Comparison between high-frequency ultrasonography (Dermascan C, version 3) and histopathology in atopic dermatitis

Background The main purpose of this study was the exact comparison of B‐scan images obtained from 16 patients suffering from AD with histological. Methods Sixteen patients diagnosed with AD aged between 14 and 57 years, were chosen for the study. In all patients before the introduction of proper treatment regimen, the high frequency skin ultrasonography (Derma Scan Cortex Technology, version 3, Hadsund, Germany) has been performed and then a 5 mm wide punch biopsies have been taken from the area of scanned lesions. Control group consisted of 15 healthy individuals without any signs of atopic and chronic diseases. Results There was 7.8 ± 0.4% mean skin echogenicity from lesional antecubital skin in AD patients (min value 7.2%, max value 8.5%). The skin hypoechoic band was detected in fifteen out of sixteen patients (93.7%). There were statistically significant correlations between the hypoechoic band thickness and the following parameters: degree of epidermal hyperplasia, the degree of epidermal hyperkeratosis, the degree of parakeratosis and the degree of spongiosis as well as the intensity of inflammatory infiltrates. Skin echogenicity strongly correlated negatively with the intensity of inflammatory infiltrates. Conclusion On the basis of analysis of 16 specimens we can conclude that all pathological changes of AD influence ultrasound image and in addition, the USG picture depends on the phase of disease process.