Skin ultrasound features of Merkel cell carcinoma

Hernandez-Aragues, Ignacio; Vázquez‐Osorio, Igor; Alfageme, Fernando; Ciudad-Blanco, C.; Casas-Fernández, Luis; Rodríguez-Blanco, M.I.; Suárez‐Fernández, R.

doi:10.1111/jdv.14102

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…On US, MCC appears as a predominantly hypoechoic solid mass with variable degrees of heterogeneity that extends to the subcutaneous fat layer with different levels of posterior acoustic enhancement and peritumoral skin thickening. Recently, it was reported that hypoechoic linear bands shaped like “columns of smoke” are typical features of MCC ( 6 ). Histologically, the hypoechoic linear bands perpendicular to the skin in our cases appeared to correspond to the remaining thick fibrous collagen bands in the dermis and superficial subcutaneous layer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Histologically, the hypoechoic linear bands perpendicular to the skin in our cases appeared to correspond to the remaining thick fibrous collagen bands in the dermis and superficial subcutaneous layer. MCC may also show prominent and chaotic hypervascularity in the arterial vessels ( 6 7 8 ). Hypoechoic linear bands with vascularity were evident in both of our cases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MCC has a nonspecific clinical presentation, and its diagnosis is confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical studies ( 1 2 3 4 ). Owing to the rarity of the neoplasm and insufficient awareness, imaging features have been reported only in case reports and a few case series ( 4 5 6 7 8 9 ). Herein, we report the imaging features of MCC located on the back and buttock.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Trunk: Two Case Reports and Imaging Review

Kim

Choi

et al. 2023

J Korean Soc Radiol

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Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignant cutaneous tumor primarily located in the head and neck. We report the imaging features of pathologically confirmed MCC in the trunk. On US, MCC showed heterogeneous echogenicity with perpendicular hypoechoic linear bands that resembled “columns of smoke” in the skin and subcutaneous layers as well as prominent vascularity. On MRI, the tumor showed hypointensity on T1-weighted images and hyperintensity on proton density and T2-weighted images with linear low-signal bands in the skin and subcutaneous layers as well as intense enhancement on T1-enhanced images. Although MCC has nonspecific imaging features, these characteristics may be helpful for the early diagnosis of this disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Trunk: Two Case Reports and Imaging Review

Kim

Choi

et al. 2023

J Korean Soc Radiol

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“…HFUS depicts MCC as a poorly-defined (except for well-bordered satellitosis), non-calcified dermal lesion tending to invade subcutaneous tissues [ 46 ]. The mainly hypoechoic MCC mass shows hyperechoic zones, mostly with posterior acoustic enhancement and thickening of epidermis [ 47 ]. Colour Doppler ultrasonography pictures the tumour interior as richly vascularized, the flow being less intense in recurrent lesions and more vivid in cutaneous satellitosis.…”

Section: Merkel Cell Carcinoma (Mcc)mentioning

confidence: 99%

High-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of skin neoplasms

Płocka,

Czajkowski

2023

pdia

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High-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) is a non-invasive and highly repetitive medical imaging method with a great and still rising value in the diagnostic process of skin tumours. It accompanies the physician’s examination, dermoscopy, and biopsy; facilitates real-time assessment of locoregional staging and planning of surgical excision; and provides postoperative inspection of treatment results. The aim of this review article is to discuss HFUS application in common cutaneous malignant tumours while depicting the use of both the grayscale and colour Doppler methods.

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Color Doppler Sonography of Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Catalano

Roldan

Santolo

et al. 2017

J of Ultrasound Medicine

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We illustrate the color Doppler sonographic findings in primary cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma. Eight cases (4 female and 4 male; mean age, 75.4 years) were collected. The most common affected regions were the face (63%) and the hip/buttock (25%). The mean transverse diameter and thickness were 21 and 14 mm, respectively. Fifty percent were oval, and 50% were dome shaped. All lesions were hypoechoic, with variable degrees of heterogeneity. All but 2 lesions were poorly defined. An acoustic reinforcement artifact was present in 3 and epidermal thickening in 2. All tumors had prominent and chaotic hypervascularity with arterial vessels (mean peak velocity, 11 cm/s; mean resistive index, 0.57).Key Words-dermatologic ultrasound; Merkel cell carcinoma; neuroendocrine tumors; oncology; skin ultrasound; soft tissue masses; superficial structures F irst described in 1972, Merkel cell carcinoma is a relatively rare cutaneous tumor of neuroendocrine origin. Most patients are older than 50 years, with a mean age at diagnosis of around 70 years, and there is a moderate prevalence of male patients. 1-5 Merkel cell carcinoma has been reported as more common in patients with light-skin, under immunosuppression status and/or with history of malignancies. 2,[6][7][8] The number of Merkel cell carcinoma cases is rising, probably because of a growing elderly population and the more frequent use of immunosuppressive therapies. 9 Additionally, Merkel cell carcinoma frequently had an aggressive behavior, with a high incidence of local recurrence as well as nodal and distant metastatic disease. The 5-year survival rates are 64% for local disease, 39% for regional nodal involvement, and 18% for distant metastatic disease. 10 Consequently, early diagnosis and prompt assessment of the locoregional extent are of paramount importance to improve patient survival. 11 Merkel cell carcinoma tends to be overlooked in the early stage. 12 Sonography is being used with increasing frequency in the assessment of skin tumors. [13][14][15][16] It supports the clinical diagnosis and provides information on the exact tumor location, extension, vascularization, and deeper tissue involvement. These data are useful for the surgeon to obtain the best oncologic as well as cosmetic results. Materials and MethodsWe performed a multicenter collection of histopathologically proven cases of primary cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma provided by members of the DERMUS (dermatologic ultrasound) international group.

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Skin ultrasound features of Merkel cell carcinoma

Cited by 12 publications

References 7 publications

Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Trunk: Two Case Reports and Imaging Review

Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Trunk: Two Case Reports and Imaging Review

High-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of skin neoplasms

Color Doppler Sonography of Merkel Cell Carcinoma

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