Ultrasonography in psoriatic disease

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Rheumatology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Psoriasis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease affecting skin, nails, and joints.
• Nail psoriasis diagnosis traditionally relies on clinical examination.
• Emerging evidence highlights ultrasonography's potential in psoriasis assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of ultrasonography in evaluating skin and nail involvement in psoriasis.
• To discuss the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and monitoring of psoriasis vulgaris.
• To highlight advanced ultrasonography techniques for assessing psoriasis.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on ultrasonography in psoriasis.
• Focus on Power Doppler ultrasonography with frequencies >10MHz.
• Assessment of blood flow in dermal and nail bed levels.

Main Results:

• Ultrasonography is a reliable, non-invasive imaging technique for psoriasis.
• Power Doppler ultrasonography enables sensitive detection and semiquantitative assessment of blood flow.
• Ultrasonography visualizes both skin and nail bed changes associated with psoriasis.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasonography is a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring psoriasis vulgaris.
• High-frequency Power Doppler ultrasonography enhances the detection of inflammatory changes.
• Ultrasonography complements clinical examination in managing psoriasis patients.