Ultrasound evaluation as a complementary test in hidradenitis suppurativa: proposal of a standarized report

Abstract

BACKGROUND Staging and monitoring of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have been traditionally based on clinical findings. However, the physical examination may show important limitations because of its poor sensitivity for differentiating between different lesion subtypes, and its low sensitivity to define the disease's activity.

OBJECTIVE To develop a consensus ultrasound (US) report that could summarize the relevant anatomical characteristics and staging of patients considering the experience of radiologists and dermatologists working on imaging of HS.

METHODS A questionnaire on different aspects related to US examination in HS was performed. A working group, called DERMUS, composed of doctors from 9 countries who have been working in dermatologic US applied in patients with HS on a regular basis were included to evaluate the different items provided.

RESULTS A consensus US report to evaluate HS patients was established.

CONCLUSION The authors present the first attempt to define a HS standardized sonographic report. This model would be the first effort to include this imaging technique as the first elective medical test for staging and monitoring patients, which can support therapeutic decisions by providing earlier, objective, deeper, anatomical, and comparative evaluations in this difficult to treat disease.