The Place of B-Mode Ultrasonography, Shear-Wave Elastography, and Superb Microvascular Imaging in the Pre-Diagnosis of Androgenetic Alopecia
September 2021
in “
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
”
TLDR B-mode ultrasonography and shear-wave elastography can help predict androgenetic alopecia early.
The study investigated the use of B-mode ultrasonography, shear-wave elastography (SWE), and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) in predicting androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in individuals with normal hair but a family history of AGA. It included 26 patients with AGA and 26 control volunteers. Results showed that the thickness from the epidermis to the calvarium (ECD) and cranial subcutaneous tissue thickness (CSTD) were significantly thinner in the AGA group. Additionally, cranial epidermis-dermis (CED) stiffness values were lower in AGA patients. The study concluded that CSTD measurement on B-mode US and CED stiffness measurement on SWE could differentiate individuals before AGA development.