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High‐frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy of the normal canine haired skin
Author(s) -
Mantis Panagiotis,
Tontis Dimitrios,
Church David,
Lloyd David,
Stevens Kim,
Balomenos Dimitrios,
Gouletsou Pagona G.,
Gianoulopoulos Giorgos,
Doukas Dimitrios,
Galatos Apostolos D.,
Saridomichelakis Manolis
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1111/vde.12120
Subject(s) - echogenicity , medicine , ultrasound biomicroscopy , ultrasound , skin thickness , ultrasonography , haematoxylin , high frequency ultrasound , beagle , punch biopsy , dermis , pathology , subcutaneous tissue , skin biopsy , biopsy , histology , radiology , dermatology , staining
Background The ultrasonographic appearance of the normal canine haired skin examined using high‐frequency ultrasonography has not been described. Hyposthesis/Objectives To describe the echogenicity of normal canine haired skin using high‐frequency (50 MHz) ultrasonography and to compare ultrasonographic with histological measurements of skin thickness using snap‐frozen tissue biopsy samples. Animals Ten normal healthy beagle dogs. Methods Ultrasonographic examination was performed on eight cutaneous sites by use of a 50 MHz polyvinylidene difluoride transducer. The skin echogenicity was evaluated, and the mean of 10 skin thickness measurements was calculated. Ultrasonography results were compared with histological findings of skin cryosections stained with haematoxylin and eosin, as well as with histometric measurements of skin thickness. Differences in the ultrasonographic and histological measurements among biopsy sites, age and sex of the animals were also examined. Results The skin layers and hair follicles could be identified with high‐frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy in all eight examination sites of all 10 dogs. There was a highly significant, positive association between the ultrasonographic and histological measurements ( P < 0.001) of skin thickness. For both ultrasonographic and histological skin thickness measurements, there were no statistically significant differences between sex, age or among the different examination sites. Conclusions and clinical importance Cutaneous ultrasound biomicroscopy using a 50 MHz transducer is a useful tool for the following applications: (i) to identify the skin layers (including the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat); (ii) to demonstrate the hair follicles in various areas of the haired skin; and (iii) to measure the thickness of normal canine skin accurately.