Espada
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D014463:Ultrasonography