Ultrasound Virtual Biopsy
As more patients now present with skin cancer due to previous excessive exposure to the sun and environmental factors look set to increase this trend, so more specialised skin cancer clinics are being set up.
Certain countries like New Zealand are seeing especially high incidence of skin cancer, due both to their geographical position and to social and lifestyle factors.
Some lesions can be unsafe to biopsy by conventional means, and in any case most patients would prefer to avoid actual physical biopsy if at all possible. Also a physical biopsy of one location shows only that location and it is necessary to infer how that result relates to the whole lesion.
Certain countries like New Zealand are seeing especially high incidence of skin cancer, due both to their geographical position and to social and lifestyle factors.
Some lesions can be unsafe to biopsy by conventional means, and in any case most patients would prefer to avoid actual physical biopsy if at all possible. Also a physical biopsy of one location shows only that location and it is necessary to infer how that result relates to the whole lesion.
Most ultrasound scanners are designed for deep penetration into the body but are unable to image the dermis and epidermis in any useful fashion for skin cancer evaluations. The EpiscanŽ dermal ultrasound scanner on the other hand is able to handle the higher sound frequencies that are necessary to achieve this.
It was originally designed to detect pressure sores before they become apparent to the naked eye. The 18MHz centre frequency probe images changes beneath the surface of the skin as ulcers develop or as wounds heal. It also shows difficult objects such as glass splinters, for which X-ray is not very effective.
It was originally designed to detect pressure sores before they become apparent to the naked eye. The 18MHz centre frequency probe images changes beneath the surface of the skin as ulcers develop or as wounds heal. It also shows difficult objects such as glass splinters, for which X-ray is not very effective.
Now two further higher frequency probes have been introduced for dermatologists and are already in use at the well known Christie Hospital skin cancer unit in Manchester, England.
These have centre frequencies of 35MHz and 45MHz, which give progressively finer resolution at lesser penetration and are easily interchangeable during use. These display the shapes, sizes and depths of lesions, including linear and area measurements as required.
Results are shown instantly on screen as B-scans and virtual biopsies can be taken at different angles or locations until the best results are achieved.
These have centre frequencies of 35MHz and 45MHz, which give progressively finer resolution at lesser penetration and are easily interchangeable during use. These display the shapes, sizes and depths of lesions, including linear and area measurements as required.
Results are shown instantly on screen as B-scans and virtual biopsies can be taken at different angles or locations until the best results are achieved.
Using the EpiscanŽ dermal ultrasound scanner it is possible to get a clear assessment of a lesion in three dimensions before any intervention is chosen.
It is quick, safe and completely pain-free for the patient, so there is no need to hesitate over whether to biopsy or not. Virtual biopsies can be saved and comparisons made over time, with digital photographs attached if desired, to monitor a suspected lesion.
Unlike deep ultrasound images which can need trained interpretation, the high-definition images produced by the EpiscanŽ dermatology probes are clearly understandable to patients and can go a long way to reassure them as to the necessity for action and the intended treament.
It is quick, safe and completely pain-free for the patient, so there is no need to hesitate over whether to biopsy or not. Virtual biopsies can be saved and comparisons made over time, with digital photographs attached if desired, to monitor a suspected lesion.
Unlike deep ultrasound images which can need trained interpretation, the high-definition images produced by the EpiscanŽ dermatology probes are clearly understandable to patients and can go a long way to reassure them as to the necessity for action and the intended treament.
For more information on the EpiscanŽ dermal ultrasound scanner please visit the Dermatology page.
Skin lesion with linear dimensions displayed
Clear Scaled Images
Skin lesion, visual and ultrasound images, with scale
Deeper skin lesion, visual and ultrasound images, with scale
Quick, safe and painless
Basal cell carcinoma imaged at 35MHz
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