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Doppler ultrasound protocol for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa Study conducted at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.

Abstract

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to the formation of nodules, abscesses and fistulas, with the formation of scars and fibrosis, causing significant impairment in patient quality of life. The diagnosis is clinical, using scores to classify the severity of the condition; currently the most recommended classification is the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Scoring System (IHS4). Doppler ultrasound has been used to complement the clinical evaluation of patients with HS. It is possible to observe subclinical lesions that change the staging, the severity of the case, and its treatment, either clinical or surgical. Correct treatment is essential to minimize the consequences of this disease for the patient.

Objective

To establish an outpatient protocol for the use of Doppler ultrasound in the care of patients with HS.

Methods

A narrative review of the literature was carried out on the use of Doppler ultrasound in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa; a referring protocol and technique orientations for imaging assessment in HS were created.

Results

Recommendation to perform ultrasound evaluation of symptomatic areas eight weeks after using antibiotics and four, 12, and 24 weeks after starting immunobiologicals; apply SOS-HS ultrasound severity classification.

Study limitations

The review did not cover all literature on ultrasound and HS; no systematic review was carried out, but rather a narrative one.

Conclusions

The correct assessment of patients staging must be carried out using dermatological ultrasound to avoid progression to scars and fibrosis, which compromise patients quality of life.

Keywords
Clinical protocols; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonography, Doppler

Introduction

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the hair follicle that causes the formation of nodules, abscesses and fistulas, mainly in the axillary, inguinal and anogenital regions, with the formation of bridging scars and fibrosis.11 Zouboulis CC, Desai N, Emtestam L, Hunger RE, Ioannides D, Juhász I, et al. European S1 guideline for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:619-44.

2 Magalhães RF, Rivitti-Machado MC, Duarte GV, Souto R, Nunes DH, Chaves M, et al. Consensus on the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa - Brazilian Society of Dermatology. An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94:7-19.

3 Canoui-Poitrine F, Le Thuaut A, Revuz JE, Viallette C, Gabison G, Poli F, et al. Identification of three hidradenitis suppurativa phenotypes: latent class analysis of a cross-sectional study. J Invest Dermatol. 2013;133:1506-11.
-44 van der Zee HH, Jemec GB. New insights into the diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa: clinical presentations and phenotypes. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;73:23-6. It is a recurrent and debilitating disease, that presents after puberty, leading to significant quality of life impairment by causing pain, pruritus, odor, and local burning sensation. It is the dermatological disease with the greatest psychosocial impact and highest Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).11 Zouboulis CC, Desai N, Emtestam L, Hunger RE, Ioannides D, Juhász I, et al. European S1 guideline for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:619-44.,55 Martorell A, Giovanardi G, Gomez-Palencia P, Sanz-Motilva V. Defining fistular patterns in hidradenitis suppurativa: impact on the management. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45:1237-44.,66 Nguyen TV, Damiani G, Orenstein LAV, Hamzavi I, Jemec GB. Hidradenitis suppurativa: an update on epidemiology, phenotypes, diagnosis, pathogenesis, comorbidities and quality of life. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35:50-61.

To guide decisions regarding the treatment of HS, the clinical classification of subtypes is relevant, in addition to determining severity.22 Magalhães RF, Rivitti-Machado MC, Duarte GV, Souto R, Nunes DH, Chaves M, et al. Consensus on the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa - Brazilian Society of Dermatology. An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94:7-19.,44 van der Zee HH, Jemec GB. New insights into the diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa: clinical presentations and phenotypes. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;73:23-6. The patient approach involves both the management of worsening factors and treatment with medications and surgical procedures to remove fistulas and scars that act as recurrent inflammation sites. Thus, greater staging accuracy potentially impacts the therapeutic decision regarding the implementation of appropriate treatment proportional to the severity.55 Martorell A, Giovanardi G, Gomez-Palencia P, Sanz-Motilva V. Defining fistular patterns in hidradenitis suppurativa: impact on the management. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45:1237-44.

Doppler ultrasound with a high-frequency transducer (above 15 MHz) has been used to characterize the type of lesion and its depth with greater precision,22 Magalhães RF, Rivitti-Machado MC, Duarte GV, Souto R, Nunes DH, Chaves M, et al. Consensus on the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa - Brazilian Society of Dermatology. An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94:7-19.,55 Martorell A, Giovanardi G, Gomez-Palencia P, Sanz-Motilva V. Defining fistular patterns in hidradenitis suppurativa: impact on the management. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45:1237-44.,77 Martorell A, Caballero A, González Lama Y, Jiménez-Gallo D, Lázaro Serrano M, Miranda J, et al. Management of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas. 2016;107:32-42.

