title: Ultrasound assessment of skin and wound tissue: comparison with histology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ultrasound is a valuable technique in dermatological assessment as it is non-invasive. This is particularly attractive for monitoring and evaluating wound healing. However, there is a limited literature on the use of ultrasound in monitoring wound healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the structures of skin (human and porcine) and healing wounds (porcine) were visualised using ultrasound (20 MHz) and compared with histology from the same site. Measurements of various features were undertaken using both ultrasound and histometric techniques and the results from each compared. Hydroxyproline levels were also measured and correlated with ultrasound measurement of granulation tissue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The echogenic characteristics of tissues are described. There was excellent correlation (r=0.96, P > 0.0001) between the ultrasound measurements and histology for porcine and human cadaver measurements. Ultrasound and histology measurements of acute porcine wounds also correlated well (r=0.96,P<0.0001). Comparison of hydroxyproline analysis with ultrasound measurements of fibrous granulation tissue (r=0.82,P > 0.001) indicates that ultrasound may be used to visualise accumulation of this tissue in wounds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonography has been shown to be a useful, reliable, quantifiable technique for the assessment of wound healing.
authors.affiliation: ConvaTec Wound Healing Research Institute, Deeside, ClwydClinical Research Unit, Department of Podiatry, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, Sussex. UK.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Rippon
authors.affiliation: ConvaTec Wound Healing Research Institute, Deeside, ClwydClinical Research Unit, Department of Podiatry, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, Sussex. UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Springett
authors.affiliation: ConvaTec Wound Healing Research Institute, Deeside, ClwydClinical Research Unit, Department of Podiatry, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, Sussex. UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walmsley
authors.affiliation: ConvaTec Wound Healing Research Institute, Deeside, ClwydClinical Research Unit, Department of Podiatry, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, Sussex. UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.affiliation: ConvaTec Wound Healing Research Institute, Deeside, ClwydClinical Research Unit, Department of Podiatry, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, Sussex. UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Millson
keywords: collagen accumulation; skin measurements; ultrasound imaging; wound healing