High-Frequency Color Doppler Sonography of Bullous Pemphigoid: Correlation With Histologic Findings

J Ultrasound Med. 2016 Aug;35(8):1821-5. doi: 10.7863/ultra.15.09079. Epub 2016 Jul 1.

Abstract

Bullous pemphigoid is the most frequent autoimmune-mediated blistering skin disease, belonging to the group of subepidermal bullae. We performed high-frequency color Doppler sonography in 3 cases of bullous pemphigoid, in bullous and adjacent non-bullous skin, which showed homogeneous sonographic findings. Subepidermal cystic structures with dermal hypoechogenicity were observed in bullous skin. In nonbullous skin, the dermis showed hypoechogenicity compared to normal skin. Color Doppler signals were increased in both areas. These findings correlate histologically with subepidermal bullae and dermal inflammatory infiltrates.

Keywords: bullous dermatoses; bullous pemphigoid; color Doppler sonography; dermatologic sonography; sonography; superficial structures.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Histological Techniques / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pemphigoid, Bullous / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pemphigoid, Bullous / pathology
  • Skin / diagnostic imaging
  • Skin / pathology
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / methods*