Differentiation of inflicted dermal burns by high-frequency ultrasound scanning: An animal experiment.
OBJECTIVE
The depth of experimentally inflicted superficial/partial dermal burns and deep dermal burns were non-invasively evaluated using a 30 MHz B-mode high-frequency ultrasound scanner.


METHODS
Superficial and deep burns were produced in 10 Harley female albino guinea pigs. Ultrasound scanning was performed immediately after, and 24, 48, 72 and 96 postbum. Specimens for histology were obtained after 72 h.


RESULTS
The echo reflection at the dermis-subcutaneous interface was easily defined 2 days after burn infliction in all superficial/partial dermal burns, whereas it was disturbed and not detected in any deep dermal burn.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded from our study that the ultrasonography of the deep dermis, especially the dermis-subcutaneous interface, is of major importance in the diagnostic and prognostic evaluations of burns.
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
I M
IM
Stender
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
H
H
Nakagawa
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
M
M
Shimozuma
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
J
J
Søndergard
burn; dermis-subcutaneous interface; guinea pig; high-frequency ultrasound