8 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.
-99 Martorell A, Wortsman X, Alfageme F, Roustan G, Arias-Santiago S, Catalano O, et al. Ultrasound evaluation as a complementary test in hidradenitis suppurativa: proposal of a standarized report. Dermatol Surg. 2017;43:1065-73. since the clinical palpation of lesions may not be accurate when differentiating nodules, abscesses and fistulas, especially when there is intense edema. This is essential for the evaluation and management of patients with HS.88 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.,1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68.,1111 Wortsman X, Moreno C, Soto R, Arellano J, Pezo C, Wortsman J. Ultrasound in-depth characterization and staging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39:1835-42.

Compared to isolated clinical assessment, the use of ultrasound classifies a significant percentage of patients into more advanced stages, changing the therapeutic planning.22 Magalhães RF, Rivitti-Machado MC, Duarte GV, Souto R, Nunes DH, Chaves M, et al. Consensus on the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa - Brazilian Society of Dermatology. An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94:7-19.,88 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.,1111 Wortsman X, Moreno C, Soto R, Arellano J, Pezo C, Wortsman J. Ultrasound in-depth characterization and staging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39:1835-42.,1212 Napolitano M, Calzavara-Pinton PG, Zanca A, Bianchi L, Caposiena Caro RD, Offidani AM, et al. Comparison of clinical and ultrasound scores in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: results from an Italian ultrasound working group. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:e84-e87. Its use changed the treatment in 82% of the assessed patients; in particular, medical treatment was changed to surgical in 24% of the cases.1111 Wortsman X, Moreno C, Soto R, Arellano J, Pezo C, Wortsman J. Ultrasound in-depth characterization and staging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39:1835-42.

The main ultrasound findings in hidradenitis suppurativa are dilation of hair follicles, dermal changes, pseudocysts, fluid collections and fistulas. It has been proposed that the presence of three or more of these findings establishes the diagnosis of HS ‒ SOS-HS three-point score ‒ Sonographic Scoring of Hidradenitis Suppurativa.1111 Wortsman X, Moreno C, Soto R, Arellano J, Pezo C, Wortsman J. Ultrasound in-depth characterization and staging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39:1835-42. More recently it was also defined that there are five lesions observed in HS in the US: pseudocysts, collections, fistulas, fistulas and hair fragments (called hair tracts).1313 Lacarrubba F, Dini V, Napolitano M, Venturini M, Caposiena Caro DR, Molinelli E, et al. Ultrasonography in the pathway to an optimal standard of care of hidradenitis suppurativa: the Italian ultrasound working group experience. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:10-4. Doppler ultrasound can also be used to identify subclinical fistulas and characterize inflammatory activity; it was established that there is an important correlation between the symptoms described by patients and ultrasound findings.66 Nguyen TV, Damiani G, Orenstein LAV, Hamzavi I, Jemec GB. Hidradenitis suppurativa: an update on epidemiology, phenotypes, diagnosis, pathogenesis, comorbidities and quality of life. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35:50-61.,1212 Napolitano M, Calzavara-Pinton PG, Zanca A, Bianchi L, Caposiena Caro RD, Offidani AM, et al. Comparison of clinical and ultrasound scores in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: results from an Italian ultrasound working group. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:e84-e87.,1414 Zarchi K, Yazdanyar N, Yazdanyar S, Wortsman X, Jemec GB. Pain and inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa correspond to morphological changes identified by high-frequency ultrasound. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:527-32. A study showed that 76% of the assessed patients had fluid collections, 71% had pseudocysts and 29% had fistulas, all of which were not diagnosed on clinical examination.1111 Wortsman X, Moreno C, Soto R, Arellano J, Pezo C, Wortsman J. Ultrasound in-depth characterization and staging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39:1835-42.

