title: The diagnostic value of ultrasonography with 5-15-MHz probes in benign subcutaneous lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ultrasonography (US) has recently proved to be useful in diagnostic dermatology. It is convenient to use, completely safe, and provides valuable information.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of US with that of clinical diagnosis in patients with benign subcutaneous lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively examined data for 100 patients with benign subcutaneous lesions who were diagnosed with US and either biopsy or surgery at Seoul National University Boramae Hospital between January 2010 and May 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrasonography significantly increased the diagnostic yield of benign subcuta-neous lesions (after physical examination [PE], 52.0%; after US, 82.0%; P < 0.005). Rates of sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of lipoma were 61.5 and 92.0%, respectively, after PE, and 100 and 100%, respectively, after US. Rates of sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of epidermal cysts were 69.4 and 78.4%, respectively, after PE, and 91.8 and 92.2%, respectively, after US. Additionally, rates of sensitivity and specificity for pilomatrixoma were 12.5 and 98.9%, respectively, after PE, and 75.0 and 100%, respectively, after US. Although the accuracy of diagnosis of vascular anomalies and nerve sheath tumors was increased after US, the difference was not significant (vascular anomalies: 40.0% after PE and 80.0% after US; nerve sheath tumors: 28.6% after PE and 42.9% after US).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that US is a simple and reliable tool that can aid the diagnosis of benign subcutaneous lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Soyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008067:Lipoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010808:Physical Examination; D018296:Pilomatrixoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult