Current Applications of High-Frequency Ultrasonography in Dermatology

The 2017 document reviewed the use of high-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG) in dermatology, emphasizing its non-invasive, real-time imaging capabilities and safety due to non-ionizing radiation. HF-USG, operating at frequencies of 20 MHz or higher, was primarily utilized for the preoperative assessment of melanomas and basal cell carcinomas, monitoring inflammatory skin diseases, and evaluating the effectiveness of treatments for skin lymphomas and sclerotic skin diseases. It was effective in distinguishing melanoma from seborrheic keratosis with high sensitivity and specificity, and in visualizing neoplastic infiltration in skin lymphomas. HF-USG showed a high correlation with histological measurements in assessing tumor depth, although it tended to slightly overestimate due to tissue shrinkage and inflammatory infiltrate. It was also useful in evaluating inflammatory skin diseases, allergic reactions, and in cosmetic dermatology for identifying fillers and monitoring treatments. The document concluded that HF-USG is a valuable yet underutilized tool in dermatology.