The feasibility of shear wave elastography for diagnosing superficial benign soft tissue masses

Abstract

Shear wave elastography may contribute to the differential diagnosis of superficial benign soft tissue masses through a direct quantitative analysis.

Sonographic appearance of sebaceous cysts. Our experience and a review of the literature

“…). In those with a heterogeneous ecostructure, we found a pattern characterized by the alternation of hypo‐ and hyperechoic (laminar) areas in addition to a pattern showing a hyperechoic central area and a surrounding area of different thickness levels – hypoechoic (so‐called target) in accordance with the literature . The morphology was subdivided into round or oval shapes and into regular, lobulated, and irregular margins.…”

“…It is for this reason, some studies have evaluated the efficacy of typical Doppler elastosonography and the so-called twinkle artifact in the differential diagnosis of benign skin lesions. 18,20 Conclusion Given the limitations of retrospective series evaluation, our study has confirmed the importance of using high frequency probes in evaluating skin lesions also for sebaceous cysts, for better characterization and, consequently, better differential diagnosis, which is fundamental in patients with multiple and concurrent dermatological diseases in everyday clinical practice. [21][22][23] In our experience with higher frequency probes and in more significant case series, the morphostructural characteristics described in the literature for the diagnosis of so-called sebaceous cysts were confirmed, but moreover it showed the high incidence and diagnostic significance of so-called skin pores, which is a usual finding of these lesions and therefore extremely significant for the differential diagnosis of this disease.…”

“…This issue is particularly important in the field of dermatological oncology, where histologically different forms and different prognoses, at least in the initial phase, may appear very similar. It is for this reason, some studies have evaluated the efficacy of typical Doppler elastosonography and the so‐called twinkle artifact in the differential diagnosis of benign skin lesions …”

“…7 thickness levelshypoechoic (so-called target) in accordance with the literature. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] The morphology was subdivided into round or oval shapes and into regular, lobulated, and irregular margins. We also sought the presence of cutaneous pores, which is a salient feature of these types of lesions, a parameter that had not been previously evaluated in the earlier series.…”

The Role of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Tumors

“…95 By using SE, compressible ganglion cysts showed a higher strain ratio (2.78 AE 0.48) compared with firmer epidermoid cysts (0.17 AE 0.21). 98,106 With the rupture of an epidermoid cyst, the median shear modulus is decreased. The elasticity of solid lesions can be similar to that of cystic lesions (e.g., lipomatous tumors, ganglion cysts).…”