Differentiation of inflicted dermal burns by high-frequency ultrasound scanning: An animal experiment

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. 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. 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. 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.