[Diagnostic importance of ultrasound in dermatology]

Utilization of 20 MHz ultrasound probes provided application of ultrasound in dermatology-dermatosonography. As a diagnostic tool, ultrasound was first registered in the early fifties of the past century. Great progress of dermatosonography occurred in the mid-nineties with introduction of the first 20 MHz scanner.

Several methods of ultrasonography have been developed: method A, method B, scannibg C method and Doppler ultrasound. They were based on different acoustic features of various tissues.

Today, dermatosonography is used in diagnosing: cutaneous neoplasms, inflammatory skin diseases and skin diseases of unknown etiology. Apart from that, it is used in differentiating benign and malignant tumors and may be helpful in monitoring morphea, dermatomyositis, cutaneous sarcoidosis, erythema nodosum, allergic diseases, postthrombotic syndrome, physiologic aging and aging due to sun exposure. It can be used in noninvasive monitoring of local treatment, therapeutic responses and adverse effects.

Dermatosonography offers valuable possibilities in assessing skin morphology at an intermediate level: between clinical assessment and microscopy.