It is also possible to monitor the response to treatment non-invasively through vascularization assessment using Doppler1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68. and carry out better pre-operative planning for lesions that require surgical treatment. Moreover, there was a high correlation between ultrasound and histopathological findings. There is a relationship between Doppler intensity and neutrophilic infiltration; and good correlation between fistula diameter in ultrasound and histopathological evaluations.1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21. Similarly to the Hurley score, the SOS-HS was created using subclinical lesions, and shows a better correspondence with patient severity.1414 Zarchi K, Yazdanyar N, Yazdanyar S, Wortsman X, Jemec GB. Pain and inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa correspond to morphological changes identified by high-frequency ultrasound. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:527-32. Thus, ultrasound has shown to be an essential tool for greater accuracy in assessing the severity and extent of HS lesions, potentially impacting therapeutic decisions, allowing early and effective treatment to prevent complications, and the need for more invasive treatment. Therefore, the implementation of a Doppler ultrasound evaluation protocol as part of patients physical examination is necessary.99 Martorell A, Wortsman X, Alfageme F, Roustan G, Arias-Santiago S, Catalano O, et al. Ultrasound evaluation as a complementary test in hidradenitis suppurativa: proposal of a standarized report. Dermatol Surg. 2017;43:1065-73.

Materials and methods

A narrative review of the literature on the use of ultrasound in hidradenitis suppurativa was carried out to scientifically support the protocol. The search for articles was carried out in the VHL, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web Of Science, and PUBMED databases, with 301 articles being retrieved. Ninety-six articles were selected after excluding duplicates and reading the titles and abstracts.

To guarantee the quality of the data collected for the protocol, articles published in journals classified by Qualis Periodics of the Sucupira Platform as A1, A2, and B1 were chosen, and five, three and eight articles remained, respectively (16 in total). Two books published on the subject of dermatological ultrasound were also selected.

The extracted data were used to prepare the protocol, which contains recommendations based on the reviewed articles with the highest scientific level. Then, patients who had been attended since March 2021 at the Hidradenitis suppurativa outpatient clinic at the Dermatology outpatient clinic were recruited for ultrasound recording of the lesions and incorporation into the protocol.

Results

Protocol for the use of Doppler ultrasound in hidradenitis suppurativa

Why use ultrasound in hidradenitis suppurativa?

Ultrasound is an important tool for the early and accurate diagnosis of skin lesions, especially when they are small or not palpable.1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68. It also helps identify subclinical fistulas,1616 Nguyen TV, Damiani G, Orenstein LA, Hamzavi I, Jemec GB. Hidradenitis suppurativa: an update on epidemiology, phenotypes, diagnosis, pathogenesis, comorbidities, and quality of life. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35:50-61. which can affect disease staging.88 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.,1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68.,1313 Lacarrubba F, Dini V, Napolitano M, Venturini M, Caposiena Caro DR, Molinelli E, et al. Ultrasonography in the pathway to an optimal standard of care of hidradenitis suppurativa: the Italian ultrasound working group experience. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:10-4.,1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018.,1818 Nazzaro G, Passoni E, Guanziroli E, Casazza G, Muratori S, Barbareschi M, et al. Comparison of clinical and sonographic scores in a cohort of 140 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa from an Italian referral centre: a retrospective observational study. Eur J Dermatol. 2018;28:845-7. Clinical scores alone may underestimate the degree of disease involvement. Additionally, Doppler ultrasound allows mapping of the extent and activity of skin lesions, facilitating the assessment of treatment effectiveness.1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68.,1313 Lacarrubba F, Dini V, Napolitano M, Venturini M, Caposiena Caro DR, Molinelli E, et al. Ultrasonography in the pathway to an optimal standard of care of hidradenitis suppurativa: the Italian ultrasound working group experience. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:10-4.,1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21. Corticosteroid infiltration can be guided by ultrasound to improve precision, with better results.1919 Salvador-Rodríguez L, Arias-Santiago S, Molina-Leyva A. Ultrasound-assisted intralesional corticosteroid infiltrations for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Sci Rep. 2020;10:13363.,2020 Álvarez P, García-Martínez FJ, Poveda I, Pascual JC. Intralesional triamcinolone for fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa: an uncontrolled prospective trial with clinical and ultrasonographic follow-up. Dermatology. 2020;236:46-51. In the case of fistulas, ultrasound helps to determine the depth, which influences the appropriate treatment, whether with immunobiologicals or surgical. The combined use of immunobiologicals and ultrasound before surgery is effective in preventing recurrence and accurately determining surgical margins. Additionally, ultrasound can be used to evaluate possible recurrences after surgery.1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68.,2121 Cuenca-Barrales C, Salvador-Rodríguez L, Arias-Santiago S, Molina-Leyva A. Pre-operative ultrasound planning in the surgical management of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34:2362-7.

