Abstract
Background: Although clinical assessment has historically been the primary method used for diagnosing and staging pediatric localized scleroderma (LS), highfrequency ultrasonography (HFUS) is being investigated as a more accurate method for evaluating lesions.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess, compare dermal and subcutaneous tissue characteristics and enhance lesion staging in pediatric LS patients using HFUS.
Methods: Twenty two LS patients were cross-sectionally evaluated with B-mode ultrasonography. Lesions were clinically staged, and dermal and subcutaneous tissue characteristics were compared with healthy tissue using HFUS.
Results: Among 55 lesions, 27 were active/new (49.1%), and 28 were atrophic/old (50.9%). Active lesions typically had increased dermal thickness in 66.6% of cases, while atrophic lesions often showed decreased dermal thickness (78.5%), with significant differences (p<0.05). Dermal echogenicity decreased in 40.7% of active lesions but remained largely unchanged in atrophic lesions (82.1%) (p<0.05). Subcutaneous tissue thickness significantly decreased in atrophic lesions (78.5%) and increased in 59.2% of active lesions, with a significant difference (p = 0.002). Subcutaneous tissue echogenicity increased in 44.4% of active lesions and remained mostly unchanged in atrophic lesions (67.8%). Importantly, a considerable proportion of lesions diagnosed as active through physical examination were actually inactive on HFUS evaluation (55.6%), while a significant portion of lesions categorized as atrophic on physical examination displayed areas of inactivity upon ultrasonographic assessment (35.7%). These findings highlight HFUS's potential as a valuable diagnostic tool and reveal discordances between clinical and HFUS staging.
Conclusion: Ultrasonography offers an objective LS lesion evaluation, especially in pediatrics.
