The velocity of ultrasound in human primary melanoma tissue - implications for the clinical use of high resolution sonography

Abstract

Background: Ultrasonography with 20 MHz frequency can be used to estimate tumour thickness preoperatively in malignant melanoma (MM) of the skin. The vertical invasion depth is the single most important prognostic factor for localised MM, and its preoperative knowledge would be very useful for the planning of surgical procedures. Since ultrasonographic distance measurements directly depend upon the tissue specific ultrasound velocity, we determined the ultrasound velocity in primary melanoma.

Automated Estimation of Melanocytic Skin Tumor Thickness by Ultrasonic Radiofrequency Data

“…According to Weichenthal et al, 35 the US velocity in melanoma tissue may be slightly lower than assumed in human skin, which can affect US thickness measurements. The authors showed that the speed of sound in melanoma varies between 1553 and 1588 m/s 35 .…”

“…According to Weichenthal et al, 35 the US velocity in melanoma tissue may be slightly lower than assumed in human skin, which can affect US thickness measurements. The authors showed that the speed of sound in melanoma varies between 1553 and 1588 m/s 35 . However, predicted errors due to changes in US velocity are at the limits of ±0.01 mm for melanocytic skin tumors with a thickness of 1 mm, so the occurrence of errors should not be a decisive factor.…”

Principles of high‐frequency ultrasonography for investigation of skin pathology

“…According to the information provided by Weichenthal et al. , in the tissue of human skin affected by melanoma the ultrasound velocity deviates only by 1% from the value obtained in the case of healthy skin 5,8 …”

High-frequency 30-MHz sonography in preoperative assessment of tumor thickness of primary melanoma: usefulness in determination of surgical margin and indication for sentinel lymph node biopsy

“…They concluded that these fi ndings led to a good overall correlation between sonographic and histopathologic measurements of tumor thickness. Weichenthal et al 14 reported that tumor thickness values overestimated by sonography may also refl ect the more precise detection of the thickest part within the tumor by real-time thorough sonographic imaging of the whole lesion.…”