Severity classification

The patient should be examined and the scores used to classify severity before performing the ultrasound. Then ultrasound severity scores should be applied. The easiest ultrasound score is the SOS HS (Table 1),1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21.,1818 Nazzaro G, Passoni E, Guanziroli E, Casazza G, Muratori S, Barbareschi M, et al. Comparison of clinical and sonographic scores in a cohort of 140 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa from an Italian referral centre: a retrospective observational study. Eur J Dermatol. 2018;28:845-7.,2323 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7. which uses the number of ultrasonographic detected lesions (in a similar way to Hurley) to define stages I, II or III, with the latter being the most severe.

Table 1
Ultrasonographic score for the classification of hidradenitis suppurativa -SOS HS (Sonographic Scoring of Hidradenitis suppurativa).

Interval between exams

Ultrasound can be used to monitor response to treatment. It should be performed at the first consultation,1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21.,1818 Nazzaro G, Passoni E, Guanziroli E, Casazza G, Muratori S, Barbareschi M, et al. Comparison of clinical and sonographic scores in a cohort of 140 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa from an Italian referral centre: a retrospective observational study. Eur J Dermatol. 2018;28:845-7. after eight weeks of antibiotic use,1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21. in weeks four, 12 and 24 when using immunobiologicals,2424 Frew JW, Navrazhina K, Grand D, Sullivan-Whalen M, Gilleaudeau P, Garcet S, et al. The effect of subcutaneous brodalumab on clinical disease activity in hidradenitis suppurativa: an open-label cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83:1341-8. 12 weeks after infiltration1919 Salvador-Rodríguez L, Arias-Santiago S, Molina-Leyva A. Ultrasound-assisted intralesional corticosteroid infiltrations for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Sci Rep. 2020;10:13363.,2020 Álvarez P, García-Martínez FJ, Poveda I, Pascual JC. Intralesional triamcinolone for fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa: an uncontrolled prospective trial with clinical and ultrasonographic follow-up. Dermatology. 2020;236:46-51. and six months after surgery to evaluate postsurgical recurrence.2121 Cuenca-Barrales C, Salvador-Rodríguez L, Arias-Santiago S, Molina-Leyva A. Pre-operative ultrasound planning in the surgical management of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34:2362-7.

Technical aspects

Ultrasound must be configured with the focal point in the first 3 cm from the top of the screen and must be adjusted for dermatological ultrasound.1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018. The frequency, gain and image volume must be kept constant to prevent problems with reproducibility.1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21.,2323 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7.

Dermatological ultrasound can use a frequency between 13.5 and 100 MHz, with 20-25 MHz examining the epidermis and dermis and 50-100 MHz restricted to the epidermis.2525 Kleinerman R, Whang TB, Bard RL, Marmur ES. Ultrasound in dermatology: principles and applications. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;67:478-87. The recommendation is to use several probes between 5‒22 MHz.88 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.,1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68.,1313 Lacarrubba F, Dini V, Napolitano M, Venturini M, Caposiena Caro DR, Molinelli E, et al. Ultrasonography in the pathway to an optimal standard of care of hidradenitis suppurativa: the Italian ultrasound working group experience. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:10-4.

14 Zarchi K, Yazdanyar N, Yazdanyar S, Wortsman X, Jemec GB. Pain and inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa correspond to morphological changes identified by high-frequency ultrasound. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:527-32.
-1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21.,2222 Wortsman X, Castro A, Figueroa A. Color doppler ultrasound assessment of morphology and types of fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75:760-7.

23 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7.
-2424 Frew JW, Navrazhina K, Grand D, Sullivan-Whalen M, Gilleaudeau P, Garcet S, et al. The effect of subcutaneous brodalumab on clinical disease activity in hidradenitis suppurativa: an open-label cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83:1341-8.,2626 Grand D, Frew JW, Navrazhina K, Krueger JG. Doppler ultrasound-based noninvasive biomarkers in hidradenitis suppurativa: evaluation of analytical and clinical validity. Br J Dermatol. 2021;184:688-96. It is always recommended to use a linear probe.88 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.,1414 Zarchi K, Yazdanyar N, Yazdanyar S, Wortsman X, Jemec GB. Pain and inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa correspond to morphological changes identified by high-frequency ultrasound. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:527-32.,2222 Wortsman X, Castro A, Figueroa A. Color doppler ultrasound assessment of morphology and types of fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75:760-7.,2323 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7.,2727 Kelekis NL, Efstathopoulos E, Balanika A, Spyridopoulos TN, Pelekanou A, Kanni T, et al. Ultrasound aids in diagnosis and severity assessment of hidradenitis suppurativa. Br J Dermatol. 2010;162:1400-2.

