Ultrasound and dermatology: basic principles and main applications in dermatologic research

Ultrasound imaging has been increasingly used in dermatologic research over the past four decades. This paper aims to review its use as a disease severity and treatment efficacy assessment tool, with emphasis on the past five years. Quantitative parameters such as skin thickness, overall echogenicity, echogenicity distribution, dermal–subcutaneous interface length or area are used. The authors review skin aging, cellulite, striae, fillers, scleroderma, hypertrophic scar, wounds and psoriasis studies, and discuss correlation between sonographic findings and clinical assessment and/or validated scores. Data are still insufficient to support ultrasound imaging use as an unique efficacy assessment method in a trial, but favor that it is a valuable adjuvant assessment tool that brings objectiveness to subjective clinical assessment. Further studies and technology improvement will expand its applications in dermatology.