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

Abstract

Ultrasound (US) or sonography is the most common diagnostic non-invasive imaging method, which is estimated to account for more than a third of all diagnostic procedures used in medical practice. Traditionally, US frequencies used in diagnostic radiology range from 1 MHz to approximately 16 MHz. Visualization of skin morphology requires US frequencies from 20 to 100 MHz, and is called a "high frequency ultrasound" (HFUS). HFUS has been explored in normal skin and in various skin pathologies. It has been found useful in differentiation diagnosis of infiltrative (perivascular) and exudative inflammation, hypertrophic or normotrophic scars, keloids, and in skin atrophy. Moreover, it has been used to support diagnosis and management of skin tumors. In skin oncology, HFUS can provide essential information on tumors' size and margins, particularly the depth of invasion. Such information are crucial in deciding on the form of treatment (e.g., photodynamic therapy, radiotherapy, brachytherapy), computed tomography (CT)-based planning treatment (e.g., superficial brachytherapy), and in skin monitoring after treatment, in addition to clinical examination.

Local control comparison of early-stage non-melanoma skin Cancer (NMSC) treated by superficial radiotherapy (SRT) and external beam radiotherapy (XRT) with and without dermal image guidance: a meta-analysis

“…HRUS technology is easy to use, cheap, portable, and safe, as it does not use ionizing radiation. This technology offers patients a great benefit, especially when a patient is opting for non-surgical treatment of their NMSC lesion [ 18 ]. While this comparative study did not specifically analyze cosmesis, other US-SRT studies have shown cosmesis to be generally excellent without poor cosmetic outcomes prompting large portions of “repeat” US-SRT treatments at a later time [ 15 , 19 ].…”

Local Control Comparison of Early-Stage Epidermal Skin Cancers Treated With and Without Dermal Image Guidance: A Meta-Analysis

“…HRUS technology is easy to use, cheap, portable, and safe, as it does not use ionizing radiation. This technology offers patients a great benefit, especially when a patient is opting for non-surgical treatment of their NMSC lesion [18]. Confounding biologic dosing differences as a reason for the statistically significant improvement in LC with US-SRT instead of the image guidance factor was considered and determined to be unlikely since we calculate the biologic equivalent dose range in the four XRT/SRT papers' dose regimens using TDF A method and were determined to have similar or even higher biological doses than in the US-SRT studies.…”

Nanomaterials as Ultrasound Theragnostic Tools for Heart Disease Treatment/Diagnosis

“…A commonly employed method to increase US resolution relies in using high frequency US imaging (HFUS) for ultrasound frequencies between 15 and 30 MHz [75], and ultra-high frequency US imaging (UHFUS) for ultrasound frequencies above 30 MHz [76]. An US of 12-15 MHz yields a typical resolution of 200 µm [77], which is insufficient to visualize heart microstructure tissues.…”