The examination should preferably be performed by the same investigator,1414 Zarchi K, Yazdanyar N, Yazdanyar S, Wortsman X, Jemec GB. Pain and inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa correspond to morphological changes identified by high-frequency ultrasound. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:527-32.,1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21.,2222 Wortsman X, Castro A, Figueroa A. Color doppler ultrasound assessment of morphology and types of fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75:760-7.,2323 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7. who should be trained in the ultrasound technique and in dermatology1313 Lacarrubba F, Dini V, Napolitano M, Venturini M, Caposiena Caro DR, Molinelli E, et al. Ultrasonography in the pathway to an optimal standard of care of hidradenitis suppurativa: the Italian ultrasound working group experience. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:10-4.,1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018.,2121 Cuenca-Barrales C, Salvador-Rodríguez L, Arias-Santiago S, Molina-Leyva A. Pre-operative ultrasound planning in the surgical management of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34:2362-7.,2626 Grand D, Frew JW, Navrazhina K, Krueger JG. Doppler ultrasound-based noninvasive biomarkers in hidradenitis suppurativa: evaluation of analytical and clinical validity. Br J Dermatol. 2021;184:688-96. or by dermatologists with at least 10 years experience in HS and two ultrasound operators who have completed training courses.1818 Nazzaro G, Passoni E, Guanziroli E, Casazza G, Muratori S, Barbareschi M, et al. Comparison of clinical and sonographic scores in a cohort of 140 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa from an Italian referral centre: a retrospective observational study. Eur J Dermatol. 2018;28:845-7.

Performance

When performing Doppler ultrasound examinations in patients with HS, it is important to follow a sequence of steps to ensure the effectiveness of the procedure. First, it is necessary to perform the examination after the clinical assessment of the patient, taking into account the established criteria.88 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.,1818 Nazzaro G, Passoni E, Guanziroli E, Casazza G, Muratori S, Barbareschi M, et al. Comparison of clinical and sonographic scores in a cohort of 140 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa from an Italian referral centre: a retrospective observational study. Eur J Dermatol. 2018;28:845-7. Additionally, it is essential to to explain the procedure to the patient and obtain information about lesion evolution.

Before starting the examination, it is recommended to apply an adequate amount of gel to the area to be examined or directly to the ultrasound probe.1414 Zarchi K, Yazdanyar N, Yazdanyar S, Wortsman X, Jemec GB. Pain and inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa correspond to morphological changes identified by high-frequency ultrasound. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:527-32.,1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018. Subsequently, visual inspection and palpation of the lesional and perilesional area are performed in a well-illuminated place. For a better observation, it is important to reduce the light in the room and position the lesion close to the operator and the probe.1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018.

During the examination, the probe should be gently positioned perpendicular to the lesion, as shown in Fig. 1.2727 Kelekis NL, Efstathopoulos E, Balanika A, Spyridopoulos TN, Pelekanou A, Kanni T, et al. Ultrasound aids in diagnosis and severity assessment of hidradenitis suppurativa. Br J Dermatol. 2010;162:1400-2. It is important to apply little pressure and stabilize the hand with the help of the fifth finger. Image capture must be done in two perpendicular axes, covering both the lesional and perilesional areas.88 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.,1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68.,1414 Zarchi K, Yazdanyar N, Yazdanyar S, Wortsman X, Jemec GB. Pain and inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa correspond to morphological changes identified by high-frequency ultrasound. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:527-32.,1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018.,2222 Wortsman X, Castro A, Figueroa A. Color doppler ultrasound assessment of morphology and types of fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75:760-7. If necessary, one can compare the images with others obtained from the contralateral area.

Figure 1
Amount of gel to be used and perpendicular positioning of the probe.

Moreover, Color Doppler analysis is recommended to evaluate the vasculature pattern of the lesional and perilesional area, as well as evaluate vessel caliber. If necessary, the spectral curve can be used to differentiate between veins and arteries and detect flow velocity.1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018.

Ultrasound assessment of lesions

During the evaluation of patients with HS, it is necessary to follow a sequence of steps for a complete and systematic analysis. First, it is important to evaluate all existing lesions,88 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.,2727 Kelekis NL, Efstathopoulos E, Balanika A, Spyridopoulos TN, Pelekanou A, Kanni T, et al. Ultrasound aids in diagnosis and severity assessment of hidradenitis suppurativa. Br J Dermatol. 2010;162:1400-2. in at least two different regions.1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68. Additionally, it is essential to always examine the axillary and inguinal regions, as well as the perineal and perianal areas.88 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.,1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68.,1818 Nazzaro G, Passoni E, Guanziroli E, Casazza G, Muratori S, Barbareschi M, et al. Comparison of clinical and sonographic scores in a cohort of 140 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa from an Italian referral centre: a retrospective observational study. Eur J Dermatol. 2018;28:845-7. If it is impossible to do it that way, evaluate at least all symptomatic areas.1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21.

