Preliminary study on assessing skin changes in Henoch-Schönlein purpura patients using high-frequency ultrasound and...

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a prevalent allergic vasculitis. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of skin lesions and assess the degree of the skin damage in HSP patients using high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) and shear wave elastography (SWE). By leveraging these imaging modalities, we sought to provide an objective and quantitative method for the clinical assessment of HSP, offering valuable insights for the evaluation and management of this condition. Thirty patients diagnosed with HSP were included in the study group (Group B). Among them, patients were further categorized into three subgroups based on the timing of evaluation: Group B₁ consisted of patients at the time of admission, Group B₂ included patients at the time of discharge, and Group B₃ comprised patients at the time of discontinuation of treatment. The control group (Group A) consisted of 30 healthy individuals from the Health Management Center. General clinical data were systematically gathered from both groups. 20 MHz HFUS and SWE were used to assess the thickness and stiffness of the dermis and hypodermis on the left anterior tibial skin of both groups. Laboratory parameters, including WBC, CRP, ESR, and IgE, were documented for the case group, and their correlations with MEmean, MEmax, and MEmin were analyzed. It was found that compared to Group A, the thickness and stiffness of the dermis and hypodermis were significantly increased in the Groups B₁ and B₂, with dermal stiffness also increased in the Group B₃ (all P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the thickness of the dermis and hypodermis, as well as in the stiffness of hypodermal between the Group B₃ and Group A (all P > 0.05). This study showed that the overall skin thickness and stiffness of HSP lesions increased compared to group A. HFUS and SWE can monitor the clinical efficacy of HSP and quantitatively assess the extent of skin involvement in HSP patients, providing clinicians with a precise ultrasound basis for more objective evaluation of treatment outcomes.