Basal cell carcinoma invasion depth determined with 30 and 75 MHz high-frequency ultrasound and histopathology – a comparative study

Abstract

Aim: To compare the depth spread of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) measured by histological examination and high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) imaging with 30-MHz and 75-MHz probes.Materials and methods: HFUS skin imaging was used to examine 27 BCCs. A specialized high-resolution digital ultrasound imaging system DUB (TPM GmbH, Germany) with 75-MHz and 30-MHz probes was used. After HFUS scanning, the BCCs biopsy samples were collected by punch biopsy or surgical excision for the morphological examination. Based on the histomorphology results obtained, the tumors were divided into thin (≤1 mm invasion depth) and thick (>1 mm invasion depth). Each BCC spread depth was measured during the HFUS examination with 75-MHz and 30-MHz ultrasound probes and morphological examination.Results: Thin BCCs average invasiondepth measured histologically was 0.494±0.212 mm. Its average depth obtained with HFU examination with 75-MHz and 30-MHz probes was 0.591±0.265 and 0.734±0.123 mm, respectively. High, statistically significant correlation betweenthe histological and 75 MHz HFU measurements was obtained (r=0.870). The correlation was weak (r=0.290) when using a 30 MHz transducer. The average thick BCC invasion depth values obtained with the histological examination and 30 MHz HFUS scanning was 1.845±0.718 mm and 1.995±0.699 mm, respectively. High, statistically significant (r=0.951) correlation between the thick BCC spread depth measured with 30 MHz transducer and histomorphological examination was obtained.Conclusions: In cases of BCCs with thickness of ≤1 mm, there was a high correlation (r=0.870) of the tumor spread depth between micromorphological measurements and the results obtained using a 75 MHz transducer and in cases of BCCs with thickness of >1 mm, a very high correlation (r=0.951) of the tumor spread depth was observed between histomorphometry and30 MHz transducer measurements.

Nevus sebaceus of Jadassohn - high frequency ultrasound imaging and videodermoscopy examination. Case presentation

“…The pathomorphological changes localization, size, structure, and the borders with surrounding intact tissues could be examined with HFUS. It was reported that HFUS skin lesions measurements have a high correlation with histomorphometry [19][20][21][22][23]. Pathomorphological skin changes at HFUS scans are visually comparable with the histological images for the primary pathological processes in the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat [20].…”

“…HFUS is used for accurate depth and lateral borders detection for skin malignant and benign tumors [19][20][21][22][23]. Some specific HFUS patterns were described for BCC [20,23].…”

“…Frequencies of 20-33 MHz are used for all skin layers scanning, including epidermis, dermis, fat tissue, superficial fascias and muscles. 50-100 MHz frequencies range are used for the targeted high resolution epidermis and dermis morphology visualization and measurements [22,23].…”

The use of high frequency skin ultrasound in non-melanoma skin cancer

“…It depends on the lesion size, including the invasion depth, anatomical location, and clinical type of the tumor [9][10][11]. These parameters can be successfully assessed with HFUS skin imaging [6,[12][13][14].…”

The role of ultrasonography in head and neck Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer approach: an update with a review of the literature

“…Unfortunately, dermoscopy or skin biopsy cannot evaluate the depth of invasion preoperatively. Some of the clinicians prefer biopsy of suspicious skin lesions but assessing the DOI can be challenging and the technique can be difficult when the tumour has a small size [37,38]. Regarding the role US in the treatment of NMSC, Vilas-Sueiro et al [34] demonstrated in their study on ex-vivo specimen margins that US can readily detect margin involvement and therefore may play a role in the treatment of skin cancer and prevention of local recurrence and thus, provide improved overall success and survival rates.…”