For a standardized approach, it is recommended to use a specific sequence, starting from top to bottom and medial to lateral regions. During the examination, it is necessary to identify the type of lesion according to its characteristics and describe the dermal changes.1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68. It is also important to measure the size of the lesions and the maximum diameter of nodules, abscesses and fistulas. The precise location of the lesions must be described.1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68.,1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21.,2323 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7.,2424 Frew JW, Navrazhina K, Grand D, Sullivan-Whalen M, Gilleaudeau P, Garcet S, et al. The effect of subcutaneous brodalumab on clinical disease activity in hidradenitis suppurativa: an open-label cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83:1341-8.,2727 Kelekis NL, Efstathopoulos E, Balanika A, Spyridopoulos TN, Pelekanou A, Kanni T, et al. Ultrasound aids in diagnosis and severity assessment of hidradenitis suppurativa. Br J Dermatol. 2010;162:1400-2.

Numbers can be used to facilitate the identification and recording of lesions, for example, C1, C2 for collections, and F1, F2 for fistulas. If the patient has multiple fistulas, it is recommended to select the largest one for a more accurate evaluation.2121 Cuenca-Barrales C, Salvador-Rodríguez L, Arias-Santiago S, Molina-Leyva A. Pre-operative ultrasound planning in the surgical management of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34:2362-7.,2828 Wortsman X, Jemec G. Dermatologic ultrasound with clinical and histologic correlations. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2013

Moreover, describing the exact location of each lesion can be challenging due to the number of lesions. Therefore, the authors suggest the use of the quadrant classification of the UQHS anatomical areas - Ultrasound Quadrants in Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Figs. 2-4) to assist in the description of the report. This classification was designed using anatomical references such as the anterior, middle and posterior axillary lines, to form the quadrants. It is also possible to incorporate the description of lesions in “hours” and outer, middle and inner sections (for each quadrant). For example, in Fig. 2, there is a lesion in the superior medial quadrant of the left axilla, at 12 o'clock, in the inner section. Thus, it is possible to locate the lesions more precisely.

Figure 2
Axillary and intermammary region.

Figure 3
Intermammary region.

Figure 4
Inguinal region.

Classification of UQHS anatomical areas

Figures 2-4.

Ultrasound structures

The ultrasound findings already described in the literature are:1111 Wortsman X, Moreno C, Soto R, Arellano J, Pezo C, Wortsman J. Ultrasound in-depth characterization and staging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39:1835-42.,1313 Lacarrubba F, Dini V, Napolitano M, Venturini M, Caposiena Caro DR, Molinelli E, et al. Ultrasonography in the pathway to an optimal standard of care of hidradenitis suppurativa: the Italian ultrasound working group experience. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:10-4.,1616 Nguyen TV, Damiani G, Orenstein LA, Hamzavi I, Jemec GB. Hidradenitis suppurativa: an update on epidemiology, phenotypes, diagnosis, pathogenesis, comorbidities, and quality of life. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35:50-61.
  1. Dilatation of hair follicles.

  2. Changes in dermal thickness and echogenicity (Fig. 5).

    Figure 5
    Changes in the thickness and echogenicity of the dermis.

  3. Anechoic or hypoechoic dermal pseudocysts - round or oval hypoechoic and anechoic structures in the dermis and/or hypodermis measuring <1 cm, which may clinically correspond to nodules or abscesses (Fig. 6).

    Figure 6
    Pseudocyst.

  4. Anechoic fluid collections with echoes (debris) - hypoechoic or anechoic dermal fluid and/or hypodermic sac-like structure connected to the base of the enlarged hair follicle, clinically corresponding to an abscess or fistula (Fig. 7).

    Figure 7
    Fluid collections.

  5. Hypoechoic fistula/fistulous tracts in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue - dermal or hypodermal hypoechoic or anechoic band-like structure connected to the base of an enlarged hair follicle (Fig. 8).

    Figure 8
    Fistulae.

