title: Statistical analysis of high frequency ultrasonic backscattered signals from basal cell carcinomas.
abstract: A statistical approach was implemented in the study of histologic characteristics from ex vivo basal cell carcinomas, based on the properties of backscattered acoustic waves, for the purpose of evaluating the method as a diagnostic tool. The study was developed using an ultrasound biomicroscope working at a frequency of 45 MHz. The parameters examined were signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and shape parameters from the Weibull (b(W)) and generalized gamma (c(GG) and υ(GG)) probability density functions. Twenty-seven carcinomatous skin samples were obtained from volunteer patients and classified into two groups (BCC1 and BCC2) based on the distribution patterns of their tumor nests; also, seven non-tumoral samples were used for comparative purposes. Significant differences between groups were obtained for all studied parameters. The successful differentiation between some tissue groups suggests its potential use for carcinoma characterization.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Ultrasound, National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology, Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil. lorena.petrella@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lorena Itatí
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Petrella
authors.forename: Heliomar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Azevedo Valle
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Issa
authors.forename: Carlos José
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: João Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Wagner Coelho A
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic / Q000379:methods*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D013016:Sound