Ultrasound of Nails: Why, How, When

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Nail disorders present diagnostic challenges based solely on clinical presentation.
• Biopsies risk nail matrix scarring, necessitating alternative diagnostic methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the applications of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) in diagnosing nail disorders.
• To illustrate common nail pathologies diagnosed using HFUS.

Main Methods:

• Literature analysis of HFUS applications in nail imaging.
• Case illustrations of frequent nail pathologies identified via HFUS.

Main Results:

• HFUS provides high-resolution imaging of the nail apparatus.
• HFUS offers superior axial spatial resolution compared to CT and MRI.
• HFUS avoids radiation, contrast media, and claustrophobia associated with other imaging modalities.

Conclusions:

• HFUS is a valuable first-choice imaging technique for nail disorders.
• HFUS aids in discriminating anatomical alterations for accurate diagnosis.
• HFUS demonstrates significant utility in diagnosing various nail diseases.