High-frequency sonography in the evaluation of nail psoriasis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the morphostructural aspects and nail vascularity in the nail unit of patients with psoriasis, and to evaluate whether there are differences among psoriatic patients with and without nail involvement.


METHODS
Nail plates and nail bed changes, nail fold vessel resistance index (NVRI), power and color Doppler blood flow appearances were investigated in 23 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, with and without nail involvement, and compared to those of 11 healthy participants.


RESULTS
Ventral nail plate deposits were present only in psoriasis patients. Irregular or totally fused nail plates and increased nail plate thickness was frequently observed in psoriasis patients compared to controls. NVRI was increased in psoriatic patients' nails compared to controls (0.62 vs. 0.57, p<0.0001). In the psoriasis patient group there was significant statistical difference in NVRI in patients with nail involvement compared to those without (0.66 vs. 0.55, p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
High-frequency gray scale sonography provides valuable information regarding morphostructural changes in nail unit structure in patients with psoriasis. Power Doppler imaging enables blood flow assessment in psoriasis nail induced changes.
Histology Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Mihaela Elena
ME
Marina
Radiology Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. carolina.solomon@umfcluj.ro.
Carolina
C
Solomon
Medical Informatics and Biostatistics Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Sorana-Daniela
SD
Bolboaca
Medical-Surgical Center InterServisan, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Corina
C
Bocsa
Histology Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Carmen Mihaela
CM
Mihu
Dermatology Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy,Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Alexandru Dumitru
AD
Tătaru
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009262:Nails / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D055815:Young Adult