Utility of high-frequency ultrasonography in the diagnosis of benign and malignant skin tumors.
Various benign and malignant tumors may arise from the skin. These may be of epidermal, dermal, subcutaneous or appendageal origin. Skin biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis of skin tumors. There is paucity of published data on the role of imaging modalities in diagnosis of skin tumors. High-frequency ultrasonography (7-50 MHz) is a potential non-invasive, objective modality which can be utilized in the diagnosis and localization of skin tumors. It provides valuable information about the tumor characteristics such as size, shape, depth, consistency and vascularity before invasive skin biopsy or surgery is planned. Sentinel lymph nodes in malignant melanoma can be well visualized and studied by this technique. It is also a good modality to detect local recurrence of tumors during post-operative follow up, especially those with a high likelihood of local recurrence or lesions excised with inadequate margins. High-frequency ultrasonography is additive to clinical diagnosis and can be considered a useful non-invasive method to plan the management of various skin tumors and is of prognostic value in some cases.
UBM Institute and Dr. Bhatt Sonography Centre, Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra; Department of Radiology, Wadia Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Kalpana Deepak
KD
Bhatt
Department of Dermatology, Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Swagata Arvind
SA
Tambe
Department of Dermatology, MGM Medical College and General Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Hemangi Rajiv
HR
Jerajani
Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Rachita S
RS
Dhurat
D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology