High-resolution color-Doppler ultrasound for the study of skin growths

High-resolution (17 MHz) color-Doppler ultrasound (US) is used in the evaluation of normal and pathological skin. To analyze retrospectively the sonographic pattern of healthy skin and of some skin lesions using Doppler US and to compare the results with dermoscopy examination and histology to identify specific patterns of ultrasound for differentiating benign from malignant lesions. To select among them the Melanomas to describe their US pattern, the presence and morphology of vascular signal and to compare their thickness at US with the Breslow index. After signing informed consent in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki in 1964 and its subsequent amendments, 104 patients with skin lesions were retrospectively studied. Patients were evaluated with clinical dermatological examination and Doppler US, and underwent surgical excision with subsequent histological analysis. Statistical analysis: the difference between variables was analyzed with statistical Chi square test or Fisher’s when appropriate. The strength of the relationship between variables was analyzed with Pearson’s r coefficient. The sensitivity and specificity of US tests were also calculated. Sixty-five malignant lesions and 39 benign lesions were identified at Doppler US. In the 34 melanomas, typical US and vascular patterns were identified depending on the thickness of the lesion and a strong correlation between the latter and Breslow index was confirmed. Doppler US is a valuable diagnostic tool for the study of skin and for pre-excision characterization of skin lesions.