More recently, an international consensus of experts validated, in addition to the abovementioned lesions, “hair tracts”, or fragments of hair, with a trilamellar, bilaminar or monolaminar appearance and an hyperechoic linear pattern (Fig. 9).99 Martorell A, Wortsman X, Alfageme F, Roustan G, Arias-Santiago S, Catalano O, et al. Ultrasound evaluation as a complementary test in hidradenitis suppurativa: proposal of a standarized report. Dermatol Surg. 2017;43:1065-73.,1313 Lacarrubba F, Dini V, Napolitano M, Venturini M, Caposiena Caro DR, Molinelli E, et al. Ultrasonography in the pathway to an optimal standard of care of hidradenitis suppurativa: the Italian ultrasound working group experience. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:10-4.

Figure 9
“Hair tracts”.

Complementary evaluations

Vascularization evaluation with Doppler provides an objective assessment of the degree of inflammation and disease activity. It can be classified as absent, peripheral, internal or mixed (Fig. 10).1515 Caposiena Caro RD, Cannizzaro MV, Botti E, Di Raimondo C, Di Matteo E, Gaziano R, et al. Clindamycin versus clindamycin plus rifampicin in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment: clinical and ultrasound observations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80:1314-21.,2222 Wortsman X, Castro A, Figueroa A. Color doppler ultrasound assessment of morphology and types of fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75:760-7.

23 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7.
-2424 Frew JW, Navrazhina K, Grand D, Sullivan-Whalen M, Gilleaudeau P, Garcet S, et al. The effect of subcutaneous brodalumab on clinical disease activity in hidradenitis suppurativa: an open-label cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83:1341-8.

Figure 10
Type of vascularization on Doppler.

It is also possible to grade the amount of vascularization2323 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7. as high, if there are multiple signs, moderate if there are some signs of flow, minimal if there are a few points and absent. Nodules and abscesses have a peripheral vascularization pattern, simple fistulas, peripheral and mixed, and complex fistulas show a mixed pattern. Nodules show moderate to low amount of vascularization2020 Álvarez P, García-Martínez FJ, Poveda I, Pascual JC. Intralesional triamcinolone for fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa: an uncontrolled prospective trial with clinical and ultrasonographic follow-up. Dermatology. 2020;236:46-51. and abscesses and fistulas show a high to moderate degree of vascularization.1313 Lacarrubba F, Dini V, Napolitano M, Venturini M, Caposiena Caro DR, Molinelli E, et al. Ultrasonography in the pathway to an optimal standard of care of hidradenitis suppurativa: the Italian ultrasound working group experience. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:10-4.,2323 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7. As the disease becomes chronic, the vascularization changes from peripheral to mixed.2323 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7.

Another important complementary assessment is the grading of fibrosis (Fig. 11),1616 Nguyen TV, Damiani G, Orenstein LA, Hamzavi I, Jemec GB. Hidradenitis suppurativa: an update on epidemiology, phenotypes, diagnosis, pathogenesis, comorbidities, and quality of life. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35:50-61. which may appear as absent (grade 0), as a thin peripheral hypoechoic band with a fibrillar pattern (grade 1) or as a thick, peripheral hypoechoic band with a fibrillar pattern that invades the fistula lumen and produces a hypoechoic halo that is transversely visible (grade 2).

Figure 11
Grading of fibrosis.

A fistula with a high degree of fibrosis is chronic and requires surgical treatment.

Finally, it is also possible to observe and grade perilesional edema, which directly correlates with inflammation and associated symptoms such as pain (Fig. 12).2222 Wortsman X, Castro A, Figueroa A. Color doppler ultrasound assessment of morphology and types of fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75:760-7.,2424 Frew JW, Navrazhina K, Grand D, Sullivan-Whalen M, Gilleaudeau P, Garcet S, et al. The effect of subcutaneous brodalumab on clinical disease activity in hidradenitis suppurativa: an open-label cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83:1341-8. It may be absent (grade 0), show hypodermic hyperechogenicity (grade 1) or hypodermic hyperechogenicity and anechoic fluid among the hypodermal adipose lobes (grade 2).

Figure 12
Grading of perilesional edema.

Another possible finding are reactive lymph nodes that have an elliptical well defined shape, with hypoechoic cortical thickening, and an hyperechoic medulla in the central area (Fig. 13).1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018.,2323 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7.,2828 Wortsman X, Jemec G. Dermatologic ultrasound with clinical and histologic correlations. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2013 Normally they are 1 cm in diameter and the Doppler assessment shows hilar vessels in the central area or at one of the borders.1010 Wortsman X. Imaging of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34:59-68.,1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018.,2525 Kleinerman R, Whang TB, Bard RL, Marmur ES. Ultrasound in dermatology: principles and applications. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;67:478-87.

