Seventy-MHz Ultrasound Detection of Early Signs Linked to the Severity, Patterns of Keratin Fragmentation, and Mechanisms of Generation of Collections and Tunnels in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

The study tested the use of 70-MHz ultrasound to detect early signs of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) linked to disease severity. It involved a cross-sectional analysis of ultrasound images from 139 HS patients compared to a healthy control group. The study found significant abnormalities in hair follicles, such as curved shapes and protrusions into pseudocysts, and identified ultrasound signs like the "bridge sign" and "sword sign" that were linked to HS severity. Two patterns of keratin fragmentation, multifragment and cylindrical, were observed. These findings suggested that ultrasound could aid in early HS diagnosis, management, and treatment evaluation by identifying early signs and keratin fragmentation patterns associated with fluid collections and tunnels.