Figure 13
Reactive lymph node, without important changes.

Ultrasound during surgery

Determination of surgical margins intraoperatively through ultrasound examination can prevent recurrence. The technique used to determine ultrasound surgical margins involves first determining a 0.5 cm width clinical margin and then explore the area identified with ultrasound, transversely. Then, increase the area to be excised if subclinical lesions are present, repeating the process until there are no more lesions.2222 Wortsman X, Castro A, Figueroa A. Color doppler ultrasound assessment of morphology and types of fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75:760-7.

Recording of medical information1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018.

The medical record should contain the type of lesion, anatomical location (Figs. 2‒4), diameter, vascularization status, description of relevant surrounding structures and inflammatory activity and degree of edema using Doppler.

Device care1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018.

As HS lesions may be draining fluids, it is recommended to use plastic covers for the probe, without significantly compromising the images obtained. After each patient examination, the probe should be cleaned with an alcohol solution.

Limitations for the use of ultrasound

Despite the various advantages, available ultrasound devices do not allow the identification of lesions smaller than 0.1 mm, and do not show pigment or lesions exclusively intraepidermal,88 Martorell A, Alfageme Roldán F, Vilarrasa Rull E, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Romaní De Gabriel J, García Martínez F, et al. Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2137-42.,1717 Wortsman X. Atlas of dermatologic ultrasound. Santiago, Chile: Universidad de Chile; 2018. with no real impact in the assessment of HS.

Discussion

Dermatological ultrasound is important in the care of patients with HS because it allows the identification of the types of lesions at the time of the examination with greater accuracy.1414 Zarchi K, Yazdanyar N, Yazdanyar S, Wortsman X, Jemec GB. Pain and inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa correspond to morphological changes identified by high-frequency ultrasound. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:527-32. Comparisons between clinical and ultrasound indices99 Martorell A, Wortsman X, Alfageme F, Roustan G, Arias-Santiago S, Catalano O, et al. Ultrasound evaluation as a complementary test in hidradenitis suppurativa: proposal of a standarized report. Dermatol Surg. 2017;43:1065-73. demonstrated that clinical propaedeutics frequently underestimates patient severity, which impacts the therapeutic planning. Ultrasound also allows objectively assessing the response to treatment using Doppler,2323 Caposiena Caro RD, Solivetti FM, Bianchi L. Power doppler ultrasound assessment of vascularization in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:1360-7. with planning of fistulae treatment according to their characteristics55 Martorell A, Giovanardi G, Gomez-Palencia P, Sanz-Motilva V. Defining fistular patterns in hidradenitis suppurativa: impact on the management. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45:1237-44. and more precise surgical planning with less recurrences.2222 Wortsman X, Castro A, Figueroa A. Color doppler ultrasound assessment of morphology and types of fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75:760-7.

The patient with HS deals with acute exacerbations (“flares”) in addition to the sequelae of previous lesions. As patients take an average of 7.2 years2929 Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas da hidradenite supurativa. Ministério da Saúde. - Brasília: Ministério da Saúde, 2020. to get a precise diagnosis, the multiple active and inactive lesions, in addition to fibrosis, make it difficult to accurately assess the lesions. The nodules, abscesses, and different types of fistulas require different therapeutic interventions. Superficial fistulas can be treated with deroofing, while deeper ones must be treated with conventional surgical excision.55 Martorell A, Giovanardi G, Gomez-Palencia P, Sanz-Motilva V. Defining fistular patterns in hidradenitis suppurativa: impact on the management. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45:1237-44.

There is no previous protocol in the Brazilian literature providing guidelines on the use of ultrasound in HS. This protocol used the main evidence from the literature, covering all HS findings, with the aim of improving care for these patients. It is possible that future therapies will be guided according to ultrasound findings, with prediction of the onset and response to treatment according to ultrasound follow-up.2222 Wortsman X, Castro A, Figueroa A. Color doppler ultrasound assessment of morphology and types of fistulous tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75:760-7.

Conclusion

A complete evaluation of the anatomical area and degree of inflammation in a non-invasive, live and interactive way in patients with HS, is provided by dermatological ultrasound examination, in comparison with clinical examination. This protocol allows guiding its use in the care of patients with HS, improving follow-up and treatment of these patients.

  • Financial support

    None declared.
  • Study conducted at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    23 Sept 2024
  • Date of issue
    Sep-Oct 2024

History

  • Received
    24 July 2023
  • Accepted
    20 Oct 2023
  • Published
    08 June 2024
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